Set Sail for an Epic Culinary Journey at The Admiral Club Manila Bay in Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery

There's just nothing quite like a sumptuous feast by the bay. And the newest luxury boutique hotel along the iconic boulevard offers some of the best buffet dining with its lavish and curated selection of dishes inspired by flavors from around the world. One more colorful layer of memorable stories are waiting to be discovered to complete your experience at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery...  

From tasty small plates to shared feasts, Admiral Club Manila Bay brings the world to your table with its impressive array of international cuisine making your visit or stay at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery even more special. Stories that stay becomes more than just a concept but a promise taken to heart by Accor's luxurious MGallery collection (for more on the luxury boutique property by the bay, see my previous post, Time Stops as the Past and Present Converge for Colorful New Stories at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery). Helmed by Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen, the acclaimed chef brings his own elegant culinary style with a lavish and distinctive French spin at Admiral Club Manila Bay. Ready for a virtual feast by the bay? Then, read on...

Immediately upon entering the lobby, Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery makes a lasting first impression drawing inspiration from the city's storied past and classic art deco style to its stunning stained glass ceiling reflecting local history and culture. The dramatic art installation, Las Paginas de la Historia, captivates the eyes with its flowing design recreating the rich history of old Manila and the passage of time. The luxury boutique hotel always has something to feed the eyes, from its collection of art to impressive installations in its grand lobby...

...all the way to the Admiral Club Manila Bay with its central digital catwalk table as its centerpiece. With projectors installed above, diners can enjoy an interactive dining experience or live entertainment for the only one of its kind in the city with its food hall meets high tech concept. Stories that stay resonates in every corner of the prestigious property, and the sensory experience continues at Admiral Club Manila Bay. 

At the helm of Admiral Club Manila Bay is Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen, a member of the prestigious Disciples Escoffier and recognized by the Maitres Cuisiniers de France with the coveted title Master Chef of France. Admiral Club Manila Bay takes on a distinctly French vibe as Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen assisted by Chef Regine Lauren Lee weaves his culinary style adding that French connection to one of the best buffet dining offers in the city by the bay. 

With a wealth of experience under his belt, Chef Cyrille and his team at Admiral Club Manila Bay bring the flavors of the world to you including a taste of France for an epic buffet feast. 

Within just a few steps of Admiral Club Manila Bay, another spectacle awaits guests and diners at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery...

Step outside to Coconut Grove and pick a seat for the sunset. It's always best to arrive early for dinner at Admiral Club Manila Bay to enjoy one of the bay's iconic daily light shows. Overlooking the Manila Yacht Club, Coconut Grove continues the classic and elegant theme blended with that sleek contemporary finish of the luxury boutique property in another masterful execution of design. 

The outdoor gazebo follows the intricate lines of the art deco style with the infinity pool blending with the bay. It's the perfect vantage point for the famed Manila Bay sunset and it just can't get better than this... 

Pair your sunset with the handcrafted cocktails prepared by the master mixologists of Coconut Grove like the Ginger Cooler, Gerry's Punch and Gerry & Sherry (that's right, they even prepared bespoke cocktails with my name on it) for that perfect tipple at magic hour by the bay (for more on the creative concoctions and libations of Coconut Grove, see my previous post, Time Stops as the Past and Present Converge for Colorful New Stories at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery). 

Meanwhile as the sun makes its final bow over the bay, the different live stations at Admiral Club Manila Bay slowly come to life for the day's dinner service. A quick walk through reveals an extensive spread inspired by the sea-faring adventures of the Admiral through different ports around the world. 

Admiral Club Manila Bay offers a hearty Breakfast Buffet daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 am for that perfect start. Starting July 14, the Dinner Buffet will be open from Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Beginning July 17, Admiral Club Manila Bay will be offering Sunday Brunch from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm, and Lunch Buffet starting July 18 from Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm. 

Admiral Club Manila Bay boasts of an impressive Cheese and Charcuterie selection for starters...

...for one of the best curated spreads I've seen in a buffet. And that's no surprise with Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen at the helm of Admiral Club Manila Bay. 

