Perched on Level 44 of Marco Polo Ortigas, Lung Hin looks out over the city from a vantage point that suits the occasion. The Cantonese restaurant, led by culinary masters from Hong Kong, pairs a modern dining room with a series of private rooms designed for intimate gatherings.

Ahead of the Lunar New Year, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle was recently invited to try its 2026 Year of the Horse Prosperity Set Menu and to sit in on a Feng Shui consultation with Feng Shui Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing.

The set menu opens with Lung Hin’s Signature Peking Duck. The skin arrives lacquered and crisp, sliced tableside, its sheen catching the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wrapped in delicate pancakes with hoisin sauce and slivers of cucumber and scallions, it sets the tone for a meal rooted in tradition.

A Braised Spinach Soup with Assorted Seafood follows, a comforting bowl layered with the sweetness of shellfish and the clean taste of greens. The broth carries depth without heaviness, each spoonful warm and restorative.

From the wok comes Scallops and Squid with Garden Greens in XO Sauce. The scallops are plump, the squid scored and tender, coated in a savory sauce that delivers restrained heat. The greens provide contrast, keeping the dish balanced.

Another wok-fried course features Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper and Calamansi. Cubes of beef are seared until just tender, the sauce aromatic with cracked pepper and brightened by local citrus. The calamansi lifts the richness and leaves a lingering fragrance.

Steamed Wild-Caught Grouper Fillet with Homemade Salted Kiat-Kiat arrives gently cooked, the flesh moist and flaky. The salted citrus topping brings salinity and a faint bitterness that complements the natural sweetness of the fish.

For a deeper, more robust note, Deep-Fried Pork Spareribs with Red Wine Glaze are presented glossy and caramelized. The glaze clings to the crisp exterior, giving way to meat that pulls cleanly from the bone.

A Stir-Fried Minced Duck Lettuce Wrap adds texture and interaction to the table. Guests spoon the savory minced duck into crisp lettuce cups, folding them by hand before taking a bite.

The meal moves toward its final savory course with Five-Grain Fried Rice with Taro and Chinese Sausage. The grains lend texture, while diced taro softens into the rice and slices of sausage add a hint of sweetness.

Dessert begins with Golden Sesame Balls filled with Lotus Seed paste. The exterior crackles lightly before yielding to a smooth filling. A Duo of Chinese New Year Cakes, Pan-Fried Rice Cake and Water Chestnut Cake, closes the set, both sliced and seared to a gentle crust that gives way to a sticky, fragrant interior.

The Prosperity Set Menu is offered at P42,888 for 10 persons and P21,888 for five persons.

Before the meal, guests were given a forecast for 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, by Feng Shui Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing. He outlined a year marked by shifting energies across the 12 zodiac signs.

Those born in the Year of the Rat are advised to proceed with caution, as 2026 brings a clash with the Grand Duke. Financial discipline and patience are emphasized. Oxen, despite a conflict with Tai Sui, benefit from powerful lucky stars that support career growth. Tigers find alliance with the Horse, with opportunities for promotion and recognition, provided humility is maintained.

Rabbits enjoy a harmonious year, buoyed by romance and renewed motivation at work. Dragons see improved prospects but are cautioned against impulsive decisions and water-related risks. Snakes face early challenges that may ease later in the year with perseverance.

For those born under the Horse, the year carries the weight of directly offending the Grand Duke, making health and emotional balance a priority. Goats, aligned closely with the Horse, can expect progress and financial stability. Monkeys encounter a demanding period that calls for resilience and adaptability. Roosters are urged to remain flexible amid fluctuating fortunes. Dogs benefit from supportive stars yet must temper ambition. Pigs navigate a mixed year that improves with stronger interpersonal ties.

As plates were cleared and tea was poured, the meal at Lung Hin felt aligned with the season’s themes of renewal and preparation. The view from the 44th floor stretched across the city, a reminder that Lunar New Year is both reflection and anticipation, best welcomed around a table with good food.