Love In All Its Incarnations

CEBU, Philippines - The ancient Greeks had more than one word for it, and today it is honored with a holiday on the 14th of February.   We explore love and its many nuances through a selection of dishes and signature cocktails prepared in Shangri-La Mactan’s specialty outlets: Waves Bar, Acqua and Cowrie Cove.

Epithumia (desire, eagerness, longing)

Named after the famously risque French cabaret, the elegant Moulin Rouge cocktail is a fresh strawberry puree infused with rosemary vodka and topped with prosecco. It’s a sleek and sexy drink, with an intriguing hint of fiery passion. There is no better way to enjoy it than while watching the sunset from the seaside Waves Bar. 

Storge (fondness, affection)

The Spaghetti freddi con gamberi e verdurine pesto (Cold spaghetti with shrimp and vegetable pesto) at Acqua is meant to be savored at family gatherings. This full, hearty staple dish incorporates the fresh bounty from the fields and sea, and evokes all the warmth and comfort of home. 

Agape (selfless, charitable love)

This translates to giving freely of oneself, and the painstakingly assembled Herb-crusted lamb loin on green beans a la creme served with potato gratin and thyme jus is a peerless example. Executive sous chef Patrick Buttgereit serves up his labor of love at Cowrie Cove.

Philia (fraternal love)

The charmingly named Just for Girls is simply that, a sweetly feminine concoction that invites close friends to share confidences at Waves Bar. It’s a strawberry reduction combined with refined vanilla syrup, crowned with a shot of vanilla vodka, and topped with a sprinkling of chocolate chips.

Eros (intimate love)

Popular lore associates eros most with Valentine’s Day, which is in turn associated with sentimental greeting cards, armfuls of red roses, and of course, chocolates. The Belgian chocolate chili tartlet served with fried vanilla ice cream strikes a romantic balance, combining traditional sweetness with piquant heat, and is the perfect ending to a starlit dinner at Cowrie Cove.

Love as an abstract finds its tangible expression in exquisite gourmet dining and drinking, and is celebrated in all its incarnations at the Shangri-La.

Waves Bar is the resort’s stunning, newly refurbished bar. It offers signature drinks and an unparalleled view of the sea. Acqua is the poolside Italian restaurant, serving classic regional Italian cuisine. The seaside Cowrie Cove offers creative fusions of East and West. Both Acqua and Cowrie Cove have been consistently recognized as part of the Philippines’ best by the Philippine Tatler. 

To reserve for special occasions, please call Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa at 231 8224 or email: [email protected].

We’re also sharing the recipe for a swoon-worthy dessert:

Belgian chocolate chili tartlet served with fried vanilla ice cream

Procedure:

1. Melt the Belgian chocolate and mix with cream. Add chili powder and fill tartlets.

2. Melt white chocolate and put in piping bag. Decorate and fill in tartlet tops.

3. Refrigerate tartlets.

4. Scoop vanilla ice cream and roll on bread crumbs. Dip into eggs and roll onto bread crumbs again.

5. Repeat until ice cream is completely covered. Freeze ice cream balls.

6. Remove tartlets from refrigerator and place on a plate.

7. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 180 C. Carefully add ice cream balls into the oil and fry for a minimum of a minute.

8. Dry ice cream balls on kitchen towel and set on top of tartlets.

9. Dust with icing sugar and garnish with mint leaves.