New normal dining doesn't mean less romantic
Covered with masks and meters apart may sound like a romantic story set in a masquerade ball. Unfortunately, that is not our case this 2021. With the pandemic still threatening our daily lives, it also can make a day supposed to be filled with love, a time of fear and hopelessness. While we long to get closer as Valentine's Day comes near, watchful eyes are set to everything safely distanced. But that doesn't mean love is on hold, for just like in history, love always comes through.
Making that happen this February is Seda Vertis North as it sets up a dining experience that is sure to bring magical moments and reignite lost flames. But in order to do that, the premier luxury space has pulled a few strings to ensure a safe and lovely time for couples and families.
"They need to first implicitly know they can dine worry-free. They need to feel that all health protocols are in place and only then will they be relaxed enough to feast on spreads and a la carte dining like that in Misto at this landmark Quezon City hotel," says Cinty Yniguez, marketing and sales director of Seda Vertis North.
Safe in paradise
Open at lunch from Thursday to Sunday and for dinner from Thursday to Saturday, Seda Vertis North’s serviced buffet curated by the culinary team of the well-loved Misto outlet is back and has been busy, attesting to clients’ confidence in its health and safety protocols. Only half of its air-conditioned seating capacity is available in deference to social distancing thus diners have made sure to book in advance. Now also available is al fresco seating.
In addition to thermal scanning of both guests, servers, and food handlers, safety systems have focused on ensuring that contact with handles, plates and serving utensils is limited only to the certified employees confined by dividers within the food preparation area. As a diner goes through the buffet line, he does not touch any serving utensil but only points to the dishes he wants.
The ultimate love language
Diners can indulge in roast beef courses as well as 30 other dishes including Asian specials like laksa, tempura, and handmade noodles, and all-time Filipino favorites kare-kare, crispy pata, callos and lengua have served as good reasons for them to venture out.
Kare-kare 
Laksa
On Sundays, the main attractions are the roasts. To celebrate Chinese New Year, hot and sour soup, salt and pepper chicken, and sweet and sour fish have also been added to the buffet. All these from five food stations for P1,000.
Waiters bring to the table buffet favorites from premium beef, chicken, and seafood to sausages and vegetables in addition to a variety of sauces including a piquant chimichurri that is a delicate balance of coriander, olive oil, garlic, and heat.
Hand pulled noodle dish 
Seafood pasta
"Friends, business people, and family groups strengthening bonds over a meal have been frequenting the serviced buffet where guests remain free to get as much as they want," says Yniguez. "We relish these times when what matters most is being together just like good old days. The only difference is greater mindfulness on our part to make our guests feel comfortable and safe."
Teas and at-home dining
In the meantime, Chef Kerpatrik Boiser and his crew continue to tweak the menu weekly so that there is always something new to look forward to. He assures guests that the ala carte menu available daily also offers great choices for even the most discriminating. There are also the high tea sets, served classic style or with a modern twist, for the afternoons.
The crew is equally focused on maintaining safety by sending staff calendar reminders every 20 minutes to sanitize or wash hands, setting systems so that high-touch surfaces are frequently and consistently sanitized, strictly complying with safety checklists before, during and at the close of the buffet.
The kitchen staff has also been kept busy turning out food to go headlined by the porchetta and chicken galantine served in platters for 10. Also available are Food-To-Go meal sets, frequently ordered by the companies operating within the area.
Whether one chooses to dine in or to be served at home, Seda Vertis North’s Misto is set to make sure that meals remain memorable.