At the Japanese Station, the evening's sumptuous spread is laid out with trays of sushi, rolls, maki and sashimi...

...using the finest ingredients from the day's freshest catch around the world like this slab of premium salmon. The luxury boutique hotel's inspired story-telling continues at each station, each plate and each dish. 

At the Salad Station, indulge in garden-fresh and crisp greens or go for tasty prepared portions for the freshest and cleanest flavors to open up your palate for the evening's feast at Admiral Club Manila Bay.  

At the Asian Station, you'll find comfortingly familiar staples from fried rice to noodles and other savory dishes... 

...while the Tapas Bar, another unique feature of Admiral Club Manila Bay, showcases small plates with big flavors. The five-seater Tapas Bar provides diners an opportunity to get up close as station chefs get creative with an array of fresh ingredients and beverages. The Tapas Bar offers Tapas Calientes a la Minute, small plates freshly prepared as you order...

...including Cajun Pork Chop with its rich blend of spices...

...fork-tender and savory Beef Salpicao, a classic on everyone's list...

...Gambas al Ajillo with plump and succulent shrimps...

...and juicy Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken with its subtle smoky hints fresh off the grill. Other specialty tapas served that evening were Snapper Escabeche and Calamares. The five-seater Tapas Bar is an experience in itself, and you'll only find it at Admiral Club Manila Bay. 

Enjoy an ocean harvest of fresh seafood prepared just the way you like it with garlic butter, a la minute plancha or grilled at the Seafood Atelier a la Minute station like plump mussels... 

...succulent crabs, clams and and shrimps. Prepared as you order, you get to enjoy your fresh seafood catch at its flavorful peak. Admiral Club Manila Bay is equipped with the special hybrid grill and oven, the Josper Grill, offering savory notes with that gentle whisper of smoky hints. The Josper Grill simply elevates the grilled selection at Admiral Club Manila Bay infusing your selection with rich and bold flavors. 

Like the first act in a theater performance, the selection of starters in any buffet sets the mood and tone for your dining experience. At Admiral Club Manila Bay, Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen and his team teases your eyes and palate with a myriad of options...

...and tasty bites to start your first round. Devoting the same attention to detail with the savory mains to their starters, Admiral Club Manila Bay promises a culinary experience to remember from small plates and appetizers all the way to your main courses. Stories that stay, after all, includes chapter after chapter of tasty experiences.   

From Patatas Bravas... 

...to a variety of eggplant dishes and sides, Admiral Club Manila Bay lays out a feast to remember. And that's just as they say, for starters...

Not to be missed at the Admiral Club Manila Bay are the bowls of Perfect Eggs...

...with delicate 65 degree egg on chickpea puree, marinara and bacon. Get a piece of fresh-baked crusty bread and gently break the yolk. Take a bite and repeat. It's the tasty little things that you find and discover at Admiral Club Manila Bay that makes dining special. And flavorful stories too. 

For the main course, Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen has a lavish feast prepared guaranteed to satisfy any appetite or craving at Admiral Club Manila Bay. At the Carving Atelier, a juicy and savory Lamb Leg Confit awaits diners paired with Sauteed Green Beans and Baked Potato and a selection of sauces including Red Wine Jus, Lemon Butter, Chimichurri and assorted Mustards.

And just like any buffet, you can come back for seconds and thirds for a few more tender slices carved right in front of you. 

Also at the Carving Atelier, diners can opt for the Red Snapper Provencal for a lighter yet flavorful alternative. Throughout the buffet spread, one can find subtle French touches from Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen setting Admiral Club Manila Bay apart from the usual buffet offerings in the metro.  

And the French connection becomes even more apparent with a quick scan of the other savory mains...

...with the very French Ratatouille, a traditional Provencal dish of stewed vegetables cooked low and slow. The different hints from the medley of vegetables combine for rich and hearty flavors yet you can still taste the unique notes of each ingredient and vegetable. 

