During our wonderful and memorable Christmas staycation at F1 Hotel Manila a few weeks ago, we were also treated to a delightful lunch buffet at F All Day Dining. Nothing makes the Filipino family happier than sharing a bountiful lunch or dinner together, so enjoying a sumptuous buffet with my KTG family at one of the best hotels in the city is truly a memorable occasion.
F1 Hotel Manila’s Yuletide treats are sure to make the season merrier. Ranging from savory dishes to decadent desserts, everyone is sure to find their own favorites while feasting on this special Yuletide set. New Executive Sous Chef Timothy Decker Gokioco is at the helm of F1 Hotel’s kitchen and he is infusing new creative dishes that will surely inspire us during the Christmas season.
Joining me at my table is Edgar Co from Pinas Muna and his friend Dads. It is always a laughtrip whenever I get to sit with these guys.
Pau Esmedilla (left), Marketing Assistant of F1 Hotel and General Manager Tony Co (right) welcomed everyone back to the hotel which is actually where The KTG as a group was born in 2013. They introduced the new Executive Chef of F1 Hotel, Chef Decker Gokioco (middle) who will be presenting the new dishes he has prepared at F All Day Dining.
We stated with the Appetizers and Salad section where you can find a selection of cold appetizers including different kinds of cheese, mussels and shrimp.
They also have a small Japanese section serving sushi, rolls and fresh Salmon Sashimi.
My favorite among the starters is the Baked Mussels and Oysters Rockefeller which are hot and oozing with cheese. I just love eating these oysters.
F All Day Dining also has a Seafood Pesto Pizza which is filled with various seafood toppings. Quite an interesting pizza combination.
You can also head to the Palabok station where you can create your own palabok and choose the ingredients you want to add. These are prepared a la minute just for you.
Before we go to the main dishes, let’s get some Chinese Chorizo Fried Rice first because no Filipino meal in complete without rice.
I immediately went for the Tempura station to get a few pieces of delicious tempura. This is always one of the first stations I attack on any buffet and I can eat so many of these.
I saw these Lamb Patties with Tomato Picante and this is a unique way of eating lamb. I don’t really eat lamb too much but this burger version goes well with me.
I first encountered a Zamboanga style dish at the Filipino Food Festival of Fresh in Solaire so it was suprising to see it again here at F All Day Dining. Dorothy's Zamboanga Style Prawns is prepared like a curry which is how the Muslims do it in the south. I don’t know who Dorothy is but this one is rich and creamy and gives a different way of eating prawns.
I was so happy to see cute Skylar once again, baby of Abet and Joan from The Food Alphabet. He seems to be growing up so fast and it really means that we should cherish each and every moment with our families because time just zooms by.
I saw this whole roasted duck just hanging there so I went looking for their duck dish. The Salt and Pepper Duck is quite tasty and is a good alternative to the usual roasted duck. If I can’t have my Hong Kong style Roasted Duck rice, then this one is a good substitute.
The Braised Beef Cheek in Cabernet Souvignon is another great dish with its tender beef chunks that are brasied in red wine. This gives it that added depth of flavor that many will appreciate.
But the main attraction at F All Day Dining is this Stuffed Lechon Belly Kare-Kare, a succulent melt-in-your-mouth pork belly stuffed with native vegetables accompanied with creamy Kare-Kare sauce and homemade shrimp paste.
I have never seen lechon belly sreved with kare-kare so this is quite a creative Filipino take on the roasted pig. The skin is very crunchy and pouring the kare kare sauce over the lechon belly turns it into another dish entirely. Now this is what I call an upgraded kare-kare dish.
Chef Decker probably named his dishes after his friends and family members which is why this one is called Fernando’s 4-day Marinated Pork Belly and Cucumber Salad. I might not be too fond of the cucumber salad, but the pork belly is superb and very flavorful.
If you want vegetables then get the Sauteed Wing Beans with Almond Flakes. The almonds give this healthier dish a different twist.
Another popular and Instagram-worthy dish at F All Day Dining is the Popcorn and Walnut Crusted Salmon served with Tarragon Cream. The salmon is so soft and juicy plus the walnut crust adds a nutty flavor to this spectacular dish. The popcorn is not really an integral part but it does make it prettier in the photo, haha.
I really love salmon so I also had some slices cooked for me at the Grilling Station and it was oh so good! These are also cooked a la minute and served to your table hot and fresh.
Drinks are not yet included in the buffet price but you can just add P100 to get bottomless iced tea. It comes in Cucumber Iced Tea and Red Iced Tea flavors.
For desserts, you have a wide selection of sweets and treats including their Red Velvet Cake and their famous Yema Tart, a sweet and tangy homemade tart filled with a hint of lemon, topped with torched meringue and seasonal fruits. Try the soft and chewy Sorbetes Crinkles as well, flavored with ube and queso de bola that is sure to remind you of your childhood years.
I ended my grand lunch buffet just like any child would, with cotton candy and a big lollipop. I may have turned 25 just recently, but I really still feel like a child at heart. Celebrate this Christmas with your family at F All Day Dining where everyone can create their own happy memories.
F ALL DAY DINING
5/F F1 Hotel, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
