The next best thing to flying to Bavaria for the famed Munich Oktoberfest is to head to Peninsula Manila’s restaurant Escolta, where “Oktoberfest, O’zapft is!” is ongoing till Oct. 22. (The expression “O’zapft is!” means “It’s tapped!” to announce the opening of the first keg of beer.)

For dinner, Monday to Saturday (P1,976 nett per person), German-born executive chef Mike Peter Wehrle and Escolta specialty chef Gregory George have prepared a buffet dinner of traditional Oktoberfest favorites—Pork Schnitzel, German Beer-braised pork knuckles, Sauerbraten (Beef pot roast), Bratwurst, Bavarian Roasted Chicken, Kohlroulade (Veal-stuffed cabbage), Schweinshaxen (Pork shank with beer gravy) and Spanferkel (Bavarian roasted pig).  To cap the celebrations is free-flowing Paulaner beer available for P500 (exclusive of taxes).

Resident manager Yves Thoma, also German-born, said: “In Bavaria, it is an age-old tradition to combine business with pleasure. We believe that celebrations should ‘enrich the soul as well as the tummy.’ At The Peninsula Manila you will find what is served on the grounds of Munich’s Oktoberfest.”