Persian delights

Manila, Philippines -  Makati Shangri-La introduces Persian Delights every Monday evening at Circles Event Cafe, featuring exotic cuisine prepared by executive sous chef Hamed Ghayedi. A native of Iran, chef Hamed brings with him over 10 years of extensive culinary experience in Middle Eastern cuisine as he has also worked for luxury hotels in the Middle East, including Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.

Some of chef Hamed’s creations include kibbeh (rice and chopped meat) with tahini sauce, kashk-e bademjan (Persian eggplant spread) and cheese sambousek (meat pie) for appetizers; ash-e gousht for the soup; followed by salad options like hummus, moutabal (eggplant paste), tabouleh (vegetable salad), fattoush (bread salad) and Arabic bread. For the main course: chicken shawarma, lapu-lapu ghaliya mahi (fish specialty), zereshk polo ba murg (rice with chicken and condiments), bamia bil laham (okra with lamb and spices) and a mix of grilled Persian fare such as kubideh (minced meat), jujeh (chicken), lamb chops and shrimps. Featured Arabic desserts include um ali (bread pudding), mahalabiya (milk custard), kunafa (pastry with cheese filling) and a platter of fresh fruits. To refresh the palate, special Persian beverages like sharbat-e lemu (traditional Arabian drink) and yoghurt are also offered.

Other new dishes to look forward to at the Persian Delights buffet every Monday evening are cold mezzeh or appetizers, Moroccan lamb soup, an extensive selection of kebab, falooda (a cold beverage) and mixed baklava at the dessert station. Lamb is served at the live carving station with kebsa rice with spices and Persian hot salsa, daghous sauce.

Apart from Persian Delights, guests may enjoy the rest of the week with Italian cuisine with Notte Italiana every Tuesday, local flavors with Filipino Fiesta every Wednesday, Indian cuisine with Spice Up, India! every Thursday, the ocean’s finest at Seafood Market every Friday, steaks and other barbecued favorites with Off the Grill every Saturday, and a hearty breakfast to start the day with Sunday Brunch.

(Call 813-888 for reservations.)