A Diamond-studded affair

MANILA, Philippines – It was a Diamond-studded affair to remember when this luxury hotel by the bay clinked champagne glasses to present its new general manager Vanessa Ledesma Suatengco, the first Filipina GM of a five-star hotel in the country. Hai, Diamond is a girl’s best friend. And when Diamond Hotel Philippines throws a party, expect a party like no other.

Diamond’s 70-seater Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant is the scene of this seemingly nonstop delightful degustation and serving as mute witnesses are Yurakuen’s iconic glass cherry blossom tree and floor-to-ceiling glass windows revealing a rock garden outside bursting with lush tropical plants. The demolition force, all robust eaters, is composed of members of media, among them food writers. And the task begins. Drumroll please! A retinue of kimono-clad attendants glides down the marble-floored corridor across a bridge over a small pond and through the brass and gold honeycomb door, bearing delicious tidings. Before our delighted eyes, they lay down some chic trays. First comes the appetizer: bitefuls of sashimi and sushi, which guests devour faster than you can say hamachi. Before we could wash down the last morsel of sushi on our tray with a bracing cup of tea, our gracious attendants tiptoe their way into the dining room carrying more food that seems to pour in with no letup.

Are you ready for the main event? The menu card on our table lists the main features of today’s lunch. Of course, if you’re a Japanese food buff, you can tell mamakari (herring-like fish) from hajikami (ginger pickled in sweet vinegar), can’t you? But if you can’t pronounce the tongue-twisting names on the menu card, fret not — we can assure you that the palate-tickling dishes are much better eaten than pronounced.

Before advancing to the main dish, we have some fresh greens to chase the day’s blues away — a Lenkon salad that’s got coral red and green lettuce, onion, singkamas, among other things nice and Japanese.

And finally, taking center stage — double drumroll please! — on our tray is the yakimono, Wagyu beef with green asparagus, ginger, lemon, and garlic chips. Yes, you heard that right, wagyu! FYI, wagyu is a pampered breed of corn-fed cattle with a rich fat marbling that’s got a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than the typical beef. Beer or sake is added to its feeding regimen. Holy cow! Steak lovers swear by this oh-so-tender, juicy, and flavorful beef. And Yurakuen stakes its reputation on its Wagyu steak.

For fish eaters, this lunch’s meaty offering is a gratifying gindara teriyaki with ebi asparagus maki tempura.

To cap a sweet lunch affair, we get our fair share of the sinful calories via the dessert: cake trio and green tea ice cream with ogura and cherry.

We enjoyed our Japanese lunch so much that we wanted to kiss Japanese master chef Junichi Sekiyama or at least say a hearty arigato to him. Sekiyama expertly crafts Yurakuen’s delectable and extensive menu — from the staple sushi, maki, and sashimi to the most succulent meat dishes, the freshest seafoods, and the most luscious desserts — for a truly unique Japanese dining experience.

Of course, Yurakuen, dubbed the best Japanese restaurant in Metro Manila for three consecutive years since 2005 by Philippine Tatler magazine, is not the only food outlet at this multi-faceted hotel. There are the Palm Court Café for breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet spreads; Palm Court Bar for cocktails and nightly live entertainment; Sky Lounge music bar on the 27th floor, voted by Newsweek magazine as one of Asia’s best bars with a breathtaking sight of Manila Bay; Poolside Bar with its delicious snacks and refreshing drinks; and Kohikan at the lobby for light snacks, cakes, and pastries available 24/7. Here, you can smell the coffee and yes, enjoy an invigorating cup of Sumibi organic coffee, roasted with wood from Mt. Fuji. This you can pair of with one of those award-winning giant ensaymadas that Diamond is famous for.

And there’s Le Bellevue on the 27th floor, awarded as the best restaurant for 2007 by Philippine Tatler. This Euro-Continental fine dining restaurant offers a magnificent mix of glorious food, great service, and a most spectacular view of Manila Bay like no other hotel on the bay area. For starters, nibble on European cheese and the Spanish sausages. For the main course, a top favorite is the US beef carpaccio topped with arugula, Manchego shavings, grilled pears, chestnuts laced in lemon-olive oil dressing. Another great fave is the pan-seared foie gras on kirsch-apple quarters and blueberries. Shrimply delicious are the prawns and scallops coated with grilled nuts, infused with sesame flavor, and served on garden greens in apple dressing and caramelized melon balls. One fish offering you shouldn’t pass up is the salmon gravlax with warm potato crepes, dill mousseline, and mesclun with roasted nuts. But if you’re feeling crabby, try the crab cakes with spicy flakes served with green mango chutney and spicy peanut sauce. And oh, don’t forget the oysters! The baked oysters are done three ways — Rockefeller, sautéed mushrooms, and tomato chutney. Enjoy ’em all.

Diamond Hotel is an all-inclusive business hotel with free Internet access in all guest rooms and public areas plus a complimentary mini bar (yes!), and free local city calls. It’s a place to stay, meet, and hold events as it boasts a conference room, a ballroom, banquet and special events facilities, and health spa and leisure facilities.

For Mother’s Day, moms get diamond-studded treats in Diamond Hotel’s promo dubbed “Mother’s Getaway” from May 8 to 10. Moms checking in get a raffle coupon for a chance to win fabulous prizes such as gift certificates from Jewelmer, gift packs from VMV Hypoallergenics, and giveaways from Alyssa Ashley.

“Yes, we want to let people know that we’re here and we’ve been around for 16 years now,” says the new GM Suatengco. “Focus on the guest is our priority and extending service that is beyond their expectations.”

Truly a 24-carat hotel, Diamond Hotel works to exceed guests’ expectations — from simply making sure guests get their phone calls to “preparing a wonderful meal where they can clinch a deal over a bottle of wine and good food,” Suatengco adds.

That’s what you call dazzling service as only this gem of a hotel by the bay in the heart of Manila can offer.

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Diamond Hotel Philippines is located at Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila. For inquiries and reservations, call 528-3000 or 305-3000; e-mail bizcenter@diamondhotel.com. For more information, visit www.diamondhotel.com.