Spice up your pantry with finds from Eastwood Mall’s Weekend Spice Souk

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Eastwood City is encouraging foodies and homemakers to spice up their dishes with finds from Eastwood Mall’s Weekend Spice Souk, happening on Aug. 14 – 16 and 21 – 23 at the second floor of Eastwood Mall.

Mallgoers can shop for a wide variety of herbs, spices and sauces at this weekend event. At Casanova Garden, guests can pick up potted and cut herbs, like sweet basil, tarragon, lemon mint, choco mint, Vietnamese coriander, lemon balm and more while those who are into spices can purchase turmeric powder from India, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano powder and more at R2R Trading. 

For those who like it hot, chili sauces are up for grabs at Hot Mama. Guests can also experience chili in an all new way with Dielle’s Chili wines or try a variety of chilli dishes like chilli fries and nachos at Chili Pod.

Eating healthy can get even tastier as guests can dress up their salads with a variety of dips and dressings from Whisk. Mallgoers can choose from Lemon Tarragon Vinaigrette, Soy Ginger dressing, and even Strawberry and Basil Jam or Spiced Mango Jam. For organic vegetables, guests can check out Emporium Antipolo. 

Mexican food lovers can get delicious dips from Tagueria Real’s Salsa Cartel and choose from offerings like Roasted Red Salsa, Habanero Carrot Salsa and more. Those craving a Mexican snack can also visit Hijo D’ Pita for tacos, burritos and the delectable El Chuapacabra - ground chicken wrapped in bacon.

Sugar and spice is a delicious combination too and Eastwood’s Weekend Spice Souk has plenty of spiced-up desserts for guests to try. Unit 16 Sweets has flavoured chocolates like chili and sea salt. Those who want a cool treat can stop by Buccino’s Ice Cream Experiment for unusual (and unusually good!) flavor combinations like Dark Chocolate Olive Oil and Muscovado with Bacon. 

The Weekend Spice Souk kickstarts the beginning of a series of food events in Eastwood City as part of Eastwood City’s Food Artistry Campaign. Launched last July, the Food Artistry campaign hopes to encourage foodies and amateur chefs to create their own art on a plate. Mallgoers can look forward to different food fairs with exciting themes in the coming months. 

To learn more about Eastwood’s Food Artistry Campaign and events, guests can visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com, follow Eastwood’s Facebook page at facebook.com/eastwoodcity or call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, 0917-8380111.

Flyvr is taking the Philippines into a new culinary adventure

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Flyvr.co wants to make the yummy food in home kitchens around the country accessible to everyone with a click of a button. 

Flyvr.co, which started as a dream by hungry techies to have homemade food delivered to their house, has grown into a global platform for listing and discovering home cooked meal with a surge of home chefs and users signing up.

After a month of closed beta and an exciting response, Flyvr.co is now officially launching in The Philippines with an aim to connect home chefs with foodies in their locality.Users can easily browse through the website and find homemade food in their area. 

While in closed beta, Flyvr.co was able to get home chefs around the country excited about the possibilities with over 150 expert home chefs signing up in a month and posting their yummy homemade creations. 

With safety features and screening process, Flyvr.co ensures the website offers authentic flavors from real home chefs in Philippines so the foodies get an amazing and safe dining experience.

Flyvr.co is also collaborating with culinary schools in the country to provide opportunity to aspiring home chefs.

Of the company’s response in The Philippines The CEO Asra says:

‘We’re excited to see the response of our chefs from the Philippines and we look forward to growing our community of foodies and chefs in the market.” 

About Flyvr 

Flyvr is a website for listing and discovering home cooked meal. Founded by CEO Asra Nadeem, Flyvr.co is currently available in the UAE and Philippines. 

For more information go to Flyvr.co , Facebook , and Twitter .

Food trip this Independence Day Weekend! Mercato Centrale and Glorieta presents the BELLYSIMA ! Food Festival 2015

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Enjoy food trip this Independence Day Weekend!

From the organizers of the popular night food market Mercato Centrale comes the BELLYSIMA! Food Festival 2015. It is a launch pad for passionate up-and-coming food entrepreneurs to share their artisanal food creations alongside healthy and organic food products with equally passionate food enthusiasts!

