Let The Pork Feast Begin. It's Kurobuta Nights at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina...

It's been called the "Wagyu of Pork," and you can have your fill every Friday for the ultimate all Kurobuta Pork feast at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina...

Tomahawk Kurobuta, Slow-Braised Kurobuta Pork Collar with Dill and Garlic, Roasted Kurobuta Pork Jowl, Kurobuta Pork Barbecue Spare Ribs, Pork Humba, Adobo sa Dilaw, Pork Sisig and so much more. If it's Friday, indulge in a savory all-pork feast with classic pork dishes from the Carving Station fresh off the ovens as well as local staples elevated and transformed with the "Wagyu of Pork" by Executive Chef Luca Angioletti. That's what diners can expect every Friday at Cucina in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila with Kurobuta Nights in collaboration with Esguerra Kurobuta to end the week on a high note. Let the pork feast begin...

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's elegant buffet dining outlet, Cucina, is back showcasing an impressive array of culinary specialties kicked off by Kurobuta Nights every Friday featuring premium pork from Esguerra Farms. The much-prized pork known the world over for its tender, juicy, rich and clean flavors sets the stage for a lavish buffet feast like no other at Cucina.

Through the years, Cucina at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila staged a number of memorable events making it a culinary destination in itself this side of the metro. From celebrating local regional dishes (see my posts, Discover Davao with Dayao: The Flavors of Davao at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from 2019, Amazing Ilocos: Bagnet, Empanada, Dinengdeng, Dinardaraan, Papaitan And More at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina four years back, Kaon 'Ta sa Cucina! Savor Ilonggo Flavors at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from 2019, From Palette to Palate: Art and Modern Filipino Cuisine at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina featuring guest chef Ramon Antonio from 2017 and A Weekend Fiesta at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from seven years ago) to international cuisine (see my posts, Italian Flair: A Pizza Acrobat and Classic Italian Cuisine at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from 2019, The British are Coming...The British Invasion at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from four years ago, Mangiamo! Savor Hearty Italian Flavors with Deliziosa Italia at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from 2018, Rustic and Authentic Italian Flavors at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Fiesta Italiana with guest chef Andres Delzanno from 2017, All's Good with All Things Swiss Food Festival from six years ago, A Fine German Feast at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from 2015, La Catalana: A Catalan Feast at Marco Polo's Cucina from 2015 and A Diversity of Flavors at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina from seven years ago), the regular gastronomic festivals at Cucina before the pandemic was on everyone's calendar. And Cucina is back on track once more, starting the year with Kurobuta Nights...  

At the helm of Cucina's kitchen, Executive Chef Luca Angioletti shares his culinary experiences gained from prestigious properties at the always sumptuous and changing buffet spread of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. The specialty Paella Station, a tradition at Cucina is supplemented by Executive Chef Luca Angioletti's own creations like his authentic Pizza and Pasta and his own take on Kurobuta Pork dishes. Whatever your game plan, Cucina has all the mandatory features you've always enjoyed in a lavish buffet. And that's no surprise, as Marco Polo Ortigas Manila bags the highly coveted Forbes Five Star Award for the seventh consecutive year.  

The premium slabs of pork from Berkshire pigs of Esguerra Farms raised in a stress-free environment with its distinctive marbling and rich, clean flavors provide the flavorful base for the evening's feast by Executive Chef Luca Angioletti at Cucina. 

And Here's The Kurobuta Pork...

And this is no ordinary pork. My usual game plan at Cucina always starts with a stop at the Salad Station as well as as the Sushi and Sashimi Station but since it's Kurobuta Nights, I'm going straight down to business with a savory selection of premium thinly sliced marinated Kurobuta Pork Ribs with Garlic or BBQ Glaze grilled a la minute and served to your table. The first bite delivers a burst of savory richness followed by a subtle sweetness capped by the bold hints of garlic or smoky barbecue notes. Your Kurobuta Pork experience at Cucina is off to a great start...

Using premium pork like Kurobuta makes any buffet spread special, but it's the number of dishes with the "Wagyu of Pork" at Cucina's Kurobuta Nights that makes this once a week feast so impressive. Executive Chef Luca Angioletti and his team goes all-out with their Kurobuta selections, decked out in the sumptuous buffet spread. Then, the Carving Station at Cucina draws your eyes with a tempting slab of Tomahawk Kurobuta...

...carved and plated by the station chef. Fork-tender and juicy, each bite drapes the palate with a buttery richness with no gamey hints just pure and clean flavors. Executive Chef Luca Angioletti showcases classic culinary techniques with the savory offerings at the Carving Station...

