Bigger and Better: Epic Dining by Visa

It's back. And it's bigger and better...

Visa's long-running and successful dining program, Epic Dining by Visa, returns once more to delight cardholders with memorable dining experiences. Let Visa take you on a culinary journey with the country's best establishments, and enjoy discounts and other added values by simply presenting your Visa Card. And it all began at Hide Yamamoto, the metro's newest world-class restaurant.

This year, the Epic Dining by Visa Program has been extended to Cebu and includes more exclusive privileges and discounts for Visa cardholders at selected bars and restaurants in Metro Manila and Cebu (for more on the previous edition of Epic Dining by Visa, see my earlier post here). 

For the launch of the program, world-renowned and noted star chef Hide Yamamoto (L) hosted guests at his world-class restaurant that proudly bears his name (L), with his first Manila branch at City of Dreams. And like his restaurant in Singapore, his new branch in Manila features an open and live Sushi, Teppanyaki, and Robatayaki stations.  

Hide Yamamoto (second from left) and Stuart Tomlinson (R), Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam, along with Visa's top management, enjoy a short chat before the epic dinner at Hide Yamamoto's elegant restaurant as Visa promises an even bigger and better dining program. "Following the successful programs we ran in previous years, we decided to take this year's program up a notch so our cardholders can enjoy more exciting, exclusive, and quality dining experiences," said Stuart Tomlinson (for more details on Epic Dining by Visa, visit their website here). And you just know this year's edition of Epic Dining by Visa is bigger and better, as it's formally launched in a world-class restaurant...

With the success of his eponymous restaurant in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, Chef Hide Yamamoto brings his creative culinary style to the metro with his authentic yet modern interpretation of classic Japanese cuisine using the freshest and finest ingredients. Chef Hide Yamamoto's storied career included stints in the legendary Roger Verge in Provence, Chez Nouz Hama in San Francisco, and the Jockey Club at Washington's elegant Ritz-Carlton where he earned the distinction of serving and satisfying three US Presidents, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

Inside Hide Yamamoto, his team of expert chefs start prepping for the evening's dinner, as the chefs at the Sushi Station (L) roll out the freshest seafood sourced from all over the world and the Robatayaki Station's (R) charcoal grill, the centerpiece and heart of the action at Hide Yamamoto, is fired up. 

At the Teppanyaki Station (L), the station chefs showcase their flair in preparing premium cuts of meat, seafood and vegetables on the flat grill in an amazing display of fire and precision movements. The theater-like open kitchen lay-out adds to the experience, as Bianca Valerio (R), the evening's host, kicked off the event by welcoming the guests... 

The exquisite sashimi creations from Hide Yamamoto's Sushi Station were then served...

...along with elegant sushi and rolls before the main courses. And there's just nothing quite like the freshest seafood prepared by Hide Yamamoto's talented sushi masters to get you in the groove for Epic Dining by Visa.

At the Robatayaki Station, Bianca Valerio presented Hide Yamamoto who displayed his culinary prowess at the grill with his signature dishes.

And after a few minutes on the grill over red hot charcoal, Hide Yamamoto served his first main course for the evening, the signature Whole Young Chicken Stuffed with Truffle Rice Butter and Soy Flavor. The tender and juicy young chicken's delicate flavors are punctuated by the rich nutty notes of the truffles for balanced notes. Perfectly executed, but Chef Hide Yamamoto has even more flavorful dishes lined up for the evening...

Then, Hide Yamamoto takes their prized US Black Angus beef, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, and lays them on the grill. The sound and aroma of premium beef on a charcoal grill is an experience in itself, and seeing a master at work up close makes this even more special. 

And with a round of applause from an appreciative, and hungry, audience, Chef Hide Yamamoto presented the evening's main course...

Hide Yamamoto's US Black Angus Beef with Grilled Vegetables, an elegantly plated dish that tastes as good as it looks. The premium beef just melts in your mouth, releasing rich and beefy flavors. The grilled vegetables pair well with the beef, with its natural mild sweetness and smoky notes. Definitely a must-try at Hide Yamamoto.

After Chef Hide Yamamoto's cooking demo, the various stations then laid out the rest of the evening's feast, starting with a refreshing salad drizzled with sesame dressing...

...slow-cooked Braised Fish with assorted vegetables...

...and a simple dish tweaked with the signature Hide Yamamoto touch. The traditional edamame is given an indulgent spin with Hide Yamamoto's Truffle Edamame, adding rich nutty notes to the sweet edamame. It's just amazing how even the simplest dishes are transformed by Chef Hide Yamamoto for something comfortingly familiar yet refreshingly different.

The evening's other dishes included fresh Japanese Tomato Salad with assorted vegetables...

...and Tofu with Wakame Seaweed Salad, Baby Silverfish, and Garlic Ponzu, with both dishes highlighting the use of the freshest ingredients for rich, clean and vibrant flavors.

The Ebi Tempura was also a popular item at the Epic Dining by Visa launch at Hide Yamamoto, constantly refilled by the station chefs with fresh new batches along with crisp deep-fried and battered vegetables. 

And who wouldn't want an extra serving of crispy Chicken Karaage?

For dessert, guests indulged in Hide Yamamoto's elegant Green Tea Rolls...

...and colorful slices of Mango Cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and mint.

But the Robatayaki Station was all fired up, with even more US Black Angus Beef prepped for the charcoal grill.

And premium steaks fresh from the charcoal grill continued to be served. The Hide Yamamoto restaurant is just one of many dining establishments and bars where Visa cardholders can enjoy Visa's signature VIP treatment, including discounts of up to 30% on meals and bottle purchases, and free entrance to exclusive bars, by simply presenting their Visa cards.

Chef Hide Yamamoto and Stuart Tomlinson share one of many toasts with sake during the evening for another successful launch by Visa.

And both Stuart Tomlinson and Chef Hide Yamamoto promise loads of epic dining experiences with Visa. The Epic Dining by Visa program runs from March 17 to June 16, 2016 in selected dining establishments in Metro Manila and Cebu. The promotion is available for Visa Credit, Debit, and Pre-Paid cards, and Visa Classic, Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, Visa Signature, and Visa Infinite. Simply flash your visa, and prepare for  rounds of bigger and better epic dining experiences in Metro Manila and Cebu.

For more information on Epic Dining by Visa and a full list of offers under the Visa Epic Dining Program, please visit http://www.visa.com.ph.

Hide Yamamoto is located at the Upper Ground Floor, City of Dreams Manila, Aseana Building corner Macapagal Avenue, Entertainment City, Paranaque City or call 519-0046 for inquiries.

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