Here’s to abundance all year round
Eat well, be well. This doesn’t only apply on special occasions, but with every meal. But Chinese New Year is coming up and it’s a cause for celebration. To the Chinese, going all the way back to ancient times, certain food is believed to bring luck—or peace, prosperity, love and harmony, longevity, and joy. If nothing else, good food on the table on New Year’s Eve may send you off to a good start, with hope and a sense that all will be well.
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LUCKY FRUITS
The Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony recommends that you set up particular fruits for particular purposes on the dinner table. From this list, of which the first five are the most important, place any five of the auspicious fruits in a platter on your dining table.
Pomelo (cleansing negative vibes) | Orange or ponkan or kiat (money) | Pineapple (means good luck comes your way) | Apple (peace of mind and harmony) | Dragon fruit (victory and success) | Persimmon (good fortune) | Peach (long life) | Cherry (happiness) | Pomegranate (fertility) | Lychee (romance) | Grape (abundance and luxury) | Watermelon (prosperity) | Avocado (elegance) | Coconut (longevity) | Melon (wealth) | Mango (unity)
Having any of these items on the table on Chinese New Year’s Eve is believed to also help augur in luck—peanuts with shell, candies, cake, tikoy, and fresh flowers
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PROSPERITY IN BENTO BOXES
From beautifully made dumplings and elegant takes on ginger-soy mahi mahi and stir-fried tenderloin strips with mushrooms, The Peninsula Manila’s Chinese New Year takeout bento boxes will make sure that we all greet the Year of the Tiger with a big smile on our faces.
The “Celestial Dragon” Bento Box comes with pork and kuchay dumplings, stir-fried noodles with chicken char siu, steamed ginger and soy mahi-mahi with mixed mushrooms and bok choy, and pandan mantou.
The “Guardian Lion” Bento Box, on the other hand, is packed with shrimp dumplings, yang chow fried rice with BBQ pork, stir-fried beef tenderloin and steamed broccoli in soy-garlic sauce, and red bean paste sesame balls.
Available from Feb. 1 to 7, these takeout bento boxes are priced at ₱1,388 each or ₱2,688, buy one/take one, inclusive of VAT and applicable local taxes. Call The Peninsula Boutique at +63 2 8887 2888 or 0917-5578014 or email [email protected].
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TRADITIONAL FAVORITES
At Conrad Manila, China Blue by Jereme Leung’s executive Chinese chef Eng Yew Khor masterfully works the wok for the festive season with a selection of traditional favorites such as braised money bag of minced beef with fish lips and spring onions gong chai soup; braised abalone, stuffed fish maw, and dry oyster in superior egg white dry scallop sauce; steamed lapu lapu with assorted shredded mushroom; pork in Zha Chai superior soya sauce; and deep-fried caramel tropical coconut Nian Gao, among others, available a la carte or in a set menu for 10 persons or more.
Also on offer is specially curated Yee Sang, Suckling Pig, and Dim Sum Platter available for pre-order and takeaway through its E-store, http://bit.ly/conradestore
You’re invited to bring home a box of Nian Gao available in four mouth-watering flavors and beautifully presented in delicately crafted boxes. Each Nian Gao is shaped in koi fish and mini gold bars to represent good fortune and prosperity in such flavors as traditional brown sugar, tropical coconut, red bean, and sweet lemon. Nian Gao Treasures is priced at ₱1,888 per box of six and available for pre-order and takeaway. Call +632 8833 9999 or email [email protected].
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PROSPERITY SALAD
At the New World Makati Hotel, Jasmine highlights its premium Chinese cuisine befitting Lunar New Year celebrations. Two set menus offer dishes that signify prosperity, longevity, and happiness for the coming year.
Set Menu 1 starts with the Salmon Yu Sheng salad, also known as the Prosperity Salad; followed by Imperial Peking duck (half) served the traditional way; chicken asparagus soup; pan-fried garoupa fillet with chili, garlic, and coconut sauce; wok-fried beef tenderloin in XO sauce; deep-fried spare ribs with cantaloupe and sweet and sour sauce; Peking duck served the second way; and seafood fried rice with salted fish. The meal is concluded by three desserts—glutinous rice dumpling with milk chocolate, dark sugar coconut sticky rice cake, and mango cream sago.
Set Menu 2 also begins with the Prosperity Salad and features the suckling pig barbecued combination platter; roasted duck (half); assorted seafood conpoy bamboo pith soup; steamed garoupa fillet with bean curd, garlic, and vermicelli; wok-fried scallops with chicken and XO chili sauce; deep-fried spare ribs with crispy garlic; and stir-fried noodle with beef fillet and bean sprout, followed by desserts—steamed milky egg cream piggy buns, dark sugar coconut sticky rice cake, and mango cream pomelo.
Set Menus 1 and 2 are offered at ₱8,888 nett per table of four guests. Vegetarian set menus are also available. Call +63288116888.
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ROARING FEAST
Celebrate with the whole family and indulge in a resplendent Roaring Feast at RWM signature restaurant, Happy 9. The six-course Lunar New Year set features an assortment of lavish Chinese specialties to symbolize abundance for the year ahead that is highlighted by pan fried abalone with French goose liver and more. The special menu is a dine-in exclusive for ₱5,288 nett per person until Feb. 10 at Happy 9, 5F (formerly Terrace) Garden Wing.
Steamed whole fish is a traditional dish enjoyed during this festive season, and Victoria Harbour Cafe at the GF Garden Wing has prepared a superior steamed pompano to bring abundance for diners. Victoria Harbour Specials menu also features a Hearty Herbal Ribs Soup and Hot Taro Bubbles. These specials are available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery until Feb. 12.
Over at the Grand Wing, Silk Road Specials for the Lunar New Year include wonton chicken soup, chicken and chorizo rice bowl, and a tikoy treat. Silk Road is located on the ground floor, and the specials menu is available until Feb. 12.
These RWM signature outlets have also curated a Chinese New Year Box of sumptuous Cantonese classics lo mai kai and custard bun for ₱488 nett. Grab a box for your friends and family from Happy 9, Victoria Harbour Cafe, and Silk Road until Feb. 10. www.rwmanila.com