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 miss Burmese cuisine – it's a little bit oily but I love their mohingas – I love it because it started me on my journey of appreciating spicy food – before I started appreciating Burmese food, I didn't know how to appreciate the spiciness in food – now, I can eat even the spiciest Thai food and still see myself smiling (and sweating hahaha!)
LikeLike
My fave cuisine would have to be Thai 🙂 I love how each dish is a blend of so many flavors. I also like the spices that they use.
LikeLike
I love Indian cuisine, and would have to say that it tops my charts. The strong flavours and interesting textures make Indian food trips no less than exciting.
LikeLike
I love Mexican cuisine! The spicy food really sticks to my palate and makes me dance salsa all the time!
LikeLike
i like an authentic moroccan lamb stew with couscous and you can only eat couscous on fridays becayse that's how they roll. Hahaha. i was in Rabat before, government capital of Morocco. its available in the hotels 7 days a week, but for real locals they just make it a friday tradition 😉
LikeLike
Hi Noelle, I can't really enter the contest b/c I won't be in Pinas anytime soon, but Indian food all the way for me. 😀
LikeLike
It's still Filipino food for me because it's simple but definitely tasty and I do love seafoods specially scallops . . . . hhmmm, yum yum!
LikeLike
My favorite cuisine would be Chinese cuisine, which i grew up eating with. =) Because some dishes really bring out not only the good taste of it but also give you the health benefit, just like a bowl of black chicken with various herbs.. a culinary dish passed along from the ancient history.
LikeLike
i like italian cuisine, pizza is my favorite, also the panizza. yum! 🙂
LikeLike
I am so into Italian and Thai cuisine. Flavors, Spices and Pasta will always be on top of my list!
LikeLike
i love italian cuisine and it has led me into experimenting in our kitchen trying to see if i can copy their fantastic sauces.
LikeLike
Filipino food is still the best! especially adobo!=)
LikeLike
Italian cuisine is my favorite. I love its diversity, the aroma of the various herbs and spices. Risotto, pizza, pasta, I simply love italian cuisine
LikeLike
my answer would be the american cuisine. my tongue is drooling on the the modern fast food industry types of food which are developed largely out of American innovations. yum!
LikeLike
For me my favorite cuisine is greek because its healthy and tasty. once you have tasted it you will definitely go back to eat some more.
LikeLike
my favorite cuisine is Greek because they generously use olive oil in their dishes. what a healthy way to serve up a meal!
LikeLike
Hi, now this is a topic I really love, its all about FOOD!!! I highly recommend guys Greek Cuisine/Food. Im into mediterranean food such as mixed grilled kebabs, Panna Cotta and Tartufo. just typing these food makes my mouth water. there's also the kebab pizza for those who want a touch of Italian food. They have the perfect pita breads and lamb chops to go with it! Yummy!!!! Try Greek food guys, you wont regret it!
LikeLike
hello, im the one who posted before (Anonymous) user name is monchit. sorry made a mistake earlier
LikeLike
My favorite cuisine is japanese because I love tempura very much.
LikeLike
I love everything Italian. You can create a million recipe with pasta! Simply delectable!
LikeLike
I love Italian cuisine! You can never go wrong with pizza and pasta. Mamma Mia! 🙂
LikeLike
I like Japanese cuisine and I love Pinoy desserts because they cooperate well with my taste buds.
LikeLike
Filipino food especially adobo, sinigang and laing …Our family also loves pasta and pizza . .
LikeLike
i heart Filipino and Thai cuisine… my taste buds wants them so bad! 😀 still, Pinoy food is the best!
LikeLike
My favorite is Filipino cuisine especially the "kakanins" I love it!
LikeLike
I love Filipino cuisine and Chinese cuisine I find the dishes mouth-watering and creative.
LikeLike
I love Filipino and Chinese cuisine. I find the dishes creative and mouth-watering, and they are close to our culture.
LikeLike
i like italian cuisine because I'm a pizza and pasta lover. Italian ftw!benedict0510@yahoo.com
LikeLike
My favorite is Korean cuisine because they look good and taste good!
LikeLike
I love italian cuisine,hubby and I and our kids love pasta and pizza.
LikeLike
Mine would be Chinese because it has a wide range of tastes. From simple to the most extravagant dishes.
LikeLike
My all time favorite cuisines would have to be Spanish and Filipino because I find the dishes very flavorful. I always find myself eating a lot with these types of food because they just smell and taste so good. ^^vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com
LikeLike
I love Italian cuisine! I am in search for the best pizza ever!
LikeLike
Filipino cuisine! Easy to prepare very delicious and nutritious.
LikeLike
Italian. It's just a plethora of flavors and wonder. Each region's different from the next. Their emphasis on getting only the best ingredients shows how much the Italians love and enjoy their food.
LikeLike
I do really love chinese's cause of its variety of flavors…
LikeLike
I like Filipino, Western, Chinese, Italian and Japanese Cuisine!
LikeLike
i love Filipino cuisine!…..Filipino food is not that well-known in the US (compared to Thai food for example).Filipino cuisine is "sophisticated and exotic", it is not a cuisine that can be called "high class," but it is a cuisine that can be called DELICIOUS!
LikeLike
I love Filipino cuisine because of its delightful combination of flavors. It's also not very spicy and is presented in such a way that you can't resist to eat the dish.
LikeLike
I love Italian Cuisine, especially the pasta. Chinese cuisine is also very good since they have a lot of delicious foods.
LikeLike
For me, I like the Japanese cuisine. My husband actually introduced me to Japanese food. I like the subtle taste and the not so-heavy feeling after you dine. Finally, I like the makis because its rice and viand at the same time dipped in Japanese soy sauce with a little hint of wasabi.
LikeLike
Japanese. Whenever I visit Jap restos with friends or family, i would be eating off everyone's plates, even if its improper for Japan culture.
LikeLike
I super Love love love chinese food. When i was a kid, we used to attend all these Chinese functions, engagement parties, weddings. Yummy. Plus i went to Hongkong and ate everything on sight. Street food or whatever i had my fill.
LikeLike
my favorite cuisine is japanese! i love how they were able to translate their lovely, healthy and traditional lifestyle into their cuisine
LikeLike
my fave is got to be filipino food. filipino food has a flair for cooking their dishes. they have flavors incorporated from all over the archipelago
LikeLike
my fave is chinese. they have a variety of flavors and their food has been passed on from dynasties
LikeLike
i like chinese and japanese. both dishes comes from close oriental cultures
LikeLike
i like american. bbqs and burgers
LikeLike
i like japanese. i love trying out different sushi
LikeLike
My favorite cuisine is fusion! I like trying new food combinations. I think it's exciting to the taste palette.
LikeLike