A TASTE OF TASMANIAN SALMON at The Fireplace

MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES (2 April 2013) – Famous for its superior quality and fresh flavor, The Fireplace introduces Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon with an exquisitely crafted menu by Chef Noel showcasing its fine texture and taste.

Native of the pristine unpolluted waters of Tasmania, this famed Atlantic Salmon makes up only around 1.5% of the world’s salmon production. Enriched with omega-3 and proteins, discover the richness of this Atlantic salmon variety with selections like Roasted Herbs Crusted Salmon with Creamy Spinach , Peppered Salmon Steak with Cognac Pepper Cream Sauce and more.

The perfect sweet conclusion is the luscious Hot Chocolate Soup. A signature dessert at the Fireplace, this rich, velvety and creamy dark chocolate is topped with a scoop of cracked pepper vanilla ice-cream, a unique chocolate creation that has a reputation of its own.

About The Fireplace

The Fireplace is an upscale grill room offering perfectly cooked prime meats and seafood.   A perfect spot for wining and dining, the restaurant charms guests with its elegant brass interiors and open kitchen concept.  In full view is a large wood-fired oven where chefs prepare their culinary masterpieces.  A wine library with a vast collection of European and New World wines is another attraction.  With its relaxing atmosphere and excellent cuisine, The Fireplace provides a dining experience like no other.  For enquiries, please call +63 2 247 8666 or email cath.mn@hyatt.com.

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About Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is a five-star hotel surrounded by Manila’s culturally-rich and well-preserved historical points of interest. This 33-storey mixed-use complex offers 376 elegantly designed guestrooms and accommodates the largest number of suites in the bay area, including 58 specialty suites and four presidential suites. The hotel features three innovative and authentic restaurants, a pastry shop, an entertainment outlet, four floors of Regency Club accommodation, as well as the most stylish and advanced event spaces in town. Fully-equipped recreational and premier gaming facilities are also on the premises.  The hotel is only a few minutes from the international airport, convention centre, top tourist attractions and the city’s business district. For more information, call +63 2 245 1234 or visit manila.casino.hyatt.com.  LIKE us on Facebook - facebook.com/hyatthotelandcasinomanila.    

Spectrum Cafe and Restaurant - the newest intimate buffet restaurant in the middle of Makati City!

Inside the bustling metropolis of Makati City shrouded in towering skyscrapers where shopping, business, partying and dining envelopes the area, it’s good to know that there is a place where you can put your mind and body to relax and savor the appetizing selection of provisions only at THE SPECTRUM, located inside The Fairmont and Raffles Hotel.

Spectrum’s main philosophy is simply straightforward. What you see is what you get! And that they assure you, you are getting the freshest of the freshest!

Located inside the newest lavish hotels Fairmont and Raffles Makati, the Spectrum Buffet (now on its soft-opening) offers a wide selection from Western, Asian to local delicacies all taking their freshness to the next level. With an open kitchen that expands throughout most of the dining area, you could see that your choice is cooked right in front of everyone while maintaining the delight conversation from the sweetest and nicest chefs I've ever met!

Let me put it this way, this buffet restaurant is unlike any other buffet restaurants you've encountered before. Considering it has a smaller area with a vast selection of foods that presently lives with the quality over quantity saying, you could guarantee the intimacy and coziness while munching your favorite fresh choice in here. The bustling energy outside whilst having intimate dining experience inside!

Freshly-baked breads served daily!

Spectrum's awesome Pizza station! Choose from their offerings, they'll prepare one for you in a solo serving plate! Hefty and yummy!

Executive Sous Chef Gregory Georges preparing a fresh brick-oven pizza!

Tandoor Station -- cooking the right and fresh way!

The Seafood and Sushi Bar -- notice the fresh seafoods piled up in a tray full of ice? Just get your choices and let them cook it the way you want it! Buttered, grilled, steamed or even sinigang, buttered..the list goes a long way! Just as long as they have the ingredients, they will happily make one for you!

Although I'm not much a sushi fan, I dared myself to try just one because it looks scrumptious! From the preparation to the final product, I told to myself that I should it and to my joy, it was real yummy and wonderful!

Roasted Turkey and Pork Loin! On some days, they serve prime ribs, lamb chops etc.

While I was entering the halls of the restaurant, I noticed on one corner a bizarre-looking rectangular box and saw that there are tiny movements inside. Considering the low-lighting of the room, I walk nearer to it and I realized that there are bees inside -- and they are alive! I was startled because I might knock off the box and the bees might fly everywhere. But they assured us that it is super safe. A honeycomb with the bees and the queen might scare the wits out of me but the wide variety of honey selection from that honey table sure made Winnie the Pooh jealous.

