Philippines,Travel

Samba: Tasting the Flavors of Peru (Philippines)

Samba 1-min

It was my first time to try Peruvian cuisine at Samba and it was love at first bite! I never knew Peruvian cuisine was this good; all the more reason to travel to Peru soon, right?

So as I’m saving money for my South American Adventure (haha), allow me to give you a taste of Peru through Samba, the Peruvian restaurant at Shangri-La at the Fort.

Samba: Shangri-La at the Fort

Samba 13-min

Welcome to Samba! Luke doing his best samba pose, which he might have mixed up for flamenco. Haha!

Ambience

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

Colorful accents, lively samba beats in the background and a great view of the pool. It’s easy to forget you’re not actually at a resort but at a hotel in the middle of a busy city!

Samba 11-min

Samba is located at the 8th floor of Shangri-La at the Fort. It’s at the same floor as the swimming pool and they have both an indoor and outdoor dining area. I highly recommend going al fresco, if the weather isn’t too hot.

Samba 4-min

This little boy agrees that al fresco is the way to go. Fluffy pillows, samba music and the cool breeze blowing? Instant recipe for an afternoon siesta!

Chef Carlo Huerta Echegaray

Samba 3-min

Before I introduce the food, let me introduce the chef! Chef Carlo Huerta Echegaray is a native of Peru. A master in South American Cuisine, Chef Carlo artfully blends local ingredients into his Peruvian dishes. 

When you talk to him, you can really feel his passion for the food. In fact, after taking a photo together, he immediately guides us on how to eat each dish; which to eat first and which dish fits well with each other!

Food

Samba 2-min

As it was our first time to try Peruvian Cuisine, a mix of Spanish, African, Chinese and Japanese influences with native Peruvian culture. We asked our server for her recommendations. Here’s everything that we got:

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

Pisco Sour is a classic South American drink. It’s an alcoholic cocktail with Peruvian origin and contains liquor as base, key lime or lemon juice and syrup.

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

Conchas al Carbon: Chargrilled scallops, aji amarillo ceviche, cilantro leaves, red onion.

It was served flaming but I wasn’t able to take a photo because it came at the time when we were putting Luke down for his siesta. Shucks.

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

Ceviche Limeño: Shrimp, octopus, scallops, calamari, lapu-lapu, red onion, coriander sprouts, tobiko, leche de tigre. This is my favorite, highly recommended.

Leche de Tigre or “Tiger’s Milk” is the Peruvian term for the citrus-based marinade that cures the seafood in a ceviche (raw) It contains freshly squeezed lime juice, limo pepper and cilantro.

Chef Carlo said that you have to eat this really with the sauce, leche de tigre, because without it, it’s like you didn’t eat ceviche at all! He also recommended that we eat it with the Arroz con Mariscos. Great combination.

Samba 8-min

Arroz con Mariscos: Peruvian seafood rice, calamari, octopus, shrimps, scallops, white wine, paprika creole seasoning, parmesan cheese, coral butter.

The dish is similar to paella, which explains why Luke devoured it upon waking up from his siesta. We joke that he’s such an asian boy because he definitely loves his rice!

Samba 6-min

Anticucho de Pulpo: Chargrilled octopus, panca pepper, roasted potatoes, ocopa sauce, rocoto carretillero. Rocoto is used as a spicy seasoning in Latin American cuisine.

The chargrilled octopus was really soft and tender and it didn’t feel rubbery at all. It came with three sauces and we followed Chef Carlo’s recommendation: the red sauce for the octopus and the other two for the potatoes.

An Introduction to Peruvian Cuisine

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

Samba introduced me to Peruvian cuisine. It was my first time be acquainted with leche de tigre and cerviches and what a world it has opened up for me. The fresh seafood and citrusy tastes are so memorable that I’m raving about our experience weeks after our visit.

Samba Shangri-La at the Fort

I am not very particular with food so unless there’s something really memorable about the dish or the restaurant, I easily forget about it. Samba at Shangri-La at the Fort is hardly forgettable and definitely merits a distinction as one of the best new restaurants in Manila.

And as it is now high up on my favorites list, I’ll be back soon, for sure!

(NOTE: THIS POST IS ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE LAST JANUARY 2017.)
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21 Comments

  • Reply
    Monique Galang
    February 15, 2017 at 12:32 am

    Wow! I’ll have a hard time eating those foods because the food presentation is pleasant. And their mug is cool ;D

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 15, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      Yes it’s all so pretty but you definitely have to eat because it’s soo good!!

  • Reply
    Violette
    February 15, 2017 at 1:33 am

    This looks so delicious!

    http://violettedaily.com

  • Reply
    Adam
    February 15, 2017 at 3:21 am

    That food looks gorgeous! 😀

    http://twitter.com/averageguystyle

  • Reply
    Paola Lauretano
    February 15, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Delicios food, lovely place and adorable baby boy!
    Kisses, Paola.
    Expressyourself

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 15, 2017 at 8:27 pm

      Thank you Paola!

  • Reply
    Benita James
    February 15, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    The food looks so good and the place is stunning.

    Bernie, xx
    The Style Fanatic

  • Reply
    miriam
    February 15, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    amazing photos!!!

    http://cheremimi.blogspot.com.es/

  • Reply
    Neha
    February 15, 2017 at 9:53 pm

    Wow…what beautiful and great photos…xoxo, Neha

    http://www.theinstylejournal.com/

  • Reply
    sharron
    February 16, 2017 at 4:41 am

    The place looks beautiful and the food looks really appetising. Amazing Job on the photography. Looks like so much fun was had with Luke eventually passing out Haha. Great Post.

    deffinatlyshaz.co.zw

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 20, 2017 at 4:52 pm

      He passed out even before we started. Hahaha! Thank you!

  • Reply
    Shakira Sacks
    February 16, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    This place looks amazing- the food looks delicious and I love how bright and colourful it is!x

    SHAKIRA / SHAKIRA SACKS

  • Reply
    Sharon Wu
    February 16, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    oh my goodness these foods look amazing! great photography babe xo, sharon

    http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/style-oversized-chambray-shirt/

  • Reply
    Katherine
    February 17, 2017 at 4:26 am

    The place looks pretty and food looks good!

    http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      February 20, 2017 at 4:51 pm

      It’s super good!!

  • Reply
    Rena
    February 17, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    Now I want immediately to eat there!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

  • Reply
    Arleen Oboguin
    March 9, 2017 at 10:47 am

    I love all the photos ????

  • Reply
    Arleen Oboguin
    March 9, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Ang ganda po ng place , nakakatakam po ang foods ????
    @arleenoboguin

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      March 9, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      Hi Arleen, yes super good!

  • Reply
    Kim
    May 12, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Samba looks beautiful! I would never have guessed to try Peruvian food in the Philippines! Delicious!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      May 13, 2017 at 8:18 am

      You should go Kim!! It’s super good!! Definitely one of the best restaurants in Manila this 2017!

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