By Feliciano Rodriguez III
Published on January 8, 2025, Manila Bulletin
The Manila Hotel’s Champagne Room, widely regarded as the city’s most romantic dining spot, will host one of the year’s first significant culinary events: a celebration of Saga Wagyu and Japanese whiskey. This unique six-course meal, set for January 16, 2025, at 7 p.m., will provide an enhanced dining experience by combining the rich traditions of Japanese cuisine with the refinement of great whiskey pairings.
The event takes attendees to Japan’s Saga Prefecture, which is known for its outstanding Wagyu beef. The Manila Hotel’s renowned Japanese chef, Chef Oseki Nobu, has thoughtfully prepared a cuisine that accentuates the subtle marbling, softness, and umami of Saga Wagyu. The menu includes meals like Saga Tataki with watercress ohitashi, sesame tofu wrapped with Saga meat, and pan-seared Saga.
The Champagne Room’s exquisite Old European ambiance is the ideal setting for the celebration. The supper is only available for one evening and costs P11,625 nett per person, with Prestige cardholders receiving a discount.
This event exemplifies The Manila Hotel’s commitment to producing one-of-a-kind dining experiences, which befits its status as Manila’s “Grand Dame”. After serving as a cornerstone of Philippine hospitality since 1912, the hotel continues to expand on its tradition of excellence with major culinary events like this one, reinforcing its commitment to providing world-class experiences.
The Manila Hotel’s Champagne Room, often hailed as the city’s most romantic dining destination, is set to host one of its first major culinary events of the year—a celebration of Saga Wagyu and Japanese whisky. Scheduled for January 16, 2025, at 7 p.m., this exclusive six-course dinner offers an elevated dining experience, blending the rich traditions of Japanese cuisine with the elegance of fine whisky pairings.
The event transports guests to Japan’s Saga Prefecture, famed for its exceptional Wagyu beef. Chef Oseki Nobu, The Manila Hotel’s esteemed Japanese chef, has meticulously crafted a menu that highlights the delicate marbling, tenderness, and umami of Saga Wagyu. Guests can expect dishes such as Saga Tataki with watercress ohitashi, sesame tofu wrapped in Saga beef, and pan-seared Saga Wagyu on mushroom risotto. To round off the meal, desserts like panna cotta with plum wine jelly and Saga beef jerky in dark chocolate showcase Chef Nobu’s flair for balancing traditional flavors with modern presentations.
Complementing the dishes is a curated selection of Yamazakura Japanese whisky, presented by whisky expert Johnssen Li. Known for its nuanced profiles and international acclaim, Yamazakura whisky adds depth to the dining experience. The pairings include the Kyushiki cocktail, Yamazakura Black Label Sasakawa, and the limited-edition Yamazakura Cognac Cask 2023.
The Champagne Room’s elegant Old European ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for the event. Limited to a single evening, the dinner is priced at P11,625 nett per person, with discounts available for Prestige cardholders.
This event underscores The Manila Hotel’s dedication to curating unique dining experiences, befitting its reputation as the “Grand Dame” of Manila. Having served as a cornerstone of Philippine hospitality since 1912, the hotel continues to build on its legacy of excellence with prominent culinary events like this, reaffirming its commitment to offering world-class experiences.
