Food Explorer & Home Chef
Sitting pretty on the 51st floor of THE FACE Style hotel, Molina is the product of a partnership between epicurean Datuk Alex Tan and 2-Michelin starred chef Sidney Schutte from the Netherlands. A visionary chef, keen to bring a spectrum (also the name of his …
I was whisked away over a weekend to Solaire Resort Entertainment City in the Philippines recently, and what an experience it was! The huge imposing facade of Solaire Resort greeted me way before I was anywhere near, it’s that big. Once we arrived, it was …
It’s literally been more than 2 decades since I last visited Manila in the Philippines for a fashion shoot. I can hardly remember much of it – bits of Makati, the old church, going around in a taxi – that’s about it.
This time round, it was a blast visiting the newish Solaire Resort Entertainment City, just about 10 years old. We were taken on a short tour of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Metro Manila as well, which didn’t even exist way back then. It was eye-opening how much change can affect a city, given a push in the right direction. Hopefully this positive change can spread to the rest of Manila to benefit the people.
While there was hardly much time to explore outside of our city tour and a short shopping excursion, it was such a luxury to be pampered within the exclusive Solaire Resort and enjoy its world-class facilities and restaurants. Here’s what you can expect:
Solaire Resort Entertainment City
The premier Filipino integrated resort celebrates more than a decade of redefining luxury and excellence. Setting the standards for 5-star service and world-class facilities, its commitment to quality has led to the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star Excellence Award for the 8th consecutive year. Nestled within the vibrant Entertainment City, Solaire offers a unique and unforgettable experience for every guest.
“Receiving the 5-Star Excellence Award with Forbes Travel Guide is a result of our team’s perseverance and dedication to ensure that our guests are provided with excellent service and exceptional experiences. We will continue to work hard to achieve our vision to make Solaire the only Filipino luxury integrated resort, the most preferred globally,” said Thomas Arasi, President, and Chief Operating Officer-Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, Solaire Resort Entertainment City and Solaire Resort North.
Facilities
The Sky Tower, one of Solaire’s luxurious towers, has 312 rooms and suites that offer exclusive accommodations with the highest level of elegance, sophistication and comfort. Rooms between 65 to 395 sqm together with the sweeping views of the world-renowned Manila Bay, facilities like a jacuzzi, cabanas, a fitness centre, spa and salon, are reasons enough for the well-deserved award.
Gastronomic offerings abound as guests can choose from a selection of 19 dining options that include 3 signature restaurants and bars run by culinary masters.
The newly built pillarless Grand Ballroom epitomises Solaire’s dedication to offering elegance and grandeur. With its expansive and versatile space and stunning architectural design, it sets the stage for memorable events, being the largest ballroom in Metro Manila.
All function rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, conference facilities, exquisite menu options, pre-function areas, ample parking spaces and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Corporate meeting and event packages can be customised to suit the customer’s needs.
Discover the height of sophistication at The Shoppes at Solaire where a row of luxury brand retail stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior, Omega and more.
“We are grateful for all our guests who have been supporting us as we continue our decade of excellence into our 11th year. This award is a recognition of our teams’ determination and effort to remain steadfast in providing outstanding service for our guests.” says David Batchelor, Senior Vice President for Resort Operations.
Accommodation
Solaire comprises two exquisite towers, the Bay Tower, and the Sky Tower. Catch the brilliant sunset from the Chairman’s Villa with its panoramic view of Manila Bay. Guests will also have their own personal butler where they can feel the highest level of service tailored to their preference. Unique paintings in each room, all embracing different genres and styles by Filipino artists and designers, set the mood right and make you feel more at home. Including the Bay Tower, there are altogether 793 rooms available.
Dining
Dine by the golden hue of sunset as you feast at your favourite restaurants. Enjoy drinks – a momento aperitivo – at Finestra, sunset cocktails by the Pool Bar & Grill, or refreshing drinks at Waterside, drinking in the great ambiance and live music.
The resort boasts 19 restaurants and bars, including 3 signature restaurants featuring experienced world-class chefs. Yakumi’s Sunday Brunch has a selection from eight buffet stations where you can savour authentic Japanese dishes and fresh sashimi sourced straight from Toyosu Market.
Enjoying fresh sashimi at Yakumi.
Indulge in Red Lantern’s Dim Sum Brunch Buffet, featuring over 46 delectable dim sum varieties and homemade Chinese barbeque. Experience the sophistication of Finestra’s Sunday Champagne Brunch, where you can enjoy unlimited flutes of champagne along with delicious Italian dishes.
Dim sum from Red Lantern
BBQ Pork Ribs and Tomahawk from Waterside.
