flavors of the philippines, part deux

LOS ANGELES — Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. and Deputy Consul Hellen Barber officially opened “Flavors of the Philippines, Part 2,” a gastronomic feast of Filipino cuisine at the New Otani Hotel in downtown Los Angeles with a simple ribbon-cutting ceremonies Wednesday.

“Flavors of the Philippines’ is yet another tribute to the sumptuous flavors that are distinctively Filipino,” ConGen Paynor said, adding, “We are doing this as a follow up to the highly successful ‘Flavors of the Philippines’ last year.”

The hotel’s Azalea Restaurant was adorned once more with posters of top Philippine tourist destinations to entice hotel guests and visitors to try the best that top Filipino chefs have to offer.

This year, the consulate tied up with Mama Sita’s (and Lola Sita’s) brand, the famous company that makes distinctively Filipino sauces and mixes. The partnership with Mama Sita’s was made possible with a big help from Chef Cecilia de Castro, a well-known chef respected in the professional food community and considered as California's foremost exponent of Philippine cuisine.

The partnership developed a special menu to highlight the finest tropical culinary traditions of the Philippines.

Because of the very good turn-out last year, this year’s ‘Flavors of the Philippines’ will be ongoing for the whole month of June. This means that food-lovers will have an eclectic mix of Filipino favorites — from soup and salad to dessert — on the restaurant’s buffet table for a month-long celebration of Filipino cuisine.

‘Soup of the Day’ varies depending on the day of your visit to The Azalea. On Monday, it’s ‘Sinigang na Salmon at Sugpo’ (Salmon and Prawns in Mama Sita’s Tamarind Sour Soup); Tuesday has ‘Sinigang na Bayabas (Prawns in Mama Sita’s Guava Soup) while Wednesday offers ‘Tinolang Manok’ (Chicken in Ginger Soup). They have ‘Ginisang Munggo’ (Sauteed Mung Bean Soup) on Thursday and New England Clam Chowder every Friday.

Mix the soup with the home-made cold salads; from Ensaladang Suha (a refreshing combination of sweet grapefruit and radish with mustard and Mama Sita’s Coconut Nectar Vinegar), to Mango and Cucumber Salad to to Ensaladang Talong (roasted eggplant with Mama Sita’s Coconut Nectar Vinegar and olive oil).

There’s also Ensaladang Gulay (garden salad served with a choice of dressing), Ensaladang Bagnet (crunchy pork crackling with tomato and anchovy sauce) and Fresh Tomato, Salted Duck Eggs & Onions.

For the hot entrées, the restaurant’s chefs led by David Botelho, New Otani’s Executive Chef, prepared delectable viands.

There’s a huge selection of grilled Lola Sita’s Meats (chicken, pork (tocino), beef tapa and longganisa); Maya-Maya Manilena (pan-fried red snapper with lemon butter and topped with fried bananas and Manok sa Gata (braised local chicken with lemon grass, garlic and coconut cream).

There’s also ‘Adobong Spareribs’ (crispy spareribs with soy and vinegar), and ‘Kalderetang Baka’ (beef stewed in red wine and tomato) and people with varied interests will surely find a dish that they would surely love.

What’s a Filipino meal without the delectable dessert? Here, you can make your own Halo Halo, a mélange of sweetened fruits. For cakes, there are a couple to choose from: mango cake and coconut cake.

Come hungry to The Azalea and enjoy the ‘Flavors of the Philippines.’

(‘Flavors of the Philippines’ will be at the center stage of Azalea Restaurant at the New Otani Hotel during lunch hours from June 1 to 30, 2004. Lunch buffet is $12.95 per person (children from 4 to 10 years old pay $7.50). The New Otani Hotel and Garden is located at 120 S. Los Angeles St. in downtown Los Angeles.)