Dragon Court, the renowned Chinese restaurant at Manila Prince Hotel, officially reopened its doors on September 27, 2023. The occasion was celebrated with lively Dragon and Lion dance performances alongside an inaugural lunch that brought together esteemed members of the media, hotel executives, and loyal patrons.
The intimate gathering showcased the restaurant’s ambiance and culinary offerings. Guests were treated to the delectable Mid-Autumn set menu – a selection of traditional Chinese dishes such as Hakaw, Siomai, Stir-Fried Beef in Oyster Sauce, Salt and Pepper Spareribs, and Yang Chow Rice.
Dice Game
The festivities continued with a dice game, adding an element of fun and excitement to the event. Lucky winners walked away with a range of prizes, such as Dragon Court gift vouchers, Marcelino St. Café buffet vouchers, and mooncakes by The Manila Hotel.
Cozy interior
Dragon Court showcases an interior reminiscent of golden Chinese design. It boasts comfortable seating, elegant décor, and warm lighting that together create an inviting ambiance. For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, the restaurant offers five (5) private dining rooms.
The reopening of Dragon Court marks a significant milestone for Manila Prince Hotel – showing the hotel’s commitment to delivering exceptional dining experience to its patrons. “We are thrilled to welcome our valued guests back to Dragon Court. Our commitment to serving traditional Chinese cuisine remains,” shared Ester Joy Yap, director of food and beverage.
Dragon Court is open for lunch from 11 am to 3 pm and dinner from 6 pm to 10 pm, from Mondays to Sundays.
Manila Prince Hotel, a subsidiary of The Manila Hotel, is situated in the heart of Manila’s business district. It is located close to the city’s top tourist spots as well as main transportation hubs. With its 300 well-appointed rooms, 10 function rooms and ballrooms, an elegant lobby with 24-hour reception, a business center, a swimming pool, and gym access, Manila Prince Hotel offers value for money and stylish comfort.
Along with excellent service and luxurious hospitality, the hotel has two (2) exciting dining outlets: Marcelino Street Café, the all-day dining restaurant, and Dragon Court, the Chinese restaurant. The hotel is attached to UN Square Mall for convenient shopping and dining. These and more make Manila Prince Hotel a top choice for both leisure and business travelers.
What would you do if a lion gets up close and personal with you like this one did with me? If it were a real lion, I would probably be frozen in place and praying that I am not on the menu. With a dancing lion like this one was, all I could manage was a squeak and a giggle.
I was fortunate enough to be part of the opening of Dragon Court at the Manila Prince Hotel. I knew to expect a dragon and lion dance, a lauriat meal, and a dice game. After all, these are staples of Chinese events (as far as I know), and I was not disappointed.
Opening with a bang
The dragon and lion dance is performed to bring in good luck … and what is a Chinese extravaganza without a dragon and lion dance, right? This isn’t the first one I’ve seen, but it is the first one that interacted with me directly. Who knew they were so flirty? Lol! It was just so entertaining.
Dragon Court interior
The interior of Dragon Court has a very old-world Chinese charm. Off to the sides are private rooms for private parties that could seat anywhere from ten to thirty people, depending on the room. The tables in the public area are widely spaced so it does not feel overcrowded.
The Food
I’ve noticed in Chinese restaurants they don’t serve the food at the same time and they usually serve the rice last. I never understood this practice since, as a Filipino, I like eating rice with my viand. That being said, there is no disputing that everything we were served was delicious! Let me show you my favorites.
Hands down whenever I get a chance to eat dimsum, you can be sure I will order hakaw and siomai, and hope that I will not be disappointed. Thankfully, the siomai and hakaw of Dragon Court are definitely something to write home about. Not only are they flavorful, but each piece is chock-full of filling, and I did not feel at all cheated.
We can’t go wrong with ordering lemon chicken. The chicken is tender, sweet, and definitely not dry. Cooking this at home, it would be easy to overcook it. From what I experienced, this was cooked to perfection.
You can be sure that this eggplant and minced pork dish is good because I am very allergic to it, but I couldn’t resist tasting it anyway … after making sure I took an antihistamine first. My only regret is that I could only risk one tablespoon of this lest I break out in hives. In my opinion, it was the best dish served.
Dice Game time!
We ended our lunch with a fun dice game where everyone goes home a winner! The rules are simple, and at every round, most of us won a lolly at least. Except for one, who messed up in every round except for the last round, where he won the first prize. It must have been fate. 😀
I was prepared to have my belly filled with delicious food. I wasn’t expecting to have so much fun and interaction. I will certainly keep Dragon Court in mind next time we have a family event in Manila.
If they still have the Dice Game set menu, I will recommend that to my family and friends as well. Not only was the food good, but it was a lot of fun to play as well!
