Gourmet masterpieces: From canvas to plate

MANILA, Philippines - Megaworld Lifestyle Malls tickles the palate and the imagination as it presents “Gourmet Masterpieces,” a delectable array of limited-edition art-inspired dishes created by the country’s top chefs.

The culinary delights inspired by the Masters, which are offered for a limited run at select dining outlets from Eastwood City, Lucky Chinatown, Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila, Eastwood City, Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill, and Burgos Circle at Forbes Town Center.

Eastwood: Eats all in the city

Zao

Artist Pham Lam’s depiction of the Vietnamese life is represented in this caramelized chicken wings. Get a taste of Hanoi at Zao.

Crisostomo

Chef Florabel Co puts the eclectic colors and patterns of Van Gogh’s “Picasso” painting in her refreshing iced concoction that’s perfect for the sweltering heat — the Halo-Halo by Crisostomo. Indulge in the sticky and creamy goodness of ube halaya, green kaong, sweet macapuno, red gulaman, corn kernels and a medley of other sweetened delights. The halo-halo is also available at its branch at Newport Mall.

Eastwood City, the “City that Never Sleeps,” houses over 30 dining hot spots that offer a wide variety of dishes enough to entice you to go on a gourmet tour.

This summer, tempt your palate with these culinary masterpieces that look too good to eat.

Chuck’s Deli

Vincent Van Gogh’s vibrant “The Night Cafe” is mimicked by the rich toppings and sauces of Chuck’s Deli’s sourdough anchovies pizza.

Seafood Island


Dagupan’s bounty is depicted in this colorful drawing by Cabojoc. Indulge in Dagupan’s fresh catch in Seafood Island’s Dagupan’s Pride Boodle, a yummy spread of crispy shrimps, San Mig clams, grilled tilapia, squid, laing, steamed crabs, grilled liempo and kalkag rice.

Agave Mexican Cantina

‘Tis definitely the season to worship the sun in this breathtaking beach with the perfect drink — a Cancun margarita.

Caffe Benne

This soothing painting inspired the Green Tea Bingsu, a refreshing green tea creation at Caffe Benne.

CCA

Bunny Giffeth’s bright and floral painting gave rise to this equally vibrant summer drink — the C2 Mango Vita, a fruity mix of ripe mango, cucumber and carrots blended with sugar syrup and shaved ice.

Cookbook Kitchen

Chef Gen Capati tried to capture Vincent Van Gogh’s hot temperament in this hot and cold salad with tofu and fish cakes. He replicated the leafy greens and bright yellows of the “Olive Trees” painting in this delectable dish.

Graffiti

The pop-up party vibe of Keith Haring’s painting is captured in The Favorites, a festive plate of fries, shrimps and a whole lot more!

Serye

Carefully laid on a delicately made pastry crust, Serye’s mushroom topped laing and siling labuyo definitely perks up the appetite. The dish is inspired by a Mayon Volcano painting.

Pasto

Irene, a pesto-based pizza topped with mesclun, sund dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and Pasto’s special dressing, is inspired by Jennifer E. Young’s “Morning Over Montalcino.” And yes, this pizza is as fresh and vibrant as a Tuscan sunrise.

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

The Philippine flag comes to life through Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s Filipino delicacies for merienda. Indulge in puto, pastillas and Maja Blanca.

J. Cuppacakes

This heartwarming “Maternity” painting by Pablo Picasso inspired chef Julianne Bernardo to whip up Give me S’more, a chocolate-almond brownie cupcake topped with burnt marshmallow frosting.

Cibo

Restaurateur/chef Margarita “Gaita” Fores pays homage to Pellegrino Artusi, the “Father of Italian Cooking,” through Cibo’s Maiale Tonnato, chilled pork tenderloin, tuna, mayonnaise and capers serve with foccacia. This dish is also available at Lucky Chinatown.

Cyma

Get a taste of Greece at Cyma with Robby Goco’s Greek nachos. The dip is made of Lebanese hummus, tzatziki and tabbouleh.

Choi Palace

The graceful swans come to life in Choi Palace’s Swan Salad, puff pastry shaped like swans with salad filling.

Lucky Chinatown: Shop, eat and be lucky

Lucky Chinatown, Megaworld Corporations heritage project, reinvents the shopping and dining experience in Binondo, Manila.

On the food front, Lucky Chinatown’s roster of restaurants offers the best in Asian and Western cuisines. Check these out:

King Chef

A watercolor painting of a school of koi swimming in a pond with lotus is expertly recreated through King Chef’s almond fish gelatin.

Uncle Cheffy

Chef Mau Arjona whips up Mona Lisagna, a dip inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” This dish is also available at Eastwood Mall and Burgos Circle.

Venice Piazza: Little Italy in Fort Bonifacio

Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill is inspired by the grandeur of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. Touted as the happening place in the metro today, the place is peppered with restaurants guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating palate.

Little Asia

Kim Steinberg’s “Sunrise” is translated on a plate through Little Asia’s prawns in creamy buttermilk sauce. This dish is also available at their branch at Lucky Chinatown.

Old Vine

Taking inspiration from Mr. Chua’s sculpture, Old Vine’s With Borders, a combination of chicken fillet, tomato, mozzarella cheese with spiced barbecue sauce and cream dory with bacon, caters to the restaurant’s valued BPOs. This dish is also offered at their branch at Eastwood Mall.

Sweet Pea

Chef Florabel Co’s Four Season Shake at Sweet Pea is inspired by the iconic “Mona Lisa.”

Red Crab Alimango House

National Artist Ang Kiukok’s “Fisherman with Catch” is captured in Red Crab Alimango House’s Gambas Ala Remedios with minced shrimps, gambas, garlic, onions and bell peppers. The gambas is also served at their branch at their branch at Eastwood Mall and Lucky Chinatown.

Burgos circle: In the circle of things

Situated at the bustling Fort Bonifacio, Burgos Circle at Forbestown Center is a hidden treasure that remains to be discovered by foodies.

Dwarfed by skyscrapers and condos, this gem of a hangout has a relaxing vibe. The place is reminiscent of the quiet American suburban neighborhoods.

The Kebab Factory

The Kebab Factory’s Nacho Keera, which has keema (ground chicken with onions, tomatoes, herbs and tomato sauce), garnished with onions, tomatoes, green chilis and cilantro, is inspired by this mosaic lamp.

L’entrecote

Chef Martin Kaspar’s Salmon Soleil gets its inspiration from the “Village Tune” by Carlos Rocha.

Melo’s Steakhouse

An abstract painting by Ivan Acuna inspired this sumptuous Wagyu dish with organic greens.

Just Thai

Hues of brown and fierceness of the dragon are found in Just Thai’s pork belly with fine spices.

Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila is a swanky happening place that has class inscribed everywhere — at the boutiques, casino and restaurants.

Passion

This yin and yang fish painting is the inspiration behind Passion’s deep-fried Lapu Lapu Xi Yan-style dish with pomelo-lemon dressing.

Cafe Maxim’s

Chef Michael Lopez’s double decker cake takes inspiration from this tattoo design.

Impressions

Chef Cyrille Soenen mimicked the colors of Claude Monet’s spring landscape in Impressions’ foie gras dish, which is made of braised veal sweet bread with pan-fried duck liver terrine with parsley cream sauce.

New Orleans

The stark reds and yellows of Cabojo’s streetscape is translated in the vivid color of New Orlean’s country friend chicken steak.

Ginzadon

Ginzadon’s dragon unagi sushi roll looks just like this Japanese calligraphy painting.