Solaire Resort and Casino: Welcoming the Year of the Wood Sheep

Celebrating Chinese New Year is a big and special part of our Tsinoy culture.  Thus, I decided to join in the festivities at Solaire Resort and Casino where I witnessed the Lion Dance.

Nothing is more nostalgic to me in welcoming the Chinese New Year than the long and colorful dancing dragon as it chases the "Pearl of Wisdom", the dancing lions, the laughing Buddha and the heart-pounding sound of the beating drums.

Starting from the VIP entrance towards the main lobby and various areas of the resort, the dancers exhibited their acrobatic prowess.

There is also a lighting of the money tree at the Resort's atrium.

Join in the festivities as Solaire Resort offers a Chinese New Year Weekend Package that's perfect for the family.  For only P8,888++ per night inclusive of complimentary parking, wifi access and shuttle service to major shopping malls and P500 gaming credits per adult guest.

The package is available until February 21, 2014 for local residents.

Of course, a celebration must have a lavishing feast.  Chef Chaw of Red Lantern presents a special a la carte menu of various Chinese delicacies such as Braised Pork Trotter with Chinese Mushrooms and Black See Moss, Sauteed Prawns with Vegetables and X.O. Sauce and Salmon Fish "Yee Sang" and much more.

You can also purchase the Koi-Fish shaped tikoy at Red Lantern for only P599.  The fish symbolizes a plentiful year and tikoy (nian gao) symbolizes a higher year and the stickiness for closer family ties.  In you're cooking it at home, you can use my Tikoy and Egg recipe and Deep-fried Chinese Lumpia Roll Recipe.

Red Lantern also offers the CNY Cookies for P 499.

Solaire Resorts and Casino Sky Tower
1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, 
Paranaque City, Metro Manila
(02) 888-8888
Website | Facebook Fan Page   

Waterside Resto Bar Launch: Latin American and Mediterranean Dinner (Solaire Resorts and Casino Sky Tower)

Simultaneously launched with Oasis Garden Cafe is Waterside Restobar.  Waterside specializes in Latin American  and Mediterranean cuisine.

 It.has a modern interior that gives a semblance of luxury.

It has a bright, colorful and classy bar area. 

There are noticeably two types of dining areas, one with the usual table.and chair set up and the other with tall tables and stools.

There are different stations which are all equipped with baking and cooking kitchen. 

I liked that every station is open and visible to the diners so you can view every chef at work and how your food is meticulously prepared.

There are also dessert chillers.

Some are apparently not filled up yet.

Food

Complimentary Bread Basket

I love the rolls filled with green olives!

Tapas

Fish

Sardinillas

The Sardinillas is mackarel swimming in smooth and fruity olive oil with fragrant garlic bits.  It is served with crusty bread.  I loved this!

Boquorones Sharing (750 php)

I'm glad that Waterside introduced me to Boquorones.  It is a fish dish in vinegar with runny eggs drizzled with aoili sauce.  I found it interesting though I couldn't eat mush due to its tanginess.

Meat

Chorizo Sharing (680 php)

The Chorizo is topped with mini bits of melon topped with mint leaves.  There's an interesting affinity of fruity, meaty and minty essence within this dish.

Jabugo Sharing (900 php)

The Jabugo is thinly sliced ham topped with melon (supposed to be pineapple on the menu) and bleu cheese laid over bread.

Vegetables

Banderillas Sharing (690 php)

The Banderillas is sticks of olives wrapped in piquillo pepper and grated garlic.

Paella

Paella Valenciana *sample size

The Paella Valenciana is saffron-spiced bomba rice with chicken chunks, chorizo, hard-boiled egg, prawns and pimiento.  My friends loved this.  However, it was too wet for my preference.

La Parilla-The Grill

Beef Brisket, Jumbo Prawns, Crack Back Chicken and Inihaw na Liempo *sample size

The highlight of our meal is the wooden board filled with Beef Brisket, Jumbo Prawns, Crack Back Chicken and Inihaw na Liempo.  I loved the Beef Brisket which was twice cooked, poached and charred.  Next to that, I enjoyed the Crack Back Chicken which was brined, roasted and BBQ glazed.

Sauces and Dips

Chimichurri, Bordelaise and Red Pepper Spackles

Costar

Asparagus

The shredded Asparagus is paired with goat milk and lemon.  It's refreshing  but not too interesting for non-veggie lovers.

Humita

The Humita is so sweet and at the same time so spicy!

