Eating your way through Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao...
LuzViMinda 2014 is a Filipino Food Festival hosted by F1 Hotel Manila at their very own F Restaurant. Scrumptious dishes from the three major regions in the country---Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao---are featured and presented in celebration of our Philippine Independence Day.
Each region is represented by a chef in charge of creating and showcasing the crème de la crème from that particular place. For Luzon, they have Chef Tristan Encarnacion of Epicurious, Chef Editha Singian of Pino Restaurant for Visayas, and Chef Victor Barangan of Marco Polo Davao for Mindanao. At the helm, the chef who made all this possible, is Chef Sau del Rosario.
The buffet runs from June 12 - 26, 2014, and is available for lunch (11:30 AM to 2:30 PM) and dinner (6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) for only P1,700 nett per person. Children from 6 to 12 years old are charged at only half the price, while kids 5 years old and below eat for free. Drinks are included.
Aside from this, there is also an art exhibit just outside F Restaurant, featuring paintings from Chanalli Art Gallery made by different Filipino artists. Diners and guests are welcome to peruse the artworks and purchase them, proceeds of which will go to Kythe Foundation, a charity for children with cancer.
My family and I were invited to try out this wonderful buffet meal along with an overnight staycation I'll share with you soon.
Now let's start the fiesta, shall we?
Bread and soup stations
Kinilaw na Isda 3 Ways
There are lots of very appetizing salad and ensalada dishes such as Pako Salad with Shrimp and Mangoes (Luzon), Pomelo and Green Mango Salad (Mindanao), Alugbati Salad with Salted Egg and Tomatoes (Mindanao), and Ensaladang Mangga at Talong.
Ensaladang Puso ng Saging (Mindanao) and Seared Tuna with Watermelon and Mangosteen Reduction (Mindanao)
Not to be missed is the seared tuna with watermelon, which is so light and refreshing in the mouth. It was actually gone from the buffet table when I finally had the chance to take a piece, but the servers were accommodating enough to bring out another round for our group.
Bagnet Dinuguan Maki (Luzon) and Tinapa and Salted Egg Maki (Visayas)
Oysters
Vigan Empanada (Luzon) and Squash Flower with Kesong Puti (Visayas)
Clockwise from top left: Sauteed Crabs in Alavar Sauce (Mindanao), Balbacua (Visayas), Kanding sa Nangka (Mindanao), and Hinurnong Manok sa Luyang Dilaw (Mindanao)
Kawaling Hinipunan ( Visayas) and Stuffed Nukos with Prawn Paella (Mindanao)
Gensan's Tuna Sisig (Mindanao), Chicken Inasal Sisig with Kornik (Visayas), and Pork Sisig (Luzon)
Pinaupong Manok (Luzon), Busog sa Keso't Tsokolate si Baboy (Visayas), and Crispy Belly with Chili Mango
Crispy Pork Belly
Linunok na Manok ni Lechong Baboy (Luzon)
The lechon has tender meat with really crisp skin that I had a fun time just listening to its thunderous crunch with every bite.
The dessert selection has almost as much dishes as the mains. It is pretty much a sweet tooth's paradise.
Native desserts like Ginataang Bilo-Bilo (Luzon), Maja Blanca, and Buko Pandan are present.
So are the Ube Palitaw, Halo-halo, and some local street drinks such as Buko Juice, Sago't Gulaman, and Melon Juice.
There are desserts with playful names like Donya Edith's Pudding from Visayas, and ones that make you drool just by looking at them. Such are the Durian Cheesecake, Bibingka Cupcakes with Salted Egg Frosting, and Pomelo Creme Brulee.
Familiar sweets like Leche Flan, Braso de Mercedes, Suman, Puto at Kutsinta, and Pastillas also make an appearance.
Mangosteen Parfait (Mindanao)
The most beautiful and unique desserts, however, go to the Mangosteen Parfait...
Durian Panna Cotta (Mindanao)
...and the Durian Panna Cotta, which is so good, I had to get it again the following day.
There were a lot of amazing dishes. Too bad you can only eat so much in one sitting. It would have been great if we had the chance to really try each dish, as almost everything is mouthwatering. Those who have a separate stomach for desserts, bet you still can't try every single eye candy creation. The copious amount of food is really unbelievable and a steal for only P1,700, so I suggest you make your reservations now, and try it out before it's too late.
LuzViMinda at F Restaurant
Spot: 3rd/F F1 Hotel Manila 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Contact No.: 928.9888
Website: f1hotelmanila.com
Facebook: f1hotelmanila
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