Christmas food for the books and the tummy

Goose from Man Ho at the Marriott —PHOTOS BY MARGAUX SALCEDO

Merry, merry Christmas dear readers!

If you are still cramming some orders, or possibly preparing already for the New Year celebrations, here are few numbers that might possibly still be able to help:

Man Ho for Roast Goose

After a very memorable dinner at the karinderya Yat Lok in Hong Kong with cousins, I have become quite obsessed with goose. Thankfully, hotel Chinese restaurants now offer goose too. Recently, we got try the goose at Man Ho at the Marriott and I am happy to share that this goose, while it must be pre-ordered a day before pick up, you can order even on Christmas Day. (They are open today, December 24). The goose is imported from Hong Kong, weighs 3-4 kilos uncooked, and costs P4,588++. Call landline +632 988 9999 to order.

Lung Hin for Roast Duck

For duck, try Lung Hin at Marco Polo Ortigas. You may order a whole Peking Duck for P4,200++ also imported from Hong Kong. This requires two days notice. Call +632 720 7777.

Chef Dino Datu’s Roast Turkey

For whole turkey that isn’t dry, call Chef Dino Datu. He has 5-6 kg brined and roasted turkey good for 15 pax available for P6,000. This comes with a sausage and sage potato stuffing, brown butter French beans, cinnamon candied carrots and cranberry jelly. Call +63917 311 6965 for orders.

Raffles for Honey and Clove-Glazed Ham Leg

Another source for turkey is Raffles. They offer whole turkey (approx. 5-6 kg, good for around 15 persons) for P12,280 or half at P6,100. Of course, it wouldn’t be turkey without the chestnut stuffing and cranberry sauce it comes with. You can also order additional sides of roasted root vegetables, buttered potatoes, braised red cabbage and chestnut and sage stuffing.

They also offer Honey and Clove-Glazed Ham Leg. A whole ham of around 6-7 kg, good for 18 persons, is P12,280; a half order is P6,100. Call Raffles at +632 795 0777 or the Raffles Holiday Hotline +632 555 9848 to order.

Special Chicken by Senator JV Ejercito’s Secret Supplier

As for chicken, the best celebratory chicken out there I discovered through Senator JV Ejercito, who made this a signature holiday gift: Kinulob na Manok by a friend’s mom. It is the most aromatic and flavorful chicken ever. He has been generous enough to share the secret: it is “JC’s mom” (JC=Jesus Christ?) Order at +63917 823 8538 and prepare to want this for every special occasion!

Cicou’s Kouign Amann

Chef Gel Salonga’s Santa Cruz Bibingka Cheesecake

As for gifts and sweet somethings, I am happy to share that the Kouign Amann of Chef Cyrille Soenen is alive! Manila foodies frowned when Cicou in Greenhills closed, wondering where to get their kouign amann fix. Good news: You can still order these buttery, sugary, cinnamon-y pastries through Mrs. Cicou, Anna Soenen at +63917 540 1811. Ask for the muscovado-flavored ones; they are divine!

Caramel Buttercake Bars

For something different on the dessert table, order the caramel buttercake bars of Dessert du Jour by Chef Mara dela Rama. Luscious, hand-churned caramel butter sandwiched between butter caramel cake and chocolate pain de genes, with caramel mousse, milk chocolate whipped cream, then held together by a milk chocolate and nut magnum-esque hard coating. So good! Order at +63917 803 6272 or +63917 811 6272.

Bibingka Cheesecake

In the Philippines, Christmas is about simbang gabi and bibingka. So what a great idea to create a bibingka cake? Chef Gel Salonga of Ted’s Kitchen has created salted egg cheesecake that reminds you of bibingka with all the creamy goodness of a cheesecake. Order at +63905 227 4045.

Barkery for your Stardust

Finally, don’t forget your furry friends this season! One of the highlights of my 2017 was my dog Stardust’s first birthday when we were gifted by Stardust’s godmother Aleth Ocampo with a liver cake from Whole Pet Kitchen of Chef Giannina Gonzalez. For those of you who are also celebrating the holidays with your furkids, you can get a celebratory cake for them at Whole Pet Kitchen (wholepetkitchen.com). Call +639088623351.

Happy holidays! May your Christmas be merry and bright!