Here's where to dine this coming Chinese New Year
Hotels in the National Capital Region have been having a hard time of it during the pandemic. Some have opted to be quarantine hotels, while others chose to stay closed during the enhanced community quarantine, and are now open as staycation hotels. Foreign tourists do trickle in, but nowhere in the numbers needed to keep the hotels truly busy. To meet the challenge of surviving, several hotels have relied on their food and beverage outlets. When it comes to the New World Makati, this hotel houses one of my favorite go-to’s when it comes to Chinese cuisine, the Jasmine restaurant.
With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, the Jasmine is one fine eating establishment to keep in mind for a proper family outing, and, of course, a Chinese feast. They currently have an Eat All You Can dim sum promotion, and there will be a special menu for the Lunar Year weekend. Club Epicure members will enjoy a special discount. Currently, Jasmine is open for Saturday lunch and dinner, and for Sunday lunch.
Steamed pumpkin dumplings 
Har gao dumplings
Among the appetizers, I would recommend the crispy bean curd with spiced salt, and the pickled cucumber. For the dim sum selections, the har gao shrimp dumplings, their xiao long bao-style dumplings, shao mai pork and crab meat dumplings, and pumpkin dumplings are all highly dependable. And the minced beef balls and radish cake are great choices. One personal favorite I’d love to share is the seafood taro puffs. This one is a great choice, with the texture and consistency truly surprising and special.
Minced beef balls 
Shao mai dumplings
Under the main course section, where the servings are good for two persons, there’s a wonderful deep-fried sole fillet with salted egg. And there’s the wok-fried kong pao chicken with cashew nuts. In the dim sum menu, look out for the supplement section, as I would swear by their crispy pork belly, and the pan-fried beef tenderloin, Chinese style. These are two excellent choices that similarly come in portions that serve two, and should not be missed.
Crispy pork belly 
Pan-fried beef tenderloin
There’s a consistency and dependability from the Jasmine kitchen staff that makes it one of the establishments I’ll gladly return to time and time again. While other Chinese restaurants opt to go adventurous and offer the unexpected, highlighting the tweaking here and there of traditional dishes; Jasmine would have us consider it as the trusted and safe choice, the one where we know what to expect, and can be assured it will be done well.
Radish cake 
Seafood taro puffs
We have one more Saturday, Jan. 23, to book a Jasmine table and enjoy the special P1,088/person Eat All You Can dim sum rate. It’s regularly priced at P1,288; which will recommence after the 23rd. For the special Chinese New Year menu, the price will be P1,888/person, with the aforementioned discount for Club Epicure members.
Jasmine, a familiar old friend; it’s good to know you’re back in operation, even if it’s just for two days of the week, for now.