Doing Seafood Right: Celebrating Sustainable Seafood Week at Sage Bespoke Grill

Sustainable, legal, fully traceable, and ethically produced. That's doing seafood right. And at Makati Shangri-La's Sage Bespoke Grill, they're doing it right...

Makati Shangri-La joins an industry-wide advocacy using locally and ethically sourced seafood in celebration of Sustainable Seafood Week from February 15 to 20, 2016 with special dishes and set menus. The new dishes not only help drive awareness for Sustainable Seafood Week but offer a unique dining experience as well, and you too can make things right.

"Makati Shangri-La's restaurants are committed to a sustainable future of our seas by ensuring we serve seafood that is fully traceable, legal, sustainable and ethically produced," said Alain Borgers, General Manager of Makati Shangri-La. And the hotel's top chefs responded with the creation of  special set menus highlighting locally sourced seafood.

The Sustainable Seafood Week parallels the advocacy of Shangri-La hotels and resorts worldwide with their Rooted in Nature campaign, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable future of the world's oceans. "The future of seafood is in the hands of our chefs and the people preparing the fish while ensuring that fresh sustainable seafood is available for our valued customers to enjoy. We call upon our customers to do their share by being vigilant and conscious about the source of seafood they are eating," said Paul Lenz, Area Executive Chef for Shangri-La Philippine properties. Consistent with this corporate advocacy, Sage Bespoke Grill presents a special Three-Course Menu for P 980++ and a Five-Course Menu for P 1,980++ highlighting the very best locally-sourced seafood in support of Sustainable Seafood Week, an industry-wide initiative of the metro's leading hotels and restaurants. The special menu at Sage Bespoke Grill include the Parrot Fish Ceviche leche de tigre Peruvian-style, a simple yet elegant starter rich with pure and clean flavors. The creamy leche de tigre contrasts with the sharpness of the fresh raw onions and herbs without overpowering the subtle and delicate notes of the parrot fish weaving layers of refreshing flavors.

Another notable starter is the rustic and comforting Tomato and Oregano Algarvio Gazpacho, Baby Squid A La Plancha, with the mildly sweet and smoky hint of the tender baby squid lightly seared on a griddle punctuated by the tart notes of the tomato-thickened soup base. The baby squid not only adds a subtle layer of flavor, but texture as well.

For the main seafood course, Sage Bespoke Grill offers its intricately plated Josper Grill White Snapper, Manila Clams and Tomatoes with Chorizo, a blend of seafood paired with the rich notes of tomatoes and chorizo, rounded out by fresh asparagus and broccoli. The unique Josper Grill gives the white snapper a meltingly soft texture similar to being baked with a firmer lightly crisp outer layer from the grill (for more on Sage Bespoke Grill, see my earlier posts on their previous Lunch Specials and Brunch Buffet). The white snapper is topped with a delicate foam adding even more subtle flavors with every bite, with the chorizo adding that flavorful punch. Another option for the main seafood course is the Beltfish and Skin Chips, Spicy Dilled Tartar Sauce and Garden Greens.

Cap your seafood feast with Sage Bespoke Grill's indulgent Caramelized Pineapple Crumble with Star Anise and Vanilla Sauce, a layered dessert to end your dining experience on a high note.

The sweet yet mildly tart caramelized pineapples are perfectly tempered by the creamy vanilla sauce, capped by the distinct notes of the star anise.

The dessert pairs well with a bold cup of freshly brewed coffee or a Latte, coating the palate with robust, almost chocolatey notes. The special Three-Course or Five Course Set Menu at Sage Bespoke Grill allows diners to experience the very timely concept of sustainable seafood with the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Over at Makati Shangri-La's Circles Event Cafe, you can also enjoy additional menu items like fresh Sushi and Sashimi, Cajun-style Skipjack Tuna with Tomato Chili Salsa, Smoked Mackerel, Cuttlefish Adobo, Giant Trevally in Salt Crust, Parrot Fish with Black Bean Sauce, Flying Fish Escabeche, Purse-Eyed Scad Paksiw and White Snapper with Potato leek Stew. The Sustainable Seafood campaign highlights both the rich and fragile nature of our marine resources, create markets for sustainable products for the benefit of local fishing communities, and higher quality cuisine. But better hurry, the special seafood dishes will only be available up to February 20, 2016. At Sage Bespoke grill, they do seafood right...

Sage Bespoke Grill is located at the Second Level of Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City or call restaurant reservations at (632) 814-2580 or email rric.slm@shangri-la.com for more information and reservations.

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