Sleek, modern all day restaurant showcases Western and Asian cuisines from open kitchens & live stations
September 11th, 2012
Culinary excellence is a core attribute in the DNA of Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide, offering both guests and local residents an enticing selection of sublime dining experiences. Paseo Uno at Mandarin Oriental Manila elegantly exemplifies the exceptional dining experience, presenting upscale buffet cuisines in the comfort and warmth of an intimately scaled dining space. Paseo Uno serves sumptuous daily breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, as well as an well crafted all-day a la carte menu of both International and Asian dishes. A series of open kitchens and live stations are interspersed throughout the space, creating for diners a meandering passage between the various buffet counters and the differently themed seating areas.
The buffet counters and open kitchens showcase the finest in local and imported fresh produce- with the selections including cold hors d’oeuvres, appertizers, salads, breads and bakery products, sushi and tempura, Asian noodles, pasta and pizzas, dim sum, roasts and grilled meats. A Weekend Luxury Buffet is offered on Friday and Saturday evenings, with premium delicacies such as foie gras; US Prime Rib; Slipper Lobster; Alaskan King Crab; and other dishes that vary from week to week. Service is both friendly and attentive, yet unobtrusive. The buffets are attractively priced to attract local residents and hotel guests alike- consequently the restaurant is frequently fully occupied at peak meal times- bookings are recommended.
With its wide variety of cuisines, served in an atmosphere of casual yet chic sophistication, Paseo Uno captures perfectly the culinary zeitgeist of a discerning urban and travelling clientele.
The luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Manila is located in the heart of the upscale Makati business district of Manila, with convenient access to the city’s premier shopping malls and entertainment districts.
The entrance to Paseo Uno- adjacent to the main lobby on the ground floor- features a short passageway of polished black marble walls, with tall sheets of thick translucent glass behind that partially reveal the inner space.
The restaurant occupies a corner space on the ground level of the hotel, entered directly from the lobby area. The masterful interior design was created by internationally acclaimed Spin Design Studio in Tokyo, and cleverly blends combinations of natural materials such as stone, wood and glass, referencing Asian cultural influences within an attractive, contemporary setting. The unstructured layout- with the scattered placement of the various open kitchens and live stations- is used to break-up the interior into a number of small sections of seating each with their own thematic style and intimate scale. The rich colors of the walnut timber furniture are combined with a palette of “Asian” tones for the soft furnishings- muted shades of yellow, orange and beige.
Bold walls of black stone are interspersed with sections of full height glass, and cascading water that falls into internal and external ponds contribute a sense of tranquility. Full height glass walls on two sides of the restaurant bathe the adjacent interior table settings with natural light during the day, with the subdued lighting of the more inner spaces providing an atmosphere of cozy warmth- guests can select their seating section to match the mood of the meal. Bright open spaces are ideal for a working engagement, or the more intimate inner sections for discrete, private occasions. In the evenings, the interior lighting is softened more, evoking an ambiance of sophisticated dining.
The front section of Paseo Uno- prominent glass display cabinets showcase modern art pieces
Table settings near the entrance- solid walnut timber tables matched with elegant soft furnishings
(L) & (R) Table settings in front section adjacent to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, with water cascading down the black stone wall into internal ponds
Long table in semi-private section located in the inner part of the restaurant- a wall of tall vertical sheets of translucent glass separates the space from the main restaurant activity.
Tables in the bright and airy rear section overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and gardens- the section features solid timber tables, and matching walnut timber and paper lattice back wall. Floral table decorations reference the gardens on view.
Mirrored display wall with reflection of a live cooking station opposite
The Grills, Pasta & Rotisserie open kitchen provides guests with an interactive culinary experience
The Asian cuisines open kitchen- diners can watch as chefs prepare the dishes in theatrical displays of their cooking skills
Selections from the Lunch Buffet
Dishes displayed at the Asian cuisines open kitchen
Highlights from the Asian cuisines- from Top Left clockwise- Goa Fish Curry; Prawns Montecado; Beef Caldereta; & Sotanghon Guisado.
Fresh shellfish displayed at the Tempura & Sushi live station
Mussel- Scallop Stew, with mushrooms and shallots
Popular Local Dishes from the A La Carte menu
Pancit Canton- Stir fried Cantonese noodles with shrimp, pork, chicken and vegetables (Asian-Filipino noodle dish)
Chicken Pork Adobo (the unofficial national dish in the Philippines)- served with garlic rice and atchara (pickled papaya)
Update: Mandarin Oriental, Manila has closed on September 9th, 2014
PASEO UNO – at Mandarin Oriental, Manila
Address: Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226. Metro Manila. Philippines
Reservations: +63.2.750 8888
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/manila/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MandarinOrientalManila
Opening Hours:
Daily 05:30 am ~ 12:00 midnight
Buffets- Breakfast 6:00 am ~ 10:30 am ; Lunch 12:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm; Dinner 6:30 pm ~ 10:30 pm
Dress Code: Casual
