Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is celebrating a British Invasion!
BRITISH INVASION
The British Invasion will have four of Marco Polo’s restaurants featuring some of Britain’s best bites and brews.
- Cucina (24F) – will be featuring items like the iconic Fish and Chips, Yorkshire puddings, Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Ploughman’s Salad, and Shephard Pies
- Cafe Pronto (1F) – will be featuring British tarts and pies
- Connect Lounge (24F) – will be featuring afternoon tea with scones and pastries, as well as Pimm’s cocktails
- Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge (45F) – will be featuring British classics like fish and chips and bangers and mash, matched with a glass of San Miguel Draft Beer for Php 699 from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 5 to 9PM; they also serve gin and tonics!
CUCINA BUFFET AT THE MARCO POLO
The other day, we had a sumptuous buffet lunch at Cucina, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s buffet restaurant. They have an ongoing buffet spread featuring their British Invasion campaign.
Cucina, located at the 24th floor of the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila hotel, was decked out in the Union Jack.
Food Stations
Cucina has several food stations. Upon entering Cucina, the first station we encountered is the salad bar and the beverage counter. There is also an appetizer counter across from it.
Next is the Japanese sushi/sashimi counter and the Seafood station. You can have the displayed seafood cooked for you, just pick which flavor/cooking method you like from the choices. 🙂
Noodle station:
They also have a Grill station where fish, meat, sausages, fish balls, can be grilled.
On the left, there’s the popular Fish and Chips, which are quickly snapped up by diners as soon as they are refilled! Cucina uses sea bass to make their Fish & Chips. The Fish & Chips have a crispy but light batter coating. The fish meat is substantial but still tastes light. Best enjoyed with some tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon!
Another British dish which I liked is Mushy Peas! At first glance, it looked like wasabi, but I tried it and liked it. Other people also liked it because they kept going back for more! It’s just simple mashed peas but the peas were naturally sweet.
On the right of the Grill Station is a big hunk of Roast Beef, with some Yorkshire Pudding, which I really enjoyed. The Yorkshire Puddings are like crusty popovers with beef drippings, and they suggested that I make a hole in the Yorkshire Pudding and pour some gravy inside. You can take your pick of gravies and sauces. I like horseradish with roast beef.
Next to the roast beef is a shawarma station and the Indian station. Britain has a significant Indian population which makes Indian food in Britain pretty good!
Here’s the Filipino station:
Finally, we reach dessert! Have your fill of cheesecakes and tarts! There’s also an ice cream station. Try the chocolatey Hazelnut Pudding, and someone suggested that I eat it with ice cream, a la mode! Good combo! I also liked the Kaffir Leche Flan.
SUMMARY
Cucina may not have as many food stations as other buffets, but they do make sure that they only offer quality. I enjoyed the seafood and the meats, as well as dessert!
I like fish sticks so I was happy with the sea bass fish & chips! 🙂 At P1,399 net/person, I think it’s a good choice for a buffet where you can eat what you like (sea bass, salmon, roast beef, etc…), but the curated selection won’t pressure you to over-stuff yourself.
I also liked being able to try their British chef-approved dishes like Yorkshire Pudding, Fish & Chips, Mushy Peas, and Shepherd’s Pie 🙂
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is also takes pride in earning another 5-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, currently one of the most prestigious accomplishments in the industry.
Parking is available. Free 3-hour parking when you get your ticket validated.
BUFFET RATES
The buffet is currently on promo!
Promo Rates:
Lunch 12nn – 2:30pm – P1,399 net (Mon-Fri) ; P1,450 net (Sat-Sun)
Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm – P1,650 net (Mon-Sun)
I was also able to try the “Elizabeth” Pimm’s cocktail at the Connect Lounge on the same floor. I liked it. It was sweet with some cherry flavors.
For more information about Marco Polo Ortigas Manila and their ongoing promotions, you may contact (632) 720-7777 or visit www.marcopolohotels.com. The hotel’s official social media accounts are: https://www.facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila and @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter and Instagram.
Marco Polo Ortigas is located along Sapphire St / Meralco Ave. (somewhere across from Metrowalk). It is also just a few blocks’ walk (about 5 mins) from Robinsons Galleria 🙂
