Cantonese Treasures at The Cafe

Starting June 14 to June 19, 2016, The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams offers diners a taste of the rich culinary heritage of China's Guangdong region with Cantonese Treasures, prepared by visiting Cantonese chefs from Hyatt Regency Dongguan (more on The Cafe and their upcoming food festivals on my previous post, Eastern Culinary Journeys at The Cafe).

Hyatt Regency Dongguan's skilled and talented chefs, Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei (L) recreate the vibrant flavors of Guangdong with their signature dishes, along with the impressive buffet spread at The Cafe (R).

Early before the lunch crowd arrived, chefs Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei fired up the woks behind the live stations (L), adding the final touches to their wide repertoire of signature Cantonese dishes assisted by The Cafe's team of skilled chefs (R).

At the Dim Sum Station, you'll find Prawn Hakao, Scallop Dumpling, Seafood Roll, Xiao Lum Bao, and Pork & Shrimp Siomai, small bites with big flavors.

The selection includes familiar yet intricate dim sum varieties like the Scallop Dumpling (L), with the briny sweet notes of fresh scallops delicately wrapped; and the popular Xiao Lum Bao (R), filled with a flavorful soup broth. But chefs Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei also offered their inventive Seafood Roll, a favorite, with its fresh flavors...

But there's more. The Roasting Platter, with Roast Duck, Pork Asado, and Lechon Macau, is another flavorful appetizer to get you off on the right start, served with a side of seaweed.

Chefs Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei then presented their signature dishes, fresh from the fiery hot woks, like their Wok-Fried Rice Noodles with Beef, Yellow Chives, Choy Sun, and Onions (L); and the delicately flavored Steamed Bokchoy with Pork Meatballs (R), each prepared in the traditional Cantonese style. 

The elegantly plated Snapper with XO Sauce, deep-fried to a perfect crispness, with the mild notes of the fresh snapper kicked up by the intense flavors of the XO sauce, add a festive vibe to your dining experience at The Cafe.

Chefs Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei added even more dishes fresh off the woks, with Wok-Fried Pork Neck with Chinese Mustard, Lilly Bulb and Black Fungus (L); and the Steamed "Longgang" Chicken with Preserved Sausage and Dry Enoki Mushrooms, reflecting the diverse range of flavors of Cantonese cuisine.

The Steamed Prawn with Vermicelli Noodles in Premium Soy Sauce, with its complex yet balanced blend of flavors, is another light and flavorful starter with contrasting textures. The soft texture of the delicate vermicelli noodles almost melt in your mouth releasing a whisper of distinct notes from the premium soy sauce, capped by the briny sweetness of the plump steamed prawn. Authentic Cantonese cuisine relies on the clean notes of each of the freshest ingredients, with subtle notes weaving layers of distinct flavors with every bite. Freshness, more than overwhelming flavors, separates authentic Cantonese cuisine from the usual and more common "localized" fare.

Another must-try dish at The Cafe's Cantonese Food Festival is the Fried Crab Claws served with a creamy mayonnaise-based dip, another personal favorite. The succulent crab claw meat is soft with a mild natural sweetness, contrasting with the lightly crisp breading, and perfectly finished by the creamy mayo.

A second plate of starters...

...and a third serving of dim sum, and you can come back for more. The Seafood Roll (top left), with prawn, fish and kani wrapped in soft vermicelli perfectly illustrates Xi Quing Hui and Zhao Pan Fei's approach to authentic Cantonese flavors, with freshness delivering clean notes and all the flavors without overpowering the palate.

At The Cafe's Cantonese Food Festival, you can also indulge in the best of global cuisine, including a few slices of Prosciutto D' San Danielle (L) at the Cheese and Charcuterie Station; or some refreshing Hiyashi Cold Zaru Soba (R) and a wide selection of freshly prepared sushi and sashimi at the Japanese Station.

At the Carving Station, go for the US Prime Rib...

...or be adventurous with a skewer of Grilled Pork Mask, just some of the tasty options at The Cafe.

At the live Grill Station, simply choose among the wide selection of premium meats and the day's freshest seafood catch and have it grilled ala minute by the station chefs, and your dish is served fresh from the grill. 

And there's really nothing like having it fresh off the grill, with all the rich notes at its flavorful peak.

In between courses, you can enjoy a comforting bowl of freshly prepared spicy Seafood Laksa...

...before hitting the fresh Seafood Station. Fresh and plump Prawns...

...and Curracha, or Spanner Crabs, take your pick. And go ahead, why not add some fresh scallops and mussels on your plate?

Enjoy it fresh as is with a squeeze of lemon, or have it poached with butter and garlic for even more flavors. A taste of China, and a taste of the world, all here at The Cafe.

For dessert, the equally impressive Dessert Station has everything to cap your feast on a sweet, indulgent, and sugary note, from intricate pastries to all-natural yogurt. Embark on an exciting culinary journey with Cantonese Treasures at The Cafe for only P 1,388 net for lunch and P 1,888 net for dinner, and on June 19, lunch is at P 2,288 net with a special treat for dads. See you at The Cafe...