The Dusit Thani Manila CROSSOVER SUNDAY BRUNCH Overload

I first heard of this CROSSOVER SUNDAY BRUNCH at Dusit Thani Manila from a fellow blogger Chyng Reyes but I was not into hotel buffet that time so I was not jumpy into trying it no matter how tempting the photos were. Since we were already checked in the hotel, we decided to give it a go. For only 1,800pesos, you can crossover four of Dusit Thani Manila's restaurants--that's an overload!!!

The Four Restaurants of Dusit Thani Manila

Umu-Japanese Restaurant

Benjarong--Thai restaurant

Basix-International restaurant

Tosca- Italian Restaurant

 
 the Dusit Thani Manila CROSSOVER BRUNCH

UMU Japanese Restaurant

Location: Lobby Level

 

UMU means "born of nature", it boasts not only the freshest food but also takes pride in its award-winning interiors designed by the Design Worldwide Partnership (DWP).

UMU was one of the top four finalists of the Best Design Award for Best Restaurant Category in the Hotel World Global Hospitality Design Awards in Las Vegas. The restaurant seats a total of 226 persons in 1,000 square meters of area and houses the following:

Serving an exquisite range of traditional Japanese dishes. UMU features live cooking and preparation stations that include the Sushi Counter, Robata Counter and four Teppanyaki tables.

 

Of the for restaurants, We originally thought of Tosca as our base restaurant but upon seeing UMU Japanese restaurant at the ground floor, I requested that we be transferred there instead.O loooove the formal interior of Benjarong but it was the relaxed ambiance in UMU which captavated me.

 
 


 


 
tuna sashimi
 

 
 

here's a complete list of their MENU at UMU
http://www.dusit.com/images/PDFs/restaurants/dtmn/umu_a_la_carte_menu_082011.pdf

TOSCA Italian Restaurant

Location: Mezzanine Level

Buon Appetito!

Come and visit a little piece of Italy at Tosca, an impressive combination of elegantly chic ambiance and authentic Italian cuisine with astoundingly affordable prices.

The extensive menu offers premium homemade pastas, pizzas and the finest seafood.
Tosca is a consistent recipient of the New York based Wine Spectator Magazine's "Award of Excellence" for having an outstanding wine list comprising more than 200 labels of reds, whites, champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world.

The restaurant seats 80 persons, and is also available for private meetings and get-togethers in any of the three private rooms, which can accommodate up to 15 persons.

 
 

Tosca MENU here:
http://www.dusit.com/images/PDFs/restaurants/dtmn/grand%20a%20la%20carte%20with%20DG.pdf

BENJARONG Thai Restaurant

Location: Mezzanine Level

Anyone looking for the true taste of Thailand will find it at Benjarong restaurant, where authentic Thai cuisine is prepared by their Thai chef served in an elegant Thai setting.

At Benjarong you will experience the very best of Royal Thai cuisine, with the utmost care being taken to ensure that classic, centuries old recipes are prepared and presented to perfection.The staff wear traditional silk costumes while a Thai Kim musician provides Thai melodies to accompany your meal and enhance your Thai experience.

Benjarong restaurant offers comfortable seating and natural daylight. Benjarong sits 102 persons, with 3 private rooms for up to 14 guests.

  
 

 

 
 
 
live station with the chef from Thailand

BENJARONG RESTAURANT Menu here:
http://www.dusit.com/images/PDFs/restaurants/benjarong_menu.pdf

BASIX International Restaurant

Location: Lobby level

A wide array of international cuisines can be enjoyed in this all-day dining restaurant, including dishes cooked a la minute by chefs at the seafood stations, fresh oysters, sushi prepared by our Japanese master chefs, homemade noodles and a wide variety of salads, appetizers, and international hot dishes.

There is a grilling station and a carvery, as well as our Indian station featuring popular food items cooked in the restaurant's own tandoor. They have a huge and sumptuous display of desserts, which includes a crepe station where fresh crepes are whisked up while you watch.