The Salmon with Normandy Sauce is another elegant French dish with buttery soft and silky salmon draped in a rich and creamy white sauce. The secret to the indulgent sauce? Butter. And it just doesn't get any more French than that. The slabs of salmon are perfectly complemented by the Normandy Sauce for another satisfying dish at Admiral Club Manila Bay. 

And there's more. The Pork Belly with Beer is a whole new take on pork with hints of the brew enriching the delicate yet rich and unctuous notes of the dish. You'll want a few slabs of the Pork Belly with Beer on your table at Admiral Club Manila Bay.

The Poulet Paner with Tomato Sauce is a tasty chicken dish offering both flavor and textural contrasts with each bite...

...but it's the Beef Bourguignon that will have going back to this station again and again. The iconic French beef stew slowly braised in red wine and beef stock with carrots, onions and garlic is just one of many reasons to visit Admiral Club Manila Bay. The large chunks of beef are fork-tender from the long hours of simmering, melting in your mouth releasing even more intense savory notes. The bold flavors of the tender beef are followed the subtle sweetness of the carrots and onions draping the palate with a beefy and savory richness. The distinct hints of red wine gives this dish  a flavorful depth and that classic French finish. 

For me, it's a classic representation of French cuisine, hearty and comforting with pure, rich and honest flavors warming the palate with every bite. And trust a Frenchman for an authentic Beef Bourguignon. You may be tempted to have a side of steamed white rice, but go for slices of fresh-baked crusty bread instead. And a glass of wine to complete the French vibe.

And there's still so much more dishes to try and more stories to experience at Admiral Club Manila Bay...

...like the Spanish inspired Rabo de Toro, a savory ox-tail stew with potatoes in a dark and rich gravy...

...and the Callos y Madrileño with ox tail, tripe, beef, chorizo and chickpeas best enjoyed with crusty bread. It will be a challenge not to have a side of rice, but you'll enjoy the pure flavors of the Beef Bourguignon, Rabo de Toro and Callos y Madrileño on its own with the bread mopping up the sauce. 

You can also order the grilled specialties of Admiral Club Manila Bay from their a la carte menu, including Black Angus Beef from the US and Westholme Wagyu Beef from Australia. Other options include the Pork Iberico Secreto, Rack of Lamb, Lobster, Chilean Sea Bass and Duck Magret, each one romanced by the flames of the Josper Grill. 

For groups and families, ask about their specialty sharing feasts like The Admiral's Platter (P 6,500) with Pork Iberico Secreto, Rack of Lamb and Wagyu NY Strip Steak or The Doña's Choice (P 7,500) with whole Lobster, Chilean Sea Bass, Duck Magret and Black Onyx Fillet Mignon. A slab of premium Sirloin fresh from the Josper Grill rounds out my dining experience at Admiral Club Manila Bay... 

...paired with a glass of red wine from their extensive premium wine selection. 

A sumptuous dinner deserves another toast, right?

The flowing fountains of rich milk chocolate and indulgent white chocolate draws your eyes...

...to the Dessert Station of Admiral Club Manila Bay with its indulgent array of desserts and pastries for that perfect ending to your own stories that stay. From Creme Brulee...

...to Honey & Pecan Caramel Tarts and so much more, cap your feast on a high note with the decadent desserts at Admiral Club Manila Bay.

All set to sail and dine at Admiral Club Manila Bay? Visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/AdmiralHotelManila/ for updates on cool offers and deals (regular price is P 3,200 per person). 

A sumptuous dinner and a sunset paired with bespoke handcrafted cocktails at Admiral Club Manila Bay wraps up my stories at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery. But there are more chapters to fill, with so many more stories to discover at the newest luxury boutique hotel along the iconic boulevard by the bay. Make your own stories that stay, at Admiral Hotel Manila - MGallery...

Admiral Hotel Manila is located at 2138 Roxas Boulevard, 1004 Malate, Manila or call +632 5318 9000 or 0917 863 6614 for inquiries. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/AdmiralHotelManila/ for updates.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page, IG Feed, Twitter and YouTube for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.