Dining in the dark with Robinsons Hotels and Resorts
ROBINSONS Hotels and Resorts (RHR) brings “Dine in the Dark” at two of its properties: Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu and The Westin Manila. It is an immersive culinary concept that combines sensory discovery, culinary innovation, and social impact. Originally done in Bangkok in 2012 by Julien Wallet-Houget, Dining in the Dark invites diners to experience a meal in complete darkness, encouraging them to rely on taste, smell, touch, and hearing rather than sight. By removing visual cues, the concept transforms dining into a deeper exploration of flavor, texture, and human connection. While guests experience a three-course mystery menu in complete darkness, the concept has also challenged participating chefs to think beyond visual presentation. Without plating and appearance influencing perception, the focus shifts entirely to flavor, aroma, texture, and balance. At the heart of the experience are visually impaired Guides who lead guests throughout their journey in the dark. In partnership with Resources for the Blind, RHR recruited candidates from diverse professional backgrounds and worked closely with them through a comprehensive training program developed by the hotels’ Food & Beverage teams and the Dining in the Dark specialists. Guests gain a deeper appreciation of the capabilities and confidence of persons with visual impairments, while the Guides become ambassadors of a more inclusive and accessible hospitality industry. Guests can experience Dining in the Dark through a dining-only offering or a room-and-dining package at Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, while The Westin Manila presents the experience through a specially curated three-course mystery menu. In Manila, a final seating will be held on Oct. 23.
Palacio de Memoria gets haunted
THE grand old house is hosting “Palacio sa Dilim,” a Halloween party filled with eerie discoveries, cocktails, good music, and a night of fright and fun. The event features a live DJ set by DJ Ed Croix, Halloween-inspired cocktails, a charcuterie spread by M Catering, and a high-angle photobooth by The Cache Collective. Guests can come dressed in their best Halloween costume for a chance to win prizes. The party will be held on Oct. 24, from 6 p.m. “till dark,” and early bird ticket rates are at P1,500 per ticket, available only for the first 20 sign-ups. Message facebook.com/thepalaciodememoria for inquiries.
Diamond Hotel gets spooky
THIS Halloween, Diamond Hotel Philippines invites families and young K-pop fans to join a world of music, games, and festive thrills at “K-pop All Stars” on Oct. 25. The party runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Diamond Ballroom. Combining the excitement of K-pop with the playful spirit of Halloween, the party will feature games, prizes, live performances, food, and other surprises for guests of all ages. In the Grand Raffle, one lucky guest will win a Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G. Tickets are priced at P2,800 net per person, inclusive of the buffet lunch, loot bag, access to games and activities, and live entertainment. Tickets may be purchased at the Diamond Hotel Philippines outlets onsite or through onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com. Families can also opt for the hotel’s Super Sleepover Halloween Package, which combines an overnight stay with tickets to “K-pop All Stars.” Starting at P9,800 net per night in a Deluxe Room, the package includes two tickets to the event, buffet breakfast for two persons, and 15% off additional Halloween event tickets. The package is available for stays until Oct. 31, with bookings accepted until Oct. 24. Meanwhile, the hotel offers its Halloween Sweets for online orders or purchase at the Lobby Lounge until Oct. 31. The selection features sweet creations such as Creepy Eclairs, Crimson Eye Mousse, and the Witch’s Gaze Cake. Guests can also enjoy a Halloween Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge. For ticket purchase, visit onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com or contact the Events Office at 8528-3000. For room reservations book via diamondhotel.com or call 8528-3000 and e-mail reservations@diamondhotel.com.
London’s Bread Ahead opening in Glorietta
BY NOVEMBER, Bread Ahead — the British artisan bakery and baking school founded in London’s Borough Market in 2013 — will officially open its first bakery in the Philippines at Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, in partnership with Good Eats by SSI. The opening brings Bread Ahead’s celebrated sourdough pizzas, doughnuts, and artisan baking expertise to Filipino customers for the very first time. Designed as a complete Bread Ahead bakery and dining destination, the flagship Manila location will feature a full artisan bakery alongside a 150-seat restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and light dinner, with table service throughout the day. From artisan breads and focaccia to cakes, pastries, and sweet treats, Bread Ahead Manila will offer a wide selection of the bakery’s best-loved creations from opening day. These include Crème Brûlée Doughnut, filled with custard and finished with its signature caramelized top; and Sea Salted Caramel with Honeycomb, Pistachio, Raspberry, and Lemon Curd. In a special nod to its new home, Bread Ahead will introduce an exclusive Ube Doughnut, created specifically for the Philippine market. During the pandemic, Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones brought the craft of baking into homes around the world through free online baking tutorials, including sourdough lessons that attracted a global audience and helped aspiring bakers master the fundamentals of artisan bread-making from their own kitchens. By early 2027, the brand plans to open a dedicated Bread Ahead Baking School in the Philippines, giving aspiring bakers, home cooks, and food enthusiasts the opportunity to learn its techniques firsthand through expert-led classes and workshops. For updates, follow @breadaheadbakery and @breadaheadphilippines on Instagram.
Chowking launches new app
THE NEW Chowking mobile app gives customers a more convenient way to enjoy their favorite Chinese-inspired dishes while unlocking exclusive offers and benefits, from exclusive promos to welcome treats for new users. Customers can now order in less steps thanks to improvements in menu navigation and delivery address selection. They can schedule orders in advance for delivery or pick-up, place pick-up orders at participating stores, and use QR-based ordering for dine-in and take-out. For customers ordering Chowking for delivery, the app also offers lower delivery fees. The new Chowking app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store.