Every mother deserves to have a Peninsula experience on her big day — and every day — that’s why The Peninsula Manila wants to celebrate moms the whole month of May with menus created especially for her by its chefs to enjoy while safely ensconced at home. The hotel suggests making Mother’s Day at home a celebration with a beautiful Peninsula Cakeaway Afternoon Tea Set, extravagant Mother’s Day Family Platters, and finish on a sweet note with delicious pastries, cakes, and confections. First there is the Mother’s Day Cakeaway Afternoon Tea Set, served in a vintage-patterned three-tier Afternoon Tea Set Box for three persons (P3,490). The afternoon tea treats include sandwiches like Herbed cream cheese and cucumber, Devilled egg, and Turkey ham with cheese and lettuce; a Spinach, sun-dried tomato and roasted capsicum quiche; a raisin scone, lemon curd, strawberry jam, clotted cream, raspberry eclair, and calamansi macaron, among other items. Then there is the “Mom is Queen on Mother’s Day” Menu which serves a minimum of three persons. The main courses are Herb Crusted Australian Lamb Rack (P2,490), US Beef Wellington (P2,490), Norwegian Salmon Wellington (P1,990), Cebu Pork Belly Lechon (P1,990),  and Whole Roasted Corn-fed Chicken (P990). The dishes come with a choice of two side dishes and one sauce. The side dish choices are Cauliflower and broccoli gratin, Black truffled mash potato, Chorizo mac & cheese, Buttered seasonal vegetables, and Bagoong and shrimp fried rice; while the sauce choices are red wine sauce, lemon butter crème sauce, mushroom gravy, liver sauce, and rosemary lamb jus. The whole family can enjoy the Mother’s Day Family Platters (serves a minimum of four persons) which include Pancit luglug (P1,990), Pancit canton (P1,990), Oven-baked lasagna (P2,490), Beef short ribs kare-kare (P2,490), and Bistek Tagalog made with US Angus beef (P2,490). For the mom with a sweet tooth, there are bakery items like Ube or Cheese ensaymada, Leche Flan doughnut, Caramelized crunchy brioche, Penstones, and Fresh strawberry and vanilla custard croissant. The hotel also offers a Special Mother’s Day Cake (serves eight persons): Raspberry chocolate mousse with moist chocolate sponge (P1,250). There are also Peninsula Dessert Tubs (P400, serves two persons) of Tiramisu, Banana Cream Pie, Tres Leches, and Grandma Chocolate Mousse; whole cakes (P1,500 for an eight person cake, P750 for a cake that serves four persons), namely Dulce De Leche and Churros Cheesecake, Fresh Strawberry n’ Cream Cake, Ube Leche Flan Cake, and Decadent Chocolate Cake; and boxes of macarons (P750 for six, P1,500 for 12). For inquiries and orders, call 8887-2888, send an e-mail to penboutiquepmn@peninsula.com or online at https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.

