Ode to Nonna, Fisherman's Catch, Kalye-Pop and Mumbai Express. Sunday Brunch takes on global flavors for a unique and memorable experience...
The Food Exchange at Novotel Manila Araneta City recently launched their Sunday Brunch concept dubbed Cultural Palates last March 6, 2022 highlighting specific themes for buffet dining with a global spin. Yes, buffet dining is back following the latest health and safety protocols in the new normal and Novotel Manila Araneta City takes it up a notch with their themed Cultural Palates Sunday Brunch. Read on for a virtual feast of the lavish offerings at the Food Exchange...
The themed Sunday Brunch at Food Exchange features four lavish concepts starting with Ode to Nonna last March 6 showcasing the cherished recipes of Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto's grandmother, Nonna Esteriña, with heirloom dishes including Ravioli di Ricotta, Fettucine al Cinghiale, Bacala con Polenta and Manzo al Balsamico.
Fresh from the sea to your plate, the Fisherman's Catch on March 13 offers a bountiful harvest of seafood from Lobster Tail Cocktails, Prawns, Crabs, Mussels, Oysters, Tuna Ceviche and Lobster Risotto just to name a few.
The wittingly named Kalye-Pop inspired by K-Pop brings Asian street food with live cooking stations for Pad Thai Noodles, Crab Laksa, Banh Mi, Som Tum and more on March 20. And you'll find your favorite Filipino street-style skewers too.
And lastly, hop aboard the Mumbai Express on March 27 for authentic Indian cuisine including savory meat carvings, a wide curry selection and tandoor specials. Enjoy Roasted Leg of Lamb, Roasted Chicken Tandoor, Seafood Curry and Pork and Lobster Biryani that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Mumbai.
The spacious layout at the Food Exchange is easy to navigate, with everything just a few steps away from each other. After more than two years, it's great to see the metro opening up once more. And it's good to be back at the Food Exchange in Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
And for your peace of mind, its ALLSAFE to dine at Novotel Manila Araneta City with all the health and safety protocols strictly enforced. The ALLSAFE program is a worldwide ACCOR initiative followed in all properties. Note that diners 18 years old and above are required to show their fully vaccinated cards along with an ID. Kids can now enter the hotel premises without showing proof of Covid-19 testing as long as accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. As quarantine restrictions are gradually eased, Novotel Manila Araneta City's dining outlets are ready to welcome you back (see the full listing of dining outlets here at https://www.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com/restaurants-bars/).
Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto and his team prepare for the launch of Cultural Palates Sunday Brunch with a sampling of the featured specialty dishes. As guests arrived and settled in for the event at the Food Exchange...
...Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto described some of the the savory offerings. The featured dishes for Ode to Nonna are special to Executive Chef Massi, and close to his heart. Inspired by the dishes he grew up with prepared by his Nonna, the program formally began...
...with sampling portions served for Chef Massimiliano's homage to his grandmother, Nonna Esteriña with Ode to Nonna.
Sliced paper-thin, the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Carpaccio by Executive Chef Massimiliano drizzled with olive oil and simply seasoned with pepper just melts in your mouth draping the palate with an elegant savory richness. Other tasty samplers were served, including an inventive Adobo Biryani and fresh salmon with fish roe on blini pancakes scheduled for the next themed Sunday Brunch at the Food Echange. The simple yet flavorful dish gets your Ode to Nonna Sunday Brunch buffet dining experience off to a great start...
The curated selection reflects the simple, hearty and homespun style of Nonna Esteriña with real and fresh flavors just the way she would serve it to her family. And Executive Chef Massimiliano faithfully recreates the warmth and love of his grandmother with these dishes for a proper Ode to Nonna Sunday Brunch at the Food Exchange.
One of the dishes served that day gets high marks in my book, and that's the Bolito Misto which translates to "mixed boiled meat." Tender beef shank, brisket and tongue simmered in a light stock for 24 hours is almost similar to our local bulalo or nilaga but the addition of horseradish, mustard or Salsa Rosa made with tuna, basil, parsley, capers and tomatoes adds unique layers of flavors making it refreshingly different.
The tart notes of the Salsa Rosa cuts the savory richness of the beef shank, brisket and tongue for balanced yet totally new flavor experience. The light broth is already flavorful on its own, infused with the beefy notes of brisket, tongue and shank for subtle yet intense flavors with each bite and sip. And having beef shank, brisket and tongue all in one bowl with a light broth seals the deal for me. If ever Executive Chef Massimiliano does this dish again next Sunday, I'm back in a heartbeat.
The day's freshest ocean harvest becomes the highlight in next week's themed Sunday Brunch at the Food Exchange with Fisherman's Catch on March 13. The lavish buffet spread featured plump and succulent oysters...
...for a sumptuous seafood feast...
...along with a variety of seafood like mussels and shellfish. That's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as other seafood dishes will be made available including lobster and more.
On March 27, Indian flavors take centerstage with a tempting array of lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes at the Mumbai Express Sunday Brunch in Novotel Manila Araneta City's Food Exchange.
Savor a wide variety of traditional Indian dishes fresh of the tandoori ovens, or sample a selection of curries like this Fish Head Curry with its rich blend of spices.
I've said it once before, the Food Exchange at Novotel Manila Araneta City offers some of the best Indian cuisine this side of the metro with popular staples like Chicken Vindaloo with tender chunks of chicken draped in a thick, creamy, spicy and silky smooth sauce...
...Palak Paneer, a vegetarian dish with Indian cottage cheese in a thick sauce made from pureed spinach giving it a distinctive color...
...and Shrimp Pepper Fry with its peppery heat tempered by delicate briny sweetness of shrimps to tease your palate and satisfy your cravings for authentic Indian cuisine.
Kalye-Pop takes you to the busy and vibrant streets of Asia with its offerings of Asian street food on March 20 at the Food Echange. Take your palate on a culinary journey of Asia with steamed dumplings, noodles and even the Pinoy style barbecue for comforting flavors.
The special themes at the Food Exchange give your Sunday Brunch buffet dining experience a different vibe and feel each succeeding week, featuring global cuisine to suit your mood or craving.
While at the Food Exchange, don't forget to visit the new Cheese Room...
...with its lavish selection of premium charcuterie and gourmet cheeses.
A trip back to the different stations at the Food Exchange tempts you with even more savory options like the Grilled Pork with Black Peppercorn Sauce...
...and Kung Pao Chicken for that spicy kick. Along with the featured selection for the themed Sunday Brunch at the Food Exchange, you'll find other popular mainstays from the spread...
...like crisp and juicy Porchetta...
...and fresh Sashimi from the Japanese Station. Pick up another plate for another round...
...and cap your Sunday Brunch at the Food Exchange with their indulgent dessert selection. And here's another secret...
Make sure you have a bowl of their specialty Gelato. Novotel Manila Araneta City is also known for their silky smooth gelato creations, like this triple scoop of Stracciatella.
Buffet dining is back, and the Food Exchange at Novotel Manila Araneta City transforms the dining experience with a global spin with its themed Sunday Brunches. The Fisherman's Catch on March 13, Kalye-Pop on March 20 and Mumbai Express on March 27, pick your culinary destination and book your reservation for Cultural Palates Sunday Brunch. Don't forget to bring your vaccination card with you, and enjoy Sunday Brunch at the Food Exchange in Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
The Food Exchange is located at the Ground Floor of Novotel Manila Araneta City, General Aguinaldo Avenue, Araneta City, Quezon City or call +632 8990 7888 for inquiries and reservations. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/NovotelManilaAranetaCity/ and website at https://www.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com/offers/cultural-palates/ for more updates.
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