Dining with characters...I'll never be above it. Because if there's one thing I excel at, it's make-believe. Plus, seeing various cartoon characters takes you back to the good ol' days.
Let's face it, the biggest wish us adults have is to gain back our lost youth. Since there's no permanent solution for that, I'll take a Band-Aid effect such as Hyatt City of Dreams The Café's Character Dining Experience.
Related Articles
That's just how I call it. It's actually officially called the "Best Buffet Brunch Ever".
Elevated part of Hyatt City of Dreams The Café's main dining area |
| Sushi and Sashimi Section |
The first character dining experience I had was eons ago in Disneyland. I was probably 3 or 4 y/o, fat, with slightly curly hair, and super cute - according to my mom. As a kid who loved to eat a lot, plus a mind that whirs relentlessly about Minnie Mouse, I was definitely over the moon.
I still get excited like that even today! The character dining experience at The Café doesn't have Minnie Mouse, but it does have my favorite Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Po, and Tigress!
The Café is always part of the list that I give to those who ask me about the "best" hotel buffet in Manila. Best for me means a buffet that has more than 90% hits.
I haven't really been to a buffet where all the choices are sublime. There's always one or three choices that will fail to hit your sweet spot.
Greens and premade salads
I've always liked the Antipasto Section of The Café. They have good cured meat! They even served Txanton's Jamón Iberico here once before. I looked for that one as soon as I arrived, to no avail. That's all right. There's a Jamón Serrano secured in a hamholder right next to the antipasti party above.
The highlight of the Italian Section for me was the adultified version of the classic mac and cheese.
The Truffle Mac and Cheese was a gooey, no-frills mac and cheese with a slap of truffle oil. Delicious! Please take a look at exhibit A below.
The Truffle Mac and Cheese was a gooey, no-frills mac and cheese with a slap of truffle oil. Delicious! Please take a look at exhibit A below.
If you want to upgrade it, have a few pieces of steamed shrimp {right next to the Sushi Section} grilled or fried. Place them on top of your mac and cheese and enjoy!
There's no additional charge for these refreshing juices! Yay!
I wasn't able to try the U.S. Angus Steak because I was busy stuffing my face with Lechon Macau. It's been described as "really good" by those who have tried it, though.
One of the many live stations at Hyatt City of Dreams The Café
You can create a plate of delicious mess that can be doled out depending on your mood, of course.
A lot of people were piling their plates with layers upon layers of nacho chips and toppings! I kept it simple with just a few pieces of chips, a spoonful of ground beef, and a hefty serving of cheese sauce.
A lot of people were piling their plates with layers upon layers of nacho chips and toppings! I kept it simple with just a few pieces of chips, a spoonful of ground beef, and a hefty serving of cheese sauce.
Precooked dishes begging to be tried. The best precooked dish for me was the Blackened Tilapia with Horseradish. That one is supreme! I thought I took a photo of it, but as it turns out, I didn't. Story of my life.
Anyway, the tilapia was coated with a well-balanced blend of herbs and spices, seared, then topped with creamy horseradish sauce. It was the dish that I kept going back for once I've tried almost all the dishes in the spread.
Asian Section: Deep-fried snapper with salted egg, beef chow fan, Thai chili pork, wok-fried vegetable with crab meat sauce, Singaporean fried bihon, and varieties of fried rice.
I was unofficially the ambassador for Hyatt City of Dreams The Café's Lechon Macau that day. The quality is similar to what you'd get at a Chinese fine dining restaurant. I kept reminding everyone on our table to get a few pieces while they're still hot. Since I very rarely eat Lechon Macau, I went crazy and got more than what my heart could handle.
Dessert Section - the favorite section of both kids and adults! There were different types of cakes, chocolate fountain skewers, fresh fruits, cotton candy, various candies, various chocolates, and much, much more!
Dreamworks characters interacting with guests. The adults were more thrilled than the kids!
The characters will come to each table in successive streams. They will also have a dance program halfway through the brunch.
The characters will come to each table in successive streams. They will also have a dance program halfway through the brunch.
Here's the best part: Hyatt City of Dreams The Café's Best Buffet Brunch Ever guests will have a free, all-day access pass to Dreamscape! But the catch is, the access should be used on the same day only. Not bad. Not bad at all!
Hyatt City of Dreams The Café's Best Buffet Brunch Ever will be available on all Sundays of August 2018 from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Adult price: PhP 1,999 net
Kids ages 6-12 y/o: PhP 1,288
Kids 0-5 y/o: PhP 480
The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams
The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams
Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard,
Entertainment City, Parañaque, Manila
Tel. No. (+632) 691.12.34
Website: www.cityofdreamsmanila.hyatt.com
Facebook: Hyatt City of Dreams Manila
Twitter: @HyattCODManila
Instagram: @hytattcityofdreamsmanila
Onward and Upward!