DIAMOND Hotel Philippines just added new culinary selections to its online shopping site onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com to turn mundane home meals into hotel-at-home feasts. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, give mom’s a treat by ordering the Coconut, Raspberry Confit, and Matcha with Crispy Praline Crunch Entremet Cake, or a Mother’s Day Grazing Box (which includes chocolate covered strawberries, French macarons, meringues, soft eclairs, and more), or any of the four special Chinese Luxury Set Platters. The online shopping site has plenty of other choices like the Diamond Hotel’s noodle platters — Seafood Bihon Guisado, Seafood Pancit Palabok, and Seafood Sotanghon Guisado. For lunch and snacks there are the Sandwich Grazing Boxes (serving two to four persons), with four to choose from. There are also Tea Time Boxes in three kinds — Continental, Filipino and Chinese, great for themed Zoom events and meetings. When planning the weekly meals and running out of ideas, order the Smoked Salmon Baked Sushi and Bacon & Cheese Baked Sushi, or the Boodle Platter which is an all-time Filipino favorite.  If it is a complete platter in one that you seek, the Bento Sets are available. For self-care, try the Vanilla Bomboloni, the hotel’s version of the Italian treat, or the Burnt Basque Diamond Cheesecake to share. For details visit onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com or e-mail restaurant_rsvn@diamondhotel.com. Lead time for orders on the online shopping site are mostly one day prior to the date of delivery except for Chinese Platters and Clams Selection which require two days. Payments may be made via credit card, PayPal, or online bank transfers (for Metrobank only). Orders must be picked up at the Main Entrance of Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, cor. Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE NEW World Makati Hotel is reopening Jasmine restaurant for its all-you-can-eat signature dim sum, barbecued dishes, desserts and more during Mother’s Day weekend, May 8 and 9. The venue will be accepting guests for lunch and dinner on May 8 and lunch on May 9 for the  Yum Cha offer. Takeout, pick-up and delivery services continue to be available daily for those who prefer to dine at home. Guests can try new additions to the menu such as Minced chicken and truffle mushroom dumpling and Pork bean curd with red berry, along with favorites such as barbecued Honey roasted pork, steamed Har gao shrimp dumplings, Xiao long bao Shanghainese pork dumplings, Shao mai pork and crab meat dumplings, and Barbecued pork buns, as well as Seafood taro puffs, Barbecued pork puffs, and much more. Some of the restaurant’s best-selling main courses are also included in the offer, such as the Deep-fried sole fillet with salted egg, Wok-fried Kong Pao chicken and cashew nuts, Sweet and sour pork, and Braised bean curd with black mushrooms. A selection of rice, noodle, and congee dishes are likewise available. Guests can opt to add more of Jasmine’s signature dishes to complete the meal. Dishes such as the famous Crispy pork belly (P240), Soy chicken (P240) and Pan-fried beef tenderloin (P280) are offered at an add-on price. All moms who dine on May 9 get a complimentary bath set gift. Jasmine’s Yum Cha is priced at P1,288 for Mother’s Day on Sunday. On May 8 and the succeeding weekends (except holidays), the rate is P1,088. All prices are nett. Jasmine’s premium dim sum may likewise be enjoyed in the comfort of home via takeout, pick up, or third-party delivery service. Two special Mother’s Day set menus are ideal for groups of four. Set menus 1 and 2 are priced at P6,988 and P7,988, respectively. An a la carte selection of their dim sum, soup, barbecued items, dessert, and more are available to order daily for lunch or dinner. A minimum spend of P5,000 or more for takeout, pick-up and delivery also comes a free bath set gift. For table reservations or orders, guests can call +632 8811-6888, send a message on Viber at 0917-888-4194 or e-mail fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com.

SOFITEL Philippine Plaza Manila presents its first cloud kitchen — named Easy Peasy — just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day. Easy Peasy features favorites, beloved classics, and new specialties delivered straight to one’s doorstep. With just a few taps of the finger, get a taste of treats such as Sofitel’s signature chocolate chip cookies, French croissant, pain au chocolat, a pizza and pasta menu, Singapore’s popular Hainanese chicken, savory and spicy Thaired beef curry, Tex-Mex staple slow-cooked steak fajitas, and prime US-grade Rib Eye steak, just to name a few. Easy Peasy’s menu is available daily, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and may be ordered directly through Facebook, by phone, or e-mail, as well as through major food delivery platforms Grab, Foodpanda, and Pickaroo. For inquiries and direct orders, send a message through the Easy Peasy Manila Facebook page or call 8832-6988 or e-mail H6308-FB12@sofitel.com. FollowEasy Peasy Manila on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and fresh promotions.

GRAND Hyatt Manila invites everyone to #DineAtHome and savor the  cuisines from The Grand Kitchen, No. 8 China House, and Florentine. The 5-star hotel’s teams of chefs and F&B professionals are working on menus for family dinners, birthdays, corporate meetings, virtual events, coffee breaks, or to simply satisfy sweet cravings. There are feasts for six featuring vegan, Western, and Chinese dishes. Patrons can choose from a variety of set meals, which include appetizers and main course platters. There are also ala carte options for big groups: curated 14 set menus that are perfect for corporate meetings and virtual events. Each set is complete with an appetizer, main course, dessert, and soda for beverage. The selection features a variety of cuisines including Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Italian, American, Indonesian, and German dishes. Each diner can choose their preferred meal set. Grand Hyatt Manila offers three sets of  snacks: sausage rolls, quiche lorraines, and empanadas matched with salads and a fruit cup or yogurt. For those with a sweet tooth, The Florentine offers seven sweet treats: a Whole Vegan Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mocha, Strawberry Cheesecake, Hazelnut Profiterole, Honey Dulce De Leche, Strawberry-Raspberry Shortcake, and the Signature Almond Florentine. Delivery is free for offices and clients within Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Deliveries to cities outside of BGC can be arranged by the customer using their preferred courier service. Curb-side pick-up is also available at the main driveway of the hotel from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general inquiries, contact Grand Hyatt Manila via e-mail at manila.grand@hyatt.com or call 8838-1234. For corporate clients and concerns, email mangh-events@hyatt.com.

