BY JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
Mott 32 gives gourmands more reasons to fly to Cebu with the addition of an extensive dim sum lunch menu and an equally impressive Spring-Summer menu.
Located at the sprawling Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City, Mott 32, the internationally acclaimed modern Chinese restaurant from Hong Kong, has been whetting the appetite of the country’s most discerning diners with its unique arrays of food and beverage since it opened its doors last year. More importantly, it continues to satisfy such cravings by keeping its menu fresh, exciting and delicious.
PeopleAsia recently visited the much-talked about restaurant for the launch of its dim sum lunch offerings. “The dim sum menu in Cebu is around 80 percent of what we have in Hong Kong. We are very delighted to be introducing new favorites, such as the signature soft quail egg Iberico pork black truffle siu mai,” shares executive chef Lee Man-sing, who flew in to Cebu especially for the occasion.
Among our favorites is the taro croquette with chicken and prawn, whose crunchy shell makes for a perfect opening salvo to the soft and chewy chicken and prawn filling. The same play on teres is present in the prawn, crispy rice paper and asparagus cheung fun.
Also as eye-catching as they are mouthwatering are the hot and sour Shanghainese soup dumplings with scallop and prawn. Presented on a bamboo tray with each piece sitting on a cute basket of its own, the restaurant’s play on the traditional xiao long bao does not disappoint, thanks to its flavorful broth that complements the mildly flavored seafood filling.
The shredded Peking duck salad with beetroot, crispy taro and citrus truffle dressing also makes for a perfect appetizer to start off your meal, with its medley of light flavors, that is further elevated by the sweetness of the mango.
Speaking of Peking duck, there is, of course, the applewood roasted Peking duck and barbecue Iberico pork with yellow mountain honey, both of which are available daily for lunch and dinner. The Peking duck — which needs to be ordered in advance — is a must if you visit Mott 32. The fat, juicy and perfectly cooked fowl is a delight in every bite.
Mott 32’s patrons can enjoy its dim sum menu as part of the restaurant’s two lunch sets — priced at P5,500 and P6,100 per person, respectively — or order them a la carte from Thursday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Season’s greetings
Dim sum aside, Mott 32’s Spring-Summer menu also steals the
show.
And how could it not, with the garlic crab that maintains a consistent balance of saltiness and sweetness in every morsel? Make sure to dip the deep-fried mantou that comes on the side into the crab’s sauce to enjoy the full flavor of the dish.
The fork-tender and aromatic braised pork rib in Chinese wine and dark soy is also a must-have. While the pork on its own is spectacular, its sweet and salty flavor will make the Filipino in you crave for rice. Give in!
Another notable item on the menu is the fresh water prawn, water bamboo, prawn roe and ginkgo nut. “We have made some adaptations especially for Cebu. For example on the Spring-Summer Menu, you will see a dish wherein we use water bamboo instead of white asparagus,” says Chef Man-sing of the dish.
The joys of dining at Mott 32 cannot be complete without the drinks. From its signature cocktails to non-alcoholic Mottails, Mott 32’s dramatic bar is definitely more than just a spot for picture-taking. Make sure to have a glass or two of the Fujian Negroni, especially as you soak in the view from Mott 32’s seaside terrace.
In the olden days, Michelin stars are used to measure whether a restaurant’s food is good enough for a detour. But with its latest offerings that prove themselves exciting from plate to palate, Mott 32’s Michelin stars, these days, seem to signify that a visit to the restaurant is worth the trip — even if it takes a plane ride to get there.
“Business has been brisk, both in our signature restaurants and our hotel, and we have guests, in fact, that come not just from other parts of the Philippines, but also from other parts of the world,” says Nustar general manager Paolo Campillo. And with the exciting array of flavors from Mott 32’s menu to Nustar’s luxurious accommodations, thanks to the neighboring Fili Hotel, it’s easy to see why.