From flavored flans to artisan sausages to edible cookie dough to carabao chicharon to twisted gelato flavors to chili-flavored coffee syrups to organic detox juices to chocolate-flavored surprises! And that’s just the tip of the taste buds.

Set your tummies free this June 12 and 13 at the Glorietta 5 Atrium and be one of the lucky 500 participants to taste and evaluate some of the most exciting gourmet, healthy, artisan and organic food creations from over 30 local vendors.

Bring the whole family to enjoy heirloom recipes, regional delicacies, innovative pastries and desserts, experimental dishes, organic and all-natural healthy food alternatives, and more! Note: Remember to wear adjustable waistbands because you’re going on a revolutionary food trip!

Here is a list of the participants to look out for:

BACH’S BANGUS DAGUPAN

Frozen bangus, daing na bangus, rellenong bangus

BLUSH PASTRIES

Cheesecake, Oreo cookies, flavored cupcakes

BRAVO DELI

Baked products

CHOCO LOCCO

Chocolates, cacao, tablea

COCOA MONSTERS

Chocolate and cocoa-related products, including chocolate-coated dried mangoes

COOKIE STICKS

Cookies in stick form

DELICANE

Fresh sugarcane juices

FRIGGIES

Healthy fruits and vegetable juices

GAVIENS NATIVE CAKES

Traditional Filipino rice cakes

GOOD FOOD

Handcrafted items and organic produce

GORBY BALLS

Graham balls

HEALTHY MONSTERS PH

Salad in a jar

HEALTHY SHOTS MANILA

Detox and cleansing juices

HOMEGROWN ORGANICS

Fresh vegetables, organic kale pesto, atchara

IRRI – PHILIPPINE HEIRLOOM RICE

Heirloom rice varieties from the Cordilleras

JACOB’S PRALINE PEANUT BUTTER

Praline peanut butter

KURIKIPU

Hot and iced brewed coffee, pasta, healthy juices, brownies

LOKALITEA

Turmeric tea

LOTUS POD PH

Fresh vegetables

MADE BY MAX

Nut butter spreads

MILETTE KAKANIN

Various homemade traditional Filipino rice cakes and other delicacies

MILEA BEE FARM

Organic honey and other honey-based products

MILKMAN DAIRY BAR

Edible cookie dough and cereal milk

MIO GELATI

Fresh and authentic Italian ice cream

MR. MONTY

Tofu with veggies siomai and various special sauces like chili and chili garlic in coconut oil

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY

Imported goodies

PIPER’S PAN

Mini cakes

PURE ENERGY

Kalabasa and beet delicacies, beet healthy drinks

PURPLE BUDS

Red velvet crinkles and other baked products

REYSONS FOOD

Dolci bottled coffee jelly

RITZY PINK SHOPPE

Baked chicken embutido, banana cupcakes and oatmeal cookies

SALATA PH

Salad dressings and sauces, healthy snacks

TOUCH OF ELLEHCAR

Cupcakes

TREATS OF TRIX

Cheesecakes in a jar

WISE EATS FOODS

Artisan sausages, chorizos, vegetable preserves, salad dressings, etc.

The BELLYSIMA! Food Festival is brought to you by Mercato Centrale in partnership with Glorietta and is co-presented by OurAwesomePlanet.com and Ayala Malls, together with our media partners The Philippine Star, Entrepreneur Magazine, Yummy Magazine, GoNegosyo, WhenInManila.com, Solar Entertainment, 103.5 KLite and Globe My Business.

For more information, contact us through any of the following:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale 

Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph 

Contact: 0917-8401152

All set for Madrid Fusión Manila

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It’s all systems go for the first ever Madrid Fusión Manila, the famed gastronomic festival from Spain! 

Gathering some of the world’s most celebrated chefs in one roof and promising a food experience like no other, Madrid Fusión Manila happens this April 24 to 26, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Madrid Fusión Manila will feature three main events, all of which present the Philippines as a rising culinary center of excellence in Asia: the International Gastronomy Congress, Trade Exhibition, and the Flavors of the Philippines.

