If you were able to read my post on Marriott Manila’s Flavors of Asia, you would notice that I was gushing over their gelato. I was too full that night that I only tasted their Tiramisu gelato. I should have eaten less and tasted more of the gelato.

I am not an ice cream person but that night, I vowed to try more from their wide array of ice cream flavors.

Chef Fil Afable and his team is launching Marriott Manila’s very own homemade gourmet ice cream selections featuring eight sensational flavors that are guaranteed to bring eight sensational indulgences. And yes, it’s the kind of ice cream that you can enjoy for all season!

Sure to bring back the fun memories of childhood, Banana Split (P340) is a trio of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, made even more flavorful with luscious strawberry and mango slices. Topped with toasted almond flakes, this version offers a unique and refreshing take on this classic concoction.

Another household favorite, The Lounge offers an extra luxurious way to enjoy Halo-Halo (P350). Featuring an extra endearing side of our own local flavors such as macapuno, kaong, nata de coco, sweet beans, sweet banana, ube and garbanzos, this treat offers a rich medley with the velvety vanilla ice cream. To top it off, a generous layer of leche flan and ube makes it a decadent comfort dessert.

Sure to rock your taste buds is the Coupe Denmark (P320), a simple and refined combo of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and pistachio nuts. For those days that you want to enjoy effortless pleasures, this fusion is the best way to go.

And who can go wrong with the old-fashioned goodness of vanilla ice cream paired with a warm white chocolate chips brownie? The Sizzling Ice Cream (P415) is a tower of goodness finished off with three kinds of nuts you’ve always loved to nibble—pistachios, almonds, and walnuts.

If on the lookout for a refreshing, palate-cleansing dessert, go for Mango Melba (P415). Filled with caramelized mango crowned with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, this luscious dessert has a light kick of tanginess. Simply divine!

Another certified favorite, the Coupe Romanoff (P415) is oozing with sweet slew of strawberries in grand marnier. Combined with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with strawberry sauce and topped with whip cream, this fruity delight is refreshingly fun and dainty.

For something sweeter and extra indulgent, get to know our Nutty Tower (P415). A humongous scoop of Palawan honey, Maracaibo, mocha, and chocolate ice cream, this dessert is designed to get anyone hooked! And why not? It’s also finished off with lavish pecan, almonds, pistachio, hot fudge, and caramel.

If you’d rather share your love for ice cream with your big group of friends and family, order our Intensity 8 (P660), guaranteed to send tremors of delight with these earthshaking flavors: vanilla, Maracaibo, Palawan honey, ruby Tuesday, chocolate, strawberry, mango and pistachio—a mishmash of everything you’ve been craving for! Plus, everything is topped off with rich sauces such as caramel, vanilla, and chocolate. And to make it even more irresistible, this special fusion is sprinkled with chocolate chips, mocha bean, and chopped pecan.

There are just days that you need to chill, take a break, and enjoy some casual moments. While that’s awesome enough, take it a notch higher and celebrate the day over these knockout and indulgent gourmet desserts, crafted lovingly by Marriott Manila’s certified connoisseurs.

The Lounge is open daily, 10 AM to 12 MN. For inquiries or reservations, call 988-9999.

July 2, 2012 — It was a very wet afternoon, I was a bit feverish and somewhat drowsy from my medications but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet the 4 Chefs of Marriott Manila.

From left: Dadang Wahyudi (JW Marriott, Jakarta, Indonesia), Ruhizad Muri (Renaissance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Thanathorn Krobsuay (JW Marriott, Bangkok, Thailand) and Phan Tien Hoa (Renaissance Riverside, Saigon, Vietnam)

Here are their dishes, up close:

More or less, there were 50 of us bloggers who were invited to taste the savory dishes from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam prepared by respected Marriott Chefs.

I no longer need to discuss how immaculate Marriott Manila’s restaurant is because it is. The tables were set nicely and it wasn’t cramped. The place was designed with lots of space so guests won’t have a hard time moving around.

The staff were so all so kind and knowledgeable about the dishes being served to us. With that, let’s give them 3 claps: clap! clap! clap!

Now lez goooow to the food riot Pardon my ignorance, but from a person who has not been to any of these countries, I was in awe — more like, saying “wow” and “what’s this?” every time. Mahirap ng magkunwaring may alam di ba? Kaya I was soooo glad that the chefs gladly answered my questions.

Moving on, I started my meal with a bowl of Vietnamese Noodle Soup, that at first I thought were BUKO. The noodles were white, thick and thickly cut — buko nga eh.

See those thickly-cut noodles? Mukhang buko, right?

There were two choices, chicken and beef. I chose the latter, so I got this:

The raw beef, dipped in the boiling soup base for 10 seconds flat was soft and to die for.

My next stop was the dimsum area where I feasted on various kinds of dimsum including the very spicy vegetable dimsum, yes, they were that good. Imagine, napakain ako ng maanghang na gulay pa? My husband should prepare something like this para mapakain ako ng gulay!

My Nasi Lemak. I knoooow it doesn’t have cucumber and egg slices, liit ng bowl eh But it should be there. This tastes so good!

And who was I to say no to a cut or two of this smoky, juicy and must-try steak? From a person who loves red meat and too frugal to buy herself a plate of a good steak, this experience was truly heaven.

Customers have the option to choose mushroom, peppercorn or red wine sauces. I choose red wine and damn, it’s a piece of heaven on earth.

The steak was tender and indeed juicy that I wanted another cut but decided to try the other dishes. Di naman ako swapang teh! LOL

I didn’t get to try these, hello allergies!

I skipped the seafoods (bleh!) so I tried other dishes like their Massaman Near (Massaman Curry with beff), bhan xeo (pork omelette), kanom pang na moo (pork canape), tod man par (fish cake) among others.

It was indeed a gastronomic feast of Asian flavors!

Siyempre di pwedeng mawala ang dessert! Kayo na ang humusga!

But the best one which made me stop and say, “what’s my name again?” is their Tiramisu Gelato, topped with pistachio nuts and coffee beans. Amazing mix of flavors. Seriously, time really stopped

I would like to thank our friends from Marriott Manila for this awesome dining experience.

*****

Flavors of Asia at the Marriott Manila Cafe

Four culinary masters in one flavorful feast! From Thailand, Vietnam,
Malaysia and Indonesia, let us tantalize you with a masterpiece through
a month-long celebration of Oriental flavors that’s uniquely Marriott.

Dinner Buffet at Marriott Cafe
Php 2300 Sunday to Thursday • Php 2500 Friday and Saturday

We’re giving away 3days & 2nights accommodation in our Marriott
Properties: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Change the way you enjoy food by learning to cook it yourself! Join us in any of these
special cooking classes at 11 am followed by a hearty lunch for only Php 1500.

July 09 Thai • July 16 Malaysian • July 23 Vietnamese • July 30 Indonesian

Prices are inclusive of applicable taxes and service charge. For inquiries and reservations, call 988 9999.