I am way beyond waiting for Santa Claus to come to town. This year, one of the reasons I was looking forward to December was because Karla Reyes said that The Plaza Premium Baked Ham is opening a fifth branch in my neck of the woods. I have been nagging her for an exact date but all she could give me was a vague answer. Sigh.
I have been imagining driving home through horrible traffic then rewarding myself with a stopover at Petron Katipunan-La Vista for a bite of their ham paired with their homemade pan de sal. But it looks like I have to wait a wee bit more.
It was at an early Christmas gathering of sorts that Karla introduced me to their The Plaza Premium Baked Ham which has been around since the 60’s. The recipe has been through three generations! Wow! Lightly wood-smoked with choice herbs and spices, it can be enjoyed with a selection of sauces: premium glaze, gutsy garlic, wasabi mayo, sweet mustard and horsey radish.
The Plaza Premium Baked Ham (photo from their Facebook page)
The Plaza Premium Baked Ham has stores at SM Megamall G/F Building A, Petron Square Dasmarinas Avenue corner A. Arnaiz Avenue, 4/F Rustan’s Makati Home Department and at the Rockwell Power Plant Cinema Snackbar.
These outlets can also serve as pick up points for orders of any of The Plaza’s famous gourmet dishes such as the Smoked Prime Tanguingue with dill mustard sauce, Di Primo Pastrami, Chicken Relleno and my favorite, Smoked Corned Angus Beef.
Fresh whole tanguingue, cured in secret spices and lightly smoked.
They have two versions of the corned beef — roast and boiled. I couldn’t decide which one I like better. At the dinner, I kept alternating between the two, trying to make up my mind. Several pan de sals later, I decided I love both!
I’m getting hungry just looking at this photo of the roast corned Angus beef!
Fresh boiled cured beef served with an assortment of steamed vegetables
The Plaza makes throwing parties easy. You can just assemble your own buffet and order your favorites from their menu. Or if you want the whole shebang, you can avail of their catering services.
Inquire about their strawberry salad dressing, this made me eat more than my usual “polite serving” of greens.
Try their caviar pie too!
The Plaza’s history dates back to 1965 when it was established by Jose Cruz Reyes, the son of Engracia Cruz Reyes (founder of Aristocrat). The restaurant expanded to catering through the efforts of his wife, Imelda Albano. She (with the help of Swedish chef Gosta Pettersson) was also behind the recipe of The Plaza Premium Baked Ham.
Their daughter Millie continued the business, opening at the PICC and putting The Plaza top of mind for big international conventions. She is also to be credited for bringing their famous ham from the banquet halls to the malls.
Now it is Karla’s turn to be at the helm, that’s why she’s the one I am making kulit, when are you opening in Quezon City?!?
Log on to www.theplazapremiumbakedham.com for more information.
To know more about The Plaza catering, you may call 7290001/02 and 8908446 or log on to www.theplazacatering.com
Great pics! Must visit one of those branches soon!
Thanks Ruth! Could’ve been better if I weren’t so atat to eat already! Hehe!