Wholesome Eats & Sweets: Marriott Manila's Vegan Offerings for a Healthier Lifestyle

No longer just a passing trend, seeking a healthier lifestyle has gone beyond just being a mere fad, it's definitely here to stay. For committed vegans and those who are simply curious about healthy cuisine, Marriott Manila is your new vegan go-to-place...

Marriott Manila adds a healthy twist to its culinary offerings with healthy vegan options at Cru Steakhouse and Marriott Cafe Bakery. And if you're thinking of pursuing a healthier lifestyle, Marriott Manila is a great place to start...

Marriott Manila's Executive Chef Meik Brammer and his team (L) collaborate with Felchlin Switzerland, makers of fine Swiss chocolate, with their Corporate Pastry Chef, Anil Rohira (R) in creating indulgent desserts without the guilt for a healthier lifestyle. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? 

And when you can enjoy a healthy lifestyle with chocolate, count me in. And this is where Felchlin Switzerland comes in. Since 1923, Felchlin Switzerland has been producing fine Swiss chocolate guided by the principles of sustainability and fair trade, sourcing premium cacao from all over the world. Natural cacao is known to have countless health benefits, including improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure, raises HDL and protects LDL against oxidation, aid in reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, and it's a rich source of anti-oxidants among other things. And when you have the best quality chocolate as your base, you're on your way to a healthier lifestyle... 

Felchlin Switzerland offers a wide array of institutional premium chocolate, glazes, fillings, aroma pastes, baking and decorating products. The Lacta 38% Finest Swiss Couverture with Lactose-Free Milk and No Added Sugar (L) and the Supremo 62% Finest Swiss Dark Couverture, Sugar Free (R) are just some of their fine products.

Using the finest chocolate, leave it to Felchlin Switzerland's Corporate Pastry Chef Anil Rohira and Marriott Manila's Executive Pastry Chef Fil Afable in creating pure chocolate indulgence, like these decadent Chocola, a rich chocolate mousse sable tart draped with a satin chocolate glaze...

...the sinful Tropique, a sweet fruit compote of exotic fruit cremeux and almond meringue sponge...

...the nutty Hazelnut Crunch Caramel Choc, with crunchy hazelnuts, almond glaze, and chocolate chantilly...

...and delicate bites of Chocolate Marshmallow Raspberry Gelee, Duna Date Maracaibo Chocolate, Apricot and Raspberry Pralines, and Coconut Mango Squares. The rich notes of the chocolate more than make up for the absence of sugar, and a healthier lifestyle with chocolate just opens up so many possibilities...

At the launch of Marriott Manila's vegan offerings, Executive Chef Meik Brammer laid out an all seafood feast for guests with the day's freshest catch...

...including a variety of fresh sushi, rolls, sashimi and garden-fresh salads. And no, I didn't miss the carving station. I was actually enjoying a sumptuous meal without craving for beef. Maybe a healthier lifestyle can actually work for me. About time, too. And Marriott Manila is leading the way...

Freshness on a plate. Then, the special Three-Course Vegan Menu from Cru Steakhouse was served. Now you can go vegan at Cru Steakhouse...

...and feel good about it too. For the first course, a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer, the Mediterranean Summer with Chickpea Falafels laid on lemon-artichoke puree topped with grape relish and drizzled with cilantro oil is a masterfully executed play on fresh and clean flavors, with the rich notes of the lemon artichoke puree weaving seamlessly with the falafels, punctuated by the vibrant flavors of the grape relish. Healthy food, and vegan dishes, don't have to be bland. Not at Cru Steakhouse. And this is just one of the many flavorful surprises from the vegan menu of Cru Steakhouse...

For the main course, the wittingly named A Walk in the Forest with Grilled Forest Mushrooms and Leeks was served, with basil gremolata, crushed garlic, and baby potatoes on a tart tomato reduction. The deep, earthy, and nutty notes of the grilled mushrooms delivered a savory richness capped by subtle smoky hints, with the tomato reduction adding just the right amount of tartness for a flavorful punch. One more bite and the thought of going vegan at least a couple of times in a month isn't such a bad idea after all. Not with dishes like these that just changes the way you look, and taste, vegan cuisine. Rich and bold flavors, and refreshingly satisfying without feeling heavy, it's a welcome addition to the many culinary options at Marriott Manila. 

I've always enjoyed the steaks at Cru Steakhouse, and now I'm even more impressed with their vegan offerings. And Cru Steakhouse has one more surprise to complete your vegan feast. The chefs begin plating the third course, and with clockwork precision, dessert is served. 

For dessert, the refreshing Chocolate Mojito Ice Pops capped a light yet satisfying vegan feast, with a white chocolate bar topped with caramelized almonds, coconut mojito parfait, and toasted dessicated coconut. You can enjoy the special Three-Course Vegan Menu at Cru Steakhouse for only P 1,300 (for more on Marriott Manila's Cru Steakhouse, see my earlier post, The Meat of the Matter...at Cru Steakhouse). Going vegan at Cru Steakhouse? Why not. And it's good for you too.

Chef Anil Rohira then shared some of Felchlin Switzerland's fine chocolate products, allowing guests to discover the subtle nuances of cacao from South America and Africa, distinct notes that add specific flavor profiles to chocolate desserts.

Chef Anil Rohira then demonstrated how to prepare an indulgent chocolate dessert using Felchlin Switzerland's fine chocolates. The velvety smooth chocolate is expertly handled by Chef Anil, and with a series of quick movements, the chocolate is tempered and ready...

Nuts and dried fruits complete the chocolate dessert, and with all-natural ingredients, a healthier lifestyle with chocolate is the way to go. And you can find healthy decadence right here at Marriott Manila. Like the Vegan Bars (P 450/200g) from the Marriott Cafe Bakery. Dark and white chocolate made from Felchlin Switzerland's premium Swiss chocolates topped with salted pumpkin seeds provide all the energy you need on-the-go, and perfect too for gifts. But if you want your cake without the guilt, Marriott Cafe Bakery has that covered too...

Marriott Manila, led by Executive Pastry Chef Fil Afable, lets you have your cake and eat it too with a range of innovative cakes that's low on sugar. Perfect for weight-watchers and diabetics, indulge without the guilt with Marriott Cafe Bakery's Chocolate Sensation, a sable Breton with dark chocolate ornaments and white chocolate shard for chocoholics...

...the Chocolate Brownie made with bourbon vanilla bean and filled with hazelnut and pecans...

...and the Mango Almond Cake, a soft sponge cake with mango gelee and mousse. The special made-to-order cakes are available in 6-inch (P 950), 8-inch (P 1,800), and 10-inch (P 2,200) sizes. Contemplating a healthier lifestyle is always a step in the right direction. Discover the possibilities at Marriott Manila, and you'll be glad you did.

Cru Steakhouse is located at Marriott Hotel Manila's Ground Floor, and is open from 6pm to 10:30pm on Sundays to Thursdays and 6pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Marriott Cafe Bakery is located at the Ground Floor and is open from 6am to 10:30pm. For inquiries, call (02) 9889999 or visit manilamariott.com. For more updates, follow @marriottmanila at Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat and @manilamarriott on Instagram.

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