Take A Flavorful Dive Deep Down South And Experience Mindanaoan Cuisine At The Sinagtala Famsgiving Dinner Buffet In Marriott Cafe

The spotlight on Filipino cuisine continues to shine as Marriott Manila celebrates Filipino Food Month showcasing the rich and diverse flavors of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for a unique buffet dining experience at Marriott Cafe. The regional buffet selection created by noted guest Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno of Palm Grill alongside the lavish international offerings combine for an impressive spread, and you can experience it every Wednesday and Thursday of April for dinner. Step inside Marriott Cafe and savor the heritage flavors of the deep south with the Sinagtala Famsgiving Dinner Buffet... 

In a collaboration of shared culinary advocacies, Marriott Manila and guest Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno weaves the unique flavors of the south with the extensive array of buffet offerings at Marriott Cafe with the Sinagtala Famsgiving Dinner Buffet. Available for dinner every Wednesday and Thursday for the whole month of April, experience the flavors of Southern Mindanao like Tiyula Itum, Belachan Manuk, Sambal Istah and Beef Kurmah as part of your tempting buffet options at Marriott Cafe. Ready to pick up your plate? Then read on...

The latest culinary offering reflects Marriott Manila's commitment honoring local heritage cuisine allowing guests and diners to experience and rediscover our rich and colorful tapestry of flavors. The success from the previous Marriott International Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup (see more on my post, And Your Winners Of The Marriott International Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup Are... from late last year) highlighting traditional Filipino flavors led by Executive Chef Meik Brammer is a continuing commitment at Marriott Manila as it explores yet another colorful layer in local cuisine in collaboration with guest Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno.  

Since 2017, Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno shared his culinary roots with the opening of Palm Grill along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City (for more on Palm Grill, see my posts High Five: Celebrating Five Years Of Authentic Zambasulta Cuisine From The Deep South At Palm Grill on their milestone fifth anniversary from 2022, It's A Green Christmas With Palm Grill's Signature Green Chicken... on their specialty Tausug inspired pianggang from 2017 and Green Chicken And Good Vibes: Discover Mindanaoan Flavors At Palm Grill on my first ever visit more than nine years ago). Before Palm Grill, real and legit Southern Mindanaoan or Tausug cuisine was a rarity in the metro. Almost a decade later, Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno brings the flavors of his roots to Manila's culinary mainstream. Recently recognized with the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand for Palm Grill and Cabel, Chef Miggy is the first Tausug chef to receive Michelin distinctions. 

That evening at Marriot Cafe, the exotic flavors from the deep south triggers your appetite...

...starting with the garden-fresh salad offerings like the Mango and Pomelo Salad tossed with local vinegar, spices and topped with dried boneless dilis for that delectable crunch to open up the palate for a sumptuous and hearty Southern Mindanaoan feast. 

Don't forget to add some pickled radish or Ensaladang Labanos to your plate to balance the savory richness of the traditional Zambasulta spread of Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno at Marriott Cafe. 

The distinctive dark hues of the Tiyula Itum from charred coconut warms the palate with each soothing sip...

...with slabs of fork-tender beef simmered for hours in a thin yet rich broth. Considered as "food for the royalty" by the Tausug, the black beef soup gives you a proper introduction to the flavors of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi right here at Marriott Cafe. 

The spicy Sambal Istah with crisp and juicy deep-fried maya-maya or local mangrove red snapper draped in a fiery and savory sambal brings contrasting yet balanced notes to the palate. Heavily influenced by the pre-colonial spice trade, the dish also reflects the convergence of different culinary cultures shaping the flavors of Southern Mindanao. 

The Belachan Manuk is another must-try savory dish from Chef Miggy's repertoire of Zambasulta offerings with tender and juicy grilled chicken breast marinated in turmeric, lemon juice and zest, and a secret medley of spices. The bold and sharp notes of the belachan or fermented shrimp paste perfectly complements the delicate flavors of the grilled chicken, also pairing well with a bowl of rice. 

Along with the Chicken Pianggang and Tiyula Itum, the Beef Kurma is probably the next popular dish from Chef Miggy's playlist of Southern Mindanaoan renditions at the Michelin Bib Gourmand selected Palm Grill. And you'll find it here at Marriott Cafe. The rich, savory and aromatic regional curry dish with its coconut cream base and spice blend offers bold and unrestrained flavors pairing well with a bowl of rice for a satisfying meal. Each bite of the fork-tender beef releases deep savory notes lingering long on the palate followed by a playful blend of spices for contrasting flavors. 

Extra rice? Chef Miggy has you covered with his Kyuning or turmeric rice slow-cooked in coconut milk and aromatics. You can also opt for the Bubuk or steamed white rice mixed with dried fish, garlic, turmeric, dried coconut and chilies. 

How do you cap a sumptuous feast of regional Southern Mindanaoan flavors? With Bang Bang Sug of course, an assortment of Tausug native cakes and pastries...

...like Putli Mandli, Palikambing, Daral and Pitis Patani for the perfect sweet ending with a distinctive regional twist. Food is memory, recreated in a plate transporting you to a different place and time. The Sinagtala Famsgiving Dinner Buffet at Marriott Cafe does exactly that, taking you down the far south with each exquisite dish masterfully executed by Michelin Bib Gourmand Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno. The Sinagtala Famsgiving Dinner Buffet at Marriott Cafe is served every Wednesday and Thursday for the month of April from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and priced at P 3,399 net per person. 

Through the years, I've had quite a number of memorable dining experiences at Marriott Cafe becoming a mainstay in my food blog's journey since 2015 (for more on Marriott Cafe, see my previous posts Lobster All You Want With Lobster Mondays At Marriott Cafe from 2018, Seoul Food At Marriott Cafe's Korean Food Festival from 2017, Wholesome Eats & Sweets: Marriott Manila's Vegan Offerings For A Healthier Lifestyle from nine years ago, New Stations And Old Favorites At Marriott Cafe from 2016, The Freshest Catch At Marriot Cafe's Ocean's Harvest Buffet from 2015 and The North Asian Showdown At Marriott Cafe also from 2015). And it continues to this day as one of the top buffet dining destinations in Newport World Resorts. From their impressive and bountiful ocean harvest of succulent seafood on ice...

...to the tempting Carving Station with its savory showpiece ready for carving...

...Marriott Cafe offers some of the best and widest array of buffet selections in the metro from a dedicated Halal Station...

...to exciting new additions like the Smash Burger Station where you can customize your own burger creation with a variety of toppings, cheeses, sauces, buns and vegetables. And now you can explore the flavors from the south by Chef Miguel "Miggy" Cabel Moreno this April at Marriott Cafe and discover the diverse and unique cuisine from the colorful tapestry of our national culinary fabric in one place. 

Marriott Cafe is located at Manila Marriott Hotel, No. 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City or call 988-9999 for inquiries and reservations. You can also make a reservation online here at https://dining.marriottmanila.com/restaurants/marriott-cafe/.

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