International Gastronomy Congress - At the Congress, Michelin-grade Spanish chefs and celebrity chefs from Asia will showcase the latest culinary trends and techniques, continuing Madrid Fusión’s 12-year tradition of showcasing the future of food. 

Trade Exhibition -  takes guests to an unforgettable gastronomic journey featuring premium products from the world’s leading food and beverage companies, especially Spanish delights like wines, cheeses, and charcuterie, and Filipino treats such as chocolates, nuts, mango, artisanal salts, and liqueurs.

Flavors of the Philippines is a month-long cultural and gastronomic feast with food tours and tastings, roving food trucks, and bar crawls. All over the country, restaurants, hotels, bars, malls, and weekend markets are celebrating food with their own line of scrumptious offerings

The Congress is still open for registration to chefs, industry professionals, aficionados, and culinary students, while the Trade Exhibition is free to trade visitors and will be open to the public on the last day. 

To register as a Congress delegate, call +639175358109. To participate as an exhibitor, call +639178441217

For more information about Madrid Fusión Manila, visit www.madridfusionmanila.com or www.visitph2015.com.

Everyone Can Cook! Try #ClaraOlePotluck

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Everyone can cook! People always say the way to a everyone's heart is through their stomachs, and I'm sure doing meals for yourself and loveones...everytime, and every occasion. I admire people who have the skills and knowledge to cook especial meals. Super busy people triest o do simple, quick and basic cooking. 

Who has time to cook? With our full packed daily schedules, sitting down to a home-cooked meal seems like a throwback to a lost era.

And for today’s city-dweller who’s always on the go, prepping your own meals can take up too much time and effort. More often than not, we are tempted to just go to our favorite fast food restaurant or resort to the usual “instant” meals found in our pantry. But we all know this isnt’ a healthy practice, right?

While a hurried lifestyle seems to define today’s generation, there’s more value now more than ever in having the luxury of home-cooked and healthy meals. But even if you have little time or space, nothing should stop you from making delicious and healthy meals at home.

Find comfort that Clara Ole offers a wide array of convenient food solutions to help you whip up a healthy and delicious meal without taking up much time and space in the kitchen.

To let everyone experience the convenience of Clara Ole, the Potluck Foodfest was launched last April 10 at the R-Space in Bel Air, Makati. 

Hosted by radio DJ Gelli Victor, the event was a food-filled afternoon that allowed guests to sample different dishes made with Clara Ole.

The event was highlighted by a very special guest, Ms. Amy Perez, who shared her own signature dish and even prepared it on the spot while the guests got to sample it.

She also shared tips and anecdotes on preparing home-cooked meals for her family despite her busy schedule. 

What’s more, Ms. Amy Perez will also be hosting her own mini potluck party where she will invite her family and friends to share easy recipes and convenient tips and hacks.

More than just pasta sauces, Clara Ole also offered other delicious and healthy dishes made with their products such as dips n’ dressings, vinaigrettes, and marinades. 

For dessert, guests satisfied their sweet tooth with treats made with their syrups, jams, and jellies. 

The Potluck Foodfest will be a series of eight themed potluck mini parties at condo residences. Beginning April 25, Clara Ole will be going around different condos of different personalities, who will then invite their neighbors, family, and friends to share their own signature dish using Clara Ole. Aside from recipes, they will get to share time and space-saving tips, hacks and helpful information to make fast-paced living a little bit easier.

Clara Ole has truly shown that everyone can cook with its #ClaraOlePotluck. Even when we’re in a hurry, we can still prepare and enjoy a hearty meal at home in no time. And this means we get to have more family time and self-time, too. Clara Ole’s convenient food products are ready for anyone to try, and are available in leading supermarkets nationwide. 

For more exciting news on what else Clara Ole has in store for everyone, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MyClaraOle and follow their Instagram and Pinterest accounts @ClaraOlePH.

Post a photo of your Clara Ole-infused meals and cooking tips and tag us using the hashtags #ClaraOlePotluck and #diskartips!