Steak from Finestra.
Entertainment
Experience top-tier entertainment at The Theatre at Solaire with Broadway shows, ballet performances and concerts showcasing both local and international artists. Last March, Cameron Mackintosh’s Miss Saigon, an adaptation of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera, “Madame Butterfly” was shown. This love story transported one back to Vietnam in the 1970s with music that resonated with the audience.
Solaire was also awarded the Best Asia-Pacific Integrated Resort and Best Gaming Floor by its industry peers at the 2023 IAG Academy IR Awards, a testament to its excellence and innovation in the Asian gaming and hospitality industry. Solaire’s gaming floor spans two levels, 30,200 sqm of premium gaming space, a haven for both casual players and the elite. The casino is home to over 2,300 slot machines and more than 400 gaming tables equipped with the latest technology comparable to Macau and Las Vegas.
The grandeur of Solaire’s gaming space is exuded by its Players Stadium, where the hottest Electronic Table Games can be played all at once by 200 guests who can watch the excitement unfold in one of the largest curved LEDs in the world. An elevated experience awaits Solaire’s gaming elite at Solaire Club, an entire floor where unmatched service, unparalleled menu options and utmost discretion.
Shopping
The Shoppes at Solaire feature a row of luxury brand retail that gives a different shopping experience, with renowned brands such as Givenchy, Stefano Ricci, Amazing Cre, Dior, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and more.
Lifestyle Card
Solaire Resort offers the most rewarding experiences with its Lifestyle Card with which you can enjoy the best offers and rebates just by dining, shopping and booking a hotel room or your favourite award-winning theatre shows. With that comes 5-star service and world-class facilities, a breathtaking view of the radiant sunset of Manila Bay, a culinary indulgence like no other and a row of luxury brand retail stores all at one address.
Book your room directly on the website to receive two signature welcome drinks, pool access, complimentary use of pool day beds and Solaire Bonus Peso. You can enjoy and earn a 5% rebate when you use your Lifestyle Card. You can get up to 20% off and earn up to 20% rebate when dining at any of Solaire’s dining establishments. Book theatre tickets and get up to 20% discount with your Lifestyle Card. Earn 5% rebates on purchases at participating retail outlets.
Sign up to become a member by downloading the MySolaire App.
Chimac Festival
Solaire Resort Entertainment City offered a slice of Korean culture and cuisine during its week-long celebration of live music, games and entertainment during the first ever Chimac Festival. ChiMac, a combination of “chicken” (chi) and “mac” (beer) in Korean, had mouthwatering Korean dishes and showstopping performances by the renowned DJ Kara and one of the Philippines’ most beloved bands, The Itchyworms.
Guests had a chance to try noodles, tteokbokki, gimbap and kimchi, Korean-style sausage (Sundae), skewered fish cake soup, Buchimgae and fried Korean snacks, not to mention hot foods like chicken skewers, herb marinated fresh pork belly (Samgyupsal) skewers, Bulgogi and braised spicy pork ribs.
No ChiMac festival is complete without the renowned South Korean fried chicken, voted as the world’s most popular K-food. The night’s festivities include a chicken and beer drinking contest, a beer pong tournament, an electrifying performance by DJ Kara and the groovy rock beats of The Itchyworms. Guests could also dress in a traditional Hanbok dress.
Discover the charm of the Philippines and feel the warm hospitality of its people all in one destination. For more information, visit www.solaireresort.com.
I’ve been to quite a few Tiger Food Festivals in the last few years and I must say this year’s was quite happening! Some 10,000 guests flocked to 1U Shopping Mall, PJ from Sept 5-8 for the Tiger Crystal Food Festival which has become a …
Yun House, the Michelin selected restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. played host to a brand new menu of bold flavours, creatively crafted by Chef Jimmy Wong and his talented team. With colourful garnishes and innovative plating, pushing the boundaries of Cantonese fine dining, …
Deep inside Kota Damansara, PJ is a row of factory lots. We weren’t even sure if we were at the right place until we saw the words Carbon emblazoned across a grey building. Chef David Tay greeted us outside and took us through an amazing 10-course Exploration menu at RM450. Having cut his teeth at Singapore establishments, David returned in 2023 to partner Yeoh Wei Chieh and bought their own place to set up shop.
David has one clear principle – that no customer leaves hungry. We were truly stuffed and stunned at the finesse and creativity of the dishes, many that centred around his love for burning chacoal hence the name Carbon.
The Exploration menu started with:
*Souvlaki raita – sort of like a mini vegetarian taco with shell that had a good crunch to the bite.
