Discovery Samal is kicking off the holiday season in style at The Bistro with a night designed to ignite the spirit of celebration. The Bistro: A Taste of the Holidays invites guests on a delicious journey through a playful tasting menu inspired by the nostalgia of a classic Christmas carol where each dish tells its own tale, blending creativity and festive flair to set the tone for a season of warmth, wonder, and culinary delight.
Guests start with A Partridge in a Pear Tree, tender and succulent quail nestled on caramelized leeks, rounded out by pear purée and sage-chestnut glaze. A whisper of prosciutto crisp and a rose-hued tuile give it a soft sparkle on the plate. Two Turtle Doves follows with smoked duck roulade resting against a lemon blini, brightened by cherry reduction and a delicate tuile that seems almost too fragile to touch.
Moving deeper into the sequence, Three French Hens draws from the richness of French cooking: sous vide chicken, truffle-touched potato foam, and red wine sauce that clings to the fork. A crisp chicken garnish and a golden egg yolk gel turn it into a tiny display of indulgence. Four Calling Birds shifts the tone again with ostrich confit beneath a golden craquelin crust, softened by chicken liver mousse and accented with poached quail egg and shards of filo that crackle gently.
The midpoint arrives with Five Golden Rings, a shimmering spread of cured salmon, citrus, and prawn tartare arranged under a thin mango tuile, the plate glowing with bright, celebratory hues. Six Geese a-Laying leans into luxury with a foie gras brûlée paired with sautéed wild mushrooms and a crown of caviar, softened by edible flowers and another rose tuile that quietly ties it to earlier dishes.
Dessert drifts in early with Seven Swans a-Swimming, where white mousse meets strawberry-mango compote and a dark chocolate swan perched above caviar tones of black, red, and white. It’s more whimsical than sweet, though it manages to be both. Eight Maids a-Milking keeps the playful notes going with yogurt mousse, milk foam, and Earl Grey tea caviar, topped with crisp chocolate that adds a subtle snap.
As the evening builds, Nine Ladies Dancing puts together herb-baked salmon under a crisp dome, surrounded by beetroot and herb foams, pea shoots, and a dandelion flower that adds a tiny flourish of movement. Ten Lords a-Leaping offers the boldest moment of the night with grilled ostrich, lamb, and A3 wagyu, each dressed with a sesame rub that leaves a warm depth lingering on the palate.
The last two dishes return to sweetness. Eleven Pipers Piping presents churros with hazelnut cream, chocolate ganache, mint, gold flakes, and red velvet crumbs, dusted with cinnamon sugar that clings to the fingertips. Finally, Twelve Drummers Drumming closes the journey with duck croquette tucked into baked sweet dough, enriched with foie gras and tartufata cream, then finished with gold dust and edible flowers.
The Bistro’s holiday experience, shaped through these twelve small stories, turns the familiar song into something you can taste. For guests looking for a holiday outing that feels a little more intimate than the season usually allows, The Bistro: A Taste of the Holidays is priced at Php 4,800 net per person and is available this December 24, 2025.
For more information, email fb@discoverysamal.com or call +63 084 308 2998.
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