World-renowned mixologist wows Manila at Cocktail Festival with Matthias Giroud

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Experience a Buddha-Bar Manila evening like no other when Matthias Giroud, Chief Bar Manager of Buddha-Bar Worldwide flies in for a one-night only cocktails feast called Cocktail Festival with Matthias Giroud on April 17, 2015.

The metro’s most sophisticated restaurant-bar-lounge promises the ultimate cocktails night with the visiting mixologist concocting an array of great cocktails and demonstrating the techniques he has acquired and honed through the years. 

Guests get to taste Matthias’ special cocktails and new mixes for Php1,000. Discounts will be given to students and teachers who wish to watch a master mixologist at work, creating magical concoctions that inspire awe. 

Constantly experimenting to up the ante in the art of mixing drinks, Matthias Giroud never fails to leave audiences amazed with his unparalleled cocktail creations. By nature, mixologists resemble artists, skilled not only in creating blends of flavors that complement each other perfectly but masters of performance and presentation as well. 

Hailing from the French Antilles, four distinct islands that offer white-sand beaches, Gallic glamour, and gastronomy, Matthias grew up travelling the world with his parents. In essence, he was reared to become an explorer and adventurer. 

At 18, the young Matthias landed his first bar job at the legendary “Bar Fly Paris” and it also marked his long-standing stint under George V Entertainment. Armed with a prodigious gift, a winning personality and work ethics, Matthias rose to become the chief bar manager for all the venues run by the group including the emblematic “Buddha Bar,” “Barrio Latino” and “Barlotti” in no time at all. 

Soon he was conquering the world, designing, conceptualizing, training and putting in place the bar operation for all subsequent openings of the George V Entertainment group around the world. His remarkable journey has seen him traverse the continent, from Monaco to new York and from Mexico to Sao Paolo, through the Middle East right to the yet-to-be-discovered corners of exotic Asia.

It is but fitting that Manila is the next stop. Buddha-Bar Manila guests are bound to marvel at this French wizard of Buddha Bar’s signature mixed drinks. 

Buddha-Bar Manila is located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. 

For reservations, call +632 8566859/ +632 8566719 and 0998-983-2918. You may also reach them at info@buddhabarmanila.com or like and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BuddhaBarMNL

Jollibee's joy of #MaagaAngPasko overseas

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Jollibee shares the joy of Maaga angPasko overseas! On its 20th year, the Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko sought to spread holiday cheer to even more children not just in the Philippines but overseas as well.

Jollibeeu2019s annual toy and book drive made its way to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, enabling schoolchildren to experience the joy of giving.

For the second year in a row, Jollibee stores in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuwait once again opened their doors to accept donations and engage global Pinoys to send gifts for their youngkababayans.

Jollibee Vietnam did its own adaptation of the campaign (“Christmas is Coming”) to benefit local kids. The store teams in Vietnam led a tour in primary schools in Ho Chi Minh to gather toy and book donations. Making the first international caravan even brighter is a special appearance of everyone’s favorite friend, Jollibee. The fast-food chain’s growing network paved the way in bringing the campaign to foreign shores.

To date, Jollibee has 50 branches in Vietnam, three in Kuwait and one each in Hong Kong and in Singapore.

Filipino communities in Singapore readily opened their hearts to donate toys and books to the Maaga ang Pasko campaign.

Filipino communities overseas also shared their blessings by making online donations through the Jollibee Maaga ang Pasko microsite (www.jollibee.com.ph/MaagaAngPasko). 

With the help of partners Toy Kingdom, Goodwill Bookstore and Blink, they were able to donate book bundles and toy packs to the Philippines.

“Through the continuous help of various individuals and organizations, naging tunay na pinakamaaga, pinakamahaba at pinakamasaya ang Pasko. ( The recent Christmas truly became the earliest, longest and jolliest),” said Jollibee Vice President for Marketing Harvey Ong.

Since it was launched two decades ago, Maaga ang Pasko has brought early Christmas cheer to over 300,000 children nationwide, through the gift of over 1.5 million toys and books. Generous Filipinos also signed up as Jolly Family Toy Scouts, volunteering their time and energy to clean and prepare donations during the campaign’s clean-up phase.

