Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Fairmont Makati: My Spectrum Experience

If you know me personally, you'd know for a fact that the best way to cheer me up is by serving me really yummy food! Buffets would be a definite bonus. :)

I've been to a couple buffets already. HEAT, Circles, Spirals, Jeepney, Escolta, Yakimix, Sambokojin, you name it... This happy tummy has gone. Some of which were outstandingly yummy, but no buffet has ever made me go "WOAH. the dessert is really something..." 

Being a Pastry Chef and a HUGE sweet tooth, dessert would obviously be the cherry on top of all sundaes! It's what I look forward to after every meal. So having served mediocre / cheap tasting dessert after a scrumptious buffet would have to be the BIGGEST of turn offs for me. 

Which brings me to my blog entry today. Let me share with you my Spectrum experience! For some of you who may not know, Spectrum is the buffet of the newly opened Fairmont Hotel in Makati. I've stayed in the Fairmont during my last visit to Singapore but never got to try their buffet.. so glad that they decided to build one here in Manila!


Before entering Spectrum you will see their Macaron Bar! Yes, a Macaron bar where they serve giant macarons *like the photo below* and other delectable goodies. 




This was actually my second time coming, wish I documented my first experience but I left my camera at home. 

One of the reasons why I loved this buffet so much was their outstanding pizza! It's the first stop I go to because they make the pizza in their wood burning pizza oven upon ordering so you know it's absolutely fresh! 


They come in mini and regular sizes.. I opted for the regular size this time because I was famished and didn't have breakfast. :(


The Margarita pizza is my absolute fave. The dough is baked to perfection, they put the right balance of sauce and cheese, plus the burst of tomato is just divine! It's definitely a must try. :)


I can say the same for the four cheese pizza which I got the last time as well. After my first Spectrum experience, I haven't stopped thinking of these pizzas since.. Lol. 


I'm not big on Persian food, but if you're big on kebabs I hear their pretty yummy here!






I only opted to try their Pork Siomai and Hakaw which were both equally great! I even went back for seconds. Hihi.


I got their Bolognese and Carbonara the last time (which were both yummy!) but I wanted to try something new so I asked for their Pasta of the Day. No regrets! It was definitely something I'd get again. It actually reminded me of my favourite 'Allio Olio with Chicken Teryaki' from MOGU. :)



You'd be crazy to skip this part of the buffet!! They serve a killer crispy salmon skin roll! ;)





I'm not a big fan of any salad, so I didn't even bother trying those.. 


Now for my favourite part, the dessert!!! YAY. :)


With Mango as the Philippines national fruit, it would only be fitting that they'd show case it in different types of dessert like mango creme brûlée (which I loved!), roasted mangos, mango pudding, and mango cakes. :)







I forgot what this was called, but this was part of their 'Mango Station' which they had heated and served with a scoop of their outstanding ice cream and drizzled with caramel. It was delish! 


Their chocolate chip cookie wasn't so good, but this chocolate one was pretty yummy! It was chewy and flavourful, just the way I like it. :)



I LOVE ICE CREAM! and actually loved Escolta's ice cream, but looks like I have a new favourite!! :")


Their flavours are all equally yummy but my personal favourites would have to be 'White Chocolate Raspberry' and 'English Toffee' -- Really mouth-watering! The texture is so creamy (I hate when ice cream is icy), and the flavour is just SO impeccable, it's crazy good! 



I got the same crepe as last time because I absolutely just died! Spiced mangos with a scoop of my favourite English Toffee ice cream. :") Definitely a must try!!



Close to the salad section is their honey section where these lovely bees do their work and give us the best tasting honey! It's pretty cool to look at. ;)

*sigh* I could go on and on about how much I loved their buffet but I hope that this blog entry at least tempted you to go and try it for yourselves. :) 

Sure, Spectrum does not have the biggest variety of cuisines and has limited stations.. but I assure you, it's worth going to! To me, it's always been quality over quantity and Spectrum gives you just that! 

Hope you enjoyed this mouth-watering, photo heavy blog entry of mine! And hope that when you do visit, it's just as wonderful as my experience or better! Let me know how it goes. <3

Here's Spectrum's Buffet Prices and Business Hours:

Breakfast: 6:00am - 10:00am, Mondays to Fridays
6:00am - 11:00am, Weekends and Holidays
PHP 1,336 net (inclusive of service charge and applicable taxes)

Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm daily
PHP 1,596 net 

Dinner: 6:00pm to 10:00pm daily
PHP 1,842 net

Buffet is also inclusive of coffee and tea! Mint is my favourite of theirs. ENJOY! ;)

INSTAGRAM: arellanoalyssa
TWITTER: @ArellanoAlyssa
E-MAIL: alyssalopezarellano@gmail.com


HEHE couldn't help but put this song! So literal, but I love it. Hope you give it a listen!





Sunday, December 30, 2012

Jolly John Hay

Everytime we're up in Baguio, Camp John Hay is always always part of our itinerary. It's actually only one of the few times I'd rather walk than take a car. The weather is always chilly (even during the summer). That is actually why we Filipinos call it the summer capital of the Philippines. People like going up to Baguio to getaway from all the heat else where. 

Apart from the beach, Baguio would be have to be part of my favourite Philippine getaway. :) 



Riding horses would be part of our itinerary as well as a kid, but we stopped doing it as teenagers. Mainly because, some horses looked sickly and we felt bad for them. 


The smelling of pine trees and just admiring all of natures beauty is one of the reasons why I love walking in Baguio so much. 


It's never a great trip without taking cheesy photos like these that will make you just laugh in the future. ;)


I always find myself to be extremely lucky with butterflies when taking photos at The Manor! This was third time I caught such a photo. :)


What I had for lunch at The Manor! Baby back ribs, my favourite!! Which by the way, I had everyday this whole trip. First at Baguio Country Club, then The Manor, and The Forest House. I'd have to say out of the three, The Manor's was my favourite. :)




If staying at the Baguio Country Club wasn't such a tradition, I'd opt for The Manor. I've only stayed there twice, but each time I visit, I always leave with a smile. The people are all very pleasant and the place is just absolutely breath taking! :)



Every Christmas season, they adorn The Manor with all these perfect photo-op pieces. 


Like my favourite one from two years ago, the little candy house! 



I love how we're all colour coordinated and didn't even have to plan it! :")


My Outfit of the day:

Chiffon top, Shades & Brown Boots: Forever 21 - Denim shorts: American Eagle - High socks: Karl Edwards Bazaar - Brown belt: Armani Exchange - Gold necklace & Bangles: The Ramp



Forgive me for another cheesy shot. Ableit, you've got to admit jumping shots are the cutest! 


Ended our second day at Baguio by visiting some of Baguio's scariest places! First this cemetery, then the Hiatt Hotel (which is no longer existent due to the infamous Baguio earthquake.) I'm not just saying this, but we all really did feel eerie!!! But that might just be the nerves speaking. I mean, I'm not exactly known to be the bravest. So by visiting those places I tried conquering my fear a tad bit. 

My uncle told me once that I should do something that scared me every now and then so I could try and face my fears one step at a time. 

I'm not saying I'm not anymore scared of the dead and the dark, but I'm getting there... or at least, I think I am. :P

The New Years coming up, and I suggest you go and give it a try! ;) For whatever your fear may be. 

For a better glimpse on the whole trip, check out the video I made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-fB9XPQhE

INSTAGRAM: arellanoalyssa
TWITTER: @ArellanoAlyssa
E-MAIL: alyssalopezarellano@gmail.com