PHI: Mabuhay Lounge @ Ninoy Aquino International Airport
More than 20 different cocktails on offer!
From the extensive cocktail menu, I tried Mabuhay Sling and Planter's Punch. The Filipino twist on the classic Singapore Sling carried a bright tropical fruit profile that was refreshing without being overly sweet, while the latter had a good dose of Jamaican rum alongside lime juice and sugar cane juice. I also had a cup of cappuccino, which was of average strength and aroma.
Stepping into the flagship lounge of Philippine Airlines at Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport was a pleasant surprise. More than just a comfortable place to wait for my next flight, it offers a wide range of cocktails. The thought of having arroz caldo (Filipino chicken porridge) had me looking forward to a good time ahead.
While Vietnamese cuisine isn’t among my top favourites, I was glad to see some local dishes available in the buffet spread.
Arroz Caldo
It was a comforting bowl of chicken porridge, warm and flavourful without feeling heavy. Finished with fried garlic bits, chopped green onions and salted eggs, each spoonful felt well-rounded and satisfying.
Beef Noodle Soup
The thin egg noodle, which was accompanied by a few chunks of beef and bok choy (Chiense cabbage) was pretty springy. Though not as hearty as the arroz caldo, the broth was pleasing, but a tad more sweetness should help better balance the savoury notes.
Assorted Stuff #1
The salad ingredients were adequately fresh, to which I topped with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and a few croutons. It was my first, and so far only, encounter with multi-coloured nacho chips in an airport lounge setting.
Assorted Stuff #2
I particularly enjoyed the soft, Spanish-influenced pan de sal (lit. bread of salt) made of wheat flour, yeast, water and a pinch of salt, which I had with herb butter. Having a distinctive heart-shaped swirl, the palmier was crunchy with the right amount of sweetness. While the croissant didn’t look crispy at all, I still helped myself to it, pairing it with strawberry jam and cheese.
Assorted Stuff #3
From the colourful assortment of sweet items that I assembled for the photo, my favourite was the dark chocolate mousse that was velvety. Sitting next to it was crème brûlée in a foil tin, followed by bite-sized fruits. On the big plate, there were a piece of pancake, mini cakes and a chocolate chip cookie. Pika's advice: For those who prefer waffles over pancakes, the former are available as well.
Beverages
Melon's Rating
Taste: 7.5/10
Ambience: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10
I'd certainly love to try more cocktails, but I reminded myself not to over-indulge before the red-eye flight.
Mabuhay Lounge @ Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Andrews Avenue
Terminal 1, Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Manila
Philippines
(Twenty Four / Seven)
*No separate price given as lounge access is included in the ticket price.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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