DISCOVERY Primea prepares a festive Mother’s Day spread for families to enjoy at home. Offered throughout Mother’s Day weekend, the Spanish Feast at-home meal kit features a selection of tapas, main dishes, and sweet endings. Included in the selection are Croquetas de pollo y trufa with aioli dip, Tortilla de patatas with chorizo, onion, and parsley, plus Gambas al ajillo with garlic, EVOO, and a baguette. A serving of ensalada campera with seared tuna, mixed greens, olives, radish, cherry tomatoes and egg is a refreshing addition to the meal. The highlight of the spread are two Spanish dishes prepared by Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco. Offered only during Mother’s Day weekend, the paella de mar y montaña treats diners to the rich aromas and tastes of chicken, chorizo, shrimp, squid, green beans, and mushroom. The Pescado al horno is a seafood specialty, with oven-baked black bass, chickpeas, and romesco. For dessert, families can share the Crema catalana flan. A bottle of Prosecco or non-alcoholic sparkling wine accompanies the spread. The at-home meal kit also includes a complimentary box of Madelenas de Chocolate. Good for three to four persons, the Mother’s Day Spanish Feast is offered at P4,500 nett, and is available for direct takeout or delivery through the customers’ preferred courier service from May 7 to 9. The hotel recommends placing orders and payments in advance, at least 24 hours prior the desired pick up or delivery date. The at-home meal kit comes with reheating instructions to guide diners on how to properly warm up their meal at home. For details visit https://www.discoveryprimea.com/mothers-day-2021/. For orders and inquiries, customers may call 7955-8888 or e-mail primea.restaurants@discovery.com.ph.

CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City, Manila has whipped up special offers and food takeaways for the most important women in our lives. Café Eight makes dining at home more exciting with “Thai’s the Limit” — a flavor-packed lunch or dinner takeaway that the whole family can savor. Complete from appetizer to dessert, this Thai-inspired feast — Thai Shrimp Cake, Pomelo Salad, Thai Grilled Chicken, Pad Thai, and Sticky Mango Rice — is good for four people and served in a self-heating portable hotbox for P1,500 net. For the whole month of May, Firehouse Pizza offers a pizza date at home with a selection of one signature pizza, one pizza of the month, eight pieces of Parmesan fried chicken wings with garlic aioli, one pan of Bolognese with your choice of pasta, and six orders New York cheesecake, all for P2,000 net. The hotel’s soon-to-open patisserie and boulangerie, Baker J, has a Mother’s Day treat too: Breakfast in Bed Surprise which features buttery pastries such as Pain au Chocolat, Cashew Praliné, Raspberry croissant, Tigré, Financier, Madeleine, Canelé, Douceur mango paired with homemade pineapple jam. Cap the celebration off on a sweet note with Cakes as Sweet as Mom — Baker J’s Choco Royale, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Red Pearl, and Mango Graham cakes for 25% off. Moms will receive a free Rustan’s Gouache canvas pouch bag with a minimum purchase worth P1,500. For details, visit www.crimsonhotelfilinvestcity.com, call 0998-961-3409, or e-mail dining@crimsonhotel.com.

THROUGH a team up with Mayani, the Philippines’ fastest-growing farm-to-table platform, Ortigas Malls brings The Grand Bagsakan to Greenhills in San Juan, and to Tiendesitas and Estancia in Pasig where community members can get some of the best and freshest products straight from local farmers. Commencing this May, consumers will enjoy products like vegetables, cheese and dairy, meat products, and homemade food products straight from farms and cooperatives. This initiative enables Ortigas Malls to co-create a chain of positive impact by granting customers access to quality goods while giving  hardworking farmers better earning opportunities. Consumers can now place orders — the cutoff will be on May 12 at noon. The Grand Bagsakan event starts on May 14, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and its drive-by stations will be in strategic locations around the malls. This initiative will run once a month until the end of the year — on June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 26, and Dec. 23. Order now through http://cutt.ly/BAGSAKAN. Meanwhile, enjoy outdoor dining and everything it has to offer at Ortigas Malls, which have opened up al fresco dining areas. Visit Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria now and enjoy a memorable al fresco dining experience.

