#EdsaShangHEAT

[thehungrykat1]

Still Mad For Wagyu at Edsa Shangri-La’s HEAT

Foodies and diners all across the city went totally Mad For Wagyu at HEAT in EDSA Shangri-La when it was launch back in 2015. Imagine a spectacular buffet filled with premium high-grade wagyu beef prepared in all sorts of ways by the hotel’s experienced international chefs. It’s not just steaks, because all the different stations had their own interpretation and featured different wagyu-inspired dishes (read about it here). It was a gigantic, totally mind-blowing affair that had me dreaming of wagyu long after my first maddening encounter.

Flash forward to 2017, and it seems the scars of that experience has never truly left me, because I found out that I am STILL absolutely Mad For Wagyu! The Hungry Kat was invited to once-again indulge in this life-changing buffet and I was excited to see that it is still the beefy, wagyu-filled adventure it has always been. I’m sure I will be dreaming of cows and cattle for the next few days because HEAT continues to deliver one of the best buffets in the land.

HEAT is EDSA Shangri-La Manila’s all day dining restaurant serving an international buffet of signature dishes from breakfast all the way until dinner. Mad For Wagyu is a special dinner buffet held every Saturday that highlights this premium type of Japanese beef we have all grown to love and cherish. Wagyu cattle are breeds which are genetically predisposed to intense marbling, producing a high percentage of fat located within the meat itself and thus creating a very tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth beef texture. EDSA Shangri-La also features their Mad For Lobster buffet dinner every Friday, but that’s another story altogether.

Joining me that evening at HEAT’s private dining room was the always fresh Edgar Co from Pinas Muna and the always nutty Richie Zamora also known as The Pickiest Eater in the World.

We were hosted by EDSA Shangri-La’s very charming Director for Communications - Ms. Cristina del Carmen who also introduced to us the chefs that were in charge of tonight’s magnificent wagyu feast.

The daily selection at HEAT is very extensive, with many different stations that provide everything you can possibly want to have in a buffet. You can start your journey with some freshly baked artisanal breads, salads, cheese, and a variety of hams and cured meats at the Appetizers section. I prefer to start my dinner with some sushi and salmon sashimi from the Japanese Station.

While most of the stations still serve the regular selection of dishes, you will feel the Mad For Wagyu theme all over the restaurant as each section offers their own wagyu-inspired dishes. I checked out the Noodle Station and found out that they serve Wagyu Laksa, a curried wagyu beef laksa dumpling in spiced coconut broth. This is not your ordinary laksa because the tender beef gives it a whole new flavor component. I also liked that it was not too spicy and had just enough kick that I could handle.

We all like to eat shawarma but have you ever tried a Wagyu Shawarma? This also takes the classic Middle Eastern dish to another level with its juicy beef sliced hot off the griller.  It is served in a warm pita bread with vegetables and yogurt sauce.

The Chinese Station also offers their own wagyu dishes like the Wagyu Buns. These siopao have wagyu fillings inside which gives it a beefy and aromatic flavor. Now this is one siopao you won’t find in any fast food restaurant.

The classic Filipino favorite is also given the wagyu touch as HEAT offers their Wagyu Beef Bulalo. These tender beef shanks boiled in bulalo soup are just so good. Make sure to ask the chef for a piece of the bone so you can scoop out the marrow from inside.

Also hot off the grill are these Marinated Wagyu Beef Yakiniku which also upgrades the regular barbecues we enjoy. Everything is just so much better when it is made from wagyu.

The highlight of Mad For Wagyu at HEAT is the Wagyu Beef Rump steak proudly displayed at the Western carving station. Ask the server for a slice or two and have it grilled to your preferred doneness. I always have it cooked medium, but remember the cardinal rule with steaks, most especially wagyu. Never ask for it to be well-done or you will ruin the flavors of this premium beef.

There is a variety of sauces you can put on top of your steak, whether it be red wine sauce or mushroom gravy. Mad For Wagyu also has another selection of barbecue sauces to choose from, twenty of them in fact! Play around with your sauces and see which ones are your favorite.

Other dishes you can find at the Western Section include the Wagyu Beef Wellington, Wagyu Mini Burgers, and Wagyu Spring Rolls which are also quite appealing. 

