by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 11, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Celebrate the journey of love this February with a romantic sojourn and an array of delectable dining selections at The Manila Hotel.
Valentine Room Escape
Bask in the spirit of love with our Valentine’s Day room offer at a special rate of P10,000 nett (inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, dinner buffet for two, and a deluxe room accommodation) where couples can indulge in a luxurious overnight stay in a Deluxe Room. Enjoy our signature breakfast buffet and take pleasure in our romantic dining experiences at Café Ilang-Ilang.
Exquisite culinary journeys at our famed Café Ilang-Ilang
Intricate yet sumptuous flavors of local and international cuisines shine throughout our famed Café Ilang-Ilang. With an extensive selection of buffet delights, satiate your tastebuds this Valentine’s Day.
To better accommodate our guests, the dinner buffet will have two seatings on February 14 and 15, with only 350 persons each time. The first seating will be from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM while the second seating will be from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM. A designated waiting area will be provided for guests arriving early for the second seating. Senior citizens will be prioritized. Regular buffet rates apply.
Embrace romance and glamour at the Champagne Room
Food is a love language, and if it happens to be the one you speak, there’s no better place to indulge than in the most romantic room in Manila—The Champagne Room. The fine-dining restaurant welcomes guests to the sophisticated culinary landscape of delectable European fare.
Our exquisite Valentine’s degustation dinner menu is offered at P6,000 nett per person and will only be available from 13 to 15 February 2023.
Valentine Gift Selections

The Manila Hotel also presents its signature offerings as ideal gifts this Valentine’s season. Inspired by sweet moments and little acts of love, the hotel’s well-loved pralines and smashable chocolate heart (P1,480 nett) double as thoughtful presents to loved ones or as an indulgent date night dessert.
For reservations and inquiries, please call (632) 85270011 or (632) 530015500 or email re************@************el.com
For more information on the hotel’s offers and updates, please visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph or follow The Manila Hotel on Facebook and Instagram.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, the Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa and Manila Hotel Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure:
- Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of international buffet delights;
- The Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — features French cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting;
- Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of jazz music;
- Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings;
- Red Jade is a fine-dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and
- The Deli offers the hotel’s signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 2, 2023 | Food & Beverage
I’ve been told by my family that I am pretty adventurous as a home cook – I like trying new things and I like challenging myself with complicated dishes. But sometimes I am just too tired and all I want to do is serve my family something quick and easy so that I am not too tired to enjoy dinner with my family. This is why I am thankful that Purefoods came up with the Ready-to-Eat line that guarantees quality time made easy with my family and guarantees that the dishes are delicious and the chef (me!) gets compliments on how yummy the dishes are. 😀
Purefoods Ready-to-Eat Bistek Tagalog
A dish that is a staple in many Filipino households is the Bistek Tagalog. Slow-cooked to perfection it only takes around 10 minutes to cook. Just add onions (if feeling yamanin) to get that authentic Bistek Tagalog you are looking for.
Correct me if I am wrong but, Bistek just isn’t the same without onions, am I right?
To my non-Filipino friends, you guessed it! Bistek is the Filipino way of saying beef steak but, as with most dishes that are “Filipinized” it tastes nothing like the beef steak you probably grew up with.
Purefoods Ready-to-Eat Bicol Express
Bicol Express is probably one of my favorite Filipino dishes because it is spicy. The main ingredients of which are meat, peppers, coconut milk (gata), and seasonings. As an extender, you could add vegetables like sigadilyas (also known as winged beans), for example. I’ve seen some versions with carrots and bell peppers but I think they are more for color contrast.
When I had the opportunity to try this I was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful it was. With instant dishes like these, I tend to assume that I would still have to fix them to make them edible. Thankfully, that isn’t the case.
Leveling up your dishes
But just because these Purefoods Ready-to-Eat meals are instant meals doesn’t mean you cannot level up your dishes anymore. Check out the links to the recipes below:
With these Ready-to-Eat dishes by Purefoods, I don’t need to spend a very long time in the kitchen. Quality time with my family is made easy with Purefoods Ready-to-Eat
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 1, 2022 | Food & Beverage
For many of us, November is the time when we are all preparing for the merriest and busiest season of the year. Christmas is nearest this month, and what better way to immerse ourselves at the moment than experiencing awesome treats from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, located along Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City.