Manila Prince Hotel is excited to announce the reopening of its esteemed Chinese restaurant, Dragon Court. Located at the lobby level, Dragon Court’s reopening is part of the hotel’s month-long anniversary celebration. It is set to welcome guests to an unforgettable dining experience starting September 27, 2023.
Abundance of Flavors
Dragon Court’s food and beverage team underwent extensive preparation to ensure the restaurant maintains its signature taste while introducing new items to cater to the most discerning palates. Guests can expect a wide array of dishes that showcase Chinese cuisine. From delicate dim sum to flavorful specialties, every plate at Dragon Court is crafted with precision and passion.
The menu includes timeless favorites such as Shrimp Dumpling, Roasted Pork Barbecue, White Chicken with Ginger and Leeks, Eight Treasure Diced Winter Melon Soup, Honey Beef in Pepper Sauce, Lapu-Lapu Fillet in Soy Sauce, and baked Mango Tapioca Pudding.
Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu Packages
In addition to the a la carte offerings, Dragon Court introduces Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu packages, which include dice game paraphernalia and special prizes. These packages add fun and excitement to one’s group dining experience while celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Manila Prince Hotel’s director of sales and marketing, Marvin Kim Tan, expressed his enthusiasm about the reopening of Dragon Court. “We are delighted to reintroduce Dragon Court to our guests to celebrate Manila Prince Hotel’s anniversary. We are confident that Dragon Court will be another reason our loyal guests will keep returning to our hotel and attract new clientele.”
Starting September 27, 2023, Dragon Court will be open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call (+632) 5328 2222 or email fn*@ma**********.com for inquiries and reservations.
About Manila Prince
Manila Prince Hotel, a subsidiary of The Manila Hotel, is situated in the heart of Manila’s business district. It is close to the city’s top tourist spots and main transportation hubs. With its 300 well-appointed rooms, ten function rooms and ballrooms, an elegant lobby with 24-hour reception, a business center, a swimming pool, and gym access,
Manila Prince Hotel offers value for money and stylish comfort. Along with excellent service and luxurious hospitality, the hotel has two (2) exciting dining outlets: Marcelino Street Café, the all-day dining restaurant, and Dragon Court, the Chinese restaurant. The hotel is attached to UN Square Mall for convenient shopping and dining. These and more make Manila Prince Hotel a top choice for leisure and business travelers.
I was thankfully invited to partake in a dinner buffet at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, which included the Tuna Festival I just posted recently, and it was certainly a gastronomic delight! I thought we were going to be given a tasting menu, instead, we were allowed to eat anything in the buffet. Wow!
For those who have never been to Cafe Ilang-Ilang, let me tell you that with 18 stations to go to, it was a struggle for me to decide where to go first … everything just looked amazing! From the meat carving station (which happened to be near our table) to Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Italian dishes, salads, bread and cheese plates, and desserts … it was overwhelming.
Cafe Ilang-Ilang’s buffet
Angus steak that would melt in my mouth, lobster, kuracha … oh, all the sinful stuff! I was so tempted to indulge! But I was there for the tuna festival so before choosing what to eat, I went around and hunted for the dishes featured that evening.
Everything you see in the image above, I tried, except for the Tuna Whanja (upper left). I’m a fan of spicy food but looking at the dish I was intimidated by the visible chili pieces. Since I was driving home, I had to be careful with my choices.
Tuna Cottage Cheese Sandwich on Rye and Tuna Ceviche with Avocado
Raw, pan-seared, grilled, fried … I just love tuna every which way. If I had to choose a favorite, though, it would probably be the Tuna Ceviche. Weird choice, I know, since it is probably the dish that had the least preparation done to it, but I love how soft and juicy the tuna was with every bite. Although, I must confess, I did not find any avocado (which I love!) in the serving I was given.
In my personal opinion, tuna ceviche is a fancy way of saying Kinilaw na Tuna. If you don’t know what that is, it means that raw tuna is covered in vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar is what cooks the fish.
Now, I don’t know if this is how they made that dish, but that is how it tasted. Fyi, kinilaw na tuna is one of my favorite dishes so it definitely got a thumbs up!
Tuna Salad with White Beans
The Tuna Salad with White Beans was another favorite of mine as it is smooth and creamy.
Tuna Salpicao
The one I was most excited to taste, to be honest, was the Tuna Salpicao. I’m a big fan of beef salpicao and chicken salpicao … I can even cook both! It is honestly an easy dish to make and so delicious! I was curious to know how it would translate with tuna as the main ingredient.
What I discovered is that if we don’t eat this immediately the tuna becomes dry and tough so, word of advice … when this is served to you, ask for more sauce to put on it and try to eat it immediately.
The Spicy Tuna Spring Rolls held no surprise but I like spicy tuna and I like spring rolls so I got it anyway. Yum!
