Urban Table at Radisson Blu Hotel
“Food is a symbol of love when words are inadequate.” – Alan Wolfelt
LOVE is central to Filipino families, which explains why we are the sweetest and the most loving people in the world. While love is expressed in countless ways, food is probably one of the best ways to demonstrate our feelings when one is at a loss for words.
The dining table is regarded with great respect in any Filipino home. Here, we gather to share food usually prepared by our grandmothers and mothers. So, wherever we are for the day, no matter how busy the day has been, we all come home and share a meal with the family. And for many of us, the dining table is where we maintain our strong family ties, communicate, convey our thoughts and aspirations, engage in light and serious conversations or simply unwind, enjoying the company and comfort of family and friends.
Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, is probably the most celebrated occasion next to Christmas. And being the incurable romantics that Filipinos are, the celebration is a very big event in the Philippines.
Radisson Blu Cebu formally opens the Urban Table in time for Valentine’s and celebrates love with a five-course modern menu created by the culinary team of Executive Chef Robert Kunitz.
Located in the sprawling grass-covered Events Plaza of the hotel, Urban Table offers a romantic night of al fresco dining under the stars in the heart of the SM complex in the city.
Cebu mango,
cucumber, shrimp cracker and black ebiko
A glass of sparkling wine and live acoustic music set the mood for a lovely evening. For openers, the appetizer will certainly amuse the most discerning palate–Crab Meat Salad on a bed of compressed watermelon infused with five-star anise and cinnamon flavors and made more appealing with carrot essence. (The watermelon is compressed to remove the water so it can absorb the flavors of the spices, says Executive Chef Roberto) .
The interplay of sweet, spices and savory flavors bring out the freshness of the crab meat. A refreshingly cold Gazpacho Soup of Cebu Mango with shrimp crackers topped with ebiko or shrimp roe diced cucumber and mangoes will capture the taste buds of lovers.
US Black Angus beef with potato cauliflower soufflé
And after enjoying the last spoonful of the cold soup, Cranberry Apple Sorbet is served to refresh one’s palates to enjoy the main course of US Black Angus Beef with Potato-Cauliflower Souffle, Organic Mushroom Chicharon and Baby Asparagus on silky Pumpkin Puree.
The medium-rare meat is deliciously tender. Pastry Chef Allan Barrios may have cast a love spell as he prepared a plate of dessert for two–a beautiful heart-shaped Strawberry Decadence with Praline Layer and Strawberry-Raspberry Ice Cream.
Strawberry flavored white chocolate embraces the heart-shaped genoise, a moist and soft Italian sponge cake.
With still cool nights before the onset of summer, hold on to your wine glasses as the gentle night breeze will certainly caress diners, an excellent moment to offer a toast to your loved one. Happy Valentine!