Destinations in Urdaneta for Fine Dining
The Peninsula Manila, located at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue, is a 5 star hotel that has been around for just a little over 40 years. The Manila Pen, as it is locally known, has become a benchmark for service and comfort among hotels with its wide selection of rooms and suites and incomparable finesse in every corner.
A few minutes’ walk away from the Manila Pen is Discovery Primea, which has only been around since 2015, but has already been regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Metro Manila. Those driving or walking along Ayala Avenue can’t miss the hotel, which is one of the tallest buildings in the city.
But stays at these 5-star hotels would not be complete without an experience at their restaurants. The Peninsula Manila has 9 dining options, including a bar and pool restaurant, while Discovery Primea has 7. These two hotels are destinations for fine dining, and two restaurants in particular provide unforgettable experiences because of its irresistibly delicious food.
Tapenade in Discovery Primea
Tapenade could be the best place in Makati for Mediterranean food. Its salad menu has an assortment of Mediterranean style salads, while its main menu includes a roster of traditional dishes from counties like Italy, Spain, and France.
One reason people keep coming back to Tapenade is its elaborate salad room. Guests can come in, make their own salad, enjoying an assortment of greens, dressings, cheeses, breads, and cured meats. It’s a buffet-style salad room, which means guests can keep coming back. Replenished efficiently, the ingredients are only the freshest and highest of quality.
Its main menu consists of Mediterranean classics, like Crispy Roasted Italian Duck and Lamb Chops. They even have a with-24-hour-notice menu consisting of Slow-Roasted Cochinillo and Salt-Baked Red-Snapper which are good to share. The Whole Roasted Chicken, roasted with an assortment of herbs and spices that erupt of flavor in each tender bite.
Another special feature in Tapenade’s is the stone-baked pizza. With more than ten types of pizza available, including classic Margherita ad Pepperoni Calabrese, pizza lovers would be even more delighted to know that the flavors have been elevated.
The highlight of their dessert menu is the Gianduja cake, a mouthwatering chocolate-hazelnut mousse with crunch praline and salted caramel, best with a cup of Turkish coffee.
Spices in The Peninsula Manila
Spices takes Asian dining to a whole new level.
The menu of Spices includes traditional favorites from countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. There’s an entire page in the menu dedicated to curry, which is a staple across many countries’ cuisine. For those who are a fan of spicy curry, the Gaeng Phet Phedyang is a traditional Thai red curry with roasted duck. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Dakshan Jhinga Curry features tiger prawns cooked with tamarind, chili, and coconut.
Their main dishes are divided into two sections: seafood and meats. A unique dish that can’t be missed is the Tandoori Murgh from India, a roasted chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices with a kick of chili. They also offer a vegetarian menu that features Rau Xao or vegetable stir-fry from Vietnam and the Pak Boong Fai Deng, or water friend spinach in oyster sauce.
It isn’t a full-fledged Asian meal without Asian desserts! There are familiar Filipino desserts in the menu, like sorbetes and sariwang prutas or fresh fruits served in a platter. Another local favorite is the crispy turon served with langka ice cream.
When available, one can dine with their families, loved ones, or friends “under the stars,” or pool-side, against a backdrop of the stars, trees, and the breeze of the city.
Whether it be for a romantic dinner or a promotion celebration, both Tapenade in Discovery Primea and Spices in The Peninsula Manila are sure to satisfy with their world-class culinary fare.