Eat Out Manila, PH's 1st restaurants app, now available on Android phones

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This is the most convenient way of eating out in Manila. 

Eat Out Manila, the Philippines' first restaurant reservations app, expands its reach even further with the Android version, and now brings its convenience to users of the two leading mobile operating systems. Launched on the iOS platform initially when it came to market just middle of 2014, Eat Out Manila is now available to all Android users via the Android app store. 

The premier restaurant reservations application in the Philippines is making eating out a more fun experience for Filipinos who love to dine out. Diners can now easily reserve seats at their favorite restaurant and even gain benefits from doing so as Eat Out Manila also offers exclusive deals including discounts, gift certificates, and freebies from its top-notch partner restaurants. 

“This app is borne out of our frustrations on our personal experiences with manual restaurant reservations. When we first came up with the app, our goal was to bring it to as many users as possible. We’re very happy to introduce it to Android users and see what they think,” said Iñaki Lamata, Co-Founder, Eat Out Manila 

Various F&B outlets around the metro have already signed up for the service to take Eat Out Manila's customer experience to the next level. Among the new members of the growing list include 22 Prime Discovery Suites, Beso, Black Olive, Donosti, Open Kitchen, and Rue Bourbon, bringing the number of partner restaurants to over a hundred. 

Let Eat Out Manila do the reserving for you by visiting www.eatoutmanila.com or downloading the app from Google Play or Apple app store. Updates on the latest Eat Out Manila promos may also be seen in its official Facebook page and Instagram account @EatOutManilaPH.

Global Academy's highest gold for the High Tea

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Global Academy took home the only gold for the High Tea Category at the Philippine Culinary Cup, earning the medalists an opportunity to attend the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic (HKICC) at the 15th International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Restaurant & Foodservice Equipment, Supplies & Services (HOFEX) in 2015.

“We competed in the same category last year and ended up with a bronze. There were a lot of details that we missed out and, jokingly, we promised to be back with vengeance,” said Global Academy’s homegrown talent and junior instructor, Chef Anjo dela Cruz, who graduated with a Grand Diploma in Professional Culinary and Pastry Arts in 2012.

Dela Cruz led the team for the High Tea category while Global Academy student, Michael Madrid took the role of the assistant.

“All the baking methods and techniques that I learned from the pastry program of Global Academy came in handy during the competition. Even our training on proper food handling, safety and sanitation played a huge part in our success,” shared Madrid. “The coaching that I got from my chef instructor, Anjo dela Cruz, played a great role to our victory. Most of the ideas came from her and she taught me methods and techniques on how to properly execute them.”

“The judges appreciated the idea that all the items in our menu were tied together by a theme. There was also a good balance of flavor and texture—rich, creamy, sweet, tart, floral, fruity, soft, crunchy, spongy, smooth, and sandy,” explained Chef Anjo of their advantage.

Their winning dishes consisted of:

“Adzuki and Genmaicha”, sweet scones flavored with adzuki beans and milk infused with genmaicha (brown rice tea), accompanied with jasmine and green tea Jelly

“Salmon and Nori”, a savory roulade of nori (seaweed) sponge filled with salmon, cream cheese and tobiko (flying fish roe), spiced with a bit of togarashi (chili pepper) and garnished with katsuobushi (dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna) and black ebiko (capelin fish roe); 

“Black Sesame, Hojicha, and Miso”, a layered cake of black sesame pain de genes, piped with hojicha (green tea roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal) ganache, swirled with caramel miso butter cream, then topped with chocolate feuilletine; 

“Strawberry and Plum”, a boat of pâte sucrée (sweet shortcrust pastry) filled with goat’s cheese mousse, topped with fresh strawberries and plums macerated in umeshu (Japanese liqueur made from steeping ume fruits in alcohol and sugar), garnished with white chocolate sticks and candied shiso; 

“Yuzu and Matcha”, a burst of citrus flavors in a glass, mandarin orange segments, mandarin orange gelée, and yuzu curd, topped with matcha streusel, lemon meringue, and edible flowers. 

