Summer Palace at EDSA Shangri-La

Avocado salad roll, chilled assorted mushrooms with crabmeat, and barbecue taro roll

Last year, I was so privileged to be invited at the exclusive Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts media appreciation night. Dubbed as “Paris in1920’s”, the event was full of glamorous people, tremendous entertainment, delectable cuisine and overflowing wine and Champagne. Best of all, exciting prizes were raffled off, and I was so fortunate to win a chef’s birthday lunch at Summer Palace (EDSA Shangri-La). How cool is that!

So, a month later, I had a sumptuous Chinese lunch at Summer Palace, at the Peonyi private room to be exact.

The menu was simple and easy to understand. No hard-to-comprehend Chinese characters or terms, and by having a glance at the menu card, we’re pretty sure we would go home with tummies full to the brim!

Spinning off our lunch was a trio of appetizers comprised of avocado salad roll, chilled assorted mushrooms with crabmeat, and barbecue taro roll. The artful plating was interesting. Among the three, my favorite was the barbeque taro roll. It reminds me of Shang Palace’s (Makati Shangri-La) taro puff –which made me appreciate taro (or “gabi” in the vernacular) more — only without the crisp batter and my favorite Chinese hot sauce. For the record, I didn’t like taro that much until I had my first encouter with taro puff.

Next came the braised spinach soup with minced beef (and pumpkin soup for my aunt and mom who don’t eat beef). The poached quail egg on top of the shredded spinach and minced beef appeared so cute! The soup was ok, although, for some like me who doesn’t appreciate spinach except when it has any kind of cheese with it, you might find this too “leafy”.

Braised spinach soup with minced beef

The mains followed soon, beginning with fried spareribs in vinegar sauce. The meat was a bit tough since it was fried and not slow-roasted, but nevertheless tasted good with its sweet-tangy sauce. It could have been a perfect partner for seafood fried rice with XO sauce, which came in super late (read: the fried rice was served after we finished all the mains).

Fried spareribs in vinegar sauce

The second main dish, braised homemade beancurd with crab meat and crab roe, turned out to be my favorite. I couldn’t stop digging my fork into the soft beancurd. The sauce was a savoury light sauce with crab meat and roe, and two stalks of asparagus (again, for the record, I only eat less than 10 kinds of vegetables, and asparagus is part of that list).

Braised homemade beancurd with crab meat and crab roe

For dessert, we were served cream of pumpkin topped with vanilla ice cream and crispy roll. I always like the idea of mixing cold and hot, sweet and salty — a reason why I so love choco lava cake, turon ala mode, and salted caramel macarons de paris.This dessert is divine. The crisp vermicelli adds a nice texture to the pumpkin puree, and the vanilla ice cream balances the sweetness of the puree and the tinge of saltiness in the vermicelli roll.

Cream of pumpkin topped with vanilla ice cream and crispy roll

The private room, Peonyi, at the Summer Palace, EDSA Shangri-La

After the tummy-filling lunch, we had another round of jasmine tea while having a great conversation. Overall, our experience was good (except for the fried-rice-delay incident). Oh, and how I wish xiao long bao was part of the chef’s lunch!

CHI, The Spa at EDSA Shangri-La Unveils the Secrets of the Sea

Photo courtesy of EDSA Shangri-La

It was a hot summer night and I was  trying to finish an article then when an email popped into the screen of my computer. It was from the EDSA Shangri-La, containing their Mother’s Day specials. I browsed the email from top to bottom and the phrase “Secrets of the Sea” caught my attention. A Golden South Sea pearl body scrub? Interesting. 

Who wouldn’t want to  indulge in an invigorating body scrub made of immaculate Golden South Sea pearls? Seriously, tell me, who wouldn’t? So I replied to the email and asked more information about it. The staff at EDSA Shangri-La responded promptly., and I was very fortunate to be invited to try it.

When I went at CHI, I was welcomed by the opulent Shangri-La ambiance. We walk through the 5th floor where the Spa Suites  are located. If you want to spend a night of bliss, the Spa Suite is the best option. Pamper yourself with its own Jacuzzi and L’Occitane toiletries, as well as other premium amenities. CHI’s treatment rooms are located in the same wing as the Spa Suites. We went down a few plight of stairs where CHI’s reception is located.

As explained to me, finely-milled Jewelmer Golden South Sea pearls  are mixed with CHI’s signature element oils. To know what element oil suits me, the spa therapist handed me a questionnaire before the treatment. After I accomplished the questionnaire, she told me that my elements are a mix of fire and water, and that my mood for the day leaned towards fire. So, having said that, to complement my mood, water element oil was used for my scrub, and fire element oil for my massage. I wonder if this water element of mine has something to do with my love for beaches, islands and marine life?

 The spa therapist then led me to the lavish treatment room and had informed me that I can use the steam bath (which she had pre-heated already) for 15 minutes. I love this part. I just love steam baths than sauna. I can dwell in it for hours. 

