GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Filtered By: Lifestyle
Lifestyle
The Tivoli: A culinary must-visit when you want to spoil yourself
Tivoli's dining area. Photos from Mandarin Oriental Manila
Every woman dreams of a Mr. Right who would wine and dine her and sweep her off her feet, and I am not shy to admit that I am just like any other woman in that aspect. Who wouldn’t want to feel like a princess and maybe get treated at a fine dining restaurant?
In Manila, one of the most impressive restaurants I have been to is The Tivoli at Mandarin Oriental. The hotel’s signature restaurant features fine contemporary European cuisine, and Executive Sous Chef Remi Vercelli, who has been with the restaurant since 2011, has introduced a number of new a la carte and degustation menus that any epicure would be happy to indulge in.
European-inspired treats
One look at the posh restaurant would inspire any diner to dress up and match the elegant setting of the place. The most noticeable feature is the splendid floral arrangement in the middle of the room. In the daytime, guests would have a nice view of the garden through the restaurant’s draped windows. At night, the mirrored walls would reflect the dramatic lighting emanated by the sconces. There are also a couple of semi-private dining alcoves available for intimate groups.
The servers at the restaurant immediately assist you as you take your seat by draping the napkin on your lap and serving you bread and butter as they take your order. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will.
The knowledgeable maître d’ appeared at our table to present the dishes of the day. He also shared his recommendations for our three-course degustation menu. As a palate teaser, they served us tuna nicoise salad to prepare our taste buds for the barrage of flavors. It looked like there was a manicured garden on my plate and I was hesitant to take a bite and destroy its impressive presentation. I eventually succumbed to my culinary desires and ate every morsel on my plate—from the perfectly seared tuna slices to the quail eggs and micro greens. My palate was ready for more.
In Manila, one of the most impressive restaurants I have been to is The Tivoli at Mandarin Oriental. The hotel’s signature restaurant features fine contemporary European cuisine, and Executive Sous Chef Remi Vercelli, who has been with the restaurant since 2011, has introduced a number of new a la carte and degustation menus that any epicure would be happy to indulge in.
European-inspired treats
One look at the posh restaurant would inspire any diner to dress up and match the elegant setting of the place. The most noticeable feature is the splendid floral arrangement in the middle of the room. In the daytime, guests would have a nice view of the garden through the restaurant’s draped windows. At night, the mirrored walls would reflect the dramatic lighting emanated by the sconces. There are also a couple of semi-private dining alcoves available for intimate groups.
The servers at the restaurant immediately assist you as you take your seat by draping the napkin on your lap and serving you bread and butter as they take your order. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will.
The knowledgeable maître d’ appeared at our table to present the dishes of the day. He also shared his recommendations for our three-course degustation menu. As a palate teaser, they served us tuna nicoise salad to prepare our taste buds for the barrage of flavors. It looked like there was a manicured garden on my plate and I was hesitant to take a bite and destroy its impressive presentation. I eventually succumbed to my culinary desires and ate every morsel on my plate—from the perfectly seared tuna slices to the quail eggs and micro greens. My palate was ready for more.
A seared scallop dish at The Tivoli.
Even if the restaurant is known for its lobster bisque, I opted for the smoked salmon cannelloni as my first course. I had a glass of sauvignon blanc to accompany my appetizer, as suggested by the maître d’. Instead of cylindrical pasta, the restaurant’s version used salmon meat to wrap the creamy salmon filling. It was served with some salmon caviar and a side of grapefruit-fennel salad. My plate had only one piece of cannelloni but it was such a hefty serving that I thought I wouldn’t be able to go through the whole menu.
To cleanse our palate, we were given some caramelized apple sorbet while they prepared the main course. The sorbet was light and a little sweet; it felt cool on my mouth. It helped remove the fishy aftertaste and also made me look forward to the next course.
My choice of main dish for that night was veal cheeks confit, which was actually similar to beef bourguignon. It came with some sautéed pumpkin gnocchi, fresh mushrooms, and pancetta. As I savored every delectable bite of the tender veal, I thought that the serving size was ample enough for someone with a big appetite. The mushrooms gave the dish more umami, while the gnocchi made it even more filling. I was expecting a smaller serving since it was only a degustation menu but this was a pleasant surprise.
Those who prefer to go a la carte may also order these dishes separately. Other notable food finds are the Tivoli signature salad with lobster, scallop and pan-fried duck liver; braised lamb shank, and of course, the prime rib and steak. Diners should bear in mind that the restaurant changes its menu from time to time.
After the main course, I thought I wouldn’t have room for dessert anymore but I just couldn’t stop myself from sampling some warm gingerbread cake with poached spice pears and butterscotch custard. It smelled like Christmas! I especially liked the contrast of the warm and moist cake with the cold and creamy ice cream. The dessert wasn’t cloying at all—it was a wonderful way to end a decadent dinner.
It would have been nice if my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary there, but I suppose there would be other special occasions where we could have a date night at The Tivoli and spoil ourselves silly even just for one night. — BM, GMA News
The Tivoli at the Mandarin Oriental Manila, Makati Avenue, Makati City is open for lunch from Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and dinner from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Call 632 750-8888 (extension 2431/2433) or email MOMNL-tivoli@mohg.com.
To cleanse our palate, we were given some caramelized apple sorbet while they prepared the main course. The sorbet was light and a little sweet; it felt cool on my mouth. It helped remove the fishy aftertaste and also made me look forward to the next course.
My choice of main dish for that night was veal cheeks confit, which was actually similar to beef bourguignon. It came with some sautéed pumpkin gnocchi, fresh mushrooms, and pancetta. As I savored every delectable bite of the tender veal, I thought that the serving size was ample enough for someone with a big appetite. The mushrooms gave the dish more umami, while the gnocchi made it even more filling. I was expecting a smaller serving since it was only a degustation menu but this was a pleasant surprise.
Those who prefer to go a la carte may also order these dishes separately. Other notable food finds are the Tivoli signature salad with lobster, scallop and pan-fried duck liver; braised lamb shank, and of course, the prime rib and steak. Diners should bear in mind that the restaurant changes its menu from time to time.
After the main course, I thought I wouldn’t have room for dessert anymore but I just couldn’t stop myself from sampling some warm gingerbread cake with poached spice pears and butterscotch custard. It smelled like Christmas! I especially liked the contrast of the warm and moist cake with the cold and creamy ice cream. The dessert wasn’t cloying at all—it was a wonderful way to end a decadent dinner.
It would have been nice if my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary there, but I suppose there would be other special occasions where we could have a date night at The Tivoli and spoil ourselves silly even just for one night. — BM, GMA News
The Tivoli at the Mandarin Oriental Manila, Makati Avenue, Makati City is open for lunch from Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and dinner from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Call 632 750-8888 (extension 2431/2433) or email MOMNL-tivoli@mohg.com.
