June 18th marked yet another exciting saga for Midas Hotel as it officially launched Café Midas, its all-day in-house dining facility. The cafe’s grand launch was well-attended with renowned figures from the political, entertainment and journalism industry, including Cory Quirino, DJ Manolette Dario, Rovilson Fernandez, Manny Lopez, Claire dela Fuente, Stephanie Zubiri, and columnist Resty Vergara.
Set at the heart of the Philippines’ sunset boulevard, Midas Hotel stands at the legendary site of the former Hyatt Regency Manila, and is probably best known for its modern, chic, luminous lobby and its designer display collection – Hermes bags, custom-designed boxes, Philippe Starck furnitures, and fiber optic chandeliers – a first of its kind in the Philippine hotel industry – among many other head turners.
Cafe Midas. Classy yet very laid back.
Café Midas is equally curious in effect. Designed by Samson and Almario – one of the country’s leading interior design firms – the cafe is clothed in casual yet elegant furnishings, a 3D foliage wallpaper and ambient music that render a youthful metropolitan atmosphere strewn with a relaxing oriental theme. With its elegant banquet facilities, sumptuous and well-priced buffets, and proximity to major landmarks and the city airport, Café Midas is expected to be the ultimate go-to dining place in the metro.
Faces seen at Cafe Midas (L-R): Borgy Manotoc, Ava Daza, Georgina Wilson, Isabel Diaz-Daza
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A mix of oriental and metropolitan charm
Boasting an extensive array of international fusion cuisines, Café Midas guarantees customers an unforgettable gastronomic experience through its eclectic line-up of sushi, dimsum, breads, salads, deserts, pasta, hot dishes, a carving station, and other mouthwatering buffet choices.
Managed by the Genesis Hotels and Resorts, the same management that has spawned upscale resorts Bella Roca and Misibis Bay, it is not difficult to imagine Café Midas booming beyond its full extent. While it is still in its growing phase, it has already overseen a plethora of huge events, including a sold-out Pacquiao fight event, a successful launching, and a busy father’s day celebration. Upcoming events for Café Midas include Grandparent’s Day and the Miss World Pageant – which Midas Hotel is an official residence for – both worth anticipating this September.
A relaxing ambience amidst the metropolis
The cafe prides itself with the legacy of Hyatt’s Kalesa Bar and makes it their mantra to live up to this icon’s name by providing exceptional service and standout cuisines. “What sets Café Midas apart from other five star hotel restaurants is basically the whole experience itself – the Midas Experience. From the setting, the ambience, to the personal touch from the staff. Café Midas is a holistic experience, giving everything from aesthetics to food, and involving all the five senses,” shares PR Manager May Valega.
Indeed, the Midas experience is clearly seen during its most hectic luncheons, when the cafe is flocked with expats, in-house Koreans and Filipino foodies. One will not see a single soul merely standing around a corner, engaged in chitchats with co-workers. Everyone, including the chefs and General Manager Angel Kanapi, are to be spotted happily accommodating guests without haste.
Onion Soup. Nice, flavorful combination of croutons, onion and herbs.
But of course, the most notable facet of Café Midas’ overall charm is the food itself. Advocating the use of fresh local produce such as cheeses from Rizal and Davao, and rock salt from General Santos City and Pangasinan, Café Midas’ buffet showcases an eclectic fusion of western and Asian cuisines, with a distinct Filipino touch. “We serve international cuisine, but we do have an owner who’s pure Bicolano, and who loves Filipino food. We make it a point that when you come and invite friends, you also get a taste of home,” says Sous Chef Roxanne Castillo.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, and Bicol Express
And a taste of home, it is. One would find Filipino meals like pinakbet retained in its original composition, but with certain divine additions like crispy liempo slices. Or Bicol Express, in its creamy coconut sauce minus the spice, but with a little more pineapple sweetness.
Midas’ sumptuous and crunchy Pinakbet
Every meal is a showcase of each chef’s expertise, as in Café Midas’ extensive bread and pastry spreads, prepared by pastry chef Laurent Duffaut, who has worked with established names in the international culinary industry such as Thomas Keller and Michel Richard. Together with Executive Sous Chef Hubertus Kimmel (who spans 40 years of experience in the business), Executive Sous Chef Ronald Catipan, Sous Chef Roxanne Castillo, and Executive Japanese Chef Kimito Katagiri, Café Midas’ dynamic culinary team create food choices that can accommodate a wide, diverse range of palates. Too, the cafe’s menu selection changes on a daily basis, – and no less than thrice each day -which means more variety and more reasons to return.
Fresh seafood and maki from the Sushi station
Café Midas continues Kalesa Bar’s tradition of providing excellent Japanese cuisine, with its variety of popular Japanese dishes such as the California maki, cold mussels and sashimi dishes. An intimate Japanese restaurant at the hotel mezzanine is due to open by the end of the year, and would feature a more extensive Japanese menu, including Teppan dishes.
Other Asian dishes are also incorporated into the menu, including Chicken Satay with a subtly-flavoured peanut sauce, which lends an exquisite touch to the lightly skewered satay.
The buffet is as diverse as it is innovative. Normally, one would expect a calamari to be battered and deep fried, but Midas adds an interesting twist by going Sicilian and steaming squid stuffed with fresh tomatoes and onions, introducing a healthy fusion to an otherwise greasy favourite.
A fresh surprise: Calamari, steamed and stuffed with fresh onions and tomatoes.
Another noticeable characteristic in Café Midas’ menu selections is the wonderful balance in flavours – an indication of the team’s attention to detail. Meals are made simple, but very enjoyable. Every component complements another very well – nothing too overwhelming or exceedingly flamboyant.
Beef Roulade: laced with a tinge of turmeric, reminiscent of good Persian kebab
On the side: Broccoli with Crabmeat
Other standouts include the juicy and tender Chicken Thigh Milanese, with its light-flavoured breading and a delightful trace of parmesan, and the Rib Eye, cooked to tenderness yet crispy on the outer skin. Be sure to pair it with their Peppercorn sauce for better satisfaction!
Chicken Thigh Milanese. Moist and browned to perfection
Tender Rib Eye
The heavenly deserts are not to be missed, too. The chocolates and creamy mango crepe are simply sinfully indulging.
Divine desserts: Fresh fruits, potato salad with bacon tidbits, fruit salad,
chocolate, choco-dipped biscuit and mango crepe
Commitment to good food and value is something that Café Midas takes to heart. The cafe doesn’t set limits on its guests; any off-menu request is gladly accommodated. “We have to live up to the name. It’s something we take in and live by. It’s important that when clients come, you already know what they need and want. We never let them leave without making sure that they are satisfied and smiling,” adds Chef Roxanne.
While other renowned deluxe hotels offer international buffets in multiples of thousands, Café Midas makes fine dining available to a broader clientele, not just to the high-end consumers. Their breakfast buffet is priced at only P750++, while both lunch and dinner buffets are only P1,100++.
But words and pictures simply do not do Café Midas justice. One must head out to Roxas Boulevard, Pasay and experience the cafe’s culinary spreads, its hip, laid-back atmosphere, the warm service – the golden Midas experience – themselves. The cafe is available for parties and private events, with a maximum seating capacity of 250 persons. For inquiries and reservations, call (632) 902-0100 or visit their website at www.midashotelandcasino.com.
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