Category Archives: Foodie

 City of Dreams Manila brings to town Chef Mauro Colagreco, the celebrated chef of the two Michelin-star Mirazur, voted 11^th Best Restaurant in San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2015, for a limited engagement at The Tasting Room. He presides at a “Four Hands Dinner” from November 11 to 16, with Chef William Mahi, the chef de cuisine of the integrated resort’s modern European restaurant. Held with the support of Qatar Airways, the gastronomic occasion primarily showcases the cuisine of Mirazur at Menton on the French Riviera.

A six-course dinner menu, highlighting collaborative dishes created by the two Michelin star chefs –William himself having been the chef de cuisine of the Spondi in Athens when it earned its two Michelin stars – includes Argentinian chef Mauro’s Italian-influenced creations: Corn Textura, with egg, farofa (toasted cassava), chips, polenta, truffle, and cancha (corn nuts); Pagre (red porgy or common seabream), prepared with garlic, béarnaise, reglisse, cuttlefish ink and leeks; Milk-fed Veal Filet, with artichoke, bagna cauda, and rosemary; and Naranjo En Flor, served with mousseline, saffron, milk, almonds, espuma, sorbet, and orange. William then punctuates these dishes with his signature creations, Wild Salmon Trout with oyster leaves, sea urchin, foam, and mussles; and Lollipop, with chocolate ganache, taraniva, passion fruit, and lemon. Frank Salati, the executive chef of Unico by Mauro Colagreco restaurant in Shanghai, also flies in for the event. The Four Hands Dinner will be exclusive to a limited 50 guests per night at PhP 6,999++ per person or PhP8,888++ per person with wine pairing.

About Chef Mauro Colagreco

Chef Mauro’s roots began in Buenos Aires in 1998; he then moved on to France in 2001 to train at the Lycee Hotelier in La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast. His career includes stints in the great institutions of the culinary world: In 2002, he trained for a year and a half under the tutelage of Bernard Loiseau at his restaurant the Cote d’Or (three stars in the Michelin Guide). Chef Mauro then set out for Paris to work at Arpege, run by Alain Passard. In 2004, he worked in Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in the Plaza Athenee, followed by a year of working with Guy Martin at the Grand Véfour. In 2006 Mauro took over Mirazur restaurant in Menton, which after six months was swiftly awarded the Gault and Millau prize of “Revelation of the Year”.

Mauro is one of the most highly-regarded Argentinian chefs in the world, receiving his first Michelin star in 2007 when his restaurant, Mirazur, was recognized by the famous Red Guide. Mauro became the first and only Argentinian chef to have this honor. The succeeding year, Mirazur was elected as “Best Regional Restaurant in France” by San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best. In 2009, Mauro was chosen as “Chef of the Year” by the prestigious Gault & Millau Guide, and the first non-French chef to earn this honor. In the same year, Mirazur was once again recognized in San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best as the 35^th best restaurant in the world.

A year later, the Gault & Millau Guide awarded Mauro with “4 toques”, earning a spot in a select group of the best French chefs in the world. It is also in this same year and the one that followed that Mirazur again was listed in San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best. Mirazur earned its second Michelin star in 2012, making Mauro the first and only Argentinian to receive this honor. Mirazur was once again in San Pellegrino World’s Best ranking 24^th.

In 2013, Mauro joined the select family of Relais & Chateaux and became Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux. He was also appointed by the Argentinian Cultural Minister as Ambassador of Gastronomy. In 2015, Mauro became a member of the international jury of the prestigious Bocuse d’Or 2015.

About Chef William Mahi

The Tasting Room ‘s Chef de Cuisine William Mahi brings with him 19 impressive years of culinary experience that begun from working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Lyon. Rising from apprentice to Sous Chef in his early years, he has since worked as Chef de Cuisine in other parts of the globe, such as Beirut, Shanghai, Istanbul. Prior to coming to Manila, he helmed the kitchen of the Spondi in Athens where he was Chef de Cuisine when it earned two Michelin stars in 2014.

Chef William has received numerous accolades, including a Gold Medal as Best Apprentice of France in 1998; Best European Restaurant in 2010 by Shanghai Travel and Leisure (for LAN Club Shanghai); Running Chef of the Year award in China by the City Weekend Magazine in 2011; Best Hotel Restaurant in Turkey for 2012 (for Gaja Restaurant); and two stars in the Michelin Guide (2014).

For reservations to “The Four Hands Dinner”, interested parties may call 800 8080 or book online through City of Dreams Manila’s website www.cityofdreams.com.ph. They may also e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com.

About The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room at City of Dreams Manila, with its warm and inviting interiors, excellent service, extensive wine selection, and exceptionally bespoke dining experience, is fast becoming one of the city’s most desirable destinations. It has already been ranked as one of the best restaurants in town, catering to the metro’s growing base of discerning food lovers.

The elegant yet casual ambience of the 136-seat dining room has been a choice venue not only for social dining. For intimate gatherings or business meetings, two private dining rooms with flat screen TVs provide a peek into Chef William Mahi’s kitchen as he plates each course with utmost skill and mastery; a rarity for diners and an exclusive treat to The Tasting Room’s growing number of visitors.