...but the Tomahawk Kurobuta is just one of three offerings at Cucina's Carving Station...

...with the Slow-Braised Kurobuta Pork Collar with Dill and Garlic...

...and the Roasted Kurobuta Pork Jowl completing the savory trifecta of pure Kurobuta Pork goodness at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Cucina. Each slab and cut offers distinct flavors with the Slow-Braised Kurobuta Pork Collar complemented by the fresh and nutty hints of garlic and dill while the Roasted Kurobuta Pork Jowl with its marbled layers of fat just melts in your mouth releasing even more flavors.   

The Kurobuta Pork Barbecue Spare Ribs with its sweet and sticky smoky glaze and fall-off-the-bone finish is another savory highlight at the Kurobuta Nights of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's pork feast in Cucina. 

Pair your pick at the Carving Station with a wide variety of sides like roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes along with a selection of sauces and gravy to complete your pork feast. 

In between bites, don't forget to visit the Cheese and Charcuterie Station to change up the pace before your second round at the Carving Station...

...where you'll find even more tasty options like the Grilled Squid...

...the Grilled Pampano...

...and the Fried Isaw, one of many personal picks at Cucina. With its extensive selection from fresh Sashimi and Sushi to hearty and comforting bowls of noodles prepared a la minute at the Noodle Station, Cucina is definitely back in the metro's culinary scene.

Enjoy the day's freshest catch including succulent crabs, large and plump prawns and an assortment of shellfish including mussels, clams and elephant clams at the Fresh Seafood Station best enjoyed as is or prepared to your preference like grilled, sautéed with garlic and butter, steamed or poached and gratinated with cheese. 

Cucina also offers authentic Indian cuisine like Lamb Rogan Josh, Buttered Chicken and Gobi Masala with warm Naan Bread just in case you feel like taking your palate on an eastern culinary journey. 

Transforming Familiar Local Dishes with Kurobuta Pork

Now you're ready for one more round of premium Kurobuta Pork with another delectable surprise from Executive Chef Luca Angioletti and his team at Cucina. It's time to rediscover familiar and comforting local dishes elevated with Kurobuta Pork like the classic Pork Sisig with soft pig's cheeks and ears topped with fresh chilies and shredded scrambled egg. Prepared in the original style, each bite delivers solid flavors with just a layer of soothing heat from the chilies to temper the richness. 

The Sinigang sa Kamias is another elegant take on on a local staple with the tart and sour broth and the buttery richness of Kurobuta Pork coming together in a perfectly balanced dish. Through the years, Cucina has always excelled with their offerings of local cuisine, and the Sinigang sa Kamias is one of those dishes that that not only warms and satisfies the palate with each sip but brings a nostalgic vibe to your dining experience.  

The Munggo with Kurobuta Pork and Shrimp is yet another surprising dish transformed with the use of premium Kurobuta Pork adding an indulgent richness to the local staple. One more sip and bite and it's easy to see how Kurobuta Pork just changes the dish with its rich and clean flavors.

The Adobo sa Dilaw infused with turmeric is a regional variation of the national dish loaded with thick slabs of Kurobuta Pork. The tender and even layers of meat and fat from the slabs of Kurobuta Pork combine for an elegant rendition of the regional adobo dish elevating it from the usual. 

Executive Chef Luca Angioletti and his team shows just how simple and hearty local dishes can be transformed with premium pork at Kurobuta Nights in Cucina. Extra rice? Absolutely.

The Pork Humba with its contrasting blend of sweet and salty savory notes is another masterfully executed dish with premium Kurobuta Pork. The flavorful difference with the use of Kurobuta Pork becomes immediately evident right from the very first bite with its buttery textures and clean notes. 

And there's more, like the local Te-Im with its unique regional local flavors. The wide wide selection of braised, grilled and roasted options of Kurobuta Pork along with traditional reinterpretations using the world-class pork is an experience in itself. And you'll find it only at Cucina in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

If you're still game for another round, Cucina's Pizza and Pasta selections are good options too. 

Let Executive Chef Luca Angioletti whip up a plate of his specialty pasta for you in minutes...

...and served to your table. But save room for dessert.

End your Kurobuta Pork feast with a tempting array of desserts at the Dessert Station of Cucina with intricate and ornate cakes, pastries and homemade ice cream. Kurobuta Nights at Cucina in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is available every Friday and priced at P 2,680 net per person.

Kurobuta Nights is just one of many culinary festivals lined up for the year at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. And it's good to see Cucina back.

Cucina is located at Level 24 of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Streets, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, Metro Manila. You may call (632) 7720 7777 or email restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com for inquiries and reservations. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila/ for updates.

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