Let me roll the delectable, lip-smacking dessert photos for you!

Mango Station -- YES! Mango everywhere! Spectrum believes that the Philippines holds one of the most abundant mango producers in the world and thus, the wide selection of mangoes! Everything from this photo are my favorites!

Chef Didier Derouet amazed us with his special banana toffee crepe with toasted marshmallows! Our favorite moment? The blowtorch moment!

Ice cream, sorbets and halo-halo using their flavored ice!

From the dining experience to the most welcoming and courteous staff I've encountered, let me simply put it it this straight to everyone --- it was worth it! Imagine the feeling I got when my tummy was fully satisfied together with the warm and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant and the people everywhere inside. I'm proud and happy to dine at Spectrum, and I am definitely going to dine out more in the future with them!

Price starts at Php1,300+ for breakfast, Php1,500+ for lunch and Php1,800+ for dinner.



Spectrum Cafe and Restaurant
Fairmont Hotel Makati
Makati Avenue corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City
For Dining Reservations, please call +632 5559840
Email: makati@fairmont.com
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/makati/

Writeup by Jo Arce for WhenInManila.com and vivajosephine.blogspot.com

Photos taken by Jo Tan for WhenInManila.com and jotan23.blogspot.com/

Flower Stories Cafe

This post is dedicated to the 8k+ availers of Metrodeal's voucher with Flower Stories Cafe. 

It seems napaka-spotty ng restaurant na ito since I can't even find a good or reliable search in Google related to this. However, what I found out about the place is that they specialize more in flower arrangements for different occasions and that they just organized a buffet in their veranda or something like that just to accommodate the voucher availers. ( Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

We availed 6 vouchers for my family in celebration of my passing for the Nursing Licensure Examinations. Indeed, it's a glorious moment in my life which I consider to be a life-changing experience. My mom and I decided to celebrate my passing with some of my relatives and loved-ones thus, availing the vouchers with Flower Stories. Before purchasing, I tried Googling for some infos related to it. Unfortunately, nothing has been found, only a flower arrangement store at the exact street address as well. Much to my eagerness to treat my family to a buffet experience at a low-cost, we go for it.

Their offer.

Days before, nagpa-reserve na kami for 6 pax for a September 3, 2011 schedule. All was well upon reservation thru call, the host was friendly naman and answers your queries. Come September 3, we made it. The dinner buffet starts at 7pm until 9pm. However we were late for only 30 minutes at ito ang naabutan namin sa kanilang buffet area:

Rice and carbonara pasta

Sushi: almost gone

Some beef viand (forgot the name) and a veggie viand

Salad area. Want some dressing?

 It was disappointing since my family frequents buffet restaurants. Ang kaunti lamang ng servings nila and controlled pa ang pagkuha mo since may taga-lagay ng food sa plate mo. And kung magre-refill man sila ng food sa buffet area, isa-isang type lang food ang rerefillan and kaunti din ang ilalagay. We were expecting a bit  different from that dahil sa offer ng Metrodeal, they boasted: Flower Stories Cafe is a very well known, spacious, stylish restaurant in the heart of Intramuros. With dark flooring, rustic interior, and a scattering of international influence, it’s a fusion restaurant, mixing the styles of asian and international cuisine. 

They don't also manage their guests well. Though you made a reservation, hindi pa din assurance yun na may certain spot ka na when you get there. Other guests came late (about 30 minutes from our arrival) and was asked to just wait in the patio area, standing. Some decided to walk-away since parang wala na din silang aabutan na food.

My tip for others who are planning to eat here is to go back frequently to their buffet area to satisfy your hunger. I managed not eating breakfast and lunch thinking I will be fulfilled dinnertime but to my dismay, no. I think you need to demand to the host to frequently refill their food. Also, come early, you don't want to ran out of food or worst, a table to eat on.

Flower Stories Cafe
423 Magallanes Street, Intramuros, Manila 

Contact Nos.: 522-3047 or 0917-4868894

Hi guys! Just an update :)
Please visit other bloggers like 
Laugh with God Today and The Food Wanderlust
They visited and tried Flower Stories right after my visit with them. After reading their reviews and basing my judgment with their photos, I could say that there has been a drastic improvement with their food and service. Although I haven't given the resto another chance to try it again and give another review, I believe that they can manage to gain foodistas back their trust. To Flower Stories Cafe, more power!