SOFITEL MANILA’s famed buffet restaurant Spiral reopened its doors on Oct. 2, making a number of changes to adapt to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These range from safety and hygiene measures to new dishes prepared àla minute.

Spiral’s newest section, the Central Market, guests personally select premium-quality produce which are then prepared àla minute in the other sections. For example, seafood can be prepared  in various styles like moules marinière, fritto misto, or seafood al forno at the French Stove, mala hotpot or wok stir-fried at the Chinese station, as customized teppanyaki at the Hot Japanese station, or a special chef’s recommendation prepared from a secret menu.

With the reopening come refinements across Spiral’s 21 ateliers — as the various sections are known — under the leadership of newly appointed Executive Chef Bettina Arguelles,the first Filipina Executive Chef in a five-star international branded hotel in the Philippines.

The Asian section highlights the contemporary food cultures of Filipino, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Singaporean, and Vietnamese cuisines, reflecting the resurgence of its regional specialties. Over at the North Indian atelier, signature dishes are enhanced with new additions to the line-up including a chat corner and live roti station. The grills of the Churrasco station are back at work with crowd-favorite premium meats and butcher sausages. The French Stove presents an elevated menu on premium weekends with indulgences like caviar, pasta and risotto finished on a cheese wheel, and a newly added crudo bar. L’Epicerie now offers all-time favorites including raclette, and cheese and charcuterie platter du jour curated from the metro’s widest fromage selection. The Japanese atelier offers savory items with staples like donburi, nabemono, and men ya. The Patisserie, Boulangerie, and Chocolaterie have been revamped with a refreshed take on local ingredients, seasonal items, and dynamic dessert trends.

At Spiral, flexibility is king.  Diners can enjoy unlimited freedom in customizing their dishes — be it in  food preparation or ingredient combinations — based on their personal preference.

With the ongoing pandemic, the health and well-being of guests and staff remain the top priority of Spiral and Sofitel Manila. Spiral now has a one-way system with floor markings to help maintain physical distancing protocols. Physical distancing will also be maintained when ordering at the ateliers and when dining at the table.  Each plate at the ateliers will only come in contact with the diner. Face mask use is required on the premises until one starts to eat — face mask containers will be provided. All employees — from the sommeliers to the attendants and receptionists – wear both face masks and face shields. Accor has launched the ALLSAFE Cleanliness and Prevention Label, a signature set of global cleanliness and prevention criteria developed with and vetted by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections, and certification. The hotel then integrates its benchmarks with national and local government guidelines.

Operating hours at spiral are from noon to 2:30 p.m. for the lunch buffet, and 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the dinner buffet.

Seating capacity is currently limited to 30%percent withone-meter spacing between guests.Transparent dividers are installed on reception desks and culinary ateliers while private dining rooms are available for more exclusivity. Staff members are equipped with safety apparel while queues are managed with floor signages for demarcation. As they embark on their gastronomic journey, guests may go around the various ateliers to select their favorite specialties following a strict one-way route.To maintain minimal exposure, each plate shall only be in contact with the guest, apart from the chef safely serving the dish from their respective atelier. A one-dish-per-plate policy shall be implemented to avoid cross-contamination. For made-to-order dishes, order numbers shall be provided to the guest for claiming. Further hygiene measures are implemented with an online beverage menu accessible through a QR code on each table while contactless payment solutions via GCash, Alipay, WeChatPay, and GrabPay are made available. In accordance with government protocols, guests below 21 years old and above 60 years old are not permitted to dine in the restaurant during General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Spiral is operational during the first three weekends of October during the following meal periods: Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch. Rates are set at Php 2,850 for lunch, Php 3,500 for dinner, and Php 4,350 for brunch. “For over a decade, Spiral Manila has been the landmark of gastronomic feasts that have been part of countless gatherings and memorable occasions. As we face a new environment, the unwavering Filipino spirit carries on and perhaps now, more than ever, is more attuned to the finer celebrations of life and its milestones. With the ALLSAFE label, we ensure that the overall well-being of guests is at the very heart of our purpose as we safely reopen Spiral,” shares Food & Beverage Director Anne-Sophie Hurtaud. For reservations and inquiries, please call (+632) 8-832-6988 or emailH6308-FB12@sofitel.com. Follow Spiral Manila’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates and fresh promotions. Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St. James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of Accor, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome in almost 4,800 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.sofitel.com|accorhotels.group MEDIA CONTACT: Margot Calimon, Public Relations Manager Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

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