Marbled Iberico pork glazed with honey from the Yellow Mountain in China’s Anhui province is one of the most coveted char siu dishes in the world, made famous by the acclaimed Mott 32 in Hong Kong.
And now – it’s in Cebu.
Mott 32 opened its first Philippine outlet at NUSTAR, the first five-star integrated resort in Cebu, located in South Road Properties, Cebu City’s fastest emerging urban development. The 9.7 hectare flagship project of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI), a privately held company under the Gokongwei Group, is envisioned to be the ultimate leisure and entertainment destination in the region.
“It has always been our goal to elevate the lifestyle experiences in the Philippines by introducing innovative and spectacular offerings. Mott 32 has been operating in over six countries to date, and we are so happy and proud to bring their newest restaurant to NUSTAR Cebu, Philippines,” says Frederick D. Go, president and chief executive officer of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc.
The glamorous space overlooking the Mactan Channel is trademark Mott 32, with stunning interiors that meld New York-industrial style and Chinese elements, designed in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed interior designer Joyce Wang. This particular outlet is punctuated with Filipino accents as some handcrafted furniture were made by local Cebuano artisans to highlight local design, as seen in the Capiz details of the windows in the restaurant façade.
Mott 32 Cebu allures with a selection of fine wine and spirits from across the globe, plus its creative Asian-inspired cocktails such as the Fujian Negroni, made with Kamm & Sons British Aperitif, Aperol, Lapsang souchong tea, and infused amaro. Or the Hanami, a concoction of whiskey, gin, umeshu, yuzu, shiso, ginger beer, and chrysanthemum.
Mott 32’s kitchen is led by head chef Tam Wai Sang who has been in the culinary field for 35 years. In preparation for this highly prestigious task, he trained under master chef Lee Man Sing, who helms the Mott 32 Hong Kong flagship restaurant.
The dishes are based on traditional Cantonese recipes, with Beijing and Szechuan influences, using the best ingredients and modern cooking innovations to create epicurean delights for its guests.
“At Mott 32, we are dedicated to serving authentic, timeless recipes that pay homage to Chinese cuisine. We are thrilled to be bringing a unique dining experience to Cebu this year,” says Xuan Mu, group managing director of Maximal Concepts, and one of the founders of the global restaurant.
“We wanted to bring luxury and sophistication to Cebu, so it had to be Mott 32,” says NUSTAR’s Go, who calls the restaurant among “the best of the best.”
“Mott 32 only opens in the best locations in the world so we really had to show them what NUSTAR would be,” says Go. “We had to show them that this would be the newest star, not just in Cebu, not just in the Philippines, but the newest star in Asia. This project, you put it anywhere in the world, it will stand out. It’s world class.”
NUSTAR is set to be a regional dining and shopping destination showcasing a mix of renowned international luxury brands and local F&B favorites. The first of its kind in Cebu, a viewing deck at the 26th floor of the NUSTAR Hotel will give access to 180-degree view of Mactan’s blue waters and Cebu City’s tranquil highlands, while a wharf and boardwalk that spans over half a kilometer will be an ideal promenade with a waterside setting.
The island resort will be home to three homegrown hotel brands from Robinsons Land — NUSTAR, Fili, and Grand Summit — with a total of over 1,000 rooms at full complement. To conclude the multisensory experience, NUSTAR will also be home to two premiere cinemas, a 1,500-seater performing arts theater, as well as the Grand Ballroom/Convention Center, seating up to 2,000 people.
For more information on Mott32 Cebu and NUSTAR Resort, visit nustar.ph