The Crimson Hotel in Filinvest City, Manila has opened a new door to the colorful flavors of the Latin American people which undeniably awaken your taste buds. Café 8 in Crimson hotel has called on the favorite dishes from Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and other South American countries to give you what is now called “Sabor Latino” which is a Latin American Buffet that is available only from September 7th to the 24th.
Luckily, I was able to bask in the glory that is the feast of rich Latin American flavors and indulge in their unique, mouth-watering dishes such as their appetizer, Chilean Salmon Tartare which is exquisitely zesty, thick and juicy with a touch of spice that explodes right in your mouth or the amazingly flavorful Chicken Fajita Salad with loads of Salsa. These are followed by the Black Bean Soup with Lime. The lime perfectly balances the soup’s smoky and earthy flavors that the corns and beans base brew up. Although, this soup could have used a little more spice. Their appetizers are freshly made and is sure to open your appetite for their delectable main courses. The café also features a taco bar in which you get to build your own delicious tacos and quesadillas with the variety of ingredients they lay out. It is found right across the buffet table beside the empanadas and mini bar serving cocktails. Good food, good company, good time!
The main course is composed of three dishes, namely the Grilled Leg of Lamb with Ancho Chile Marmalade, Peruvian Spicy Creamed Chicken and the Mojo Marinade Pork Chops which can all be perfectly paired with the beans mixed with rice and eggs. The beans mixture complements the flavors of all the main course dishes. The Grilled Leg of Lamb was one of my favorites as it was full of flavor and had just the right amount of spice. The meat was quite tender as you bite into it and it just explodes with goodness in your mouth. The Peruvian Spicy Creamed Chicken was the dish I loved the best! The cream of the chicken had perfectly balanced out the hints of spices found. Plus, the chicken was really tender, moist and all out flavorful.
I ended the meal with a bang and had some of their delicious desserts! Like the other courses, the dessert had three different choices. The Jerry Caya, Dulche de Leche Cake and Churros. Although, the café had also offered other favorite Filipino desserts like ice cream and halo-halo along with many other cakes and pastries offered by Crimson. The Jerry Caya was good, but my favorites were the Churros and the Dulche de Leche Cake. They were the right amount of sweet and were totally tasty! The Churros were cooked perfectly, they were very crispy and came with a chocolate dip that had a great texture, consistency and overall taste.
The lunch buffet at Sabor Latino is around Php 1,235 and comes with free-flowing drinks during the entire meal. The dinner buffet stands at Php 1,410 and comes with the same free-flowing drinks. Café 8 has also announced that they will be hosting a one-night-only event which is a Latino Wine Dinner Special on September 12, 2017. For a price of Php 2,050 per person, you get to enjoy a five-course meal that features the wide array of various Latin American specialties like Braised Pork and Provalone, Cheese Empanadas, Seared Scallops, Escabeche of Vegetables, Gazpachio Sauce, Cold Avocado Corn Soup with Cilantro Oil, Slow Roasted Wagyu Beef, and White Chocolate Fondant with Leche. The dinner will be paired with the best wines from the Montes Winery.
Latino food is simply irresistible due to the fact that they are incorporated with a colorful and unique mix of spices and ingredients that just increase the dishes’ flavor palette. And Sabor Latino can definitely ensure you good food, good company, and a good time!