At the back of the photo are Tuna Empanadas. I didn’t get to taste them anymore because everytime I went to that station they would run out! That’s apparently how good they are. Based on that alone, I would have to assume I missed out on something wonderful but there just wasn’t space left in my tummy after. 😀
I ended the evening with Pear Sorbet and a macaron.
Who am I kidding? I ended the evening with several bowls of pear sorbet, macchiato gelato, mango crepe, and several macarons! Lol! Anyone who has been at a buffet with me knows my favorite station is the dessert station and I made sure to leave room for those lovelies.
In five words I would describe my experience with Cafe Ilang-Ilang and their Tuna Festival as “a party in my mouth”. That’s a party I would love to attend again soon.
The Tuna Festival of General Santos City celebrates the ocean’s bountiful offerings with diverse activities that mirror the city’s vibrant marine industry. In celebration of this tradition, Café Ilang-Ilang embarks on a culinary journey highlighting the ocean’s prized gem — tuna.
“Tuna is a true gem of the ocean, and we want to highlight its amazing flavors through a variety of dishes. Our goal is to provide our valued guests with an exceptional dining experience that celebrates this extraordinary fish,” stated Ester Joy Yap, Assistant Food and Beverage Director of The Manila Hotel.
The Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang promises a gourmet adventure that showcases a wide array of tuna dishes and an extensive buffet selection. Some of the dishes included are Tuna Kilawin, Tuna Chicharon, Sinigang Tuna Panga sa Miso, Bistek Tuna Belly, Tuna Bicol Express, Sizzling Tuna Sisig, Tuna Kare Kare, Tuna-Shrimp Paella, Grilled Tuna Steak, Tuna Putannesca, and Indian Tandoori Tuna Kebab.
These dishes are available on a rotating line-up at Café Ilang-Ilang’s lunch and dinner buffet until September 30, 2023.
Join us in celebrating the Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang and revel in a seafood sensation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Philippine seas. For more information, please call (+632) 8527-0011 or (+632) 5301-5500 or email re************@th************.com.
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 is the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel has continuously provided the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience.
It has over 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. The hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club.
The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through different artists’ objective points of view.
It has six (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; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
Western Visayas, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes, is set to captivate the taste buds of food enthusiasts as The Manila Hotel celebrates the region’s diverse culinary delights at Café Ilang-Ilang this August.
For its latest dining offer, Café Ilang-Ilang has teamed up with Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza, Jr. — a culinary virtuoso and passionate Western Visayas heritage cuisine advocate.
A Tapestry of Flavors
Through this exciting collaboration, Café Ilang-Ilang brings the essence of Western Visayas directly to its dining tables. Acknowledged as the Food Haven of the Philippines, Western Visayas boasts a vibrant food culture that reflects its history, geography, and cultural influences. The partnership showcases diverse dishes, highlighting the region’s local recipes, distinct ingredients, and time-honored cooking techniques.
A Champion of Heritage Cuisine
Chef Tibong, hailing from Western Visayas himself, has his culinary journey deeply rooted in his love for preserving and promoting the region’s culinary heritage. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing and family traditions, his creations offer a contemporary twist to classic dishes, presenting an elevated experience that resonates with both locals and global food enthusiasts.
Embark on a Gastronomic Adventure
At Café Ilang-Ilang, guests can embark on a gastronomic adventure that celebrates the flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques unique to Western Visayas. Throughout the whole month of August, Café Ilang-Ilang patrons can enjoy selected dishes for lunch and dinner buffet. The weekly cycle of featured dishes includes Guimaras Mango with Ginamos sa Tulapo, KBL (Kadios, Baboy, Langka), Laswa, Pancit Molo, Pancit Efuven, Beef Morcon, Chicken Binakol, Lengua Estofado, Bitchuelas, Sopa de Ajo, Fabada, Kinilaw na Tanguigue, Paella Negra with Chiperones, Canonigo, and Lapaz Batchoy Ice Cream.
Experience the “Flavors of Western Visayas” at Café Ilang-Ilang until August 31. For inquiries and reservations, call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500 or email re************@th************.com.
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, including three (3) ballrooms.
The hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and Manila Hotel Health Club. The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery which offers a window into a contemporary world, captured by different artists’ objective points of view.
It has six (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; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
We ended our lunch with a fun dice game where everyone goes home a winner! The rules are simple, and at every round, most of us won a lolly at least. Except for one, who messed up in every round except for the last round, where he won the first prize. It must have been fate. 😀
The one I was most excited to taste, to be honest, was the Tuna Salpicao. I’m a big fan of beef salpicao and chicken salpicao … I can even cook both! It is honestly an easy dish to make and so delicious! I was curious to know how it would translate with tuna as the main ingredient.
The Spicy Tuna Spring Rolls held no surprise but I like spicy tuna and I like spring rolls so I got it anyway. Yum!
You must be logged in to post a comment.