Mango Sago in a mooncake?

More than 3,000 years ago, around the autumn equinox, Chinese emperors of the Zhou Dynasty performed sacred rituals under the moon. Believing it would bring a bountiful harvest in the coming year, they lit candles and presented offerings of round pastries, drinks and seasonal fruits. Over the centuries, this tradition evolved into the Mid-Autumn Festival we celebrate today.

Joining the festivities, Solaire Resort brings a new selection of handcrafted mooncakes to Red Lantern at both Solaire Resort Quezon City and Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Delicately presented in elegant gift boxes, these pastries honor authentic Chinese culinary heritage while lending a sophisticated, contemporary twist to every bite.

Exemplifying this year’s collection are the meticulously baked Suzhou-style Mooncakes. Distinguished by a delicate, multi-layered flaky crust — a signature of the centuries-old pastry tradition — these treats are served individually or in a box of four.

The assortment shines by spotlighting inventive flavor combinations inspired by beloved local staples. A clear standout is the Chilled Mango Sago Cream with Pomelo Bird’s Nest Mooncake, a redefined interpretation of the cherished Filipino dessert. Equally irresistible is the Butter Pastry Pandan Mooncake, paying homage to the fragrant, naturally sweet aroma of the ingredient affectionately known as “Southeast Asia’s Vanilla.”

For those craving timeless classics, the traditional mooncake menu is offered in an elegant box of four. It features the Cantonese-style Fresh Abalone Mooncake, the low-sugar Traditional Double Egg Yolk White Lotus Paste Mooncake, the Taro Paste and Osmanthus Mooncake and the Red Wine and Cranberry Mooncake.

No Mid-Autumn celebration is complete without the perfect tea pairing. To elevate the gifting experience, the collection offers the Scent of Full Moon Tea Set, which includes a tea strainer, 100 grams of Tisane de la Princesse, and 100 grams of the floral Original Marie Antoinette Blend. Together, these soothing companions effortlessly enhance the delicate flavors of the mooncakes.

For those wishing to raise a toast in exceptional style, the limited-edition Signature Chef’s Imperial Box pairs four traditional mooncakes with a 50ml bottle of Louis XIII. The collection also captures the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival by presenting two Cognac-infused mooncakes.

Experience the rich flavors of handcrafted mooncakes and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with timeless classics from Red Lantern. Pre-orders will be available for pick-up until 25 September. For orders, call 8888-8888 or email mooncakefestival@solaireresort.com. Orders of 50 boxes or more require at least three days’ advance notice.