Season's Cafe: Chinese New Year 2017 Experience at Manila Pavilion Hotel

For the very first time, Tsinoy Foodies got invited to a Chinese New Year celebration so we were very excited!  Knowing that Manila Pavilion (formerly Waterfront Hotel Manila) has a lot of festivities in store to welcome the year of the Fire Rooster 2017, shobe and I  arrived there at around 6 pm last January 28, 2017.

At around 7 pm, it was announced that the Chinese New Year program is about to start.  Manila Pavilion Hotel's New General Manager, Mr. Franz V. Eichenauer, CHA, together with his family graced the event. 

And soon, the crowd gathered outside to...  

watch the traditional Lion and Dragon Dance performances by Choy Li Fut Hong Sheng Koon Dragon and Lion Dancers.

It was a fun experience watching the hearing the loud beat of the drums accompanied by the lion and dragon dance.  But, what made everyone so enthusiastic and alert in picking up the lucky coins and candies being tossed.  While, I was taking a photo, I got hit on the head by a coin... Is that lucky?

Salad Stations

While the Lion and Dragon proceeded to each facility of the hotel, shobe and I proceeded Season's Cafe for our Chinese New Year buffet.  While the usual rate for the buffet at Season's Cafe is usually at 1,200 php nett.  For this one night only, they reduced their rate to 888 php net and the spread is mainly Chinese selections.

Since this is our first time at Season's Cafe, we wanted to try as much of their offerings.

We skipped the salad stations and headed more on the dishes that involved more preparation and culinary skills.

Soup Station

Hot and Sour Soup

To warm up our tummy, we began with the Soup Station.  There were 2 selections: Hot and Sour Soup and Egg Drop Soup.  Shobe (who doesn't like spicy foods) loved the Hot and Sour Soup which was not spicy at all.  I personally, would have enjoyed it spicier though.

Bread Station

Shobe was very happy with their freshly baked pastries so we bought some Ube Ensaymada, Ensaymada and Cinnamon Roll for the family from the Patisserie before heading home.  They loved them!

Cheese and Cold Cuts Station

Being cheese and nut lovers, shobe and I were thrilled with their cheese and nuts selections.  They even have pistachios available which is not usually offered in other buffets because it is expensive.  Since we're used to the typical Chinese cold cuts, we didn't try those anymore.

Both the Soy Chicken and Hainanese Chicken (see IG photo here) is a must try because they are both so soft, moist and delivers an almost melt-in-your-mouth sensation.  I'm intrigued by their cooking technique!

Wanton Noodle Soup Station

As much as we wanted to try their Wanton Noodle Soup, we were so stuffed already...

Shabu-Shabu Station

And, they also have a Shabu-Shabu Station which we were also forced to skip...

Dimsum Station

Shobe was a bit disappointment because there was no Hakaw available.

I have to admit defeat... My popular Chinese Tikoy with Egg Recipe is no match for their version of Tikoy.   Shobe tried the Buchi and liked it.  We couldn't guess what the others were filled with though.

Deep Fried Station

Main Dishes Station

Although the selection is limited, everything was delicious.

Carving Station

The Peking Duck Wraps are so good! Just like the Soy Chicken and Hainanese Chicken, the Peking Duck meat is also tender and moist.  The Chinese Ham is worth a try too.  It was lean and meaty with least amount of fats.

Dessert Station

Better save room for dessert because they have a rather extensive Dessert Station.

Our Dessert Pastry Plate

Our favorites are the Chocolate Cake, Leche Flan and Mango Sago.

Ice Cream Station

Fresh Fruit and Chinese Dessert Station

Crepe Station

Cherry and Strawberry Crepe

The texture of their Cherry and Strawberry Crepe is perfect.  We managed to finish this despite being full.


Beverage Station

The buffet rate is inclusive of the beverages.  Shobe enjoyed their brewed coffee.  She had one before the main meal and as a dessert accompaniment.
 

As part of the festivities, the Lions also passed by Season's Cafe to wish good fortune to the diners.

Overall, we Tsinoy Foodies, enjoyed our Chinese New Year 2017 experience at Season's Cafe in Manila Pavilion.  Because of our overindulgence, it was one of the rare moments that we were in a good and delightful mood to take a stroll and walk home.  

Season's Cafe at Manila Pavilion
Business Address	United Nations Avenue,Corner Ma.Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Business Hours	6am-11pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	1,200-1,500
Free WiFi	Yes
Contact	(02) 526-1212
Other

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