Italian classics, Filipino-inspired coffee, and a fresh reason to dine in Ortigas are coming together this September at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.
The hotel has introduced two new culinary offerings that put a fresh spin on familiar flavors. Cucina’s Taste of Italia brings Italian favorites to the buffet table, while Cafe Pronto’s new coffee series gives classic coffee creations a distinctly Filipino character.
For travelers and food lovers looking for a new dining stop in Ortigas, the new offerings give you two different ways to experience the flavors of Italy and the Philippines under one roof.
Cucina Brings the Flavors of Italy to Ortigas
The highlight of the September dining lineup is Cucina’s Taste of Italia, an Italian-themed buffet designed around the variety and comfort of Italian cuisine.
Available from Thursday to Sunday for lunch and Thursday to Saturday for dinner, the buffet features a selection of Italian-inspired dishes that bring familiar regional flavors to the table.
Among the featured dishes are:
- Osso Buco Milanese
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Tomato and Burrata Salad
- Crostata
- Limoncello
- Various Italian-inspired specialties
The menu gives diners a chance to sample different Italian flavors in one sitting, making it a practical option for family meals, gatherings, and weekend dining.
The setting at Cucina also plays into the experience. Italian dining is often associated with long meals shared around the table, and the restaurant takes that same approach with a setting designed for groups and gatherings.
Cafe Pronto Gives Filipino Flavors a Coffee Twist
If Italian food takes center stage at Cucina, Cafe Pronto turns the spotlight toward Filipino flavors.
The cafe has launched a new coffee series featuring three creations:
- White Choco Ube Latte
- Chilled Espresso Sunrise
- Creamy Peanut Butter Latte
The lineup takes familiar ingredients and pairs them with espresso in ways that give traditional coffee a local character.
The White Choco Ube Latte is one of the standout creations. It combines espresso, white chocolate, and ube for a drink that brings together coffee’s roasted notes with the sweetness and distinctive character of ube.
For Filipino diners, ube needs little introduction. The purple-hued ingredient has long been part of local favorites such as ube halaya and halo-halo. It now appears in everything from desserts to pastries and beverages.
At Cafe Pronto, it takes on another form as a coffee drink.
Why Ube Works With Coffee
Ube and coffee might sound like an unexpected pairing, but their flavor profiles can work well together.
Espresso brings bitterness and roasted notes. White chocolate adds sweetness and creaminess. Ube contributes its familiar earthy, mildly sweet flavor.
The result is a coffee creation that feels familiar to Filipino diners while still offering something different from the usual latte.
For visitors exploring Metro Manila’s food scene, it also reflects a broader shift toward incorporating recognizable Filipino ingredients into contemporary food and beverage offerings.
Italian Classics Meet Filipino-Inspired Coffee
The two new offerings tell different sides of the same story.
At Cucina, classic Italian dishes remain at the center of the dining experience. At Cafe Pronto, Filipino ingredients are given a contemporary coffee treatment.
Hotel Manager Marie Buenaobra described the approach as a balance between tradition and change.
“Tradition gives cuisine its identity, but evolution keeps it alive.”
That idea runs through the September offerings. The focus isn’t simply on recreating traditional dishes or adding Filipino ingredients for novelty. Instead, the hotel is presenting familiar culinary traditions in forms suited to today’s diners.
What to Expect at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
If you’re planning a food trip around Ortigas, these new offerings give you two options to add to your itinerary.
For Italian food: Head to Cucina for the Taste of Italia buffet, available every Thursday to Sunday for lunch and Thursday to Saturday for dinner.
For Filipino-inspired coffee: Drop by Cafe Pronto on the ground floor and try the White Choco Ube Latte, Chilled Espresso Sunrise, or Creamy Peanut Butter Latte.
The combination also makes Marco Polo Ortigas Manila worth considering for a food-focused stop when you will be staying or spending time in the Ortigas area.
For reservations and inquiries, contact Marco Polo Ortigas Manila at (+632) 7720 7777 or email manila@marcopolohotels.com.