The old comes together with the new at historic Manila Hotel. The lobby still has the rich narra ceilings, old-world colonial charm and iconic architecture. The newly refurbished Café Ilang- Ilang, however, has evolved into a chic interactive events place. It is the Grand Dame’s answer to the changing pace of hotel buffet dining.

Elegance and synchronicity come together as Singaporean designers transformed the old coffee shop into a new and more luxurious dining destination. The layout has thematically sectioned areas serving the best of each country highlighted in the different buffet spreads. It is also fitted with modern facilities and a show kitchen with technologically advanced equipment where chefs whip up creative dishes and desserts. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Café Ilang-Ilang is a culinary theater that teases the senses of sight, smell, hearing and taste. The Japanese station is decorated with cherry blossoms and wooden walls following Zen design sensibilities. The Italian section has its own brick oven that bakes thin-crust quattro formaggio pizzas or pasta marinara.

The buffet includes the Asian continent specialties, with cuisines from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and China extensively represented. Dishes range from traditional laksa to an array of delectable dim sum. Café Ilang-Ilang also offers an entire Korean section that serves homemade kimchi and tender bulgogi, among other things.

Another unique addition is their selection of Spa Cuisine that features healthy recipes like chicken tagine made with organic poultry and dishes cooked with extra virgin coconut oil. In keeping with the healthy theme, most of these dishes are grilled or braised, not fried. Also available is the Churrasco station, an extensive grill where the choice of beef, pork, German sausages, pink salmon, or lamb are cooked according to preference.

The dessert station is a fitting end to a delectable meal. The top five desserts to try are the cafe’s gigantic ube ensaymada, sugar-free strawberry mousse, the hotel’s own version of apple strudel— bite-sized but packed with flavor—walnut tarts, and their homemade gelato. Apart from the food, the cafe has a view of the newly renovated pool and garden area, overlooking the Manila Bay. The café also offers direct access to the poolside. With its renovation, the iconic and time-tested Cafe Ilang-Ilang manages to marry the old with the new, balancing the symmetry of both, without losing the Manila Hotel signature.