Over at the Italian Station, aside from the pizzas topped with wagyu beef chunks, they also have the Wagyu Beef Cheek Cannilloni with Mascarpone which is rolled pasta filled with Wagyu beef and root vegetables then topped with cream cheese.

Look around the entire restaurant and you will encounter many other different wagyu-inspired dishes. Some of these include the (from top to bottom) Wagyu Beef Cheeks, Wagyu Beef Goulash, Wok Fried Black Pepper Wagyu Short Ribs, Wagyu Beef Brisket and Wagyu Beef Barbecue. All of these will go so well with rice, right? What better combination to have than to get a bowl of Wagyu Fried Rice to really make you go Mad For Wagyu.

But of course, that’s not all that there is at HEAT’s Mad For Wagyu night. You can still enjoy the other stations like the Seafood Station where these Spanner Crabs were waiting.

I got a plate of crabs, mussels and prawns then handed it over to the chefs to cook it in glorious garlic butter. The result is a fantastic seafood plate to go along with all the other beefy dishes at HEAT. Here’s a tip, ask the chef to peel off the prawn shells for you before cooking. That makes eating these babies a lot easier and gives you more time to enjoy the buffet.

Other favorites were also available at the buffet like the Roasted Lechon, Dimsum, Roast Duck, and even Deep Fried Salmon Skin and Chicken Skin.

One other specialty of the house is the Coffee Spareribs by Chef Tony Sum. This is his creative interpretation of Singapore’s favorite - deep fried ribs coated in coffee-based sweet sauce. This is always a recommended item at the buffet.

While beverages are not yet included in the buffet price, diners can choose any of the three additional beverage packages to complete their dining experience. The Sip & Repeat (+P250) comes with Unlimited Iced Tea and Soda-based mocktails. Go for the Beer Blast (+P875) if you want to include unlimited Heineken Draft Beer with the iced tea and mocktails, or choose the ReWINEd (+P1200) for all those plus unlimited red wine.

The journey is not complete without desserts so we also went totally mad for the Dessert Station! Eight different types of ice cream and gelato were on hand plus hundreds of topping and sauces to choose from. You can also ask for a crepe or a halo halo topped with Ube Ice Cream. I had a scoop of their Strawberry gelato with candy sprinkles plus the Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream.

They also have so many cakes and pastries on display, highlighted by the Raspberry Moten Brownie Double Shot Vodka Cheesecake. This is an irresistible fusion of cream cheese, sour cream, and chocolate brownie with the velvety smooth, rich-textured cheesecake smothered elegantly with raspberry sauce and a subtle kick of vodka. I even saw this chocolate marshmallow dessert pizza!

For a minimum single receipt bill of P5,000, diners can even get a free spin on the Mad For Wagyu wheel where they can win instant prizes. Mad For Wagyu is available every Saturday from 6:00pm to 10:30pm for P2,615 nett per person. Thank you so much to Ms. Cristina del Carmen and EDSA Shangri-La Manila for this amazing dining adventure. 

MAD FOR WAGYU at HEAT

Lobby Level, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

633-8888 loc 2740 & 2741 (Book a Table Online here)

www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila

www.facebook.com/edsashangrila

[thehungrykat1]

EDSA Shangri-la Turns Up the HEAT with the Sunday Super Brunch

EDSA Shangri-la Manila is joining the Sunday brunch wars as it upgrades its well-loved buffet at HEAT restaurant and turns it into a Super Brunch. Imagine your favorite Mad For Lobsters and Mad For Wagyu nights combined into one giant supersized, superheroic extravaganza of epic proportions! Sundays will never be the same once you enter this magical land where all your foodie dreams come true.

The Hungry Kat was invited two Sundays ago to experience this mystical place where unlimited lobsters, wagyu, oysters, sashimi, foie gras and bubbly beverages abound. They even have a bit of molecular gastronomy going on for those little aspiring wizards. I have dined at HEAT several times before, but this is the first time for me to try their Sunday brunch, so this was really an eye-opener for me, especially now that they have given it super powers and upgraded it into the Super Brunch.

The world of HEAT Super Brunch is filled with goodies and treats for everyone. If you get lost, just follow your map to get to your desired destination. The land is divided into several kingdoms, each with their own specialties and highlights.

I first stumbled into the empire of the oysters and here you can find so many kinds of oysters prepared in different ways. Some are cooked with butter, adobo, shallots, chili butter, chorizo butter, cheese or done the classic Rockefeller way. I have never seen so many oysters in my life and I gladly snapped up a plateful of these. My favorite is still the Baked Oysters with Cheese.

