MANGORIENTICA: MANGO ROCKS the SEA

MangoOrientica : Mango rocks the Seas.
By Aly Abaquin

Hội An ancient town with beautiful landscape, ancient architecture and attractive lanterns at night, traditional specialties is always the destination for domestic and foreign tourists for sightseeing, relaxation and research. Plus lets put Chef Duc Mango Mango an added attraction to this town.

You might be wondering why this chef is now an buzz word and trail blazingly different in a completely enchanting town. He may not be ancient nor holy but making this once sleepy town a hip and becoming place for culinary adventure.

When you are done with your sightseeing duties in this acknowledged World Heritage town by UNESCO. You might want to step down to Mango rooms for some tasty Vietnamese food with a twist served California-style as preached by the chef himself.

A hidden treasure located in 111 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Mango Rooms, Hoi An. To get inside the restaurant you need to go to the gate facing riverside near Bach Dang.

Eclectic, innovative flavors, combining the best of Latino and Vietnamese cuisines is what Mango Mango is all about. It has won the hearts of many loyal and happy customers.

Now, we have a pleasure of meeting and trying this fantastic FUSION cuisine in HCMC as Equatorial Hotel is thrilled to be featuring Duc Mango Mango as the guest chef at Orientica for an exciting week of Latino Vietnamese culinary highlights.

Chef Duc spent his formative years in Texas before earning his stripes in hotels and fine-dining establishments. Fifteen years of dedication in honing his skills in cooking and the passion for fusion. From Latin America, Japan, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia he brings us his own blend of cuisines, serving up cool combinations of California infusioning it with Vietnam with a dash of PAN American style.

As what we have experienced in MANGORIENTICA.: Where the mango rock the seas.

As you well know Orientica has been serving fresh of the freshest catch of the day.

Seafood market marrying the mango latino so their offspring is a the blend of  MANGORIENTICO hybrid.

The best part about having your food is the introduction of the appetizers. This set the course of what is to come in any fine dining affair such as this one.

As we are greeted by the Green papaya salad with shrimps served with mango mojo.

The salad was entrusted in a martini glass all sweetingly tangy mix and dressed by a whipped mango obviously the chef’s alter ego. The Grilled peppered shrimps are succulently fresh as with the green or shall we say julienne papaya mixed in with onions, cilantro, lettuce and carrots as cocktail surprise. Exotic but not intoxicating which is a superb starter.

You are presented with food with great color and variety. You are anticipating to look forward to some delectable dishes with a visual appeal put together by the the artistan himself.

The TEMPURA squid with green pepper with the hint of wasabi is sumptuously crunchy And the squid not elastic but pleasingly chewy.
Chef Duc has the reputation of giving all his cooking creations a unique style, which makes us wonder is the plate a refection of his life. Making it life in a plate?

Well the next entrée the seared Tuna with mango salsa is his signature dish of Salsahsimi. No wonder why Mango rooms has a following for the taste of the tuna is fresh slicing in over a bed of mango salsa mixture of onions, red & green jalapenos, mango over banana leaf making each morsel delectably pleasing.
The taste lingers again and again in your taste buds as fireworks in display inside your mouth adding the hint of mango purée..

The green beans and the pickled carrots and papaya garnish are added colors in this masterpiece.

The dessert is the chocolate and fruit wrapped in wonton skin with coconut sauce. Makes a befitting finale as the Crunchy desserts washes away your palate with a chocolaty & coco nutty goodness.

This unique culinary event is a reflective of the eclectic and innovative taste that is now present in Vietnam. Fusion cuisine is becoming a norm.

A romantic interlude...an article by yours truly in Style Mag

ROMANTIC Interlude in HOTEL EQUATORIAL HCMC
By Aly Abaquin

Photography : Henri Hubert
Food Preps & styling : Executive chef Equatorial

There is a Creative Fun and sexy ways to spend time together.

If you think that dating is just for singles, then you’re short-changing your guy, your relationship and yourself.

Having regularly scheduled date nights with the man in your life can keep the flame alive in any relationships.

Yes you probably heard this advice before, but listen up.

There is a unique way to have that romantic interlude in one of the hip and becoming Hotel in Dist 5.
Over the past fourteen years (14) yrs Equatorial Hotel HCMC welcomes guest with a new functional & yet hip attitude.

And you know what you can booked a Suite and order a IN-ROOM-DINING with a romantic flare that is spellbindingly different in all other hotels. A perfect gift to your beloved as you celebrate that perfect date.

Their Executive Club rooms / SUITE are newly renovated and luxuriously decorated to make that perfect stay unforgettable.
Once you enter the room you are greeted with muted greys and off white tones that are modern but completely clean lines making your stay ZEN like.

The Chrome Stainless steel & silver colored Lamps with white shades complements the white blown glass chandelier both in the dining & living rooms. While the dining table is ample enough to seat two to four.

The bed is made of high quality beddings and choice from the “pillow menu” -pillows fit for the emperor & empress while the bathroom has a separate Zen shower , allowing ambient lighting that touches you and your date while you take a plunge .

A fresh & airy atmosphere and an over all feeling of spaciousness is what this new rooms are all about.

Remember this date is special and so are your relationship so what menu to cap off that date…The special Romantic dinner for two right in your suite for that Perfect hideaway from the bustle & hustle of city life.

Take note the menu is brought in by a professional wait staff who greets you and waits for your every wimp & fancy.

The Lotus menu tops of the list. It includes a perfect bottle of 2006 Oxford Landing, Viognier, Australia and one bottle of San Pellegrino.

The Orientica Four Season is a Vegetable deep-fried spring rolls, Baigai Clam salad, rice cake with shrimp, crab Salpicon with sweet chili sauce all prepared fresh and decorative.
And with scattered rose petals in the table will make your date more appealing.

The Grilled Pen Shell Mussel with Chives oil & peanuts is a perfect lovers delight while
You sip the wine and exchange sweet words in the process. Of course putting up some romantic tunes in the ipod docking station gets you in the mood of things. As you savour every bite of the –fried Squids and Fragrances of Lemongrass and chili will make your night unforgettable.

Yes, in feels like an indulgence to spend money on your date but occasionally you need to pamper your relationship. When you make an effort to take special care of your partnership you feel less stressed and better able to cope with the challenges of being part of a couple. Beside this is spending quality time for your relationship to grow fonder.

The Equatorial hotel had made it even easier for lovers & couples. So let the sparks ignite again for that romantic interlude.