Images from Facebook/DayritsBurgerRoastBeefHouse and VizcosRestaurantandCakeShop; Contis.ph
Let our food guide take the stress out of your holiday menu planning.
With Noche Buena just a couple of weeks away, we have to ask: What’s on your menu? While home-cooked food sure is wonderful, ordering from your favorite restaurants is easily the next best thing (and is a stress-free way to complete your holiday table!). Even better: It’s a great way to help food businesses thrive again amidst the pandemic.
Don’t wait till the last minute, though, to avoid the crazy Christmas rush! Our advice: Get ahead of the time crunch by taking your pick from these party winners from restaurants you can find at SM malls. Try an order or a slice yourself first, and put the ones you like on your Noche Buena list. Reserve early or pre-order if needed, and make allowances for pickup traffic on December 24. Fully-vaccinated? You can also dine in with the family any day—just check out our holiday mall hours here. Lastly, don’t forget to avail of your Vax, Shop, and Dine perks from select establishments! (View the list of deals here.)
1. Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant
Image from Contis.ph
The chain's signature Baked Salmon is a solid anchor for your table—and a happy compromise for guests who don't eat meat. It comes in two shareable sizes: Family (P1,625, serves 6 to 8) and Party (P2,435, serves 12-15). Other sure wins are Chicken, Cheese or Salmon Mini Pies for appetizers, the loaded Paella Madrileña as a main-slash-rice dish, and the no-fail Mango Bravo for dessert.
Branches: SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia (Click here for more branches.)
2. Café Laguna
Image from Facebook/CafeLagunaPH
Craving for good ol’ Pinoy fare? Café Laguna offers platters perfect for your at-home feast. Their signature Palabok (P1,050 to serve 6 to 8; P2,150 for 12 to15) is beloved all over the city, as are their Pandan Chicken, Pata Humba, and Beef Kare-Kare. Don’t forget to check out their Kakanin, too, like their Puto Bumbong and Biko.
Branches: SM City Seaside Cebu, SM City Cebu
3. Lemon Grass
Image from LagunaGroup.ph
If you and the family are in the mood for Asian fusion with a twist, check out the tasty yet affordable options at Lemon Grass. Their Thai-Vietnamese Pineapple Fried Rice (P275 per single order), Fresh Spring Rolls, and Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwiches are lighter but refreshing options for your Noche Buena.
Branch: SM City Seaside Cebu
4. Dayrit’s
Image from Facebook/DayritsBurgerRoastBeefHouse
This 1980’s restaurant is famous for its Christmas Ham (P1,150 per kilo, ave. 1.5 kilos per ham), which comes with sweet pineapple honey sauce. They also have party trays for 8 to 10 persons, featuring classic party dishes like Callos, Chicken Galantina, and Beef Caldereta. Message (0916) 248-4546 to reserve your ham from SM BF—and while you’re there, try their Pinoy-style roast beef sandwich or grilled sausages.
Branch: SM City BF Paranaque
Image from Facebook/PancakeHousePhilippines
This one’s for the kids! Grab the Nutella x Pancake House Holiday Pancake Kit (just P250—that’s P150 off!) then make your own Holiday Lantern Pancakes, adding fruit or other creative toppings. Never mind if they’re not perfect—they’re still sure to be a hit on your dinner table! Don’t forget to take photos or videos and post their creation and tag @Pancakehouse @nutellaphilippines with #NutellaxPancakeHouse for a chance to win a year's supply of pancakes. For full details, check out Pancake House’s Facebook page. P.S. You can also grab to-go trays of their Spaghetti, Pan Chicken, and more!
Branches: SM Mall of Asia Annex, SM Southmall, SM City Fairview (Click here for more branches.)
6. Vizco’s
Image from Facebook/VizcosRestaurantandCakeShop
We can’t all get to Baguio but the city’s legendary Strawberry Shortcake can get to you, via their new takeout shop at SM Megamall. The shortcake is available in 6-inch (P580, serves 4 to6) and 8-inch (P900, serves 8 to 12) cakes, with larger sizes also available by order. See you at Megamall! TIP: Check Vizco’s FB page to arrange a smooth, easy pickup.
Branches: SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA (Coming soon!), SM Baguio
7. Butternut
Image from Facebook/butternutmnl
Splurging on an influencer-level dessert? Flex with this year’s Christmas-only Mr. Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Apple Crumble (P1,800 for an 8-inch cake, for pre-order by Dec. 21 at butternutph.com), or go for their bestselling 5-Layer OG Brazo de Mercedes.
Branches: SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia
Image from MaryGraceCafe.com
Mary Grace's ensaymada goes alta this year, with a limited-edition box of four: two each with Jamon Serrano Gran Reserva and Chorizo Iberico de Bellota, topped with manchego cheese with truffle honey on the side. Yum! This Christmas 2021-only treat is P1,080 in a gift-ready box. It’s available only from their website until Dec. 15, with your choice of delivery date. Of course, you can still opt for the classic version, which you can easily buy from their stores.
Branches: SM City Batangas, SM Aura Premier, SM City Manila
Visit your favorite SM mall and you’re sure to find more fun and delicious choices. Here’s our last tip: Don’t overstress about making it fancy. After all, the most essential part of your Noche Buena table is the family you have around it.
For more food finds, check out the complete SM Mall Directory. For updates on holiday mall hours and entry guidelines, follow SM Supermalls on Facebook and regularly check the SM Supermalls website.