I went totally Mad For Lobsters at HEAT which happens every Friday night, but here at the Super Brunch, guests may also indulge in a three tower display of overflowing crustacean goodness featuring Boston, Slipper, Rock lobsters and other seasonal varieties such as Lobster tails, Pacific, Japanese, Tiger, and Bamboo lobsters.  

You can have your lobster catch prepared hot off the grill, cooked with buttered garlic and a hint of lemon, baked with overflowing cheese,  Chinese style stir fried or simply steamed. However way you want it, there is an endless supply of fresh lobsters and seafood always ready and waiting.

If lobsters are not enough, then how about going Mad For Wagyu afterwards? This Saturday night dinner special is also part of the Super Brunch and you can get unlimited servings of their Wagyu Prime Rib marinated in oyster sauce and gratinated under a foie gras crust. Wagyu and foie gras? That is the best of both worlds.

Other wagyu-inspired dishes include the (clockwise from top left) Wagyu Marinated Hanging Tender in Puff Pastry, the very flavorful Slow Braised Wagyu Short Blade, Wagyu Braised Oxtail, and Sous Vide Cooked Wagyu Beef Brisket.

The Wagyu kingdom also serves a mean Wagyu Beef Sandwich with Gruyere Cheese as well as a Wagyu BBQ Pulled Beef Burger.

To make your stay at the Super Brunch even more memorable, you can choose to upgrade your buffet with any of their Beverage Packages. The Thirst Quencher Package (+P250) gives diners unlimited iced tea, lemonade and local quenchers.

If you want to be really happy then go for the Happy Hour package (+P850) which provides unlimited wine, local beers, plus everything in the Thirst Quencher package.

The Happy Hour package also includes unlimited Mimosas from the Mimosa Bar. These flavored alcoholic beverages are quite refreshing and you can choose which fruity combinations to put in your minosa. The Strawberry Mimosa is my choice.

But if you are celebrating a special day or event, then go for the Ultimate Indulgence Package (+P1200) which gives you access to everything above plus unlimited MOET champagne! Now that is a luxury you can only find here at the Heat Super Brunch.

There are many more kingdoms to explore around the Heat Super Brunch. See if you can climb over this giant wall of breads and pizzas to reach the other side. Hopefully there aren’t any wildlings or whitewalkers here.

If it’s pasta that you want, then you can’t go wrong with the special Lobster Spaghetti that is featured at the pasta station. Just look at this plate of spaghetti filled with hugh pieces of succulent lobsters and prawns.

The Japanese kingdom is also a delicious place to visit with its mountains of colorful sushi, maki, rolls and sashimi choices.

They even have a Magic Cube Roll from Chef Hino, a contemporary creation made with Japanese egg and tuna beautifully presented as a cube roll. These wizard chefs really know how to craft their magic here at the Heat Super Brunch.

What I really enjoyed at this section is the amazing Wagyu Maki topped with melted cheese. What else will these chefs conjure next?

But my heart really melted when I stumbled onto the Foie Gras Live Station. You can get as many pieces of sumptuous foie gras on your plate and no one will judge you. You will really get your money’s worth with all these premium items and dishes.

Over at the Chinese kingdom, you can discover the Coffee Spareribs prepared by Chef Tony Sum, a creative interpretation of Singapore’s favorite deep fried ribs coated in coffee-based sweet sauce. They also have a variety of dimsum including hakao or shrimp dumplings as well as other dishes like roasted duck, asado, soy chicken and many more.

Let’s not forget about the most popular Filipino item present in any festivity and celebration. The Lechon gets its rightful place beside the throne for his grand coronation.

To complete this joyous occasion, a bountiful selection of sweets and chocolates are also presented at the Dessert kingdom. Willy Wonka would be proud of the assortment of treats that include churros with chocolate sauce, crepes, marshmallows, cakes, macarons, halo-halo and warm chocolate pie.

One of the highlights here is the Raspberry Molten Brownie Double Shot Vodka Cheesecake prepared by Chef Marlin Frowd from South Africa. This is an irresistable fusion of cream cheese, sour cream, chocolate brownie and velvety smooth, rich textured cheesecake stained elegantly by raspberry sauce with a subtle kick of vodka. But try to keep this from the kids unless you want them dizzying around the restaurant.