KENNY Rogers Roaster’s Garlic Butter Roast chicken is making a comeback. The flavorful rotisserie-roasted chicken is back with its garlic-infused, creamy buttery sauce. The Garlic Butter Roast comes in two meal selections: Solo Plate B comes with a quarter garlic butter chicken, two side dishes, rice, and Kenny Rogers’ homemade muffin for P305; and the Garlic Butter Group Meal which has a whole garlic butter chicken, four side dishes, four rice and homemade muffins, and a 1.5 liter of Pepsi for P1,060. Every garlic butter chicken is served with garlic butter sauce and peppered garlic-potato garnish. Kenny Rogers Roasters has also added two new side dishes: Orzo Salad with rice-shaped orzo pasta mixed with tomatoes and a sweet tangy dressing, and a Cauliflower Gratin complete with baked cauliflower with white sauce topped with melted cheese. Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Garlic Butter Chicken is available for a limited time only. Order via kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph or call the hotline at 8-555-9000. It can also be ordered via GrabFood and Food Panda.

SINCE last year, McDonald’s has begun investing in creating more outdoor dining spaces by setting up tables and chairs outside for customers to have more options where they can enjoy their favorite meals. This is in addition to improving existing outdoor dining facilities already integrated in the store design. Under the M Safe program, stringent health and safety protocols are in place to assure that diners can enjoy their food while assured of a high standard of safety. Customers who will visit the stores will be subjected to contact-tracing and temperature checks, and are required to wear face masks and shields. Social distancing will be followed at all times from queueing for their orders and while dining in. Cashless payment options are also available in stores to minimize physical contact. Another outdoor dining innovation is McDonald’s Bike & Dine wherein cyclists have a dining space after they have “Ride Thru” or ordering through the Drive Thru lane. With Bike & Dine, cyclists can mount their bike securely in racks that are attached to a ledge which doubles as a table. Through this, bike-riding customers can enjoy their meals without worrying about the safety of their bicycles. Cyclists can already enjoy this in the Vermosa and McKinley West branches, and soon, in more stores nationwide. To check which McDonald’s stores offer outdoor dining options, visit the McDonald’s website at https://mcdonalds.com.ph/store-locator and click the “Outdoor” option. Customers may also use the same website to be updated on the daily operations of stores, and check if the branches offer Take-Out, Drive-Thru and McDelivery.

FOR the summer, Shake Shack offers an Order ahead, Skip the booking promo — for a minimum spend of P2,500, the diner can skip booking a rider and the delivery fees when they order two days (or more) ahead. Just call a Shack outlet, choose a time slot range between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. and settle the payment. Together with SpeedFood, Shake Shack will take care of the delivery, fuss free. The promo runs for a limited time only. Planning a Mother’s Day lunch or dinner? From May 7 to 9, buy P2,500 of Shake Shack products and get a Shack White wine. Available only to cities without an imposed liquor ban (check with your local government if your area is covered by the liquor ban policy before ordering). Finding it tricky to plan a safe get together? Pay tribute to mom through social media. Post a photo of you and your mom two-gether on your Instagram feed and let everyone know in the caption what fine (or funny) traits you got from her. Tag @shakeshackph and use the hashtag #gotitfromher. Five winners will get Shack gift cards worth P1,000 each. Giveaway runs from May 5 to 8. Winners will be posted on Shack’s official Instagram account @shakeshackph on May 9.

FOR a quick pick-me-up, try the MAYA Happy Mug — just add water then pop it in the microwave oven for two minutes. Available in chocolate and caramel flavors, these convenient special mug cakes come in ready-to-mix single servings and come with their own syrup packets. While good all on its own, MAYA Happy Mug can also be a great base for other sweet creations. For instance, add in apple pie filling and whipped cream to the chocolate mug cake mix to have some Chocolate Apple Pie Mugcake. Just pour half of the chocolate cake mixture into the mug cake packaging cup and fill the center with a tablespoon of apple pie filling. Add the remaining mug cake mixture. Pop it in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds without the cover or lid. Let it cool for a few minutes before topping it with whipped cream and more apple pie filling right before serving. Follow and like Maya Hotcakes and More on Facebook, and @MayaHotcakesandMore on Instagram and Twitter.