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Street history: Did you know that the first airport in the Philippines was actually located in Makati? The Nielson Airport which now houses Blackbird, opened during the country's American Commonwealth Period alongside the birth of commercial aviation before World War II. This bit of history is not that far from Esperanza Street where New World Makati is currently standing.
Thank you, Jasmine for satisfying our long overdue craving for real Dim Sum!
Entering New World Makati after many months on lockdown seemed eerie at first. The silence inside the hotel's lobby was like entering into an unfamiliar territory, compared to its usual vibe full of business travelers waiting, people chatting and drinking by the Lounge, some looking through glass windows for treats that they can probably buy and take home.
Normally we'd see people waiting for their turn to check in their rooms after their long trip overseas, but not in that moment. As I write this post, New World Makati still isn't accepting accommodations for staycations with a few exceptions for business accounts who are willing to stay longer and fix their own beds (hopefully soon they can accept tourist accommodations again), but their restaurants Jasmine and Cafe 1228 were still busy for lunch even with the mandatory health and safety restrictions of course.
Jasmine Restaurant, one of the best places to get Chinese imperial cuisine in Manila, surprisingly thrives during lunch service with small families and friends enjoying their meals for the day.
Even with an All You Can Eat Dim Sum offer, Jasmine doesn't really execute the festive buffet style setup that most Filipinos are more accustomed to (think about those festive displays of food waiting for you to devour, which is now risky as it increases chances of contamination), so clearly it's no longer something that we can enjoy while we still live in a pandemic stricken world.
Instead, you get a piece of paper with a checklist of available dim sum that servers can bring to your table, freshly cooked and ready for the taking. Do this again and again until you realize you've been eating for the last four hours because you missed dim sum so much.
Not only to they have a competitive price rates with a few additions for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, (Php1088 on selected weekdays and Php1288 on weekends), it was exactly what we needed after months locked in our homes and not knowing until when should we be forcing ourselves on sad Chinese takeouts that just doesn't cut it.
We enjoyed our time at Jasmine so much that we maximized the lunch service schedule before they open again for dinner service. With our tummies full and happy, just like that, the peace and calm silence at the lobby before leaving the hotel was no longer unfamiliar, but something that we'd like to experience again soon. Jasmine truly took us on a whole new (dining) world that day.
Time to dish some quick facts about Jasmine! Check it out.
Operating Hours:
Yum Cha Lunch - Thursdays to Sundays -11am to 3pm
Yum Cha Dinner - Thursdays to Saturdays - 6pm to 930pm (no dinner service on Sundays)
Website:
We suggest reserving a table before you visit them, but walk ins are also available.
Contact details:
+63 2 8811 6888 or fbreservations.manila@newworldhotels.com
Safe Dining Protocols:
-Observes use of facial mask and shield
-Observes social distancing
-Tables are disinfected
-Bags for face mask provided
-No Acrylic separators installed
Must Try Dishes from the buffet:
- Barbecured Pork Puffs
- Har gao Shrimp Dumplings
- Deep fried sole fillet, salted egg
- Crispy Pork Belly
- Barbecued Pork Buns
- Cold Mango Tapioca Soup for dessert
Must Try Dishes for a la carte:
- Peking Duck
- Scallop Taro Balls
- Beggar's Chicken
Price Range:
Thursdays and Fridays Php1088 per person
Saturdays and Sundays Php1288 per person
Ambiance:
Personally, the restaurant's calming interiors featuring a tea room display and Chinese Art Deco makes us want to wear something more appropriate to the venue, like a smart casual get-up. No slippers here, definitely.
Customer Service:
Exceptional
Parking:
Hotel parking available. Another option would be to park across Greenbelt Mall so you can stroll right after that awesome lunch.
Takeouts:
They have a separate menu for takeouts/pickup. But deliveries are not allowed.
Bike friendly?
Hotel parking available
Pet friendly?
No pets allowed
Open for private gatherings/functions?
Yes, just contact them but make sure you don’t exceed the allowed maximum capacity.
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