*Crystal prawns Arancini – stuffed Italian rice balls, with an Asian twist of sweet and sour pineapple topping that reminded one of laksa.
*Yellow fin tuna polenta – Polenta doesn’t always come out well but as a base for the tuna, it was excellent play of textures, the smooth fish against the grain.
*Hokkaido Scallop with kedondong juice – one of the top votes from me. Delivered raw as ceviche in between slices of avocado, the juice of the usually sharp and sour kedondong somehow tasted sweet juxtaposed against the seafood. Nicely done.
*Duck kapitan – Not usually a fan of ravioli, this one I would order a full plate as a meal. Pulled duck filled the inside of the charcoal pasta skin of the ravioli, littered with tobiko, sitting pretty in kapitan gravy. Another well-executed dish.
*Zucchini flower eggplant – stuffed with babaganosh with yogurt creme fraiche sauce and sumac and harissa. Familiar yet different.
*Cod Chimmicuri – Not just another fish dish, this was prepared in a claypot with a hot and slightly sour gravy that had tomato, coriander, onions and torch flower (bunga kantan). So good, i t should not be eaten on its own – so of course, we had a bit of rice to absorb the delish gravy.
*Signature roasted duck breast tamarind – this was the piece de resistance, finely turned in the grill before us for hours, yet tasting juicy, moist, full of intense flavour. Possibly of the best roasted duck i’ve had.
*Signature claypot rice with duck – nothing is wasted, as small bits of the duck go into this rice ensemble that emitted a nice char and fragrance of being cooked in clay, a distinct specialty by Yeoh. As much as Carbon is deemed a Western fine dine resto, this dish is as Chinese as it comes, and one of the house favourites as guests almost always, says David, asks for this. One mouthful and it’s easy to see why.
*Dessert was genmaicha ice cream with Lava cake plus a special surprise of durian parcel, key lime éclair kodok with peanut butter.
Carbon also has a 4-course discovery menu for RM398 for 2 pax.
Thank you for hosting, Carbon! It was an amazing meal like no other!
Add: 7, Jalan Pekaka 8/1D, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Hp: 012-988 7219
This is one instance where you can’t judge the resto by the building. A nondescript, almost drab office building in Brickfields, hides a lovely glasshouse on its rooftop. Spacious and bright, in the day it lets in a brilliant play of sunlight and in the …
It’s been years since I’ve stepped into Avenue K in Kuala Lumpur and I had no idea the top floor was such an attractive haunt for exotic food. Feliz, probably the only Peruvian restaurant around town, is headed by chef Franco Aldana who’s bent on …
Tiramisu anyone? By that, I mean latte – something in between a cake and a drink. Even looks like a tiramisu in a glass, except that you dive through layers of mascapone to get to the coffee. Nice, but too sweet for me. I preferred the Cantaloupe Yuzu which was light and refreshing.
This and a bunch of other snazzy drinks, light pastries and trendy breakfast choices await at Kyomo Kohi at New Ocean World Fine Food City, Petaling Jaya. I confess I was expecting another run-of-the-mill cafe food which usually don’t rate high on taste. Was pleasantly surprised at the good quality of food and the very decent prices here.
While waiting for the main dishes, we munched on battered sweet potato that was a nice light starter. A bit on the sweet side but I guess you could tell them to hold back on the honey drizzle so that you can control that yourself.
For mains, we tried the Gyukatsu Don that had a fairly large piece of coated wagyu that came in a set with potato salad, greens, miso soup and tonkatsu and curry sauces. The beef was still nicely tender and juicy which went well with the sauces, and together with the sides, it was a hefty meal for one.
Salmon Ochazuke Yuzu Spice had soup in a teapot to be poured over rice. Comfort food that resonates with many, I sometimes cook this at home too when I am bereft of ideas and it always wins.
Personally, I quite detest Japanese Curry but for once, the one at Kyomo was really quite nice, and NOT SWEET. Something I would order again.
The fluffy pancakes came in a set of 4 with cream and jam for just RM20 while the Brioche Blossom with Salmon was a good balance of toast, greens and protein. We also tried the triangular scone though I am not a fan as I found it a bit dry. The others enjoyed this.
Not your typical Japanese resto, the decor provides a zen-like calmness – miminalist with neutral shades. Turns out Kyomo is quite a nice place to hang out for a cuppa too as coffee quality is good and the ambience inviting enough for friends to chat the afternoon away. Can be a bit dangerous on the pocket, as the longer you stay, the more tempted you are to order more!
Add: L1 – 01, Level 1, New Ocean World Fine Food City, 15, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya. Call: 012-9882534
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