Celebrate the Year of the Pork at Chowking
Make Chowking part of your Chinese New Year celebration with dishes that are perfect for the Year of the Pig: Sweet and Sour Pork — juicy pork chunks tossed with bell peppers and pineapple, covered in the perfect sweet-and-sour blend; and Salt and Pepper Pork — tender nuggets of pork coated in a rich, buttery flavor, then deep-fried to perfection. With egg fried rice and Chicharap, Chowking is giving everyone good fortune. Just take a screenshot of any of their Year of the Pig Coupons found on their Facebook page and present it at any Chowking store to get free Chicharap, iced tea, or wonton soup with every purchase of selected pork dishes. Sweet and Sour Pork or Salt and Pepper Pork are available for only P99 at Chowking. For more information and a full list of branches, visit https://www.facebook.com/chowkingph/.
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Dragon and lion dance at Diamond Hotel
Diamond Hotel lets you explore the excellent taste and aromatic flavors of Chinese cuisine at Corniche until Feb. 5 for only P2,880 per person, featuring the culinary specialties of the hotel’s Chinese chef Yang Yong. Corniche guests with a minimum spend of P5,000 are entitled to Pick-A-Prize for a chance to win gift certificates from the hotel and more. On Feb. 5, get a free 10-minute Feng Shui consultation by Angel Macalino for a minimum of P5,000 at the Corniche lunch buffet. Also, catch the Dragon and Lion dance by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation and a performance of Chinese instrumental music by Kim Hwa Ensemble as they clear the path for prosperity and good luck this year.
Attract wealth and positive energy with lucky charms available for sale at the hotel lobby. There is a Chinese New Year Staycation promo at P8,000 per night in a Premier Room until Feb. 6. A Shou Sui “we time” overnight stay includes buffet breakfast for two, unlimited Wi-Fi access, 30-percent discount at the food and beverage outlets except Corniche, room service, alcoholic drinks and on Feb. 5, 20 percent off on laundry and massage services and complimentary shuttle service during the weekend to Intramuros and Mall of Asia. Use the promo code LUCKY when you book via diamondhotel.com.
Diamond Hotel Philippines is located at Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila. For information, call 5283000 or email guestservices@diamondhotel.com.
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Authentic Chinese meals at Conrad
Conrad Manila’s award-winning Chinese restaurant, China Blue by Jereme Leung, welcomes the new Lunar Year of the Earth Pig with an artful curation of modern and authentic tastes. Executive Chinese chef Eng Yew Khor has prepared an exquisite array of hearty and premium Chinese delicacies in celebration of this highly anticipated occasion. Ongoing until Feb. 5, restaurant patrons will enjoy authentic Chinese clay-pot rice dishes, specially curated set menus and delectable Nian Gao (tikoy). Bring home a box of Nian Gao, available in these must-try flavors: Almond, Passion Fruit, Yuzu Jelly and Red Bean — all beautifully presented in delicately crafted boxes. Each Nian Gao is shaped as either a koi fish or mini gold bar to represent good fortune and prosperity. A box of eight Nian Gao Treasures is P1,500. For information, visit www.conradmanila.com, email conradmanila@conradhotels.com or call 833-9999.
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Fortune Toast at Jade Garden
Jade Garden offers its popular Lo Hei Yu Sheng or Fortune Toast. Family members and friends gather at a round table and, with chopsticks, simultaneously mix and toast all the fresh ingredients on a big round plate. Each ingredient of salmon slices, jellyfish, carrots, taro, white radish, peaches, lettuce, deep-fried chips, and pickled ginger with slices of fresh lime represents good luck and happiness for the coming days ahead.
The restaurant’s Good Fortune set menu (at P18,780+ good for 12 persons) has roasted suckling pig (half size), Lo Hei Yu Sheng (P3,700+ for a la carte order, advanced order) steamed shrimps/suahe, sea treasure with fish lip soup, steamed twin lapu-lapu, fried rice with diced seafood, deep-fried stuffed taro with fresh scallops, dried oysters with sea moss and black mushrooms, and chilled mango shake for dessert.
Jade Garden is located on the second level of Glorietta 2, Palm Drive corner West Drive, Ayala Malls, Makati. For information, call 0905-374-2785, 955-1728, and 843-1361.
