Cowrie Grill celebrates a decade of culinary excellence

In the shopping and entertainment haven of Promenade Greenhills, Cowrie Grill stands tall as a beacon of culinary excellence, celebrating a remarkable 10 years of serving discerning connoisseurs and food enthusiasts alike. What was once nestled within the historic walls of The Manila Hotel has evolved into a destination for exquisite cuisine, maintaining its legacy as an epitome of fine dining.

A Culinary Legacy Unveiled: The 10 Most Popular Dishes

To mark this milestone, Cowrie Grill joyfully unveils its “Decade Favorites” — a collection of the 10 most beloved dishes that have defined a decade of gastronomic brilliance. Guests are invited to indulge in the timeless elegance of tableside Caesar Salad, the comforting embrace of French Onion Soup, the rich flavors of Fettuccine Al Funghi E Tartufo, and the sumptuousness of Grilled Chilean Sea Bass. The celebration also features a culinary journey through Saga Wagyu Beef Rib Eye, Chateaubriand U.S. Angus, Bone-In Tomahawk Ribeye, Iberico Pork Loin, U.S. Angus Beef Tournedos Rossini with Foie Gras, and concludes with the spectacular Baked Alaska flambéed with brandy.

Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary

“We are truly grateful for the continuous support and loyalty of our guests since the restaurant’s early days at The Manila Hotel. Our 10th anniversary is a tribute to our commitment to culinary excellence and the cherished relationships we’ve built over the years,” expressed EJ Yap, F&B Director of Cowrie Grill by The Manila Hotel.

An Elegant Venue for Every Occasion

Beyond its exquisite culinary offerings, Cowrie Grill is an ideal venue for private events and intimate gatherings. The restaurant’s elegant interior and customizable space provide the perfect setting for those seeking refinement and exceptional service for their celebrations. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or a corporate event, Cowrie Grill’s versatility ensures an unforgettable experience for its diners.

Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary
Cowrie Grill 10th Anniversary

Cowrie Grill is open seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, ready to welcome patrons to a world of culinary delight. For inquiries and reservations, please contact +632 8477 6385, send a Viber message to 0977 641 8815, or email r.cowriegrill@themanilahotel.com.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Top 12 Dishes to Savor this August as Cafe Ilang-Ilang Celebrates the Flavors of Western Visayas

Ernest Hemingway once cited The Manila Hotel as “the perfect representation of the city, if not the country’s resilience, vitality, versatility and hospitality.”

This certainly is true as the iconic Grand Dame not only evokes the prestige and nostalgia of the old city, but, as its current president Joey Lina put it, it also “is a repository of culture and history.”

Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang

And one of the exciting facets of Filipino culture that the hotel regularly sheds light on is Pinoy cuisine.

Fresh off its successful homage to Laguna’s annual food festival, Anilag or Ani ng Laguna, the hotel’s legendary dining destination, Cafe Ilang-Ilang highlights Western Visayan cuisine for the whole month of August.

A Collaboration in Heritage Cuisine

For this month’s feature on regional culinary traditions and innovations, Cafe Ilang-Ilang collaborated with Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza, Jr. Hailing from Western Visayas himself, Chef Tibong is a champion of heritage cuisine and brings the region’s diverse culinary delights to join the cafe’s buffet offerings.

Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Chef Tibong Jardeleza
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Chef Tibong with The Manila Hotel’s chefs

Western Visayas, known as the Food Haven of the Philippines, boasts a vibrant food culture that reflects its rich history, geography, and cultural influences. The partnership between Cafe Ilang-Ilang and Chef Tibong showcases a tapestry of flavors, offering a contemporary twist to classic dishes as well as the region’s local recipes, distinct ingredients, and time-honored cooking techniques.

Top Picks Among the Flavors of Western Visayas

Together with fellow bloggers, I attended a special preview of the Flavors of Western Visayas at The Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ilang-Ilang.