Children should have their eyes set at the expert kitchen wizardry located at the Ice Cream Station which features a dash of molecular gastronomy in the form of Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream. Have a taste of Nutella or Mango flavored liquid nitrogen ice cream which the master chefs carefully summon with mists and sorcery right in front of your eyes.

They also have the regular ice cream flavors to choose from like vanilla, ube, chocolate and others complete with toppings and syrups so you can create your own masterpiece.

But the chefs of Heat are not yet done with their magic because they continue to offer other unique dessert items like the Lobster Ecclair and the Foie Gras Balls with Pistacchio.

But I was totally blown away with the Foie Gras Macaron which combines both savory and sweet flavors in one spectacular dessert. I actually find regular macarons too sweet but this one really has that foie gras taste you would not expect to find inside a macaron.

The Heat Super Brunch even has a Kiddie Corner where the children can rule their own kingdoms. You can also find court magicians and balloon wizards who will dazzle them with their array of tricks. Kids even get complimentary access to the lagoon shaped pool outside with Aqua Play. Heat Super Brunch is available every Sunday for P2,815 nett per person and this is truly one of the best Sunday brunch buffets you can find in the metro. Bring the entire family and be transported to  this magical kingdom.

HEAT SUPER BRUNCH at EDSA SHANGRI-LA

Lobby Level, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City 633-8888 loc 2740 & 2741 www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila www.facebook.com/edsashangrila

[thehungrykat1]

Wagyu Heaven at HEAT’s MAD For Wagyu

Just when I thought that nothing could ever top the crazy lobster-filled Friday nights at HEAT in Edsa Shangri-la Manila called Mad For Lobster, which had such an impact on my seafood and crustacean-loving mind that I had to come back for another round of unlimited lobsters just a couple of weeks after, Executive Chef Tobias Unger has come up with another mind-blowing theme night that will put even more foodies over the edge. Get ready for a sizzling meaty and beefy adventure as HEAT captures our taste buds with MAD For Wagyu.

Saturdays will never be the same as Edsa Shangri-la Manila features its Mad For Wagyu dinner buffet every Saturday night at HEAT. If there is anything that can pull me away from a plate full of cheesy baked lobsters, it is a big chunk of meaty and tender Wagyu steak grilled to absolute perfection! Carnivores will enjoy a smorgasbord of Wagyu steaks and Wagyu-inspired dishes found all around the different buffet stations that will really bring them closer to Wagyu heaven.

Wagyu is not just any ordinary beef. Originating from Japan, Wagyu cattle are breeds which are genetically predisposed to intense marbling, producing a high percentage of fat located within the meat itself and thus creating a very tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth beef texture. Mad For Wagyu uses American and Australian Wagyu sources which have been bred outside of Japan and sometimes cross-bred with local cattle. Wagyu is much more expensive than regular beef because of this special feature, so what better place to satisfy your Wagyu cravings than at a Wagyu buffet!

What made this night so much more memorable was that it also served as the Christmas party for all the KTG members. This amazing group of bloggers has been my second family and it is always such a blast when I get to attend food events and parties with them. Here is Roch of Rochkirstin.com who has remained as thin and sexy as when I first met her last year. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about myself as all these yummy food events make it quite difficult not to gain a few pounds.

Our Wagyu adventure starts right with the appetizers where you can find this Do-It-Yourself Wagyu Tartare station. Get a piece of toasted bread and put a serving of Wagyu Tartare on top with your choice of ingredients. Or better yet, have the Wagyu tartare simply by itself topped with quail egg.

Of course, I don’t waste too much time on salads and appetizers when there is a Wagyu feast waiting for me at the grill. Here you can find all the meaty Marinated Wagyu Beef dishes like Wagyu Beef Sliders which are much juicier than your regular burgers.

The Wagyu Sirloin is really so tender yet so beefy in flavor. It’s very easy to eat so many slices of these Wagyu steaks and you can have as many servings as you like at the Mad For Wagyu night at HEAT.

How about some Wagyu Ribeye instead? These premium Marinated Wagyu beef are freshly grilled and will really satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. How can you say no to this?

But if you want something even meatier, head over to the Wagyu Tomahawk with its Wolverine-like claws ready to devour anyone that comes in its path. Have the chef slice a portion for you grilled according to your preferred doneness.

