Swissness from A-Z at Cafe Marco

It was a gastronomic feast, in the full sense of the word as several expats, mostly Swiss, family and guests warmed up the evening under the red color and emblem of the Swiss flag. Glasses of wine, a stage ready for the event and, tables and tables of Swiss dishes that made my mouth water. Within minutes, men dressed in Swiss guard uniforms entered carrying both the Philippine and Swiss flags.

August 1 is Swiss National Day that commemorates when, in 1291, a historic alliance by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden was formed that became the core of what Switzerland is now and 2014 marks the 723rd year from that event. For its nationals who have made the Philippines home and settled in Visayas and Mindanao, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu was the venue for this momentous event.

This is my first time to attend a country’s National Day celebration and it’s quite interesting as it provides you a glimpse of the rich culture and heritage of that country. In the case of Switzerland, known for its cheeses and chocolates, its good to know its food beyond the two.

Every month, Cafe Marco, the hotel’s award winning signature restaurant (Miele Guide, 5th best restaurant in the Philippines, 2013) embarks on a 10-day food event, aptly called Culinary Journeys that showcases a particular cuisine or theme. And for this month, its all Swiss.

And Swiss it is with several tables featuring the many dishes of this great country. But we were mostly excited with seeing wheels of cheeses at one table, a fondue setup at another, a dessert spread that made my mouth water, cold cuts including landjaeger, and of course, chocolates and chocolate cakes at one separate table.

And these were the most popular with several guests lining up and hovering, and whisking at the fondue, breaking off a piece of the chocolate cake or asking questions about the raclette and curiously trying it out. Raclette, by the way, is an authentic Swiss dish that consists of a slab of raclette cheese, heating and scraping off the melted part. You then put it on top of breads, potatoes, pearl onions and more.

Interested to have a piece of Swiss delights? Do check out the Swiss smorgasbord at Cafe Marco and have a taste of Switzerland.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s Cafe Marco embarks on a Swiss culinary journey this month of August from 1-10. Lunch Buffet opens at 12:00 until 2:30 in the afternoon at Php 1,099 Net per person. Dinner Buffet opens at 6:30 to 10:00 in the evening at Php 1,345 Net per person.

The Swiss Embassy is also building up its Facebook page. Why not LIKE them and support their efforts in the country? Like their FB page, SwissEmbassyManila.

Cafe Marco
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Cebu (032) 253 1111 and Manila (02) 887 1263
fb@marcopolocebu.com