“There were also some components in our dishes that were out of the ordinary. The Caramel Miso Buttercream, for example, was our take of the Salted Caramel Buttercream with an infusion of a Japanese flavor,” Dela Cruz added. “Although the taste did not appeal to the palate of some of the chef judges, they commended us for serving something new.” 

According to Dela Cruz, every bit of what she knew was from Global Academy. “I’m lucky to have been mentored by dedicated chef instructors. They have been excellent role models of the values that Global Academy represents—Passion, Reliability, Integrity, Commitment and Excellence. Now that I am a junior instructor, I hope to spark the same passion for excellence in my students.” 

SIKAT PINOY's National Food Fair 2014

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Have you tried MICROWAVABLE CHICHARON? This Filipino favorite and with many variations, including chichi-rabao will be among the many products that will be the upcoming Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair to be held from March 26-30, 2014, at SM Megatrade Halls 1-3, 5th Level, Building B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

With about half of Filipino MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) in the food and beverage sector, the Department of Trade & Industry’s Bureau of Domestic Trade (DTI-BDT) is bringing together more than 200 exhibitors from the country’s 16 regions to showcase the best of Philippine food products, promote the country as a culinary destination, and provide business opportunities to entrepreneurs nationwide.

Dubbed Piling-Piling Pagkaing Pilipino, this edition of the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair will showcase a seafood pavilion as well as a pili nut pavilion.

Also available will be coffee from Benguet, unoy rice from Kalinga, empanada from Ilocos, longanisa from Vigan, Ivatan yellow rice from Batanes, sans rival from Pampanga, cashew nuts from Palawan, smoked fish from Cavite, suman sa lihiya from Oriental Mindoro, laing and pinangat from Albay, snack food from Iloilo, chicharon from Cebu, moron from Leyte, juices from Zamboanga, processed meat from Misamis Oriental, coco sugar from Davao del Sur, tablea from Agusan del Sur, and many more mouthwatering delicacies from all over the country.

Let's support our national food products, join the SIKAT PINOY's National Food Fair 2014.

For more information, contact the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade at telephone no. 751-3223,

fax no. 751-3224, or email bdt@dti.gov.ph.

For updates on Sikat Pinoy events, please “Like” the Facebook page www.facebook.com/sikatpinoyfairs 

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Solaire!

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Solaire Resort invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year to usher in the auspicious Year of the Wooden Horse on Friday, January 31, 2014.

There will be a Lion Dance accompanied by a cacophony of drums and cymbals and an exhibition of firecrackers which marks Chinese New Year and guests will be able to witness this ceremony in the resort’s Porte cohere. The lion dancers will perform in the hotel's lobby and will move to different areas of the resort.

To highlight the significance of this annual indulgence, Solaire brings you the lucky “Koi fish-shaped” Tikoy in elegant gift boxes.

Guests can enjoy this popular take-out treat available at Red Lantern located in the resort’s ground level until 14 February 2014. For bulk orders of Tikoy, guests should call the resort at 888 8888.

Dine at Red Lantern and savor the unique a la carte menu comprising sumptuous dishes: Braised Pork Trotter with Chinese Mushrooms and Vegetables, Sautéed Prawns with Vegetables and X.O. Sauce and Salmon Fish ‘Yee Sang’.

Diners can choose from three variations of set menus: each of them comprising more than 8 dishes priced at P1,888.00** per person; P1,988.00** per person and P2,888.00** per person.

“Great Prosperity Set Menu”

“Rich Fortune Set Menu” 

“Fa Fa Fa Fortune God Set Menu” 

Guests who also plans to stay overnight, Solaire Resort offers a Chinese New Year Package for only P8,800** for a Grand Deluxe room! The room package includes one night’s accommodation and breakfast buffet at "Fresh". 

For a "Two Bay Suite Package" inclusive of one night accommodation with breakfast at the Executive Lounge, the rate is P16,888** Available only from January 30 till February 2, 2014.

** Prices are subject to service charge and applicable government tax. Prior reservations required, call 888 8888.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Solaire Resort in Pasay City , 

Entertainment City (Near SM Mall of Asia), Parañaque City 

For more updates and info, visit Website: http://www.solaireresort.com 

and Email: info@solairemanila.com