Italian Festival at Mandarin Oriental, Manila

After last night’s “burn”, I didn’t think I could make it to today’s lunch at the Mandarin Oriental Manila. Why today’s lunch was actually not worth missing? It’s Mandarin’s Italian Food Festival at Paseo Uno, and this Cucina Romana fest is until March 28 only.  

is currently in town from Bangkok where he is based, and his culinary expertise has taken him to 5- star hotels and establishments the world over (this include the U.S., Italy, the UK, Jordan, and Egypt!!!)

Anyway, I was going to change the gauze and dressing of my hand when I realized the burn marks were almost gone! Which meant I could go to that lunch after all 🙂 My hand was so much better, thanks to that miracle cream of the Power Plant Mall guards (mental note to ask them what it was because really, it was a miracle. Burning sensation was gone!).  

I arrived very late, and am still deeply embarrassed by it, as my table mates for the day,  Summit’s Myrza Sison, Charisse Chuidian and Erika Aquino of Mandarin, and Johanna Poblete of BusinessWorld were already halfway with their respective lunches. *Sooooo soooorrrryyyyy!!*

I wasted no time and went for the “kill”. I started off with the 24 month- aged prosciutto di parma (this is really awesome, and I would’ve had a LOT more if it weren’t for my current salt- reduced diet *because of what had happened to me last week hahaha*).  

Then I also had the parmigiano reggiano risotto, served on the parmesan cheese wheel.

I skipped most of the antipasti  

(which really was a mistake but who says I’ve lost the opportunity to taste this? I intend to go back to Mandarin within the week assuming time permits!)

A must- try in the antipasti section though, is the carciofi alla giudea or the deep fried artichoke jews getto style (funky explanation :D).

 This was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. And it is a must-have!

For my main course, I went with the baked snapper (baked in wax paper) with fava beans and guanicale.

It was excellent.

I saved room for dessert because you really, really cannot leave Paseo Uno without trying this. 

Ravioli di pecorino e ricotta con miele (Ravioli with pecorino and ricotta cheese, with honey).

Ooh Apple Tart!

I also went with this cannoli ripieni di crema or puff pastry filled with cream and sweet ricotta cheese *I could be wrong with this, but it tasted like it*

Gosh, after writing about this, I might just attempt to wake up a little earlier tomorrow to have lunch at the Mandarin! And the good news, the Cucina Romana Italian Food Festival menu is available for both lunch and dinner at just Php 1,480++ (for adults)!

The food was well worth its price! Hurry though– the Italian Food Festival is only from March 22 (yesterday) to March 28! For reservations, call Mandarin Oriental Manila Paseo Uno at (+632) 750-8888.

x