Light And Fresh Fare For Hot Summer Days—Champagne Afternoon Tea, Modern Mexican, And Tagaytay Veggie Dishes

A Veuve Clicquot Champagne Afternoon Tea at Raffles Makati

1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City, (02) 795-1840, dining.makati@raffles.com

This summer, the Writers Bar at Raffles Makati has made its signature afternoon tea even more refined and elegant by pairing it with luxury Champagne house Veuve Clicquot, one of the most respected Champagne houses in France, thanks to the efforts of Madame Clicquot, known as one of France’s earliest businesswomen and innovators.

 

 

Aside from a selection of fine teas, the set comes with a host of savory and sweet treats. Our favorite is, of course, Raffles’ freshly baked Scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd, and strawberry preserves. The three-tier medley is filled with Salmon and Dill Tartlets, Mango and Cucumber Finger Sandwiches, Parmesan Sable and Pumpkin Custard, and crunchy Mini Baguettes with Chicken, Walnut, and Apricot filling. The sweets include Chocolate and Champagne infused Macarons, Passion Fruit Religieuse, and Dark Chocolate and Marc de Champagne infused Lollipops topped with gold leaf, plus Dark Chocolate Cake, Pistachio and Mango Tartlets, and classic Victoria Cake.

 

 

The Veuve Clicquot Afternoon Tea is available until June 30, 2019, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm daily, priced at P1,500 with selected fine teas for two, or at P2,500 inclusive of two glasses of Champagne. Veuve Clicquot Champagne is also available by the glass at P750, or by the bottle at P4,200.

 

Lunch plates and new dishes at Chino MNL

One Bonifacio High Street, 28th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, (0917) 142-0588

Since this modern Mexican restaurant (with original branch in Hong Kong) opened last year, it has been gaining raves for its fresh take on Mexican fare with Japanese inflections, along with its relaxed vibe and enviable mezcal and tequila collection. While it used to be open only for dinner, thankfully, Chino MNL has finally opened its doors for lunch.

Aside from offering the usual bestsellers of ceviches, tacos, and tostadas, Executive Chef and owner Erik Idos has come up with lunch plates that are as delicious as they’re filling. Just choose the protein—Fried Mahi Mahi, Achiote Marinated Chicken Breast, Soy Braised Pork Belly, or Chicken Al Pastor—which comes with garlic rice, grilled corn salsa, and tortillas, for just P350 to P400. Also on the lunch menu is a generous Taco Salad with cabbage, pickled green mango, optional chicken breast, and chipotle vinaigrette.

 

READ: Chino Arrives Fresh From Hong Kong To Bring Its Mexican Flavors With Japanese Touches To The BGC Neighborhood

 

Lunch plate with Chicken Al Pastor topped with pickled onions

 

Chef Erik has also introduced new dishes to try for lunch or dinner. Tiayuda are Oaxacan-style flat tortillas made crisp and topped with chorizo, black beans, avocado, roasted salsa, pickled onions, and cilantro.

 

Tiayuda

 

Also on the menu is Kataifi Shrimp, like a Mexican version of tempura, with whole shrimp wrapped in thread-like kataifi dough, fried and topped with spicy yuzu Kewpie and pickled jicama, then served with lettuce to wrap the shrimp in.

 

Kataifi Shrimp

 

For those not afraid of overdosing on fat, Chef Erik’s Crab Fat Rice and Bone Marrow, spiked with crispy ginger, is a must order. And of course, a meal at Chino MNL isn’t complete without one of its original cocktails.

 

Crab Fat Rice with Bone Marrow

 

READ: This Is What You Need To Get All The Perks At This Luxury Resort In Tagaytay

 

Veggie dishes by Mesa Ni Misis at Anya Resort Tagaytay

Buenavista Hills Road, Brgy. Mag-asawang Ilat, (02) 657-1640, www.anyaresorts.com

If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Tagaytay, you can drop by Anya Resort Tagaytay to try its new healthy, plant-based menu in partnership with Mesa Ni Misis. Founded by Juana Manahan-Yupangco, Mesa Ni Misis is a sustainable food movement that aims to spread the word about the benefits of cooking and eating local vegetables.

 

READ: Want To Get Healthy? Just Eat Fresh, Local Veggies In Season Says Juana Manahan-Yupangco Of Mesa Ni Misis

 

Chef Jonathan Bouthiaux and Juana Manahan-Yupangco

 

Together with Yupangco, Anya’s Executive Chef Jonathan Bouthiaux came up with vegetable-centric dishes that make full use of Tagaytay’s fresh, local produce. Starters include Ampalaya ala JASMS, an ampalaya dish covered in kangkong pesto, and Pinoy Harvest Bowl which has hearty red mongo and squash drizzled with tamari sauce.

 

READ: Juana Manahan-Yupangco And Her Smart ‘Mesa Ni Misis’ Kitchen

 

Pinoy Harvest Bowl

 

Main course dishes include Monggo Bolognese, Laguna Cheese Ravioli, and Tagaytay Pizza topped with creamy Laguna cheese, tomatoes, kalabasa, sitaw, grilled eggplant, and pineapple. The Mesa Ni Misis menu is available at Anila Poolside Restaurant and Amra Deli Bar until June 29, 2019.

 

READ: Juana Yupangco Cooks With 100% Local Veggies—And Maybe You Should Too

 

Tagaytay Pizza