Up, up and away: Food that takes you high at Dinner in the Sky

MANILA, Philippines — Eating authentic Japanese food 150-feet up high is now a reality for Filipinos after Dinner in the Sky recently opened this gastronomic experience in Manila.

For a limited time only, one can elevate the dining experience exclusively at Solaire Resorts and Casino hotel in Pasay City.

Belgium-based novelty dining experience Dinner in the Sky added Manila to the list of 40 cities where it has done events globally. It was opened to the public last April 4 and would operate until May 21.

Dinner packages

One can savor the sky-dining experience, dubbed by Forbes magazine as “one of the world’s top 10 most unusual restaurants,” in three packages just like a regular plane ride. The experience usually takes an hour and can accommodate 22 people at a time, perfect for family, friends or corporate celebrations.

Dinnner in the Sky uses a crane to lift its diners, table, and waiting staff. The chairs can be reclined and rotated, but it is guaranteed safe as the organizers said it follows German standardization.

Up, up here we go! Diners are taken by this 22-seater dining service. Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

The first dinner package, economy, worth P9,990 per individual, includes a four-course dinner and complimentary juice and water. The second package, Business Class, costs P14,990 per head, and upgrades the dining experience with a five-course dinner menu and a glass of champagne at the lounge, two glasses of wine at the lounge and during the meal.

On the other hand, the first class dinner package is priced at P24,990 per diner. It comes with a premium five-course dinner menu, free-flowing champagne at the lounge, free-flowing wine at the lounge and on air, complimentary juice and water during meal.

Both business and first classes are given priority in boarding.

The sky-dining experience features local and international chefs who will prepare international cuisines right in front of you.

A sky full of dinner

From April 16 to 23, however, Dinner in the Sky offers authentic Japanese food personally prepared by Chef Norimasa Kosaka. The Japanese cuisine set is called “Yakumi,” also known as “the place to get the most authentic and best-tasting Japanese cuisine.”

The Yakumi  four-course dinner set begins with the pre-starter— a bento full of  Japanese cold treats including spring kaiseki, cold edamame soup, prawn and uni dashi jelly, toro tartar, sushi rice, soya Atlantic cod soft roe with spicy ponzu, small seasonal fish sashimi, and freshly grated wasabi.

Luxurious bento starter. Itadakimasu! Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

This pre-starter course can be availed by business class and first class diners.

Norimasa’s set gets even more exciting as the second course is Yakumi’s signature Tskuji fish market sushi platter.The platter is composed of Nigiri type of sushi with raw fish over pressed vinegar rice.

Yakumi signature. Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

Nothing beats having the opportunity to watch a chef prepares fresh nigiri in front of you with a view of Pasay City and Manila as your backdrop.

Fresh nigiri. Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

For the main course, diners can have a choice of fish or chicken dishes.

Kyoto-style, for the fish-lovers. Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

They serve  “Kyoto-style” steamed Chilean sea bass and leek pickled shimeji mushrooms, green asparagus, rice cake, and soya-flavored mirin sauce for Pescatarians or fish-lovers, while those who opt for the chicken meal are served with grilled chicken, tofu and egg stuffing, pickled shimeji mushrooms, green asparagus, rice cake, and soya-flavored mirin sauce.

Chicken choice Philstar.com/Rosette Adel

The Yakumi dinner set ends with a bang as diners are asked to make their own desserts.

Time for some sweets! Philstar.com/Patricia Lourdes Viray

 Norimasa serves green tea cheese cake and serves it with other sweet treats such as mint, milk, dark chocolates, mango and raspberry syrup to unleash diners’ creativity.

Make-your-own-dessert challenge Philstar.com/Rosette Adel

Who are the chefs at the helm of the sky-dining experience?

After Chef Norimasa’s Yakumi set, chefs Kenneth Cacho and Yvez Mattagne will head the kitchen from April 24 to May 7 and May 8 to 21, respectively.

International chefs Hylton and Alan Marchetti previously led the dining experience from April 2 to 15.

Hylton, from the fiery kitchens of Gordon Ramsay, served Latin-inspired cuisines for the Waterside dinner set. Meanwhile, Marchetti, known for his experience as chef de cuisine in London and Hong Kong, served Italian steakhouse for the Finestra set.

Conquer your fear of heights

The sky-dining experience is totally one for the books as it provides a breathtaking bird’s view of the city and good food, which tourists and adventure-seekers can enjoy.

Dinner in the Sky Philippines has two sessions daily: 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. It is open for anyone aged 13 and above, with minimum height of 145 cm and a maximum weight of 150 kg.

The dining experience truly practices safety as it is also Persons with Disability-friendly, but the condition should be mentioned while booking. It also has public liability during the event, but diners are required to sign an indemnity and waiver form.

Seats for this one-of-a-kind dining experience are only being sold online through www.dinnerinthesky. ph or at the ticketing counter located at Esplanade, Solaire Resort and Casino, Entertainment City, Paranaque City.

The Philippines is the third Asian country to have experienced Dinner in the Sky. The service previously held events in Malaysia and Thailand.