Hann Resorts: The culinary capital of Clark

People go to casino resorts and hotels for endless reasons: to “play” with hopes of big wins, to de-stress, to discover, to forget. For some, it’s the flashing lights, live entertainment, and world-class facilities that lure them in. But for foodies, a trip to the casino means a gastronomic adventure like no other.

Whether you’re in Las Vegas, Macau, China, or here in the Philippines, casinos and world-class restaurants go together. The reason is simple: When you’re having a great night, you want to celebrate with good food, too!

So, imagine what awaits foodies at this newly opened casino resort nestled right in the heart of Pampanga, touted as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.”

Enhancing Clark’s culinary landscape

Located at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Hann Resorts is a world-class integrated resort that not only houses a first-rate gaming facility, but also the widest range of casual and specialty restaurants, cafes, and bars in Clark.

“Hann Resorts aims not only to preserve Pampanga’s reputation as a vibrant foodie destination, but also to celebrate and further enhance it with our remarkable selection of offerings seen nowhere else in the region,” says Patti Javier, Hann Resorts assistant vice president for corporate marketing.

Hann Resorts is also home to the first five-star hotel in Central Luzon—Clark Marriott and the first Swissôtel in the country. These well-appointed hotels collectively operate a total of 15 food and beverage outlets. In the latest ranking of Tripadvisor, these outlets dominate the list of Top 10 Best Restaurants in Clark.

From extravagant and exotic dishes to some of the best steaks in town, the Hann Resorts dining experience has something for everyone. And to make it easier for you to navigate this foodie wonderland, here’s a list of Tripadvisor’s best restaurants in Clark.

SMOKI MOTO: The No. 1 Restaurant in Clark

Smoki Moto offers a selection of premium, highly marbled Black Angus Beef, including the tomahawk steak which weighs a minimum of 1.6 kilos. Infused with roasted garlic and olive oil, this juicy steak is served with toasted baguette, Parmesan-whipped potato, grilled asparagus and port wine jus.

Here, you can feed your Seoul, too, with Bibim Magguksu, a cold noodle salad dish seasoned with a spicy, sweet, and tangy Korean chili dressing; or a steaming bowl of the samgye-tang (ginger chicken), a traditional Korean chicken soup stuffed with rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube.

Located on the 17th floor of the Clark Marriott Hotel, Smoki Moto offers a scenic view of the Zambales mountain ranges, making it the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. The restaurant also features modern interiors with a dramatic “hanging” nook and an elevated drink menu that includes premium wines, soju, beers, and craft cocktails.

GOJI KITCHEN + BAR: The No. 1 Buffet Restaurant in Clark

Savor the world on your plate at Goji Kitchen+Bar, Clark Marriott’s innovative all-day buffet restaurant. Offering Asian and Western dishes, the restaurant is named as Tripadvisor’s top buffet restaurant in Luzon.

Wielding his magic ladle in the kitchen is chef Robert Czeschka. With over 20 years of experience in culinary and hospitality, chef Czeschka’s innovative concepts and creative menus are one for the books.

For a taste of Pampanga, diners can head straight to the Kapampangan station, where the “pambansang pulutan” awaits—sisig. Made from pork jowl and ears, pork belly, and chicken liver, this Kapampangan dish is an “intangible heritage” of Angeles City.

Wash it down with sinigang, a sour and savory soup made more flavorful by sampaloc(tamarind) and kamias(tree cucumber).

For a complete Kapampangan experience, try the burong hipon (fermented shrimp) paired with steamed vegetables or fried fish. At Goji Kitchen-Bar, the menu changes regularly so there’s always something new to try.

The dessert station is eye-catching, while the noodle bar, mysteriously tucked in the interior’s partitions, is a must-visit.

WU XING: Savor the flavors of the Orient

This Chinese restaurant ranks third in Tripadvisor’s Top 10 list. Located on the ground floor of Clark Marriott, Wu Xing offers an extensive selection of well-loved Chinese fare like its signature Peking Duck.

Diners are raving not only about its crispy skin, but also its tender and juicy meat. The secret? “The duck is marinated and roasted using locally sourced star apple firewood,” enthuses chef Lucas Zhou, a passionate young chef from Jiangsu province.

Wu Xing’s Peking Duck can be enjoyed four ways: skin and breast meat with leeks and cucumber wrapped in Chinese pancake; duck soup; minced duck wrapped in Romaine lettuce; and deep-fried duck with salt and pepper.

The restaurant is perfect for business, family, and intimate gatherings.

RISTORANTE DI VERONA: Authentic Italian fun dining experience

Inspired by the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the restaurant’s posh interiors are the prelude to the equally Instagrammable Italian dishes like the carpaccio di manzo and tortelli di stracotto di manzo.

And since an authentic Italian fun-dining isn’t complete without wine, Ristorante Di Verona takes pride in its fine wine selection sourced from various regions.

For dessert, there’s Cannoli Siciliani, a tube-shaped fried pastry dough stuffed with a sweet, creamy filling of ricotta and chocolate chips, fruit candy and pistachios.

Chef Alessio Loddo makes sure that diners will leave the resto with a satisfied tummy and a happy heart.

The restaurant is open daily for lunch (from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (from 5:30 to 10 p.m.). Dress up and revel in live DJ performances during Sunday Brunch. Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the brunch features free-flowing food and beverages, including Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut.

SPICE: Asian street eats

Offering a mix of Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Indonesian street food, Spice takes street food to a whole new level.

Skilled chefs entertain diners with their impressive culinary skills as they prepare their fave dishes—in sizzling hot woks, a common sight in the bustling Asian kitchens.

There’s the flavorful pad thai, the creamy and spicy laksa, and the meaty goodness of beef salpicao. Add to that, homemade steamed buns and dumplings. Thirst-quenchers include iced tea drinks named after the cities of Pampanga: Angeles C-tea, Mabalacat C-tea and San Fernando C-tea.

Spice has earned its place as one of the top-rated restos in Clark.

MARKT: Yes, without an e! 

Inspired by the bustling marketplaces in Europe, Markt is the all-day dining restaurant of Clark which pays tribute to the hotel’s Swiss heritage. The brick walls, subway tiles and stained-glass ceilings create a charming setting for a memorable dining experience.

From healthy salads and appetizers to panini, pizza, stews, pasta, fried dishes, grilled meat and fish, waffles, crepes, cakes, and gelato, there’s something for every member of the family.

To order, just go to your desired food station, select the dish you like, provide your table number and the dish will be prepared while you wait at your table. Markt is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. During lunchtime, Markt transforms into a piazza-style dining space, offering a la carte menus from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

All these top-notch dining establishments make Hann Resorts an epicure’s dream destination.

***

For reservations, contact Swissotel Clark: [email protected] | (045) 306 2000 | @swissotelclark and Clark Marriott [email protected] | (045) 598 5000 | @clarkmarriott. Follow Hann Resorts on Facebook and on Instagram for the latest news on their restaurants and bars.

* * *

Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like Hann Resorts.