Also available, 24-hour a la carte menu.Seating capacity: 170 persons

 

I remember being here during the victory party of AMAZING RACE ASIA Season 4 winners from the Philippines--the Richies but failed to blog about it until my computer's hard drive  gave up on me an lost the photos.But the taste of their pastries is still fresh on my memory.I sure am glad I came back and try basix again.I love sweets and this is where I got my desserts for the Crossover Sunday Brunch.

 

 
Indian food



here's to BASIX's a la carte MENU
http://www.dusit.com/images/PDFs/restaurants/dtmn/basix_a_la_carte_082011.pdf

WHAT I ATE

The reason why I don't usually go for buffet is because I easily get full. My prime days have long been gone and I can't eat as much anymore.Sign of ageing? So whenever I eat buffet, I usually go for light meals so as to try as many selection as possible.

I originally reserved for two but my wife had to leave at 11am barbecue she is in charge of her school competing for an NCR Cheer dance competition of some sort. So I invited another food blogger to accompany me. I needed somebody who is well verse with food to help me out in navigating through so many food choices and to talk me out through the meal. Ang loner naman kung mag-isa akong magbu-buffet diba?:). I was already finished with my sukiyaki meal when John of www.kumagcow.com came.

 
desserts from Basix which includes some rice cake 

Here's the thing about THE CROSSOVER BRUNCH, 2 of the restaurants are located on the Mezanine, and two are on the ground floor. You have to choose one (1) base restaurant where you will dine, meaning, you get food from the other restaurants and go back to your base restaurant. The buffet is open from 11:30am to 3pm, that's 3.5 hours of eating.Much of it will be consumed on ging around if you are not sure about what to like (like I did) so it pays if you can navigate through the menu here on my blog and decide what you want to try before going there.

It's kinda fun going around.Take note, the two restaurants on the ground floor---UMU and Basix are on opposite sides, meaning, you have to pass through the lobby before you can crossover.So imagine this, you are salivating while holding your favorite meal on one hand and your drink on the other and you play patentero with the hotel guests who are arriving and trying to check in. Be careful. What's comforting though is that the staff of each restaurant could assist you should you ask for their help. Go can gather a few plates and have them bring it to your table at your base restaurant.

 
Tom Yam, Yam Taeng Kwa and Tam Gai Seed from Benjarong

That's what I did, I gathered food from Benjarong and Basix and piled them up on my table at UMU, I sat quietly and started eating while John was going around taking photos. I was surprised when plates started coming one by one (in BIG servings!!)Appreciate though that he got some food from Tosca like the Mushroom Risotto which was not my type of food at first few bites but was addicted to it later on.

The food I tried are mostly from Benjarong. I love the authentic Thai dishes like Tom Yam, Yam Taeng Kwa, Tam Gai Seed and of course Pad Thai!!!! The pad Thai was kinda spicy though, but what can we do, that's how it is. It's just me and my weakness to anything spicy.But damn, I'm really loving Thai food right now.

  

 Pad Thai

 
Glutinous rice from Benjarong
 
Mushroom Risotto


 
I can't believe I finished all of these

Your CROSSOVER BRUNCH will never be complete with the CHOCOLATE CAKE from Tosca. Be sure to ask for it.

 
Chocolate cake with Home made ice cream
 
 Chocolate Cake
  
Halo Halo from basix, Green tea from Umu 
and Sparkling wine from Tosca

 
John of kumagcow.com after a full meal :)

Four (4) Restaurants plus their signature drinks, all for 1,800 nett per pax.What could be a better deal than that!

DUSIT THANI MANILA CROSSOVER SUNDAY BRUNCH is from 11:30am-3pm.It's a parade of taste.And when I say it's an overload, I think that's an understatement, it actually is an OVERKILL!This is a must try!

__________________________

Dusit Thani Manila, Philippines

Ayala Center, 1223 Makati City, Metro Manila PHILIPPINES
Tel: (632) 867 3333
E-mail: dtmn@dusit.com