shangri-la

The New Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Line in Shangri-la Singapore

October 24, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

One of Singapore’s most established and go-to place for hotel buffets, The Line at Shangri-la Singapore has recently upped the ante by revamping their Sunday champagne brunch offering. I’m amazed at how this place manages to keep itself so popular over the years despite the many competitors that have tried to outpace it in terms of variety, opulence and theme. While The Line can no longer boast of having the most extensive hotel buffet in Singapore, it stays within the minds of diners by offering exciting themes from time to time while maintaining freshness and high quality in the food. I last visited some 2 months back when the restaurant featured creative interpretations of Singapore dishes in the buffet and that was a hit among local diners. Most recently, I was invited to The Line to check out the new food offerings brought in by the recently-appointed chef de cuisine, Vincent Wong.

Regulars at The Line will be pleased to note that old favorites such as the satay counter, wide variety of sushi as well as fresh seafood are still there. But there are many new highlights. Here is a review of what to expect at The Line’s Sunday Champagne Brunch:

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The Line at Shangri-la Hotel Singapore: A Futuristic Golden Jubilee Buffet

August 5, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

It has been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of dining at The Line at Shangri-la Singapore. Called as such due to its elongated 16 theater kitchens, the buffet here has the distinction of being one of the longest in the city state. I returned just last week due to an innovative menu presented for SG50, a futuristic twist to traditional Singapore favorites. This in effect differentiates The Line’s SG50 selection from the rest.

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Hotel Jen Manila – Great Value and Pleasantly Surprising

June 26, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

Looking at Hotel Jen Manila (the former Traders Hotel Manila) from the outside, one would be forgiven to skip the unassuming facade while speeding past Roxas Boulevard. The Hotel Jen name is at once mysterious as it is seemingly disproportional to the mature building that houses it. Following a global rebranding effort by the Shangri-la group, almost all Traders hotels were renamed to Hotel Jen as part of efforts to effectively segment the two brands under the group. The name Jen is meant to exude a youthful and travel-savvy persona, in effect contrasting nicely with the Himalayan luxury that the Shangri-la flagship brand is supposed to imbibe.

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New Italian Flavors at EDSA Shangri-la’s Paparazzi

June 17, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

For a populace that that enjoys homey Italian dishes such as spaghetti and pizza, it is no surprise that those living in Metro Manila have a wide array to choose from when it comes to Italian cuisine. The degree of sophistication is quite impressive considering the number of expats (including expat chefs) here trails in comparison to other Southeast Asian capitals. One doesn’t have to look far for a decent plate of Risotto or a hearty serving of my favorite Italian dish, Osso Buco.

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What’s New at Edsa Shangrila’s HEAT

February 3, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

Heat at Edsa Shangri-la is fast becoming my go-to place when it comes to hotel buffets in Manila. I ate there 5 times in the past year alone even as I was living in Singapore for the most part of 2014.

I had my first meal at Heat in 2015 just last week and realized the restaurant was spruced up to start the year. For the entire first quarter, Heat is being touted as a Farmers’ Market, with fresh and healthy produce in tow and juxtaposing against chic but casual interiors. This became evident the moment I stepped into the well-known all-day-dining restaurant, with a fruit and vegetable cart greeting me as I entered and light bulbs encapsulated in birdcages. Aesthetically, this is the biggest change to the restaurant aside from the Christmas decor in December.

Food-wise, all the favorites are still there. I was again treated to Heat’s Filipino selection which has always been my favorite. I especially loved the lechon kawali or roast pork. The Japanese selection has become more extensive and now features more complicated sushi rolls alongside succulent sashimi.

In line with the theme, the seafood portion has taken on a market-y vibe, with crabs deliberately hanging on weighing scales and lobsters and mussels placed on large pails.

A buffet spread at Heat won’t be complete without their iconic pastries and these meticulously designed creations are laid out extensively for guests to enjoy. Make sure to reserve some room for these treats.

Verdict

More than a decade on and Heat remains as one of Manila’s most well-loved hotel buffets. It may not have the longest buffet line in the metropolis but food quality is definitely noteworthy and the price competitive when compared against other 5 star hotels. This quarter’s Farmers Market is more than an aesthetic change, there’s also a greater selection of seafood this time around to delight crustacean lovers out there and old favorites to keep regulars coming back.

Rating:

Taste: 4/5
Ambience: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Heat
Edsa Shangri-la Hotel
1 Garden Way
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Philippines

Of Cornflakes & Oversized Buchi – My Chinese Dinner at Summer Palace in EDSA Shangri-la

September 26, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

A fine Chinese restaurant is one of the hallmarks of Shangri-la Hotels around the world, aside from the impeccable rooms and trademark hospitality. It is no surprise then that in its properties around Asia, these restaurants really bring in the crowds. For the case of EDSA Shangri-la, the Summer Palace has emerged as one of the default options that locals turn to when they seek for a high-end Chinese restaurant in Manila, with its creatively designed oriental dishes and constantly evolving food menu that few others in the city are able to emulate.

the fancy interiors of summer palace

This particular restaurant is no stranger to the local culinary scene. Frequently cited as one of the best in serving Chinese cuisine in the city, Summer Palace has served lauriat after lauriat, with business lunches and dimsum brunches in between. I had the pleasure of sampling their signature creations during my stay there. And what a dinner it was! On to the food.

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Weekend Staycation at EDSA Shangri-la Manila – All You Need to Know

September 21, 2014 by Bino 10 Comments

For over twenty years, the EDSA Shangri-la Manila has been a formidable force among Manila’s luxury hotels. Since it opened its doors in 1992 as the first Shangri-la hotel in the Philippines, this property has become an institution, and has often been cited by respected travel publications as one of Manila’s best hotels. In fact, Edsa Shangri-la traces its origins to the rise of Ortigas Center as an alternative to the Makati CBD. SM Megamall and Shangri-la Plaza had both opened for just about a year when the Ortigas Center’s first luxury hotel was completed. Personally, this hotel was my introduction to the Shangri-la brand. It was the first Shangri-la property that I stepped foot in when I was a kid attending wedding parties!

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A Peek at Shangri-la Singapore’s Presidential Suite

July 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Occupying a spacious 346 square meters, the luxurious Shangri-la Suite (also known as the Presidential Suite) in the Valley Wing of the Shangri-la Singapore Hotel is probably one of the largest hotel rooms one can find in the city state. For over two decades, this has been the preferred 5-star lodging for many heads of state and dignitaries when they visit Singapore and it’s easy to see why. Featuring two bedrooms, its own gym, a personal butler and even its own private entrance, the suite is almost like its own world, away from the conviviality of the three main towers that comprise the Shangri-la Singapore. If you have 10,900 Singapore Dollars (USD 8,720) to spare, this is certainly a luxurious way to spend it!

I had the opportunity to check out the Presidential Suite during my last stay in Shangri-la Singapore. Coming in from the private entrance, I was greeted by a most elegant, marble-floored hallway, the type I would often picture a butler leading me to if I ever get to enter one of those stately palaces of Europe. This made for a nice segue way to the entertainment area, fitted with beautiful walnut timber flooring from the United States and handmade rugs. This huge room contains the living, drawing and formal dining areas, the type I could easily imagine the presidents of the world sitting in while discussing foreign policy with their advisers. The living area is at once very much refined but at the same time fitted to easily suit the needs of business magnates and world leaders. The seating space here could easily fit more than two dozen people.

Also check out the Presidential Suite of St. Regis Singapore where Kim Jong Un is staying during his visit to Singapore

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