Ilulli’s 2025 Holiday Menu: A Festive Dining Experience in Batangas
- Chef Reena Babasa
- Dec 12, 2025
- 4 min read
The holiday season is a time for togetherness, for sharing laughter, stories, and, of course, great food. At Ilulli, the signature restaurant of Nuuk Taal, our 2025 Christmas Menu has been thoughtfully crafted to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of celebration to every table. Inspired by both Filipino and Nordic flavors, this seasonal menu celebrates familiar favorites while introducing a few delightful surprises.
Sustainability and Creativity at the Heart of Ilulli's Nordic-Filipino-inspired Cuisine
The Nordic cuisine principle of zero waste—a core component of its overarching sustainability approach—inspires much of our thinking in the kitchen. This approach emphasizes making the most of every ingredient, local and seasonal sourcing, and innovative techniques to minimize environmental impact. It keeps our chefs on their toes, pushing them to be inventive while honoring every part of the ingredient. We’ll share a more detailed post in the future about how Ilulli integrates these Nordic principles into our broader philosophy.
Appetizers: A Personal Touch to Start the Celebration
Creating this menu has been deeply personal for me. My hope was to welcome all our guests—Filipino and international alike—into a dining experience that evokes warmth, connection, and delight.
Cranberry-Glazed Chicken Liver Pâté with Sourdough
This is one of the first pâtés I’ve ever made, and I was thrilled by how much everyone enjoyed it. Paired with freshly baked sourdough bread, it’s a dish that carries a bit of a personal victory: I’ve always wanted to perfect this bread, and after many attempts, I finally brought it to life just in time for the Christmas season. The creamy pâté, tangy cranberry, and crisp sourdough create a combination I hope will bring joy to every guest.
Festive Chicken Lollipops with Prawn Aioli & Mushroom Duxelles
I developed this dish with sustainability in mind, inspired by Nordic principles that champion zero waste. By using the drumettes from our wings—which might otherwise be overlooked—we’re making the most of every ingredient. The prawn aioli is created from flavors extracted from prawn heads, adding depth and richness without generating waste. Every bite reflects a mindful, creative approach to cooking: delicious, responsible, and thoughtful.
Holiday Waldorf Salad
Crisp green apples, walnuts, cranberries, and celery come together with a gentle horseradish dressing. This is our way of adding something fresh and vibrant—fruity, crisp, and fitting for the festive season.
Hearty Sharing Mains for a Warm Christmas Meal
For the main courses, I wanted dishes that feel comforting yet special—ones that encourage guests to linger, laugh, and enjoy the company of others.
Herb-Roasted Chicken with Parsley-Celery Pesto
A dish I believe everyone can enjoy, served with a vibrant pesto that highlights the often-overlooked celery leaves. Guests can choose their preferred sides, each pairing beautifully with the dish.
Smoky BBQ Beef Brisket with Grilled Corn & Crispy Onion Rings
Tender, flavorful, with a subtle smokiness, this brisket is designed to be a crowd favorite. I imagine it paired with good conversation, laughter, and a cold drink—the kind of dish that makes any holiday gathering feel like a celebration.
Baked Tiger Prawns with Chili-Garlic Mornay & Mozzarella
One of my personal favorites, these prawns were born from a simple love for the ingredients. Rich, flavorful, and baked to perfection, it’s a dish I genuinely love to eat and want to share with our guests.
Sweet Endings: Desserts to Delight
No festive meal is complete without dessert, and this year I wanted to offer three choices, each with its own character:
Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart – Rich chocolate balanced by salted caramel, perfect for those who love indulgence.
Strawberry Choux Craquelin – Light, fruity, and delicate, inspired by my co-head chef’s love for strawberries.
Ilulli Deconstructed Ube Cake – Close to my heart, this subtle, not-too-sweet cake features house-made ube halaya, buko compote, and a multigrain crispbread for texture. It’s truly one of my personal favorites.
A Menu Meant to Connect People
For me, the holidays are about reconnecting with friends and family, and I hope this menu helps create those moments through good food.
Whether you’re spending the holidays at Nuuk Taal here in Batangas, just a short drive from Tagaytay, or visiting after Christmas, our festive menu is available through to January, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience it and keep the holiday spirit alive.
From all of us in the Ilulli kitchen, we wish you a joyful and memorable holiday season. We’ve poured our hearts, creativity, and care into this menu, and our hope is that each dish brings comfort, connection, and a little festive magic to your table. May this season be filled with laughter, shared moments, and the simple joys of good food enjoyed together.
Meet our Head Chefs: Reena and Shane
Chef Reena and her co-head, Chef Shane, have been with Nuuk since the very beginning, helping shape Ilulli into the restaurant our guests love today. Both trained in well-respected kitchens before joining us, but it’s here where their creativity, grit, and passion truly flourished.
Their partnership is rooted in deep friendship and a shared love for cooking, allowing them to push boundaries and explore Nordic-inspired cuisine with authenticity and heart. They lead a young, fast-growing kitchen team, many of whom joined as fresh graduates or transitioned from entirely different roles. Reena and Shane’s mentorship has transformed them into capable, confident cooks who now execute canapés, multi-course menus, and beautiful plates for weddings and events.
Quietly but powerfully, these two young Filipina chefs continue to elevate Ilulli with every dish they create. We couldn’t be prouder—or more excited—for everything still ahead.
About Nuuk Taal
Nestled on the tranquil shores of Taal Lake in Batangas, just a short drive from Manila and Tagaytay, Nuuk Taal Boutique Hotel is a luxurious lakeside retreat with breathtaking views of Taal Lake and Volcano, offering an unforgettable escape from the city. With elegantly appointed suites, intimate event spaces, and personalized services, Nuuk Taal is perfect for romantic and family getaways, destination weddings, corporate retreats, wellness escapes, or simply a relaxing weekend by the lake.
At the heart of our property is Ilulli, our in-house restaurant serving Nordic-inspired international cuisine where guests can enjoy a range of experiences—from curated culinary experiences to multi-course tasting menus, and private celebrations. For those looking to explore, nearby attractions include Tagaytay’s scenic spots, hiking trails, golf courses, local farms, and cultural tours, making Nuuk Taal an ideal base to combine relaxation, adventure, and memorable experiences. Every moment at Nuuk Taal is thoughtfully designed to feel effortless, authentic, and deeply personal.
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