Photo courtesy of EDSA Shangri-La

After the soothing steam bath, the therapist showed me the finely-milled Golden South Sea pearls and the water element oil. She started putting oil on my body and gradually dust it with the immaculate pearl powder. It felt cold when it finally touched my skin. It is not coarse like the usual body scrub. It feels like baby powder. Unless you have allergies to pearls (I am not even sure if there is such a thing), this treatment is a better option for those who have sensitive skin. Since it is finely-milled, there is less risk of having abrasions. 

When the spa therapist had finally finished applying the delicate pearl powder on my body, she asked me to touch my skin and indeed, it was very smooth. A refreshing shower and another few minutes of steam bath followed, before my another  favourite part – the massage.

A gentle yet penetrative massage pressure focusing on the earth element (building ch’i), wood element (moving ch’i) and fire element (clarity and peace of mind), their signature massage – CHI Balance – uses techniques that include acupressure, energizing massage to stimulate yang and relaxing massage to calm yin. 

In the earlier questionnaire that I had filled out, there was a part there where I have to mark some body parts that I wish the therapist to focus on. True enough, these marks are very well taken into consideration. The spa therapist focused on my stiff back and legs. The strokes were divinely perfect. It was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep. 

For a local fare, CHI also prides itself in promoting the Philippines’ very own – Hilot massage. It is an authentic treatment that focuses on ancient diagnostic methods passed down through generations of Philippine culture. In the traditional setting, warmed coconut oil and banana leaves are placed over the body and allows the healing hands of the Hilot to detect areas of energy imbalance and blockages in your body. 

I was awakened by the clink of this metal, the final ritual for every CHI treatment. It is believed to dispel bad vibes. There. Back to reality. How I wish this indulgence did not come to an end.

Photo courtesy of EDSA Shangri-La

I was served with a soothing cup of honeyed ginger ale before I put on my wardrobe back. The treatment lasted for about two and a half hours. Believe me, every single minute of those two and a half hours are all worthwhile. 

The Secrets of the Sea is available at CHI, the Spa at EDSA Shangri-la until June 2012 only, so better grab the opportunity to indulge in this unique indulgence. For reservations please call(63 2) 633 8888 or (63 2) 634 7303 or email at chi.edsa@shangri-la.com.

While I was waiting for hubby to pick me up at the CHI lobby, I saw these lavish oils and soaps available for purchase. This is perfect for your very own DIY spa treatment at home.

Find your element at Chi, The Spa at Shangri-la

When you are tired and do not have enough time for an out of town vacation, a hot bath and a massage will suffice to rejuvenate your body. Chi, The Spa at Shangri-la offers a wide variety of spa treatments that will definitely make you feel like king or queen, sans going out of the metro.

Chi Spa is located at EDSA Shangri-la in Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. It is nestled on a separate building to ensure serenity and exclusivity of the place.

Going to Chi Spa, you will pass by EDSA Shangri-la’s poolside.

You will be welcomed in their posh lobby. I remember the lobby of Boracay Shangri-la. They almost look the same. This only proves that the Shangri-la group is maintaining consistency on ambience and service among their hotel in any part of the world.

There is also a retail area beside the lobby. You can buy skin care products, candles, oils and a lot more.

 

We waited in the couch and they gave us honeyed ginger ale. I do not usually drink ginger ale as I am not a big fan of ginger and its distinct taste. However, this one is an exemption. The sweetness of honey balances the spiciness of ginger. Plus, as I am having sore throat that time, this ginger ale helped relieve my condition.

Before the treatment commenced, they let me sign up a client’s sheet that will also determine your element. Also, you can put here if you have special needs like the intensity of pressure you prefer, or if you want them to avoid some parts of your body or concentrate on one. The service is very personalized. This I think is what differentiates Chi Spa from the other spas out there.

After the consultation, we went up to my room. I asked if I can view the overnight accommodations upstairs but they are fully booked that time.

There is also a receiving area upstairs.

Here my room: Padma

Upon entering the room, you will see a foot therapy area. All rooms here are identical.

The room has its own shower and steam bath, a rest room, a closet, a vanity area and a massage area. Here’s a peek at my amenity kit: disposable thongs, soaps, shower cap, blow dryer.

And there’s also cold water with zesty lemon.

Here’s the massage area. The bed is equipped with hot blanket so you would not chill after shower.

En-Wrapture is a treatment that starts with a 30 minute steam bath followed by a muscovado sugar body scrub. Muscovado sugar mixed with extra virgin coconut oil removes dead skin cells while maintaining your skin’s moisture balance. Extra virgin coconut oil is known to have superb moisturizing properties.

The body scrub will be followed by a hot shower. Afterwards, a white clay wrap will be applied to your body. It will end with a warm blanket wrap.

That chime is what they use to let the client know the treatment is finished.

Following the En-Wrapture treatment, I went through their Green Tea Facial.

It is an all-natural facial that uses spirulina, oats, green tea and yogurt. No extraction or peeling done here. This is more of a relaxing kind of facial.

And after almost 2 hour of rejuvenation, included in the package is a robe that you could use on your next visit or during their yoga classes.

Special thanks to Ms. Claire of EDSA Shangri-la.For more information, visit their site here.