Tastier times ahead at Acuatico

MANILA, Philippines - If the recent Thanksgiving dinner at Acuatico Beach Resort is any indication, then tastier times are ahead.

For Thanksgiving night, Acuatico Executive Chef Richard Dancel whipped up a classic, creative menu that delighted guests at Oceano Restaurant. How else could one explain the seemingly endless second, third, even fourth, helpings of guests?

Indeed it was quite the spread: beef bordelaise, fire grilled seafood with garlic, herb pork casserole, crunchy fish fire crackers, vegetable medley, jambalaya, bacon-wrapped appetizers, maki and sushi, salmon bisque, different types of pasta, Jell-O flag shooters, pumpkin pie, creative cakes, and the piece de resistance, roast turkey.

“It is Acuatico’s first time to hold a Thanksgiving dinner,” Dancel relates. “We, the Oceano kitchen staff and I, fused familiar Filipino twists to American favorites.”

With 22 years of hospitality industry experience under his chef’s hat, Dancel has practically traveled the globe. In consequence, his approach to food reflects an exciting mix of multicultural cuisines. This is what he is introducing to Acuatico’s Oceano Restaurant.

He muses, “Local dishes were promoted more in the resort. Now I do international, fusion menu. It is an interesting mix of Filipino with Asian and Mediterranean flavors, among others. People will experience a taste of something different and exciting. You need to create some variety to be noticed otherwise people won’t come back.”

Told that fusion cuisine usually leaves diners more confused, he says, “People suffer confusion from fusion because the interpretation is way too radical for their tastes. Here at Acuatico, we make it more acceptable, more attuned to everyone’s taste.”

He observes that guests also ask for more dishes that use local ingredients. “They know that they are going to spend a vacation near a body of water. So they will ask for fresh seafood. They travel all the way to Batangas, they deserve what they want.”

Dancel reveals that the menu cycle is good for two months. “Should needs arise, we are flexible enough to meet the challenges. Our chefs are a talented group. They are a creative bunch that can whip up a lot of surprises on the table,” he says proudly.

For Christmas, naturally, the menu will be an international spread. He cites Italian and Spanish cuisines at this point, stressing that guests will be well pleased by their positively tasty menu.

“Like I said, it will be different, more than the usual. My buffet setup will soon be conduction type, all granite, all upgrades. People will feel the five-star quality at Acuatico. In the future, there will be wonderful promos in store,” he says.

Meanwhile, the thrills at Acuatico continue to make it the resort of choice for many a tired urban-dweller. The beach, of course, is always a hit. Water activities are plenty, from kayaking to jet skiing. Swimming provides options, too: the infinity pool, the kiddie pool, and the outdoor Jacuzzi.

Guests can kick back at the Acua floating bar in the middle of the pool while kids can amuse themselves at the playroom. There are even a basketball court, a gameroom, and resort-wide Wi-Fi. The guestrooms are clean and comfortable, the way it should be. To complete the relaxing holiday, Acuatico’s Simona Spa offers full body massage treatments.

With a holiday like this at Acuatico and more, yes indeed, tastier, happier times are here.

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Acuatico Beach Resort & Hotel is located in Barangay Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. For more information, call (632) 408-8383 or (632) 892-7577 to 79. E-mail reservations@acuaticoresort.com.ph or visit its website at www.acuaticoresort.com.ph.