Aside from bringing you to an era where some of you miss or might want to feel and discover bits and pieces of yesteryears, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar also has monthly offerings for everyone to enjoy.
Starting October 31, 2022, Las Casas introduces its Happy Hour every day from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. If you just had your dinner at the Kusina ni Nanay or its Italian restaurant, the La Bella Teodora, and can’t get enough of the place, why not stay awhile and enjoy their Buy 2 Get 1 special cocktail of their (Bucket of Beer) Buy 5 + 1 on Beers and Lagers? And perfectly pair them with your favorite mouth-watering dishes specially curated by their able chefs.
Take pleasure in all of these and prepare to be entertained at the Plaza with their in-house violinist, Mr. Marcel Escundo, as he serenades you with his R&B music and some new Pop Songs of today.
Dance your way to hot Salsa Nights all Wednesday of November (starting November 3) from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the Garden Area with dance instructors (D.I) at hand, or you may bring your own to fully enjoy the dancefloor together with the rhythm of the music of the DJ.
There is a P500 door charge per person for the Salsa Night that comes with one choice of cocktails. There will also be a mobile bar to provide you with your special mix requests in case you want it done your way!

You also have to fill your tummies with delectable Spanish dishes after all those dancing and grooving on the floor.
Can’t get enough of dancing? Here’s more!
Every Friday, Las Casas will give you the 80s and 90s vibe with its Disco Fever Nights at the Garden Area from 7:00 to 11:00 pm for P500 per person. Think of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndy Lauper, or Baby One More Time by Britney Spears! Songs we can’t get enough of on the dancefloor simply keep us reeling and grooving.
DJs will also be present, and a live DJ will provide the best musical choices of the era. You can also do ballroom dancing during those nights. Good food, as usual, will also be ready for you to partake in.
We all love to hear Christmas songs to make us truly feel the holiday spirit is upon us. And for us Filipinos, Christmas comes early. It begins at the stroke of midnight on September 1! With that being said, Las Casas is on the lookout for an angelic rendition of our Christmas tracks through their Christmas Carol Contest, which will have auditions officially starting on December 1, 2022, and ending on December 18. Audition days are every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:00 pm onwards. The Grand Finals will be on December 23.
But even before the Christmas Carol Contest begins, Las Casas will have its own Christmas Tree Lighting on November 26, 2022, at 6:00 pm, with special guests and live performers, plus cocktails and a buffet for guests.
Visit us at Las Casas Quezon City, located at 134 Roosevelt Avenue, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. For more details and inquiries, email us at co*****@********qc.com or call 09171366796 or 09338224522.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 12, 2022 | Food & Beverage
When working from home, you can quickly get snacks from the kitchen or from the nearest sari-sari store, or order them via food delivery apps — but not so much when you’re back in the office.
It’s best to stuff your bag — or locker — with ready-to-eat snacks and ready-to-drink beverages so you always have something delicious on hand. No one wants to be that “hangry” (hungry and angry) one whose energy and productivity get affected because there’s no food or drink to perk them up.
Here are some snacks and drinks you can cop from the supermarket so you’ll never go “hangry” at work:
Jack ‘n Jill Presto Creams
Feel like you’re losing your focus at work because you’re hangry? If lunch can’t come any quicker, you can grab Presto Creams from your bag. Not only is this treat filling, but it can also help give you the mental focus you need at work because it’s rich in B Vitamins! This delicious cookie sandwich has a yummy peanut butter filling so you’ll surely enjoy every bite.
Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili
For your mid-afternoon slump, Chicharron ni Mang Juan Espesyal Suka’t Sili is the way to go! This crunchy, tasty snack captures asim-anghang sarap in every bite and will surely push you to keep going!
It’s also good for sharing, too, so might as well get the party pack!
Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9
During particular busy hours, one snack that can help you pull through is Jack ‘n Jill Cloud 9. This can be your go-to snack during those hangry moments or those times when you simply want to treat yourself for a job well done at the office. Your workdays are bound to get sweeter with this delicious treat!
Great Taste Choco
Calling all coffee lovers! You’ll want Great Taste Choco as part of your workday caffeine selection. It’s an indulgent choco-flavored coffee that can help give you that boost of happy energy as you work. It’s affordable, easy to prepare, and totally satisfying with its delicious, rich chocolate coffee taste.
