Hot Prawn and Scallop Salad

MANILA, Philippines — Any Pinoy or Chinoy worth his siomai knows that Chinese culture is steeped with beliefs and traditions – from the auspicious directions in feng shui, to wearing and carrying charms that are supposed to attract wealth, good health and a potential life mate.

These beliefs are even observed and adhered to with more conviction when it comes to celebrating the Chinese New Year, with particular attention to the feast that celebrates the changing of the lunar calendar. All sorts of auspicious foods are placed on the table, inviting good fortune for all who partake of them.

In the coming year of the Water Dragon this 2012, the Xin Tian Di restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas is offering a special menu that is composed of truly sumptuous dishes that are said to attract good vibes for the whole year ahead.

Probably the most auspicious dish on the menu is the Yu Sheng Salad, which is not an ordinary salad that is served with the usual gentle tossing, but a mix of lucky ingredients that are vigorously (and mercilessly) tossed in the air, in the belief that the height of the toss means higher growth in fortunes.

The main ingredients and their propitious meanings are as follows: fish for progress; carrots for good luck; green radish, eternal youth; white radish for prosperity in work and business; and peanut crust for longevity.

After the mess of the delicious Yu Sheng has been cleared away, other appetizers are offered, such as the sweet and perfectly prepared Hot Prawn and Scallop Salad (symbolizing happiness); and the Superior Shark’s Fin Dumpling with Pumpkin Broth, with the large yellow dumpling shaped to look like a gold ingot.

For the main course, Chinese Executive Chef Sam Lee is introducing Hong Kong’s famed lucky specialty, a Braised Mini Whole Abalone with Dried Scallop in Melon Ring, with the abalone signifying definite good fortune and the scallops for “opening new horizons”. The Deep Fried Cod Fish Fillet in Soya Sauce is simply divine, where one would mistake it to be as tough and dry as the Pinoy daing because of its deep brown color, only to be surprised at its tender and flaky texture. Fast fact: Fish is said to be a symbol of progress because it keeps moving forward.  

There is also a Fried Hong Kong Chicken in Rock Salt, fatter than its native counterparts as it was flown in directly from Hong Kong, and served whole – to symbolize completeness.

And for seafood lovers, there’s  Baked Crab (for prosperity and status) with Cream and Black Pepper Sauce that might make you momentarily forget table manners as you try to dig into the succulent meat.

Those who are not (or should not be) waiting for a visit from the stork this year, may want to ease up on the tasty Seafood with Tauso Fried Rice, as it symbolizes fertility.

Dessert is also auspicious at this restaurant, with cute mini pineapple tarts for wealth and fortune, and an unforgettable Fried Crispy Tikoy with a sweet honey sauce that made one guest remark that she could eat it every day.

The set menus come in choices for four, six, eight and 10 persons, with ala carte options also available. The hotel will host a traditional Dragon and Lion Dance at 11 am on the 23rd, and lucky giveaways such as fish-shaped tikoy and pineapple tarts are available at the restaurant until then.

For inquiries, call 633-7222 or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com.