Crushed

The Crushed is scuffed carbonara potatoes.  It is so good that I don't mind loading up with those carbs.

Sweets

Pineapple Ravioli (260 php)

The Pineapple Ravioli is an unforgettable dessert.  It is a citrusy sorbet wrapped in thin cool sheets of pineapple topped with chili bits.  I'm amazed at the craftiness and creativity placed into this.  

Dark Chocolate (260 php)

If you're looking for a total chocolate indulgence, then I'm sure you'll be more than fulfilled with the dark, rich and heavy chocolate consistency of the Dark Chocolate.   It is served with sour raspberry jelly and cream which you'll need to sooth your palette from the over chocolate indulgence.

Overall, I loved the experience!  It has certainly broadened my flavor exploration for Latin American and Mediterranean Cuisine.  Congratulations Waterside for a great launch!

Waterside Resto Bar (Solaire Resorts and Casino Sky Tower)
1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, 
Paranaque City, Metro Manila
(02) 888-8888
Website | Facebook Fan Page   

Oasis Garden Cafe Launch Afternoon Tea Party (Solaire Resorts and Casino Sky Tower)

Having visited Solaire Resorts and Casino and dining at Fresh Buffet twice, I could never have thought that it could even be expanded with their new Sky Tower.  There's even an access to the Sky Tower from Fresh.

Oasis Garden Cafe

Sky Tower includes two new establishments: Oasis Garden Cafe and Waterside Restobar.  I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Oasis Garden Cafe Launch Afternoon Tea Party which I gladly accepted since I just love tea parties.  Oasis Garden Cafe is found on the Sky Tower Atrium. It has an exquisite and sophisticated structural design that makes it stand out.

It has a beautiful sophisticated bird's nest-like divider that surrounds the establishment. 

It has a circular bar, cake display chiller and cozy lofts upon entry.  Going up a few steps will leads you to a classy lounge-type area fully carpeted with cushioned seats and round tables.  There's a highlighted platform for the piano.  What's unique about it is that although you're cool and comfortable indoors, you are surrounded by nature. Yes, you can sift the floral scents of the blooming flowers and minty leaves.  The clear glass roofing also affords a nurturing brightness.

The other side affords more privacy and elegance with its crescent-shaped booths.

What's a party without music?

We were serenaded while we enjoyed our snacks.

There were so many to choose from...

There were scones, hand-crafted petite fours, tea sandwiches and all sorts of pastries.

There were delicious chocolates similar to the ones I had at Fresh. 

Made in the Philippines High Tea Set (580 php)

There are also high teas sets which includes any Solaire tea or coffee of your choice.  The Made in the Philippines High Tea Set includes Ube Coconut Roll, Buko Pie, Macapuno Tart, Banana Turon, Leche Flan, Cassava Cake, Pastillas, Cheese Bibingka, Latik Bibingka, Macapuno Bibingka, Plain Pandesal, Corned Beef Pandesal, Tomato and Kesong Puti Pandesal and Three Out of the Oven Ensaymada.

...Like They Make In England (580 php)

What I Sampled

Caramel Tiramisu, Fruit Cake, Pistachio Opera Cake, Coconut Ube Pound Cake, Scones and Solaire Chocolate Cake

Everything is delicious!  I'm impressed at how feather-light the Scones are.

Assorted Crostini and Tea Sandwiches

I especially loves the Cheese Crostini and the Smoked Salmon with herbed creme fraiche, capers, chives in toasted brioche.

Roast Beef Crostini Topped with Caramelized Onions

BBQ Pork Pastry

The BBQ Pork Pastry reminds me of the Chinese dimsum.
 

Egg Benedict

The Egg Benedict is glamorous with poached quail egg covered with hollandiase sauce, ham, tomato jam laid on a crisp cheddar cheese biscuit.
 

Fire Cracker Spring Rolls

The Fire Cracker Spring Rolls is filled with seafood bits and dipped in sweet and sour sauce.

Tea

Naicha

Of course, the high light of an afternoon tea party are the teas.  I had the ice cold Naicha which was sweet and creamy.

Seffarine Tea

I also had the cool, minty and lemon citrusy Seffarine Tea.

Passion Green Tea

And, the floral and fruity Passion Green Tea.

Congratulations Oasis Garden Cafe for a successful launch!  I hope to be back and spend an afternoon tea with the family.

Oasis Garden Cafe Solaire Resorts and Casino Sky Tower
1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, 
Paranaque City, Metro Manila
(02) 888-8888
Website | Facebook Fan Page