Market Cafe: Distinctly Danang at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

As much as I wanted to enjoy Vietnamese Cuisine, it is difficult to find establishments offering them here in Manila.  So when I heard about that Market Cafe's Distinctly Danang offering where will serve authentic Vietnamese dishes from September 7 to 16, 2012, I couldn't pass up the chance.  For this special event, they flew in Chef Ho Thi Tin and Chef Le Hoi Tuong from Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa,Vietnam.  

Food

The Vietnamiese dishes are spread all over the buffet selections similar to the Jose Rizal selections before.  I was delighted to see that there were many choices from Appetizer to Dessert.  

Appetizer

Pomelo Salad

I've had the pleasure of enjoying Thai Pomelo Salad before but I never encountered the Vietnamese version of it.  This is one of the best Pomelo Salad that I have ever had.  It is a salad topped with sesame seeds, carrots, pomelo, mint leaves, dried shrimp and fish sauce.  It had a nice and refreshing twist having a sweet, tangy, salty and fresh flavor.

Mango Salad

Seeing the Mango Salad, I'm ecstatic to discover that its a common dish between Asian countries such as here in the Philippines and Thailand too.  The Vietnamese style is served with green mango strips, scallops, onions, mint leaves and sesame crackers.  Just like the Pomelo Salad, this is impressive!

Grilled Beef with Anchovies Sauce

The Grilled Beef with Anchovies Sauce is a heavy alternative compared to the salads.  It's bold in terms of flavor too.  It's the perfect choice for meat lovers.  It's best eaten together with the mildly spiced anchovies sauce. 

Chicken Salad

The Chicken Salad gained the approval of all my companions.  To be honest, it captivated me too.  In fact, I had a hard time choosing between the three salads.  All of them are a must try!  This one is filled with chicken breast strips, mint leaves, carrots, onions, egg and cabbage.  

Shrimp Cracker

I could never resist munching on Shrimp Crackers as soon as I see them available.  

Soups

Canh Chua Tom

The Canh Chua Tom is a sweet and sour tomato-based soup with brean sprouts,pineapple bits, green onions and tiger prawns.  Like the rest I've tried, the taste is light so you could appreciate the natural sweetness of the tiger prawns.

Main

Simmered Chicken Leg 

The Simmered Chicken Leg with ginger and spring onion is a bit salty so it is best paired with rice.  These chicken leg are sliced into cubes which are tender and nice to chew.

Braised Duck Taro with Fermented Bean Curd

The Braised Duck Taro with Fermented Bean Curd is my favorite among the main course.  The braised duck had a good texture.  I can't help but compare this to the Chinese Stinky Tofu.  Compared to that, this had a mild taste but it was just right to captivate me to eat more.

Pan-fried Sea Bass Fillet 

The Pan-fried Sea Bass Fillet is spiced with lemongrass, chili and tumeric.  I found it to be savory with its pungent flavor.  

Sauteed Beef Tenderloin 

The Sauteed Beef Tenderloin is topped with red and green bell peppers, onions and garlic.  It was good but compared to the rest, it was the most common.

Sauteed Spinach in Oyster Sauce

The Sauteed Spinach in Oyster Sauce is great with young corn that sweetens its leafy taste.  

Salted Fish Fried Rice

The Salted Fish Fried Rice has crab meat and lettuces.  It goes well with any viand.  

Live Station

Five Spices Oven-Baked Pork Leg

The Five Spices Oven-Baked Pork Leg is looks sinfully delicious.  Although I could not distinguish the spices within it, it something that interesting to try.

Dessert

Green Bean Sweet Soup

The Green Bean Sweet Soup is a different kind of dessert with mushed mung beans, mango slices, peanut, ear mushroom and coconut milk.  It's quite surprising that it has ear mushroom but it is a brilliant idea because its distinct texture is awesome!

Mango Pudding

The Mango Pudding tasted like fresh mangoes only in creamy pudding form.  I think I'm now fond of Vietnamese desserts as they are not too sweet like what we commonly encounter.

Cream Caramel 

The Cream Caramel is similar to our leche flan.  It is an egg pudding with caramel sauce.  But here, its tasted more of egg pudding than being drowned in sweet caramel sauce.

Banana Soup 

The Banana Soup is filled with banana slices, small pearls, coconut bits and peanuts.  Everyone loved this!  It's a hybrid between our local minatamis na saging and ginataan.  

Distinctly Danang Promo

In addition to the superb food, dining guests will also get a chance to win amazing prizes in a special lucky draw: 

• First Prize: Two-night stay in a Club Room with breakfast and Regency Club privileges for two at Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, Vietnam
• Second Prize: Two-night stay in a guestroom with breakfast for two at Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, Vietnam
• Third Prize: Overnight stay in a guestroom with breakfast for two at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Market Cafe's Distinctly Danang offers an extensive Vietnamese food travelogue that is a rare find here in Manila.  I highly recommend that you try this out while you can.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Distinctly Danang Price
Ambiance	★★★★★	Weekend Lunch Buffet - 1800 php Weekday Lunch Buffet -  1600 php Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu and Sun Dinner Buffet - 1800 php Fri and Sat Surf and Turf Dinner Buffet -1950 php
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Market Cafe at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila
Business Address	3rd floor, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, 1588 Pedro Gil corner M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Lunch: Mon-Sat:12:00nn to 2:30pm Sun: 11:30am to 2:30 pm Dinner: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	1600-1950
Free WiFi	Yes
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 245-1234
Other	Website | Facebook Fan Page

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