My dream of going around Europe is still a dream, which I hope to achieve soon. But for now, I sated myself with the gustatory delights from five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. L’Fisher Hotel Bacolod, which is celebrating its 27th Anniversary this September, started the month with a bang through the opening of its Bon Appétit: A European Culinary Journey weekend buffet offering.
France
Because wine and cheese play an important part in the French cuisine, cheese is sometimes treated as a course in their dining experience. Their meals are often consist of three courses: hors d’œuvre or entrée, which is often a soup or an appetizer to start the meal; plat principal or the main course; and fromage, which is cheese course, or dessert.
For our European Culinary Journey in L’Fisher, the dishes prepared that gave us a taste of France were Mini Quiche Lorraine, Assorted seafood canapés, and Amuse-Bouche for starters. Brie was in the Cheese Corner, while Baguette, Brioche, Pain Brié and French Bread were present in the Bread Basket.
There’s a choice of Jambe d’Agneau Rôtie (Roast Lamb Leg) and Rôti de Bœuf (Roast Beef) at the Carving Station. Dauphinoise Potatoes, Gambas ail a Cajun (Cajun Prawns with Garlic), Saumon au Beurre Cuit au Beurre au Citron (Salmon Fillet with Citrus Salsa), Crabe Farxi Aux Crevettes Aux Sauce Choron (Stuffed Crabs with Choron Sauce) take the spotlight at the Main Course. To finish it off with dessert, there were Mille-feuille, French macarons, Petit Fours, Crème brûlée and Crème Puff Pyramid.
Germany
Making sausages is a tradition in Germany many years back. These sausages, or wursts, are made of different kinds of meat. Bread is also a regular in the breakfast table.
Speaking of bread, L’Fisher’s weekend buffet for September includes Pretzel and Volkornbrot (Brown Bread) in its Bread Basket, while Allgäuer Bergkäse and Milbenkase can be found at the Cheese Corner. Of course, sausages will never be absent as they have Frankfurter Sausage Skewer and Bratwurst Sausage at their On The Grill area.
Italy
Tomatoes are commonly found as a regular ingredient in most Italian dishes. It is present in pastas and pizzas, as well as in other Italian food menus.
Bon Appétit’s line-up of Italian food includes Caprese Salad for antipasto (starter); Prosciutto di Parma, Gorgonzola and Provolone at the Cheese Corner, Ministrone with Oxtripe for soups; and Ciabatta and Focaccia at the Bread Basket. The Italian Station has different kinds of pasta and pizza. You can have your pasta customized, prepared and cooked while you have a choice of Seafood Calzone, Seafood Marinara, and Margharita for the pizza.
Pollo Cacciatore ala Hunter and Pork Saltimbocca are available at the Chafing area, while Italian sausages are at the On The Grill station. Eggplant and Zucchini Parmigiana is included in the Main Dish. And cap your dinner with a dessert of Tiramisu.
Spain
When one mentions “tapas”, one can instantly think of Spanish food. It also has “arroz” or rice dishes in its cuisine, along with beans and cereals. and cereals. Sauces and spices are not uncommon in Spanish gastronomy, as early Spanish explorations were launched with the mission of finding spices from other parts of the world.
With the Philippine gastronomy heavily influenced by the Spaniards, there are certain commonalities in some of our food. So, do not be surprised to find a Spanish corner at the Bon Appétit buffet offering. The corner has tapas like Gamba al Ajillo, Squid, Baby Octopus, Mejillones al Horno (Mussels), Salpicao con Pimientos Verde (Beef Salpicao), Ajo con Pollo (Chicken), Champignon al Ajillo. It also has Paella Negra de Mariscos, along with the Calamar Relleno con Romesco (Stuffed Squid with Romesco Sauce) at the main course. But that’s jumping the gun. Don’t forget to start off with Jamon Serrano as appetizer and try the Estofado de Ternera (Braised Beef Short Plate) at the Chafing section.
Switzerland
Bread and cheese are very popular in Switzerland. It comes as no surprise why you’ll find several of their food products in the Cheese Corner and Bread Basket of Bon Appétit. Take a slice of these cheeses: Raclette, Gruyere and Emmental; or a plate of these breads: Züpfe (Braided Bread); Bündner Birnenbrot and Augustweggli Buns.
There are many more choices in the buffet offering of L’Fisher Hotel’s Ripples Restaurant. I also spotted oysters, green shells, crabs, and prawns that will delight seafood lovers. Bon Appétit: A European Culinary Journey is available during the weekend dinner buffets of Ripples, from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Friday will have Seafood specials while Saturday is International offering. The buffet is only at Php599 net per adult and Php359 net per child. You can also enjoy this feast for free if you are accompanied by four full-paying guests. However, this special promo is not available during special days, holidays and on September 29. This is valid only for the Friday and Saturday Dinner Buffet at the Ripples Restaurant and it is not valid in conjunction with other promos or discounts of the hotel.
