La Paz Batchoy, K.B.L., Kansi and more, classic Ilonggo flavors representing our diverse and rich culinary heritage takes the spotlight this August at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina. Kaon 'Ta sa Cucina!
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila showcases the culinary flavors of Iloilo with a sumptuous buffet spread at Cucina, from starters to savory mains and desserts along with their regular offerings starting August 1 to 18, 2019. Ready for round one with the comforting Ilonggo flavors at Cucina? Then, read on...
Located at the 24th Floor of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Cucina is the hotel's all-day buffet dining restaurant. The festive Ilonggo vibe is recreated at Cucina with an extensive menu of local favorites prepared by Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Executive Sous Chef Rexsan Abarquez (R). 
It's always an eagerly awaited event when Cucina takes on local regional flavors in its extensive spread. With a wide array of international dishes as part of its extensive offerings, the inclusion of local regional dishes adds to Cucina's colorful palette of flavors (for more on Cucina's previous Filipino Food festivals, see my earlier posts, From Palette to Palate: Art and Modern Filipino Cuisine at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina with guest chef Ramon Antonio, Pina Mania: The Flavors of Manila, Cebu and Davao Converge at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina featuring seasonal local fruits and A Weekend Fiesta at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina). This time, the spotlight is on Ilonggo flavors with its fresh bounty of local ingredients. For starters, open up your palate with refreshing local salads like the Ginamos na Labanos na may Sibuyas Dahon served on banana leaf-lined split bamboo...
...the briny Kinilaw na Lato (L) with its vibrant notes and the Nilagpang na Gurayan (R). The freshness of the ingredients deliver simple, clean and uncomplicated flavors with a delicate sweetness, just like the way they do it Iloilo. And there's more...
The Ensaladang Langka (L) combines freshness with deep sweet notes for another taste of Iloilo. Executive Sous Chef Rexsan Abarquez and his team also set-up a station for one of Iloilo's iconic dishes, simply choose your ingredients and it's prepared a la carte... 
The La Paz Batchoy is one of Iloilo's enduring culinary symbols, the hearty bowl of miki egg noodles covered in a rich broth with pork offals and liver, beef, shrimps, vegetables and leeks topped with egg and pork cracklings is recreated by Executive Sous Chef Rexsan Abarquez with that Ilonggo flair.
A meal in itself, the La Paz Batchoy is one of the highlights at Cucina's Ilonggo food festival. And why not. Each sip brings with it a region's culinary heritage taking you back to the south with its savory richness.
At Cucina's Batchoy Station, you can customize your own bowl with a variety of ingredients and toppings. How about some bone marrow in your bulalo?
Blessed with abundant marine resources, Iloilo is known for its bountiful seafood and this is represented in Cucina's lavish spread. Mussels, shrimps, fish and squid fresh from the grill...
...and delicately poached seafood from the Fresh Seafood Station combine for an epic seafood feast.
You can enjoy the day's fresh harvest as is with a spiced vinegar dip or have it sauteed with butter and garlic. The stations chefs can prepare your seafood to your preference. If you still can't have enough fresh seafood, check out the Sushi and Sashimi Station with its impressive selection of tuna and salmon.
Kansi is another popular Ilonggo dish featured at Cucina's Ilonggo food festival. The regional dish is Iloilo's version of the beef bulalo with the sour notes of pork sinigang in one bowl. The beef is simmered for hours until fork-tender, infusing a beefy richness to the broth.
The comforting K.B.L. or Kadyos, Baboy, Langka is another unique dish from Iloilo combining pork, pigeon peas and jackfruit in a comforting soup. The richness of the slabs of pork are complemented by the sweet jackfruit for another distinctive taste of Iloilo. You'll want some extra rice with this.
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Other savory options at the spread include the Las-Wang Utan na may Baboy at Hipon (L), a vegetable dish with shrimps and pork and the savory beef stew, Bakang Afritada sa Atsuete (R). It's rustic and honest regional flavors like these that will have you going back for round two at Cucina's buffet spread.
Other savory options at the spread include the Las-Wang Utan na may Baboy at Hipon (L), a vegetable dish with shrimps and pork and the savory beef stew, Bakang Afritada sa Atsuete (R). It's rustic and honest regional flavors like these that will have you going back for round two at Cucina's buffet spread. 
The daily menu cycle prepared by Executive Sous Chef Rexsan Abarquez allows diners a taste of authentic regional flavors at Cucina for both lunch and dinner, letting you peel away the rich tapestry of local cuisine with each bite.
From the K.B.L or Kadyos, Baboy, Langka...
...to Kansi and other savory offerings, Cucina brings Iloilo to your plate. Don't forget to try the Valenciana, the Ilonggo version of paella.
Meanwhile, an equally impressive selection of seasoned beef, pork, chicken and seafood await diners at Cucina's Grill Station...
...including lamb skewers marinated with a spice blend.
Simply choose your skewers and the station chefs will serve it you fresh from the grill.
Diners can also enjoy Cucina's savory international offerings like Breaded Baked Chicken Thighs with Spinach, Walnuts and Roquefort Cheese...
...and the Marinated Lamb Brochette with Garlic, Olives and Eggplant Yoghurt...
...along with other tempting options at the Carving Station. The buffet spread at Cucina is one the best this side of the metro with a variety of stations offering different dishes. From their Salad Station to the Cheese and Charcuterie Station, diners will never run out of tasty options. So pick up another plate.
Cap your feast at Cucina with indulgent sweet treats from their Dessert Station. From elegant cakes to intricate pastries and homemade ice cream, Cucina completes your feast with that perfect sweet ending. For the Ilonggo food festival, Cucina also offers local regional delicacies like the crisp and sweet Biscocho...
...the soft and sweet Bayi-Bayi (L) and the classic Piyaya (R) in both original and Ube flavors. I've always enjoyed Cucina's Filipino food festivals as it allows you to rediscover hearty and comforting local flavors in an elegant setting. This August, Cucina lets you embark on a tasty food trip of Iloilo without leaving the metro... 
...one bowl and plate at a time. The Ilonggo food festival at Cucina runs from August 1 to August 18, 2019 so book your reservation (details below). Kaon 'Ta sa Cucina!
For more information and reservations, please call (02) 7207720 or email restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com. You can also log on to www.marcopolohotels.com for more details on the Hotel's on-going promotions. Subscribe to updates via social media through the Hotel's official social media accounts: facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila and @MarcoPoloManila on Instagram and Twitter.
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