Fresh: A Taste of Vietnam at Crimson Hotel's Cafe 8...

Crimson Hotel, Filinvest City, Manila, presents A Taste of Vietnam at Cafe 8 from March 10 to 18, 2017, with a sumptuous spread of authentic dishes prepared by guest chefs from Vietnam. It's the freshness of ingredients that make Vietnamese cuisine so rich and flavorful, and healthy too. The pure, fresh and clean flavors with layers of distinct notes delicately balanced in a seamless blend typifies Vietnamese cuisine, and you can experience the very best of Vietnam...at Cafe 8. Read on for a peek at a unique culinary journey of Vietnam's diverse flavors...

Inside the elegant and spacious interiors of Cafe 8, diners will enjoy the linear layout of the buffet spread located on the sides surrounding the main dining area. From your table, diners have easy access to all the stations for a taste of everything. At the entrance, the warm smiles from the staff kicks-off my Vietnamese culinary journey...

Let Guest Chefs Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngan, Tran Kim Hoang, and Vo Van Chien take you on a flavorful culinary journey of Vietnam in the comfort of Cafe 8's luxurious interiors with their array of fresh appetizers and salads, savory mains, and indulgent desserts. Each day from March 10 to 18, 2017, the guest chefs will showcase different dishes reflecting the diverse flavors of Vietnam. From comforting bowls of Pho and Crab Noodle Soup to tasty bites of Fried Tofu and Fresh Spring Rolls, guest chefs Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngan, Tran Kim Hoang, and Vo Van Chien are ready to show you real Vietnamese cuisine made with the freshest ingredients.

At Cafe 8's main station, the guest chefs displayed the day's menu for A Taste of Vietnam. At the station, one can find the freshest vegetables and herbs, the foundation for the fresh and vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. The colors of the fresh ingredients and condiments add a festive vibe to the station...

...setting the mood for Cafe 8's A Taste of Vietnam. A noodle cart, reminiscent of the bustling street food scene in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, adds authenticity to the station, as the guest chefs prepared their signature bowl of noodles. The noodles are prepared ala minute, so you get a steaming hot bowl every time.

My culinary journey began with a steaming hot bowl of Nha Trang-style Fish Pho, with soft noodles in a light yet flavorful broth topped with chunks of tender and mildly sweet white fish, fresh tomatoes, spring onions, and minty herbs. The flavors are both subtle and delicate, with the freshness of the ingredients delivering clean flavors. My Vietnamese culinary journey is off to a great start...

That day, the guest chefs also featured the iconic Vietnamese favorite, Bo Bia, the classic Vietnamese Spring Rolls served with a thick and sweet sauce. The thin white rice paper reveals the bright orange hue of fresh shrimps and the vivid greens of fresh vegetables, a visual cue to its fresh flavors.

Filled with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli, and plump shrimps flavored with fish sauce and hoisin sauce, the spring rolls are light yet tasty starters. Simply pick up a plate and a few spring rolls with the sweet sauce garnished with pickled vegetables and herbs, and come back for seconds. And thirds...

That day, the guest chefs prepared a pair of savory mains including Tom Ram Me, the traditional Stir-Fried Prawns with Tamarind (L) topped with vegetables and herbs, and the rich and mildly spicy Ca ri Ga Kiew, a rustic Vietnamese Chicken Curry with spring onions and chili (R). Extra rice? Absolutely.

Pair your mains with the unique and refreshing Goi Wan Tuyet Voi Tom, another traditional dish of White Fungus Salad with Fresh Prawns. The freshness of the vegetables delivers a distinct crispness with every bite, providing rich textural contrasts. The sweet, tart, and sour dressing completes the flavors with just a whisper of soothing heat.

At the main station, you'll find a variety fresh condiments to complete your dish, including the traditional Vietnamese fish sauce and fiery hot red chili...

...spring onions and an equally wide selection of fresh herbs. The use of different herbs and spices lay the foundation for Vietnamese cuisine, building layers of rich yet delicate and balanced flavors. And you can customize your dish with these fresh ingredients to suit your taste and preference.

At one side of the station, you'll find lightly blanched carrots, bitter gourd, okra, winged beans and cabbage neatly arranged on a basket. With a premium on freshness, the simplicity of the dish is just one more reason why Vietnamese cuisine is considered one the world's healthiest. The Ran Luoz Kho Quet, or Boiled Assorted Vegetables with Pork Caramel, is a homestyle dish paired with a richly seasoned pork stew...

Select a few boiled vegetables and add the pork caramel, with crisp chunks of pork in a mildly salty sauce. The sauce adds that vibrant burst of flavor to the vegetables, complementing its delicate sweetness. It's one of those simple yet memorable dishes that make A Taste of Vietnam at Crimson Hotel's Cafe 8 so special. If I knew this dish as a child, I would have grown up eating more vegetables...

Complete your Vietnamese culinary journey with a freshly made Banh Mi, loaded with marinated grilled pork, fresh vegetables and herbs on a a crisp baguette. The richness of the pork is perfectly tempered by the fresh and clean notes of the vegetables and herbs, kicked up by a subtle hint of fish sauce. From the baguette to the savory and fresh filling, each component combines for an authentic taste of Vietnam.

Cap your Vietnamese feast with traditional sticky rice desserts with coconut milk, like the Che Dau, a sweet peanut delicacy. With many of the ingredients hand-carried by the three guest chefs to prepare the different dishes, you get to enjoy and experience pure and authentic Vietnamese flavors at Cafe 8's A Taste of Vietnam.

After your Vietnamese feast, you can continue your global culinary journey with the rest of Cafe 8's different stations. Indulge in some choice cold cuts, premium imported cheeses, sausages, beef pastrami, and pork terrines...

...fresh salads with a wide selection of dressings and other prepared appetizers. Sushi and sashimi? Head over to the Japanese station for some freshly prepared rolls. And there's more...

Have your fill of paella at the Paella Station, or enjoy the day's freshest catch at the Seafood Station (L). Enjoy it fresh, baked, or sauteed in butter with garlic and lemon. And if it's beef you're after, the Carving Station is another popular stop with their prime Wagyu Beef (R)...

Nothing quite like a plate of plump fresh oysters with lime, with its comforting briny sweetness...

...or have it baked with cheese by the station chefs, along with a pair of lobster tails. Cafe 8's impressive buffet spread offers both value and variety, and definitely one of the best this side of the metro.

And for dessert, Cafe 8 indulges you with a sinful selection of sweet temptations...

...so go ahead and enjoy. And come back for more...

From ornate and intricate pastries to elegant cakes and homemade ice cream, Cafe 8 makes your every visit a worthy cheat day to reward yourself. Matched with excellent and attentive service, any meal at Cafe 8, whether for lunch or dinner, becomes special. 

And there's no better way to end your unique A Taste of Vietnam dining experience than with a freshly brewed cup of Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. Each soothing sip brings the bold and robust notes of Vietnamese coffee followed by the creamy sweetness of condensed milk for balanced notes.

Before you go, why not make your own customized Halo-Halo with all the ingredients topped with leche flan and homemade ube ice cream just for good measure. Experience A Taste of Vietnam and more at Crimson Hotel's Cafe 8 from March 10 to 18, 2017, for only P 1,235++ for their lunch buffet and P 1,410++ for dinner, inclusive of free-flowing beverages such as wine, beer, juices, and sodas. Now that's one cool deal...