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Prosperity abalone at City of Dreams
City of Dreams Manila ushers in the bountiful Year of the Earth Pig with menu specialties from Crystal Dragon and Red Ginger restaurant, and an auspicious lineup of activities in front of Café Society at The Shops at the Boulevard. At Crystal Dragon until Feb. 19 are specialty menus available for lunch at 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Traditional “Yu Sheng” salad with a fruity twist — the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng with Fruit Salad available in medium (P1,350+) and large (P2,700+); and the Shredded Roasted Duck with Fresh Fruit Salad with dressing in medium (P1,280+) and large (P2,380+). The medium serving is good for four to five persons; while the large is good for eight to 10. Crystal Dragon also showcases the Poon Choi menu, which consists of Stewed Abalone Poon Choi Cantonese Style at P6,500++, and Stewed Tiger Prawn Poon Choi Cantonese Style at P3,500++. “Poon Choi” in Cantonese is known as “basin dish,” and was historically served to emperors in ancient China. It signifies prosperity and affluence, and is composed of a generous assortment of premium ingredients.
An excellent way to cap the meal is Nian Gao or tikoy, signifying unity and togetherness. Crystal Dragon features two set menus good for a minimum of five persons: The six-course Happiness Set Menu at P3,880++ per person includes Braised Sea Treasure Broth with Fish Maw and Wok-fried Fragrant Wild Rice with Sweet Corn and Assorted Nuts; the seven-course Magnificent Set Menu for P6,880++ per head includes Ovenbaked Marinated Cod Fish Fillet with Fragrant Golden Garlic, and Poached Hand-pulled Noodles with Spicy Minced Pork and Mushroom.
At Red Ginger for the whole month of February is the Lunar Festive Menu featuring Ginger Poached Chicken with Spring Onion Oil; Braised Pork Pata with Sotanghon and Baby Bokchoy; Tiger Prawn with Butter Pumpkin Curry Sauce; Black Pepper Flower Crab with Wintermelon; and Claypot Pla Pla Fish with Chestnut and Taro. Each is priced at P888+. Red Ginger also offers a Mini Yu Sheng for P188+ until Feb. 7, composed of thin slices of salmon, shredded vegetables, kaffir lime leaves, pomelo, crushed peanuts, and calamansi plum sauce. As a special offer, the Mini Yu Sheng can be availed for only P128+ if the guest orders a dish from the Festive Lunar Menu. Red Ginger is located at The Shops at the Boulevard in the upper ground floor, and is open 24 hours daily.
Activities that bring good fortune are lined up from Feb. 8 to 10 at the activity area in front of Café Society, upper ground floor, The Shops at the Boulevard. Dedicated fortune tellers are present every 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to help guests chart their destiny and find out what’s in store for 2019, while the God of Fortune mascot will give fortune tokens to lucky patrons from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dancers will stage Chinese cultural performances at 4:20 p.m. and 6:25 p.m.
For information, call 800-8080, e-mail guestservices@codmanila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
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Eat-all-you-can lechon at Winford Hotel
On Feb. 5, Winford Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) ushes in the Year of the Earth Pig. Festvities begin at 2 p.m. with a Ceremonial Eye-Dotting activity, a Lion Dance, and a property-wide merrymaking parade right by the hotel lobby entrance. At 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor hallway, celebrity Feng Shui master Hanz Cua will give a talk based on our corresponding Chinese zodiac signs. There will be a eat-all-you-can lechon at Copa de Manila Restaurant. Other items in the buffet include roast beef, a pasta station, and various seafood like fish coulibiac, to name a few. As an added treat, the first 30 guests will receive surprise giveways. For only P999 members and guests are invited to partake in this feast fit for a king from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Children aged 3-6 years will be charged P275 and 7-12 years P400. Offer is good on Feb. 5 only.
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Lucky tikoy at Resorts World Manila
Resorts World Manila’s Lucky Tikoy is a delightful set of eight miniature koi and gold ingots that make the perfect gift for the coming Year of the Earth Pig. The sweet, sticky Chinese treats have been shaped into traditional symbols of abundance and wealth and come in an elegant Oriental gift box. Lucky Tikoy is available at Passion Cantonese Restaurant at Maxims Hotel, RWM, until Feb. 5 only. For information, call 908-8875. Passion is located at 2F Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila. For information, call 908-8833.
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An Emperor’s Feast at Modern Shanghai
Modern Shanghai offers an “Emperor’s Feast” ongoing until Feb. 28. Like a lavish lauriat, the “Emperor’s Feast” (P1,688 good for four persons) begins with Xiao Long Bao. It is followed by Deep Fried Pork Ribs and Shanghai Mien Noodles for long life. Other dishes such as Deep Fried Crispy Chicken Leg, Braised Bean Curd and the Yang Chow are great compliments to a bountiful feast.
Modern Shanghai is located at the second floor, North Veranda, SM Mall of Asia@modernshanghaiph.