(SPOT.ph) ‘Tis the season for all sorts of long-overdue gatherings with friends and family. And sure, the primary purpose of these events is to reconnect with loved ones—but if you ask us, the best part of any gathering is the food! In an ideal world, you’d have planned everything days or even weeks in advance so things would run smoothly during the party, but we get it: Sometimes life gets in the way, and you’re forced to look for last-minute options that can still please everyone from your eight-year-old cousins to your hard-to-please in-laws. Enter these great-tasting food platters that you can order as you need them. Best part? You can get your fix with just a few taps on your smartphone, thanks to food delivery apps like GrabFood and Foodpanda—just be sure to note that availability changes depending on your location.
Also read: 10 Drool-Worthy Christmas Potluck Eats That Aren't Your Usual
These food platters on GrabFood and Foodpanda would make great additions to your potluck:
Nono’s Homestyle Fried Chicken Party Platter from Nono’s
Who can say no to fried chicken—especially when it’s the crispy-on-the-outside, slightly-spiced version that Nono’s is known for? It’s one of our favorite takes on Southern-style fried chicken in Manila for that reason, and you can get it as part of a party platter (P3,225) with country-style gravy, dinner rolls, and corn on the cob.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Paella Gallega from Barcino
Paella is always a crowd-pleaser, thanks in no small part to the Filipino love for rice—and with veg and meat also in the mix, it’s practically a complete meal in a pot! Barcino makes a stellar Paella Gallega (P1,618.3), which has a well-seasoned paella rice base cooked and topped with octopus, squid, and vegetables for a savory, earthy mix with a good dose of seafood.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Hanger Steak Platter from Ooma
Looking to breathe some Japanese flair into your party? Ooma definitely knows a thing or two about Japanese flavors, and their Hanger Steak Platter (P1,095/good for three to four) lets you sate those hankerings for beef on an umami note. It’s got hanging tender cooked sous-vide until tender, and paired with earthy sautéed mushrooms, a sweet-potato mash, crispy baby potatoes, and kangkong tempura for crunch. And with white truffle oil, herb oil, and ponzu butter in the mix, you can expect plenty of depth of flavor here.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Squid Ink Pasta Tray from Wildflour
Wildflour might be best known for their stellar bakes, but their pasta game is well worth paying attention to as well. In particular, their Squid Ink Pasta (P2,860/good for five to six) is a real fan favorite that’s as striking in appearance as it is sumptuous in flavor. They make their own mafaldine pasta from scratch, with squid ink in the mix for a subtle briny note; it’s then cooked until al dente and brought to zesty heights with fresh prawns, clams, squid, garlic, butter, and pistachios that contrast beautifully against the black hue of the pasta. Don’t forget to squeeze the lemon wedge over it before serving—the zest contributes a wonderful brightness that balances out the savory pull of the seafood.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Meat Platters to Go from Tender Bob’s
Got carnivores on your guest list? Trust us, no meat craving will be left behind with Tender Bob’s Meat Platters to Go (P1,595). Each platter is good for four and features a medley of meats—namely Porkchop, Chicken Steak, Ribeye Steak, and Pork Ribs—all cooked such that they’re succulent within and full of flavor. These platters also come with a choice between Steak or Java Rice.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Phad Thai Shrimp Platter from Mango Tree
You can count on noods to please the crowd at any Filipino gathering—and if you’re looking to venture beyond the more commonly served Filipino or Chinese versions, it’s worth taking a cue from other parts of the continent, like Thailand. Here’s a Thai noodle dish to try: Mango Tree’s Phad Thai Shrimp Platter (P1,350/good for five to six), which has rice noodles stir-fried to savory-tangy perfection along with prawns, roasted peanuts, mixed vegetables, tofu, chili flakes, and bean sprouts. Also included is an intricate egg net (a.k.a. an omelette that resembles a web), plus wedges of lime that you can squeeze over for added brightness.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Dingdong's Favorite Set C from Mesa
What's a Pinoy party without Pinoy flavors in the mix? Filipino establishment Mesa makes party platters listed under the "Dingdong's Favorites" section of their menu, and the Dingdong's Favorite Set C (P2,088.75/good for four to five) is one to try. It includes a good number of Mesa signatures so you get a little bit of everything in the mix—tinapa rolls, garlic chicken, suahe, binagoongan baboy, bam-i, and sisig rice! Orders also come with a 1.5-liter bottle of soda.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Honey Spiced Samgyupsal from Soban K-Town Grill
Some might argue that part and parcel of the appeal of KBBQ is the whole experience of going to a restaurant and grilling your meat at the table—but that can also make for a messy experience. If you’re looking for a fuss-free way to bring some good ol’ KBBQ fun into your potluck, you’ll want to try Soban K-Town Grill’s special samgyup party trays. Consider the Honey Spiced Samgyupsal (P990/medium, good for three to four; P1,780/large, good for five to six); it’s got pork belly in a sweet-spicy marinade and grilled to juicy perfection, plus lettuce and ssamjang for wrapping up your own ssam.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Spaghetti Polpette from Francesco’s
Francesco’s is one of those spots that does justice to classic Italian eats, and their good-for-five party trays let you share their signature flavors with your friends and fam. Simply search for the Party Trays (P1,380) menu item on Francesco's menu and pick your dish; we're fans of the Spaghetti Polpette (P100 additional), which has tender meatballs and al-dente spaghetti in an herby, hearty tomato sauce. Simple as it sounds, what this dish lacks in frills, it makes up for in great quality—and sometimes that's all you and your loved ones need.
Available on GrabFood and Foodpanda.
Decadent Chocolate Cake from Big Al’s
No potluck is complete without dessert and we’ve got just the thing that’ll definitely please: Big Al’s Decadent Chocolate Cake. It needs no introduction—this chocolate cake ranked the highest on our 2019 Top 10 Chocolate Cakes in Manila list for its moist and fluffy cake base and deep, dark, cocoa-y frosting—and apart from its smallest loaf-sized denominator, it can also be had in bigger sizes, namely the eight-inch Junior (P700), nine-by-12 inch Birthday (P1,200), and 10-by-14 inch Party (P1,800).
Available on GrabFood.
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