PRESENTS PERFECT: 10 Amazing Party Platters That You Will Want On Your Holiday Table
Put on a fabulous, stress-free feast with this nifty list
This year, we're celebrating Christmas a little differently. Perhaps there will be no big family reunions or the usual list of parties, but one thing we can do is to create a festive Christmas spread. Whether you're dining quietly at home with family, or sending a tray of delicious goodies to the people you love, good food is still a wonderful way to spread love and good cheer this season. For no-fuss feasting, order your celebratory dishes early. We compiled this list of our holiday favorites -- a good combination of luxury, comfort, traditional and contemporary eats. All worthy to grace your Christmas table.
The Holiday Table
The Holiday Table
Cochinillo, Hola Bombon
Easily the star of the holiday table, Hola Bombon’s Cochinillo is crunchy, crackling and succulent. Cooked by Spanish Chef Rubén, this delicious suckling pig is seasoned with nothing but salt and the smoke of the crackling fire. Hola Bombon! is a fairly new Spanish restaurant that opened in Poblacion only in the latter part of 2019, so it’s still a bit of a ‘secret.’ Treat your family to a lovely Spanish Christmas by ordering one of their seven Hola Navidad Specials — set meals good for three to eight persons. Celebrate without the stress of cooking. Oh, do order the cochinillo two days in advance! Order online at holabombon.com/online-ordering, call (0917) 520-1880, or DM @hola.bombonph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @hola.bombonph
Shellfish Paella, Real Girl Toy Kitchen
Made the old fashioned, traditional way using slow-cooked sofrito, real saffron, Spanish chorizo and a seafood medley of fresh sea prawns, clams, mussels or squid, and homemade seafood stock. It’s a luxurious and delightfully fresh take on the usual paella. To order, DM @realgirltoykitchen on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @realgirltoykitchen
Porchetta, The Black Pig
Worthy to be the centerpiece of your holiday table, this Spanish-style porchetta is slow roasted until it’s crisp, crackling, and fragrant with herbs and aromatics. Crafted by Spanish chef Carlos Garcia at Black Pig. If you’ve been missing his amazing food at @blackpigph or @pigpen.ph, let his amazing team recommend festive platters to make up your Christmas dinner. Order online at dine.theblackpigbar.com, or DM @blackpigph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @blackpigph
Sushi Platter, Yayoi
Enjoy a Japanese feast with @yayoiph’s ready-to-serve party platter, an overloaded combination of signature rolls and diner favorites: spicy salmon roll, yakiniku roll, spicy kani roll, California roll, kani tempura, fried gyoza, tamago, edamame, and chicken cutlets. There are two other party platter options to choose from, all ready to serve, for a fabulous and very convenient party. Order online at order.yayoi.com.ph, or send a DM to @yahoiph on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @yayoiph
Bilao Combos, Sarsa Kitchen
Christmas can be fun, casual and exuberantly Pinoy with Chef JP Anglo’s combo bilaos. You get to choose, and even mix-and-match: Palabok Luglug Espesyal and Pinoy Spaghetti Duo, Assorted Empanada and Piaya Bilao, Assorted Barbecue Bilao, Lumpia Combo. They certainly took the pain out of choosing. To order, call (0917) 528-0115, (02) 7754-9943, or DM @sarsakitchen on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @sarsakitchen
Gyu-Bomb, Bamba Bistro
Feast on Asian flavors this Christmas with Chef Tina Legarda’s Gyu-Bomb party platter. Thinly-sliced ribeye marinated in sweet soy sauce is cooked in uni butter, then served on top of fried rice of roasted leeks, miso and egg. Best eaten with the accompanying eel sauce and chili oil. Can you resist? A platter is good for two to three persons. Browse through her new holiday specials as well, which includes her signature Duck Ravioli, a contemporary kare-kare (named “Hindi Kare-Kare ng Lola Mo), and a spectacular Shrimp Truck cooked in special butter and garlic sauce. Order from @bambabistroph on Instagram, or call (02) 8519-7097, (0998) 465-9984.
Photo Credit: @bambabistroph
Surf and Turf Tray, Slow Burn Manila
If you’re looking for simple, festive and stress-free, this Surf and Turf Tray has everything you need: smokin’ ribs, garlic shrimps, truffled umami rice, French beans and cherry tomatoes. The whole tray is good for four to five persons, or you can order a half-tray good for two. @slowburnmnl is the home-based business of Chryso Morales, executive chef at Aloha Restaurant in Boracay until the pandemic hit, and his brother, Dale. To order, text (0956) 027-0730 or DM @slowburnmnl on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @slowburnmnl
8 Treasure Chicken, Lechon Diva
Everybody knows about Dedet dela Fuente’s spectacular, unforgettable lechons, so it’s time to become intimately acquainted with her other delicious offerings. Her 8 Treasures Chicken, a boneless roast chicken stuffed with eight lucky ingredients: salted egg, chestnuts, Chinese ham, cashew, Chinese chorizo, dates, mushroom and sticky rice. Or go for her Boneless Chicken stuffed with truffle rice with truffled gravy — truly luxury on a plate. To order, message (0917) 866-0662, email pepitaskitchen@gmail.com, or DM @lechon_diva on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @lechon_diva
Create-Your-Own Holiday Feast, New World Makati
For the easiest, no brainer feast that will be exactly as you want it, take advantage of New World Makati Hotel’s customized holiday menu which allows you to mix and match dishes from their holiday spread of Western comfort food. Choose such specialties as Parmesan chicken wings, beef lasagna, pork barbecue, braised e-fu noodles, and even dessert. To order, call (02) 8811-6888.
Photo Credit: New World Makati Hotel
Pinoy Lechon Belly with Hibe Rice, Calle Nakpil
It’s hard to beat Calle Nakpil’s roasted rolled pork belly stuffed with lemongrass garlic paste, with hibe salted egg fried rice, smoked liver sauce, pickled papaya, and spiced vinegar. Oh my. Don’t stop there, but browse through the rest of their menu, which are all stellar. And that’s no surprise because Calle Nakpil is the new brand name of Julio’s, the decades-old family catering business. You’ve probably enjoyed their delicious food before, and they always deliver quality. For a fine gourmet spread at home, call (02) 8573-1326, (0917) 145-1234, send a DM to @callenakpil on Instagram, email ph.julioscatering@gmail.com, or order online at www.callenakpil.com.
Photo Credit: @callenakpil
Paella Mixta, Talisay Garden Cafe
A Filipino paella is a wonderful festive treat, especially when made by a master like Chef Tatung. His Paella Mixta is made with local organic tinawon rice, sofrito, seafood and chicken. Order one for yourself, and send as gifts to family and friends. They’ll love it. Order online at talisay.beepit.com, or DM @talisayqc on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @talisayqc
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