What's on the Menu?: 18 mooncake variants at Mandarin Oriental, Manila

MANILA, Philippines - For Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s grand Mid-Autumn Moon celebration, executive Chinese chef Hann Furn Cheng brings out some 18 variants of his signature mooncakes, which are now available at the hotel lobby.

Best-sellers are the variety with mixed assorted nuts, durian paste with melon seed, green-tea flavored lotus paste with salted egg yolk, and the white lotus paste and Grand Marnier Chocolate.

The mooncake choices are grouped into Traditional, Snow Skin and Cha Zhao Style. The gourmet mooncake starts from P388+ per piece; P1,188+ for a box of four regular sizes; and P988+ for a box of eight mini-sized mooncakes.

For orders, call 750-8888 or e-mail momnl-tinhau@mohg.com.

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A sizzling treat: The Shanghai fried dumplings at Crustasia Asian Bistro

Shanghai fried dumplings at Crustasia Asian Bistro

Crustasia Asian Bistro introduces its Shanghai fried dumplings served on a sizzling plate. Also try the satay meat sampler, the Grand Javanese Sampler, Balinese chili crab, beef semur, and kung pao chicken.

For reservations, visit or call its branches at Rockwell Powerplant Mall, Makati City, 728-5463; and Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 910-4096.

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Claws open: The Thai Chili Crab at The Red Crab Alimango House

Thai chili crab at The Red Crab Alimango House

The Red Crab Alimango House sets your taste buds on fire with its Thai Chili Crab. Other specialties include Queen and King Seafood Platter, steamed pla-pla, live shrimps cooked in citrus boil, sinigang na bangus belly sa bayabas, and bacon-wrapped camaron rebosado.

The Red Crab Alimango House has branches at the ground floor, Piazza Venice, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, 403-8011; 104 JSB Bldg. cor. Sct. Delgado, Tomas Morato, QC, 412-4323; second floor, Resorts World, Newport Mall, Pasay City, 856-0087; The Red Crab Café, Level 1, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, 709-3663; and on the second floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, 757-4716.

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A move for a greener good: Krispy Kreme’s signature brew is now served in a cup with recyclable sleeve.

Go green at Krispy Kreme

Those who love Krispy Kreme’s signature brew now have the option to order coffee in Krispy Kreme’s exclusive eco-sleeves.

Made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles, Krispy Kreme is encouraging patrons to do their part for the environment by making sure they bring the cup sleeves back on their next visit and re-use it to get a P1 rebate.

Krispy Kreme’s Brew Box and donuts will now also come with an eco-friendly bag made from the same fully recyclable materials.

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Sinigang with a twist: The Strawberry Sinigang at Zens Restaurant

Strawberry sinigang at Zens Restaurant

Zens Restaurant at Mines View Park in Apostol Drive, Baguio City, attracts foodies with chef Gillette Garcia’s gastronomic innovation: Strawberry Sinigang.

The freshly picked strawberries give the broth a sweet and tangy flavor. Diners choose the main ingredient — pork, beef, shrimps and fish — to go with the strawberry broth.

For reservations, call (07) 442-1559 or SMS 0922-8886392.

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I scream, for ice cream: The ice cream mooncakes from Haagen-Dazs

Haagen-Dazs ice cream mooncakes at Shangri-La Hotels

Celebrate the Mooncake Festival with Haagen-Dazs’ ice cream mooncakes, exclusively available at Shangri-La Hotels.

The delectable mooncake creations are available at the Ice Cream Mooncake Counters and the Summer Palace of EDSA Shangri-La, and at the Lobby Lounge and Shang Palace of Makati Shangri-La for only P420 each.

For reservations, call the participating branches at Edsa Shangri-La, 634-8108; and Makati Shangri-La, 813-8888.

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Dots the way: Hot on the Dot pizza from Pizza Hut

Hot on the Dot pizza from Pizza Hut

Committed to deliver hot and fresh pizza, Pizza Hut launches its Hot on the Dot campaign, which aims to revolutionize pizza delivery in the country.

The Hot Dot, which senses the thermal temperature of the pizza inside the box, assures the customer that the food delivered to them is always oven hot and fresh.

For delivery, call the Pizza Hut delivery hotline 911-1111 or visit www.pizzahut.com.ph.

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Simply delish: Hainanese chicken with soup and veggie siding at Crowne Plaza Manila

Hainanese chicken rice, roti prata at Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s Xin Tian Di restaurant presents the culinary creations of Singaporean Chinese executive chef Sam Lee until Aug. 31.

Chef Lee transforms Singaporean hawker food to a deluxe dining experience. Feast on Hainanese chicken rice, seafood barbecue in sambal sauce, bak kut the, Singaporean chili crab, and laksa, among others.

For reservations, call 633-7222 or e-mail f&b.reservations@ihg.com.