The Café, Hyatt COD, Manila
Our flight landed in Manila quite late, but fortunately there wasn’t much traffic getting to the Hyatt City of Dreams (thanks to the new Skyway), so I was still hopeful we could get some Jollibee in us for dinner. Unfamiliar with the surroundings there, we asked the kindly hotel concierge if she could order delivery for us, which she was happy to do, However, after contacting four different locations, we were informed no Jollibee was willing to deliver to our area that late. Crushed!
As we were starving and still wanted a quick bite before bed, we ventured down to the only restaurant still open, The Café in the lobby. We decided against their massive buffet and went for a few a la carte Filipino options.
As I had been jonesing for Chickenjoy all day, I went with the Filipino Fried Chicken...
I have to say, this was one excellent plate of fried chicken! Perfectly fried, covered in glorious crispy skin, these were fully-flavored, joyfully juicy pieces of poultry!! Served with gravy of course...
Accompanied by a San Miguel Pale Pilsen...
Since it was her first visit to the Philippines, Mutsumi decided to go with something more traditionally local, Adobong Baboy, which is pork braised in vinegar and soy. Sour, salty, succulent, another winning preparation...
Hotel dining can always be iffy, but the food here at The Café was top notch!
As pleasantly surprised as we were with our meal, we decided to hit the Hyatt lobby lounge a try a couple of their cocktails. Turns out the drinks are just as good as the dining here!
I absolutely loved my Manila Sour, which was Tanqueray gin mixed with limoncello, agave nectar and freshly squeezed kalamansi juice...
As I downed this cocktail pretty quickly, the bartender then recommend I try a different drink he makes with gin and kalmansi, mixed here with iced Filipino ginger tea, called salabat, and honey...
While the evening started out with a minor disappointment, everything worked out in the end. Thanks for making it better and starting our vacation off on the right foot, Hyatt City of Dreams!!
THE CAFÉ/THE LOUNGE
Hyatt City of Dreams
Manila Entertainment City
Belle Avenue
Parañaque, Metro Manila, 1701
Philippines
+63-2-691-1234
https://cityofdreamsmanila.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining.html
