I have to admit, I’m not particularly adventurous when it comes to cuisine — my palate reacts too strongly to spices, and if I’m hungry I’d rather eat something I’m familiar with. Still, from time to time I can be persuaded to try something new.
Last Friday my family and I were invited to Oceana’s first anniversary-slash-restaurant launch at San Miguel by the Bay, Mall of Asia complex. Although Oceana itself has been there for a while now (it occupies one whole building near MOA’s IMAX wing), it was primarily a school kitchen for the Center for Culinary Arts, and an events place. This year, they decided to go full steam ahead with the restaurant, offering plated selections from around the world.
a dish called “Tasting Manila”
The CCA is also behind restaurant concepts such as Cravings and C2 Classic Cuisine. However, Oceana restaurant’s focus is on offering tastes from cities ranging from Sao Paolo to Hanoi. It’s world cuisine with a twist, just like the bibingka souffle we ordered to cap off our dinner. Wait, a bibingka souffle?!
cheesy, salted-eggy, custardy goodness topped with a fluffy souffle
Although the plated dishes range around 500 pesos or more each, the servings are for sharing. There are also some more affordable selections on the menu. I would actually want to be taken to Oceana on a date; but of course, the gentleman always pays. *wink*
I have a number of gift certificates from Oceana I’d like to give away, but of course I’d rather have a contest. So, here are the rules. Leave a comment below answering the following question: “What is your favorite cuisine and why?” I will use a randomizer to pick three winners, who will get a bundle of five (5) gift certificates each from Oceana. I will shoulder postage, so all you have to do is comment away!
Taste the World
UPDATE (05/17/10): Contest winners!
In My Pocket 
i am a big fan of french cuisine because the french takes the typical appetizer-main course-dessert arrangement to a whole new plane. it's almost ceremonial. i also like savoring some wine and nibbling on some high-quality fromage after a delicious meal. but perhaps, the best thing about french cuisine is the way it changed our dining experience. We often think it’s all about what’s in the pot and the level of our knife skills, but really, it's all about getting some people we love around us and enjoying the food.
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I love Italian cuisine. I love its flavorful taste of Italian food. I love pasta and pizza. Yes, I love the simpleness of Italian cuisine.
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Definitely italian cuisine!! :)Why? Coz it suits my tastebuds sooo much!! :))I just love it 🙂
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JAPANESE CUISINE FOR THE WIN! My dad introduced it to me when I was little. Now, my mom, brother and sister love it as well!
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I love cuisines from Singapore.. hainanese chicken, pepper crab and laksa, they were simply delicious blends of flavor and spices..
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"What is your favorite cuisine and why?" my favorite cuisine is PINOY ORIGINAL CUISINE…. because its very UNIQUE the taste and designs and so goooooood!!11
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I like Italian. Pasta and Pizza is a must for me. They're the best combination ever.
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I just love Chinese food. with over 1 billion eating it, you can't go wrong. what Chinese food lacks in presentation, (not to mention the ambiance in some Chinese eateries) more than makes up for the price you pay and the satisfaction you ge for a very fulfilling meal 🙂
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I love ITALIAN cuisine because I'm a big fan of pasta and it's very hearty and healthy!
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you can't go wrong with Italian! any time any day! choose a variety of awesome pasta and sauces! and what's best about it: definitely for sharing! =)lite_blue112yahooLloydb
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Nothing beats Filipino Cuisine! Wherever you are, surely, you'll crave for Filipino Cuisine. As the saying goes, Home Sweet Home..
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i really love Chinese cuisine. I grew up eating a of Chinese food and really loved the different flavors of its food. Aside from the mix of flavors, I also like its diversity in terms of presentation; some are presented really simply focusing on the main meat and some are very colorful, with different herbs & side dishes.
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Nothing beats the heat with a pinoy halohalo special! overflowing with tasty ingredients with lots of shaved ice!! awesome dessert!Lloydblite_blue112www.halohalospecial.com
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Nothing beats Filipino cuisine. What can I say, I'm biased to whatever my dad cooks. 😛
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I love Filipino cuisine because it's a fusion of tastes of every continent.Whatever you're looking for, you'll find in a number of places in the country!It does cater to every tongue in the world!
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There's nothing like the Filipino Cuisine!But if I will be asked on what cuisine is my "second language", I would say Italian. I love pasta and tomato dishes, gives me a taste of Europe – my dream destination.
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italian for me. i just love pizzas and pasta. 🙂
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i love spanish food. because they're palatable and oily and sinful
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"What is your favorite cuisine and why?" my favorite of course is Filipino food.. love ur own.. yeah!
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Filipino cuisine ftw! Nothing beats the great taste of lutong Pinoy. Yum yum!
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I love Italian cuisine with its diverse pasta, pizza and sauces!
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Italian cuisine. From the preparation to the detailed intricacies of presentation, you'll know that it is prepared with love and care. Its like being transported to a romantic place that is Italy..maarja(underscore)yasmina(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I love Filipino cuisine because it's flavorful and really delicious.
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I love Korean food. I super love spicy food.
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i love filipino food syempre love our own.
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filipino food of course. nandun na lahat wala ng hahanapin pang iba
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Definitely, Filipino cuisine for me. Nothing beats the delectable taste of our very own dishes. Tickles my taste buds every time.
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I love Italian cuisine… it has so many interesting spices and the taste is so unique. I also feel that romance is in the air when you eat italian food =)
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Mine would be Japanese cuisines mainly because its simplicity and elegance
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I always love italian cuisines. Their pasta and pizza are really tempting and ooh so yummy. Can't wait to eat one again.
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My favorite is the Italian cuisine. You can eat it on its own. No need to combine with other dishes. Plus, it has a lot healthier because it has less fat but does not lose its flavor. The extra virgin olive oil and cheese is also addicting.
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My favorite cuisine is Japenese because of its variety of preparation and taste.
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My favorite cuisine is italian because everyone in our family likes it including out toddler. You also get tons of food with salad and bread sticks at most.onemig.astorga@gmail.com
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thanks everyone for joining this contest and commenting! closing the comment form now and picking winners via random.org.
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