The Mid-Autumn Festival is considered to be as one of the most important Chinese holidays and has long been celebrated worldwide for centuries in thanksgiving for the abundant season. It is usually held on the fifteenth day of the eight month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which also happens to be the first night of the full moon, hence it is also labeled as the Moon Festival. This year, the festival took place on the 27^th of September.  

In celebration of this festival, I was invited to an elegant dinner buffet at the Lotus Court at the Marco Polo Davao. The buffet spread included special signature dishes from the Lotus Court such as the Seafood Delight and specialty dimsum.

The festival would not be complete without the highlight of the tradition - the moon cakes. It has been thought that sharing and eating moon cakes during the week of the festival brings completeness and unity among families.

The restaurant was filled with a festive vibe when Grades 4 to 10 students from Colegio de San Ignacio entertained the guests with their song and dance performances that depicted around the celebration of love, freedom, prosperity, to name a few of the crucial things in life which are truly worth celebrating for.

LOTUS COURT AT MARCO POLO DAVAO

C.M. Recto St. Davao City

8000 Philippines

(082) 221 0888

https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel

Email: sales_marketing@marcopolodavao.com

Instagram: @marcopolodavao

Twitter: @marcopolodavao

Aside from its diverse culture and heritage, Davao City is also considered to be a great culinary destination. With its abundant supply of farm-fresh produce, one will not find it difficult to come up with a dish that uniquely depicts the character of the city. Yet, there are those who truly stand out way above rest in terms of creating a culinary masterpiece.

Take for example Marco Polo Davao’s new Executive Sous Chef, Chef Alex Destriza. Having spent his formative years as a culinary practitioner here in Davao, Chef Alex Destriza is excited to take the hotel’s dining outlets to greater heights with the introduction of his signature dishes that are reflective of Davao’s appeal, uniqueness and flavor.

His experience in various hotels and dining establishments here and abroad has sharpened up his culinary expertise. Having experienced being a chef in Ireland opened new doors of learning and opportunities for him to imbibe a different culinary culture. With that, Chef Alex is very willing and confident to share all of these in his new challenge as the hotel's Executive Sous Chef.

During the launching of the Kadayawan Art Exhibit last August 10, 2015, we were treated to a full-course menu at the Café Marco featuring scrumptious masterpieces created, of course, by the new Executive Sous Chef. 

Sweet Corn Bisque with Lapu-lapu Croquette and Ube Tarragon Cream: I like how rich, creamy and surprisingly flavorful this bisque came out to be. The lapu-lapu croquette is seasoned just right to complement with the flavor of the soup.

Malagos Green and Fern Salad, Sauteed Garlic Shrimps, Guava Jelly, Roasted Peanuts and Davao Suka Emulsion: The Davao Suka Emulsion adds that invigorating zest that makes the dish more alluring to the palate.

Sous Vide Beef Tenderloin in Bistek Sauce with Pumpkin and Chorizo Risotto, Kangkong Two Ways, Glazed Carrots and Onions: This elegant serving of beef tenderloin is tender, juicy and simply delightful. The bistek sauce made it even more savory and scrumptious. 

Biko Pandan with Chocolate Mousse and Caramelized Pecan Nuts: For me, this was an unexpected combination of different spectrum of desserts, yet the convergence of flavors was just right to culminate a gastronomic delight.

These dishes are actually part of the hotel's Kadayawan Menu which will be available from August 17 to 23, 2015 at Cafe Marco of the Marco Polo Davao. 

With the introduction of Chef Alex Destriza, a whole new dining experience surely awaits every guest at Marco Polo Davao.

CAFE MARCO AT MARCO POLO DAVAO

C.M. Recto St. Davao City

8000 Philippines

(082) 221 0888

https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel

Email: sales_marketing@marcopolodavao.com

Instagram: @marcopolodavao

Twitter: @marcopolodavao

Just when we thought that we already had enough of authentic Chinese cuisine from Chef Lu, we were totally wrong. Our brunch was actually followed by a 5-course meal from no other than Davao's top of the class Chinese restaurant, the Lotus Court at Marco Polo Hotel Davao. I bet our tummies were already about to surrender so we resorted to a 10-minute walk from Chef Lu to Marco Polo Hotel in order to give way for the upcoming gastronomic feast.

We felt like royalties with the exquisite 5-course meal Lotus Court has prepared for us. The end result: 3 HOURS of incomparable gastronomic satisfaction which made me conclude that this was the best meal I had so far for the entire DFAT 2013 adventure.

Here's a glimpse of what Lotus Court has prepared for us, but in actuality and based on the following pictures, we got more than what was written in the menu. Get ready to drool!

Appetizer: Roast Suckling Pig Combination

Unlimited Dimsum  (Hakao, Pork and Shrimp Siomai and Shao Lung Pao)