Novotel Manila Araneta City unveils new culinary concepts
Freshfinity buffet, revamped Indulge Gelato & Bakery, plant-forward menu and Halal-certified banquet kitchen mark hotel’s next culinary chapter
Novotel Manila Araneta City is taking its culinary program in a new direction with a series of dining concepts and initiatives focused on variety, responsible sourcing, plant-forward cuisine, pastry innovation, and more inclusive banquet services.
The hotel’s latest offerings include Freshfinity, a new buffet concept at Food Exchange Manila; the reopening of Indulge Gelato & Bakery; a new plant-forward menu at Gourmet Bar by Novotel; and the Halal certification of its banquet kitchen.
The initiatives are being led by three members of the hotel’s culinary team: Cluster Executive Chef for Outlets Athena Tuble, Cluster Executive Pastry Chef Angelique “Angel” Llantanda, and Cluster Executive Chef for Banquet Michael Ramos.
Freshfinity reimagines buffet dining
At Food Exchange Manila, Freshfinity brings together international cuisines, Filipino ingredients, and locally sourced products in a buffet concept built around what the hotel calls its “Our Table Values”—responsible dining, sustainable choices, support for local communities, and a stronger connection between global culinary influences and Filipino identity.
Led by Chef Athena Tuble, Freshfinity features six culinary stations.
The Maharaja highlights Indian cuisine and spices, while Flavors of Asia offers handcrafted dim sum and regional favorites. Sakura Sumi focuses on Japanese specialties, including fresh salmon and tuna sashimi and premium maki.
Cucina Italiana serves freshly prepared pasta and artisanal pizzas, while Brasserie Maison features premium meats and seafood. Butcher’s Block focuses on chef-selected cuts carved to order.
Freshfinity also incorporates a more mindful approach to buffet dining through portioning. Dishes are prepared and presented in considered portions to maintain freshness, preserve quality, and help reduce food waste while allowing diners to sample a wider range of offerings.
Supporting local producers
The concept also places emphasis on Filipino farmers, fishing communities, local suppliers, and family-owned businesses.
Freshfinity works with Filipino-owned and local partners including Meliomar, A2Z, Metro Pacific, and Auro Chocolate, bringing locally produced seafood, produce, cacao, coffee, fruits, and other ingredients into the dining experience.
Beyond sourcing, these partnerships support local livelihoods and provide a platform for Filipino ingredients and food traditions within an international hotel setting.
Global flavors, Filipino expression
While Freshfinity takes diners across Indian, Asian, Japanese and Italian cuisines, Filipino ingredients and flavors remain part of its culinary identity.
Traditional tastes and familiar ingredients are incorporated into contemporary preparations, allowing the buffet to combine international culinary influences with local character.
Freshfinity is available every Friday for dinner and every Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner, priced at ₱2,799 nett per person.
Indulge Gelato & Bakery returns
The hotel has also reopened Indulge Gelato & Bakery under Chef Angelique “Angel” Llantanda, with refreshed interiors and an expanded selection of sweet and savory offerings.
Among the new pastry creations are the Matcha Croissant, Strawberry Ribbon, Pain au Chocolat, and Ube Cheese Croissant.
Dessert selections include Mango Shortcake, Matcha Biscoff Cheesecake, and Triple Chocolate Mousse, while the savory range features Filipino-inspired and contemporary bakery creations such as Chicken Adobo Pocket, Longganisa Egg Danish, Buko Danish, Brownie Pain Suisse, Tuna Danish, and Coffee Bun.
The expanded offering combines classic pastry techniques with flavors familiar to Filipino diners.
Plant-forward choices at Gourmet Bar
At Gourmet Bar by Novotel, Chef Michael Ramos has introduced a plant-forward menu centered on vegetables, grains, legumes, and other wholesome ingredients.
The menu forms part of Novotel’s Four Pillars of Life campaign, which focuses on Eat, Sleep, Move and Meet as part of the brand’s broader approach to everyday wellbeing.
Among the featured dishes is the Seared Cabbage Steak, served with miso cream, furikake, and crisp nori.
The Cauliflower Bibimbap replaces traditional rice with cauliflower and is served with vegetables, edamame, crispy tofu, and sesame gochujang.
The Brown Lentils and Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl combines lentils and roasted sweet potato with fresh vegetables, avocado, and a miso-turmeric dressing.
The menu reflects a growing focus on plant-forward dining without sacrificing flavor, variety, or the overall dining experience.
Banquet kitchen receives Halal certification
Another significant development is the Halal certification of the Novotel Manila Banquet Kitchen, expanding the hotel’s ability to accommodate meetings, conferences, weddings, and other events for guests with Halal dietary requirements.
The banquet culinary program draws from a range of international cuisines, with Indian and Chinese cuisine among its offerings.
The hotel’s Indian culinary capabilities are also reflected in Prana Indian Cuisine, its homegrown Indian restaurant located alongside Food Exchange Manila.
The Halal certification adds another dimension to the hotel’s banquet services, enabling it to serve a broader range of clients and events.
Three chefs shaping the next chapter
While Freshfinity, Indulge Gelato & Bakery, Gourmet Bar, and the banquet kitchen each have distinct culinary identities, the initiatives share a common direction shaped by the chefs behind them.
Chef Tuble brings an emphasis on culinary discovery and international flavors to Food Exchange Manila. Chef Llantanda combines technical pastry craftsmanship with Filipino-inspired creations, while Chef Ramos brings together plant-forward dining and more inclusive banquet offerings.
For Tuble, the changes are part of the hotel’s evolution after reaching its 10th year.
“Dining has always been about more than what is on the plate. It is about discovery, comfort, connection, and the moments we share around food,” Tuble said.
As Novotel Manila Araneta City enters its next chapter, its culinary program is expanding beyond traditional buffet and hotel dining offerings to include responsible sourcing, local partnerships, plant-forward choices, pastry innovation, and more inclusive banquet services.
For restaurant inquiries and reservations, contact (+632) 8990 7888 or email H7090@accor.com.
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