C2 Milk Tea
No doubt milk tea is one of those drinks you’ll crave when you need a pick-me-up. Happy feels? C2 Milk Tea is all you need! Enjoy it in your favorite flavors: Wintermelon, Chocolate, and Caramel. Each one is brewed from natural green tea leaves and real milk so you know it’s legit!
Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has been delighting Filipinos with its wide range of delicious and high-quality snacks and drinks. Remember to stock up on your URC faves so you won’t get “hangry” during long days at work!
Shop for URC products in grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide, as well as online via URC’s stores at Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora.
Get your stash of these yummy treats so you always have something delicious on hand.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 13, 2022 | Food & Beverage
The Manila Hotel’s stunning Red Jade restaurant, which specializes in authentic Chinese dishes, reopens on Friday, June 10, 2022. After a hiatus, Red Jade once again welcomes diners with not just crowd-pleasers and best-selling dishes, but an expanded menu selection.
Diners can expect to explore a menu of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with a modern flair along with nods to other regional cuisines of China. The historic Manila Hotel’s local and foreign clientele who have either dined in its main hall or booked its function rooms for private gatherings know that Red Jade is famed for food prepared with time-honored cooking techniques, premium ingredients, and uncompromising quality.
Diners have long celebrated the famed Red Jade’s Imperial Peking Duck, which takes hours to prepare and is expertly carved for patrons. Dim sum lovers can enjoy a wide selection of items, among them the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling “Har Gao,” Crispy-Fried Shrimp Stuffed with Cheese, and Pan-Fried Radish Cake “Bi Feng Tang” style. Other menu highlights include the Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce appetizer, Honey-Roasted Pork Barbecue, Roasted Suckling Pig, Crispy Pork Belly (Lechon Macau), Stuffed Chicken with Eight Treasures in Lotus Leaf, Fresh Garoupa served steamed or braised, as well as male mud crabs and green lobsters, and many others. It’s even got its line-up of desserts like the Red Jade Signature Chilled Mango Pudding, Chocolate Sesame Ball, and Chilled Almond Beancurd with Lychee, to name a few.
One of its most popular offerings, however, has been the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” special. Available beginning Monday, June 13 along with Red Jade’s comeback, guests can enjoy delightful dim sums that are meticulously hand-crafted by our chefs to bring out amazing flavors and textures. Guests can order them to their heart’s content for only P1,288 nett per head. Soon, Red Jade will also launch the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” discounted vouchers for a limited time this June. Be sure to catch the promo! The “Dim Sum All-You-Can” offer is available at lunchtime from Monday to Friday only.
Red Jade is known to its loyal guests as one of the most beautifully decorated Chinese restaurants in the country. Guests who enter Red Jade feel like they have been transported to a different world, a place that evokes a sense of majesty. The restaurant is highlighted by the stunning décor of wall relief murals in jade. A luxurious ambiance permeates the space, drawn out by the dramatic lighting that creates a lovely contrast with the stylish wallpapers, detailed ceilings, and red tones all around — an elegant tribute to Chinese traditions and flavors right in the heart of Manila.

With its name and ambiance calling to mind luck and prosperity, Red Jade will surely be a venue for joyous celebrations among family, friends, colleagues, and associates over expertly prepared food, flawless service, and a refined atmosphere. Experience all of it again, starting this Friday, by booking a table now!
Red Jade, located on the ground floor of the historic Manila Hotel, is open daily from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch, and 6 pm to 10 pm for dinner. Reservations can be made by calling (632) 8527 0011, (632) 531 0011, or emailing re*************@************el.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 14, 2022 | Food & Beverage
Homecooked goodness does not have to be hard. Hardworking moms and dads, Magnolia’s got your back! Introducing the Magnolia Chicken Timplados! Your favorite sexy meat marinated and packaged and now, ready-to-cook!

Sarap ng home-style goodness with Magnolia Chicken Ready-to-Cook Timplados.
- Selyado Sigurado – packed at Magnolia chicken plants to ensure safety and quality.
- High in Protein – to help boost immunity.
- Pre-marinated and Ready-to-Cook in less than 30 minutes – pre-marinated and packed at its peak of freshness, for a delicious and healthy meal in less than 30 minutes.
- Delicious Homestyle Goodness – delicious ready-to-cook homestyle meals that your family will surely enjoy.
Cooking instructions
- Thaw chicken in the lowest part of the refrigerator overnight.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- When oil is hot enough, coat chicken with breading and deep-fry for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Drain excess oil on a rack or on paper towels.
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