Christmas Ensaimada at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City

Christmas was really in the air when I dropped by Marco Polo Plaza Cebu on my last day in Cebu City. Among the most prestigious addresses in the Queen City of the South, the deluxe hotel was all garbed up for its Festive Season 2012 gala.

With celebration decors, lights, music and trimmings, it was highlighted by a huge Christmas tree (with live “little drummer boys” in the center of its posh lobby.

But my attention quickly turned into Café Marco’s display of pastries, goodies and sweets – with the Christmas Ensaimada as my gastronomic target.

From a distance I thought it was just the Café’s take on the ultimate Christmas give away - fruit cake. But it was “Ensaimada meets Fruit Cake” as the usually cheese-topped pastry welcomes glazed fruits, cashew and dates into its fold.

And that’s quite literal too, as I was in for another surprise – it was also filled with glazed fruits! The moment I forked down for a bite, it burst with the same colorful goodness of those that caught my attention.

The "rich and lust" pastry had me at first bite and in no time at all, all that was left was the lingering memory of this gastronomic adventure.

But wait, the final surprise (this visit had lots of surprises) it only costs PhP88 each. Maybe too costly for an ensaimada even with all the trimmings but knowing where it came from – the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, you’ll definitely agree - its affordably delicous and you'll surely ask for more.

This ensaimada also comes Mango and Ube-filled still with a lot of cheese toppings.

MARCO POLO PLAZA HOTEL CEBU

Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas

Cebu City, 6000, Philippines

Phone: +63 (32) 253 1111

Facsimile: +63 (32) 234 8170

Email: info@marcopoloplazacebu.com

www.marcopoloplazacebu.com

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