Mystical Yanagi experience

MANILA, Philippines - A culinary gem with an enchanting name is found at the mezzanine floor of Midas Hotel and Casino along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

Named after a mystical willow tree that, legend has it, boosts the essence of love and dreams, Yanagi promises a delightful experience that matches the vibe in the chic and ultra-modern lobby of the hotel.

Frequented mostly by hotel guests, politicians and celebrities, Yanagi offers a wide range of Japanese core dishes including sushi selections and teppanyaki as well as fusion-inspired creations.

The Japanese restaurant proudly offers its specialties, namely the aburi sushi, tempura maki, ebi tamago and kaki papaya, among other mouth-watering dishes.

The aburi sushi is made up of slightly burnt hamachi, eel, salmon, tuna and lapu-lapu. The tempura maki, on the other hand, is a share of deep-fried filled rice and enormous tempura rolls.

The ebi tamago is a plateful of huge prawns sunken in an exceptional egg sauce, while the kaki papaya is a slice of a grilled tropical fruit cuddling a boiled Japanese oyster topped with caramelized miso mayo sauce.

To freshen up the taste buds, there is Yanagi’s signature brewed citrus iced tea.

According to head chef Chester Lucas, while members of the culinary team – who trained in the kitchens of Japan and several luxury hotels in the Philippines for over a decade – serve authentic and traditional Japanese dishes, these are entwined with a unique taste and creativity in their presentation.

“We constantly conduct research and make innovations to update our menu,” Lucas said.

Erwin Dona, PR director of Midas Hotel and Casino, said Yanagi now offers “Misono Days” weekend buffet lunch for only P1,485 per person.

Yanagi is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner.

Next time you’re in the bay area, why not stop in and explore Midas Hotel’s hidden treasure?