Curious about the heritage dishes to be savored there? Check out my top picks below:

Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Lechon Cerveza
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Guimaras Mango Lobster Salad
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Kinilaw na Tanigue
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Grilled Lambchop with Tamarind Sauce
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Duck ala Mangga
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Callos
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Diwal
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Pineapple-Glazed Ham
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Chicken Galantina
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Paella Negra with Chiperones
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Dulce de Gatas
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
La Paz Baboy Ice Cream

These are just a sampling the delicious flavors of Western Visayas, available on rotation at the Filipino food station of Cafe Ilang-Ilang until August 31.

The International Buffet

If you want to venture out from our homegrown flavors, you can also check out Cafe Ilang-Ilang’s extensive array of cuisines from around the globe. Brace yourself for a mouthwatering journey as you visit each station:

  • Salads and Breads Station: Vibrant, crisp salads, freshly baked bread, an assortment of cheeses, and delicatessen treats await your eager taste buds.
  • Churrasco Station: Portuguese-style grilled beef, pork, chicken, lamb, sausages, and seafood skewers, accompanied by a variety of delectable sauces, promise to satisfy your cravings.
  • Pan-Asian Station: A delightful selection of dim sum, sushi, sashimi, noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries will transport you to the streets of Asia.
  • Italian Station: Indulge in mouthwatering pizzas and pastas, freshly prepared and cooked to perfection.
  • Mediterranean Station: Refreshing salads, fresh seafood, halal dishes, and perfectly grilled meats evoke the coastal charm of the Mediterranean.
  • American Station: Sink your teeth into juicy steaks and tender roasts, epitomizing the hearty flavors of the United States.
  • Dessert Station: Satisfy your sweet tooth with luscious cakes, pies, pastries, and creamy ice cream that will leave you longing for more.
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang
Cafe Ilang-Ilang

The dinner buffet at Cafe Ilang-Ilang is available daily from 6 pm to 10 pm. On Sundays to Wednesdays, it is priced at Php3,145 for adults and Php1,572 for children. On Thursdays to Saturdays, the price is Php3,790 for adults and Php1,895 for children. To secure your table, make inquiries, or reservations, contact +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, or send an email to restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

Stay updated on The Manila Hotel’s news and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about The Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ilang-Ilang:

Make Mother’s Day berry-luscious with Inang Charing’s newest cake creation

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and what better way to show love and appreciation to our moms than through a delicious cake? Luckily, Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries, an online bakeshop, has just the perfect treat for this special occasion.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
The business inspired by Grandma and adapted during lockdowns

Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries was named after the owner’s grandma, who instilled in her a passion for baking. Mylene Capili, the entrepreneur behind the business, started as Dress Up Brownies, selling pastries and cakes to her BPO officemates. Prior to the onset of quarantine lockdowns, Mylene and her partner Bem successfully adapted their enterprise to accept online orders, allowing them to cater to the increasing demand for desserts available for delivery.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
From brownies and cakes to custom cakes and more

Today, Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries offers a wide range of desserts, including brownies, revel bars, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, and custom cakes. Mylene’s baking skills have even led her to create her very first three-tiered wedding cake.

These confectionery creations showcase Mylene’s baking prowess, as well as her creativity in crafting intricate cake designs.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
The berry-luscious chocolatey Mother’s Day treat

For Mother’s Day this year, Mylene has whipped up a special creation, the Berry Choco Luscious Cake. This delectable cake features a six-inch, three-layer chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate ganache and topped with fresh strawberries accented with edible gold leaf and a gold Mother’s Day cake topper. It’s designed as a naked cake, making it easy to transport via motorcycles for delivery all over the metro.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
A perfect cake for moms who don’t like it too sweet

One of the best things about the Berry Choco Luscious Cake is that it’s not too sweet. Mylene made sure to balance the filling-to-cake ratio to ensure that the overall flavor is not overwhelmingly sweet, perfect for those who want to savor the chocolate and berry goodness.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Order now before it’s too late

Cake reservations for the Berry Choco Luscious Cake (available for Php1,250) are only accepted until May 7, so make sure to send a message to Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries on Instagram or Facebook as soon as possible. Give your mom the sweetest treat this Mother’s Day with Inang Charing’s newest cake creation.

Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing
Inang Charing

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries: