Earlier this week, Sabrina and I were invited to visit the High Street Cafe at Shangrila the Fort.
As you well know, Sabrina and I like eat just as much as we like to cook.
This means that enjoying the High Street Cafe and the nine stations that it offers, can be a long slow lunch filled with kwentos, (stories) laughter, and perhaps even some drinks.
Because our host, Enah, really wanted to highlight some of the signature dishes that define each station, we were able to learn a little more about each dish and “what it brings to the table.” (pun intend.)
Nino has often said I’m not sulit when it comes to visiting the buffets we like to frequent. I kind of crowd around the salad station quite a bit. I like to start with salad, end with salad, and sometimes even have my steak with salad.
But to be honest, when I visit buffets for lunch or dinner, I usually go for the same types of things. I’m still a creature of habit, after all. I enjoy cold cuts and cheese, salad and grilled meats, cold seafood and dessert. I know that kinda sounds like I eat everything on the buffet, but I try to stay away from dishes that I would usually make (I can make them after all), and I direct my attention to the items I cannot make or don’t serve at home.
Salad Station
The beauty of this salad dish is that all of the ingredients are sourced LOCALLY. It’s a FRESH crab mango salad that is served atop leafy greens in a ball jar. Cute presentation. Easy to carry. Also easy for me to eat at least two servings.
Asian
My friend Joey would come all the way to Shangrila the Fort for this dish right here. She would pay the full fee for a buffet meal JUST to eat this very bowl of Laksa (because she LOVES LAKSA).
Now. My friend Joey knows good food. If she says this Laksa is fantastic, then you should believe her.
Seriously.
Japanese Station
This is almost always the first station that my family visits. They usually start with sushi and sashimi and work their way to the other stations.
The beautiful thing about this station is they have other choices as well. Like this salmon ceviche. Perfection. I love ceviche AND kinilaw. I try making this at home too, but it just doesn’t taste the same.
There has been a movement for some time now. It’s all about sustainable and responsible farming. It’s all about lowering our carbon footprint. It’s all about being socially responsible. LOVING LOCAL.
So what did Shangrila Fort do?
They worked with local fisherman to teach them how to fish Bluefin Tuna responsibly.
Way to go guys!!!
You know what else this means? This means that fresh Tuna is delivered to the High Street Cafe daily.
Hooray for super fresh sashimi.
Continental Station
I have never tried to make beef cheeks. I don’t have to try either.
High Street Cafe does it just perfectly for me.
Nuff said.
Chinese station
This claypot rice is made fresh whenever you would like to order it.
I suggest ordering, making one round and then coming back for it.
Remember, when enjoying a buffet like this, timing is everything. Make the most of your time by planning your mode of attack!
Mixologist/Bar Cart
The Fort Shang in-house Mixologist, explained what was in each of his delicious sangrias when he served them. For the life of me I can’t remember but I will tell you this. They are strong and full of flavor. They remind me of the holidays and I feel like I would want to try and make these at home and serve them to guests in the same fashion. With lots of fresh fruit, herbs, and in this case, lots of liquor.
I had one and a half glasses and I was feeling fine.
When you are availing of the buffet during lunch and dinner, you can also avail of the sangria cart for a little more than P600.
What does that mean? It means refreshing White, Red, and Rosé Sangria all throughout your meal.
How can you say no to that???
Rotisserie
All of the meats at the Rotisserie station are grilled Churrasco style. This is the Brazilian way of grilling meat and man is it good.
This beautiful hunk of meat was melt in your mouth goodness at a Grade 6 Australian Wagyu.
Nino and Joey both enjoyed this as it was done right. Bloody. Served with salt and pepper. And for those of you who might enjoy steak with other toppings, sauces, or gravy, don’t worry, they have that for you too.
Dessert
Oh my. My favorite course. Dessert.
Remember? Sometimes, I actually have a second stomach? With everything that we enjoyed prior to this very special dessert, I wasn’t sure how I would find space.
But of course, I did.
This Molten Chocolate Lava Cake was not too sweet. It was served warm. It had a little surprise in the form of a banana. And is best enjoyed by taking that cool scoop of ice cream and plopping it right on top.
Can you say yum?
So make sure that no matter what you enjoy from the High Street Cafe, that you do save room (or find your extra stomach) for this dessert.
https://www.facebook.com/shangrilafort/
High Street Cafe
Email: highstreetcafe@shangri-la.com
02-820-0888