With all these beefy goodness surrounding me, I just went for the biggest and baddest carving I could find. So this 25-kilogram Wagyu Roast Leg of Beef was my first immediate target. I'm guessing this portion is big enough for The Hungry Kat.

Adding to the many Wagyu choices at your disposal is the equally impressive lineup of signature sauces including Barbecue, Honey Mustard Truffle, Steak Sauce and many more.

The Wagyu experience reaches to all the different stations of the buffet and we even see it at the Shawarma station. This is the first time I have seen a Wagyu Shawarma and it was really a sight to behold. It is served in warm pita bread with vegetables and yogurt sauce.

They also have something Mexican for you as you can order Wagyu Tacos and Wagyu Burritos.

Over at the Chinese station, get ready to taste two amazing dimsum creations. The Wagyu Beef Ball Pao Bun is a siopao with Wagyu fillings while the Wagyu Xiao Long Bao is the soupy dumpling we all love upgraded with ground Wagyu beef. Both were quite enjoyable.

Another Wagyu-inspired dish at the Chinese Station is the Stewed Wagyu Beef Brisket with Radish. The beef is so soft and tender that you can just cut this using a fork.

But one of the most popular items that night at the Mad For Wagyu Saturdays of HEAT is the Wagyu Beef Jerky. This sweet and crunchy caramelized wagyu beef is like candied bacon and it was always wiped out whenever a new serving comes along. If you remember the Cow Label beef jerky then this is similar but much crunchier and even more delicious.

Other international Wagyu-inspired dishes include the Philly's Steak Sandwich, the Wagyu Pizza, and the Wagyu Beef Cheek Cannelloni which is rolled pasta filled with Wagyu beef and root vegetables.

The Wagyu fever even crosses over to the Japanese station. Have you ever seen a Wagyu sushi? Imagine no further as the Cheesy Gyu Sushi has Wagyu beef combined in a cheesy hand-rolled sushi. Or you can try the Gyu Maki instead if you like Nori rolled with your Wagyu.

But of course, that’s not all that there is at HEAT’s Mad For Wagyu night. You can still find your other favorite dishes and stations like the Lechon, Roast Duck, noodles, pasta, and many many more.

Look at that! The seafood station even includes lobsters and mussels that you can have grilled or baked. So you can go absolutely Mad for both Wagyu and Lobsters! Truly nothing can be better than this!

You also have a couple of choices for your beverages including their Iced Tea Buffet (P200), Soda Buffet (P200) or have Unlimited Beers and Stella Artois on tap for an additional P700. Unlimited Wine Pairing (P750) is also an option.

All that Wagyu eating and walking around the restaurant has gotten me tired, so I took advantage of the free 5-minute massage courtesy of Chi Spa available to all customers of Mad For Wagyu at HEAT. This relaxing break will loosen up my muscles and allow me to continue with my Wagyu feast later on.

It is said that Wagyu cattle are well fed and pampered throughout their lives to produce that high fat content and marbling. So here is Edsa Shangrila Director of Communications Ms. Aimee Lagman helping me give this cow his own relaxing massage. You know where he will be ending up soon.

Now it’s time for desserts, and the wagyu madness does not stop here. They don’t have beef desserts, thank goodness, but you can still see Wagyu all around the dessert station like this Wagyu-shaped crepe.

The Wagyu Chocolate Crepe is individually handmade by the chef and you can combine it with your favorite ingredients like bananas, choco cereals, chocolate syrup and Vanilla ice cream.

An even more astounding dessert is this Wagyu Red Velvet Cake that looks like a real chunk of T-bone steak. We all had to slice it to see that it was indeed a red velvet cake.

The night was even more fun and enjoyable as everybody dressed up for the occasion. It was truly a laughter-filled evening with overflowing gifts and a Secret Santa activity where everyone received gifts from a secret person. My secret Santa turned out to be Mr. Jeng of Food in the Bag and he did give me the gift I wanted, haha. The KTG family continues to grow each year and I am so happy to be a part of this food-loving community. Mad For Wagyu is available for P2,415 net per person every Saturday night. If you are looking to reward yourself or your loved ones for a successful 2015, then Mad For Wagyu is the most awesome gift you can experience.

MAD FOR WAGYU at HEAT

Lobby Level, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

633-8888 loc 2740 & 2741

www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila

www.facebook.com/edsashangrila