Café in the Park: Rizal's Journey at Century Park Hotel

With the upcoming celebration of our beloved country's independence, Century Park Hotel in participation with the Department of Tourism's Kulinarya Kalayaan, brings us a gastronomic journey inspired by Jose Rizal's travels around the world.
Kulinarya Kalayaan Century Park Hotel Cafe in the Park Dining

From June 10 to 20, Century Park Hotel will be featuring a wide array of international dishes at Café in the Park's eat-all-you-can buffet in tribute to Jose Rizal. For only P1,215, diners get to enjoy a diverse culinary adventure as Century Park presents gustatory treats from countries that delighted the sight, palate and tummy of our national hero.

Kulinarya Kalayaan Dishes

Together with media people and other food bloggers, I got the chance to see and sample some of Café in the Park's offerings for the upcoming festivity.

Cocido Madrileño
Cocido Madrileño, a traditional chickpea-based stew from Madrid, Spain
Moules à la Marinière
Moules à la Marinière, a French dish of mussels cooked in white wine
Guinisang Munggo at Tinapa
Guinisang Munggo at Tinapa of the Philippines
Seafood Crispy Noodles
Seafood Crispy Noodles from Hong Kong

These are just some of the enticing dishes Café in the Park will be serving as part of their Kulinarya Kalayaan promotion. There will also be Lengua Estofado and Zarzuela de Mariscos from Spain, Sauerbraten from Germany, Chicken Waterzoie from Belgium, Adobong Manok, Lechon, Sinigang and Tsokolate from the Philippines, and more.

The Buffet Spread

Of course, even as Café in the Park offers new international delights for Kulinarya Kalayaan, there will still be a bountiful spread of the restaurant's regular items like staple meal starters of breads, assorted cold cuts and hors d'oeuvres.

Breads
Appetizers Section
Vegetable Sidings

There was also a selection of cold seafood -- prawns and mussels, some Japanese favorites -- sashimi and maki, a variety of Asian noodles and a few Chinese dimsum items.

Cold Seafood
Sashimi and Maki Section
Chinese Dimsum
Siomai and Dumplings

Main entrées also come aplenty -- Lechon Paksiw, Adobong Bulalo, Hainanese Chicken, Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, Salmon Kabutoni, Steamed Vegetables, Fried Rice and a selection of pasta dishes. And, how can I ignore the seafood and meats available for grilling, as well as the Prime Ribs at the carving station?

Cafe in the Park Buffet
Marinated Meat for Grilling
Fish for Grilling
Carving Station Prime Ribs Carving Station

To cap off an eat-all-you-can session, Café in the Park also has a collection of cakes, tarts and ice cream, a halo-halo station, and even a crepe section for a sweet ending.

Cakes and Tarts
Crepe Station Mango and Green Mango Juice

WHAT WE GOT

Although I have already been to Century Park Hotel for several times, this is actually my first at Café in the Park. Of course, our group first sampled the items for Kulinarya Kalayaan.

Plate of Moules à la Marinière and Seafood Crispy Noodles

I got to try all 4 and I have to say that I enjoyed the richly-flavored Guinisang Munggo at Tinapa and the subtle Cocido Madrileño most. It was very unexpected though since I'm not really a big fan of mung beans, as well as light stews.

Chicken Feet

I also got curious and sampled Café in the Park's take on a Chinese favorite -- Chicken Feet. Although I personally find it lacking when it comes to puffiness, these treats were cooked to a perfect tender and had a very enjoyable sweet, savory and slightly spicy sauce.

Plate of Sashimi, Sushi and Appetizers

If you've been a regular reader, you'd know that I just can't say no to Japanese items. So following my light start was this plate of Salmon Sashimi, Spicy Tuna Maki, California Roll and Potato Salad. I also had some ham, spicy mushrooms and a cold mussel.

Plate of Charlie Chan Pasta, Garlic Bread and Seafood Roll

When I saw that Café in the Park has Charlie Chan Pasta, I didn't think twice and just went for it. Although not as savory and spicy as I would've wanted, this Asian pasta was quite good and just the perfect main course to go along with my siding of Garlic Bread and Seafood Roll.

Medium Roasted Prime Rib

My friend Stacy and I also shared this medium-roasted cut of Prime Rib. Although this piece was very tender and very succulent, it was not as flavorful and as fresh as we would've wanted. However, it was still a nicely-charred slab to satisfy a carnivorous craving.

Mango Crepe with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Syrup

For dessert, nothing beats a sweet and refreshing Mango Crepe with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Syrup freshly-made by a friendly cook. We also finished off with a cup of Ube and Cheese Ice Cream -- a truly sweet Filipino ending for a bountiful afternoon meal.

THE VERDICT

This trip to Café in the Park was a nice experience not only to take a taste of the food Jose Rizal had enjoyed through his travels, but also to literally take a journey from one station to another to try the bountiful treats that Century Park Hotel has to offer. And although stuffing yourself is already a walk in the park, Century Park Hotel makes it even more enjoyable with a nice dimly-lit ambiance and great hospitable service.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Kulinarya Kalayaan Buffet Rates:
Lunch and Dinner - P1,215++
On Father's Day - P1,475++
(Buffet is exclusive of beverages.)


Café in the Park, Century Park Hotel
599 Pablo Ocampo Cor. Vito Cruz St., Malate
Manila, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 528-5829
Official Website
Facebook Page

24 comments:

  1. expensive! pero dahil nakakita ako ng monggo, pu2ntahan ko yan! haha

    :))

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  2. I'm so sad. I don't get to go to these kind of events anymore. :(

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  3. didnt know about this. yummy yummy yummy different dishes!!!

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  4. buffets are my weakness and the end of me!! :))

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  5. Wow! Is it based on the book? There's a new local book released las year about what Rizal would have eaten. =)

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  6. Very inviting buffet! Mura for the price ha.

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  7. I miss your blog again! >< haha mouth watering ung mango crepe! I like how the presentation of the food! Good job! :)

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  8. These are so tempting!

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  9. Oh wow, looks DELICIOUS. Thank you for sharing, will definitely drag someone with me to dine here soon.

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  10. Another buffet to try!!! Drooled over the mussels with white wine. I super love seafood and this dish looked perfect for me! The prime rib too looks very, very succulent. I can imagine all the juices coming out when you bite into it. The price isn't bad too for a hotel buffet. :)

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  11. Wow! It's been a while since I visited your site dear. Because you always tempt me to eat and try restaurants! The buffet looks good! Will tell my mom about it! ;)

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  12. OMG! I miss my mom's ginisang munggo because of this! And the seafood crispy noodles, I want to try it! The mango crepe is also related to my latest blog post. Hehe.

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  13. wow! what a feast! everything looks so good! :) love the photos!

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  14. These dishes are so delicious how come I was not invited to the event? Hu hu! Salap ng prawns and mussels, pati mango crepe at cake. Outstanding photos!

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  15. i always get hungry when i read your blog. i love this! filipino / spanish food overload! great photos too :)
    Rovie
    Win a pair of FIRMOO glasses on The Bargain Doll!

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  16. OMG! Those pictures are mouth-watering!

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  17. Pinoy food seems to be so in these days :) -- love your photos!

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  18. gusto ko yung ube and cheese ice cream. miss ko na yun!! as always masarap ang mga pagkain, nakaka tempt talaga mag indulge pag buffet!

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  19. Your photos are so perfect! I love it! I hope ti try their buffet spread soon here at century, I just had breakfast buffet here but that was years ago already. =)

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  20. Delicious! I wanna try their lechon paksiw!

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