A Light Yet Grand Mid-Week Lunch at Grand Hyatt Manila's The Grand Kitchen

Inspired by Grand Hyatt Manila's Go Green initiative, I thought it would be a refreshing change of pace to enjoy a light yet sumptuous, and healthier, mid-week lunch at The Grand Kitchen...

...and what a feast. Indulging in the finest and freshest seafood instead of the usual proteins does make you feel better. And if you wish to go all-out, experience Go Green Mondays at Grand Hyatt Manila's The Grand Kitchen where you can discover savory plant-based burgers and sausages by Beyond Meat (more on Green Mondays on my previous post, #GoGreenGoGrand: Grand Hyatt Manila Goes Green in Grand Style). If you can't go on a Monday, The Grand Kitchen still offers a wide array of healthy options for the rest of the week (you can also order Beyond Meat Burgers and Sausages from the A La Carte menu), until you meet their indulgent Baklava and mouth-watering Bicol Express. But all's good. It always is. At The Grand Kitchen. 

Start your mid-week feast of healthy dishes with The Grand Kitchen's freshly-squeezed juices to open up your palate. From red and green apples to oranges and many more, the station chefs at the Juice Station can whip up a refreshing beverage made with real fruits in minutes.

A stop at the Cheese and Charcuterie Station offered tasty possibilities with the local Kesong Puti, the Norwegian Jalsberg made from cow's milk, the French Comte, and the Gudbrandsdalsost, another Norwegian cheese with distinctive brown hues and mildly sweet caramel flavor. Your mini cheese platter with cured meats, dried fruits and nuts sets you on the right track for your mid-week lunch at The Grand Kitchen. Since my first visit to The Grand Kitchen late last year, I've always been impressed with the lavish buffet spread (more on my first time at The Grand Kitchen on my post, #LivingGrand: A Christmas Cake Mixing Preview and a Sumptuous Buffet Lunch at The Grand Kitchen of Grand Hyatt Manila).

At the Sushi and Sashimi Station, load up on Salmon Sashimi...

...followed by a comforting bowl of thick and creamy Pumpkin Soup (L).  The interactive open kitchen set-up at The Grand Kitchen allows diners to enjoy dishes prepared a la minute fresh off the pan or grill to experience rich notes at its flavorful peak. Ebi Tempura? Grab a plateful hot off the deep-fryer (R).

There's nothing quite like fresh Ebi Tempura with its lightly crisp outer layer of batter and one bite of plump prawn is announced by an audible snap.

At the Grill Station, you'll find the usual suspects like beef, lamb, seafood, chicken and sausages...

...but your eyes are drawn to the skewered jumbo shrimps delicately brushed with a thick and sweet teriyaki glaze. Seafood and vegetables offer equally tempting options at the grill. The skewered shrimps slowly transform with bright orange hues on the grill, completed with a brush of teriyaki sauce.

That's shrimps on the barbie in The Grand Kitchen style at Grand Hyatt Manila.

And in minutes, my Teriyaki Shrimps are served. The delicate notes of the shrimps with its briny sweetness are kicked up by the sweet teriyaki glaze for rich yet balanced flavors. Down to the last shrimp, you head back to the Grill Station for a second round of Teriyaki Shrimps.

The Grill Station also offers other healthy choices like grilled Kani or crabsticks, Mushrooms, Fish Balls and Cherry Tomatoes. 

But it's the Baked Norwegian Halibut that had me coming back for more. Baked with butter, dill and red onions, the tender melt-in-your-mouth halibut releases indulgent notes. Unlike the typical local seafood from tropical waters, cold-water fish have deeper, rounder and richer flavors.

The rich yet delicate notes of the Norwegian halibut drapes your palate with its buttery hints and velvety smooth texture. I'm not easily tempted with fish dishes, but this one is definitely my fresh catch of the day. Baked whole, the halibut is an impressive sight at The Grand Kitchen's buffet spread that's not to be missed. It's not very often one can indulge in Norway's prized seafood. If they serve this on your visit to The Grand Kitchen, grab a plate. Trust me. This dish took my mind off the tempting Porchetta.   

Heading for the Dessert Station, an unintended turn took me straight to this bowl of Laing...

...and Bicol Express with slabs of juicy pork simmered in spicy, creamy coconut milk with vegetables. The Grand Kitchen also showcases local cuisine, just in case you're craving for something nostalgic. Just go with the flow and grab a plate with extra rice and enjoy. The creamy richness of the Laing and Bicol Express are perfectly tempered by the subtle heat from the fresh chili. Just perfect.

For dessert, The Grand Kitchen's Baklava always hits the spot for me. Enjoy your Baklava with a serving of ice cream...

...and come back for more. You've been good all throughout lunch, you deserve some simple pleasures made with pistachios and honey layered with paper-thin sheets of crisp filo pastry. And the best part? You don't even have to add some sugar to your Americano, just have bite of Baklava followed by a soothing sip of coffee. Experience a grand mid-week lunch at The Grand Kitchen for only P 1,906 net or go for the Sunday Crossover Brunch with The Cellar for P 2,600 net. Opting for a healthier lifestyle with smart food choices doesn't mean holding back on flavor. You can go grand with your healthy choices at The Grand Kitchen. Any time of the week...

The Grand Kitchen is located at Grand Hyatt Manila, 8th Avenue corner 35th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City or call +632 838-1234 for inquiries. For more on Grand Hyatt Manila, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/grandhyattmanilaph/.

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