Holiday décor in lively colors of red and gold decks the interiors of City of Dreams Manila, with a towering 32-foot Christmas tree at the resort’s main casino entrance as the centerpiece.
Christmas trees also set the mood for convivial gatherings at the lobbies of luxury hotels Nuwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams Manila, as each unwraps tasteful menus at the signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Nobu Manila, and Haliya. At Café Society which is in one of its busiest periods, expertly crafted whimsical confections and holiday cakes beckon.
Crystal Dragon’s Festive Season Set Menu
The premium restaurant’s finely curated Cantonese menu makes an impressive spread for the holiday season. Available from December 19 to January 1, 2023, for P5,800++ per person, the seven-course menu features lavish dishes: Crystal Dragon’s Signature Trio Platter, which consists of Kataiffi (shredded phyllo pastry) Seafood Roll, Roasted Pork, and Steamed Hokkaido Scallop, Garlic and Vermicelli; Braised Lobster Broth with Sea Treasure and Dried Scallop; Stuffed Seafood in Crab Shell with “La Tzi” Sauce; and Steamed Cod Fish with Tofu in Teochew Pickled Green Mustard.
Wok-fried Ohmi Wagyu Beef with Black Garlic; and Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with Duo Scallop, Diced Seafood, and Salted Egg Yolk, precedes a dessert of Marbled Strawberry Yogurt Jell-O and Deep-fried Golden Sesame Ball.
Nobu Manila’s Christmas Omakase
Nobu Manila makes celebrations merrier with its Christmas six-course dinner tasting menu available on December 24 and 25. For P5, 600++, the menu consists of complimentary Zensai of Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice followed by: Nobu Sashimi Platter of Toro with Yuzu Miso, Yellowtail Tartare and Lapu-lapu in Vegas Salsa; Nobu Assorted Sushi of Hirame Kobujime (kelp-cured fish) with Dried Miso, Salmon New-Style, Ama Ebi (shrimp) Tiradito and Tamago (egg); and Pan-seared Seabass with Lobster Miso Cappuccino Broth, Seasonal Mushrooms and Baby Corn. The menu continues with Braised Beef Cheeks with Seasonal Mushrooms, Daikon, Roasted Garlic and Nobu Cabernet Demi Sauce; Chawanmushi (steamed savory custard) with Rock Shrimp and Truffles; and Chestnut Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Marsala Gelato, Chestnut Ganache Square and Cookie Crumbs.
Haliya’s Noche Buena at Pasko Set Menu
Yuletide festivities are not complete without the well-loved Filipino fare to be shared by the family. For the occasion, Haliya impresses diners with a hearty four-course reimagined Filipino dishes for Christmas and on the eve of the holiday, available at P6,000 net for two to three persons. For Christmas, Haliya is serving: Duck Ensalada (salad), a medley of Pan-fried Marinated Duck Breast, Papaya and Pomelo salad, Pickled Cucumber, Semi Sundried Tomatoes, and Patis (fish sauce), Tanglad (lemongrass) and Calamansi dressing; Halaan (clam) Krema Gratin, a dish that melds Pork Bacon, Potato, Oyster Mushroom, Corn, Pan de Monay (bread roll), and Malunggay Mantikilya (butter with moringa); Morcon (beef roulade) Wellington, a unique take on the favorite steak dish wrapped in pastry, features Slow-roasted Beef Tenderloin delicately wrapped in puff pastry with Asparagus, Baby Carrots, Brussel Sprouts, Squash, Cauliflower, Chestnut Puree, and Smoked Spicy Tomato Sauce; and Noche Bilao, consisting of favorite Christmas desserts of kakanin (native delicacies): Puto Bumbong (purple rice cake), Buko (coconut) Salad Maja (pudding), Pinya (pineapple) Cassava Bibingka (rice cake), Fresh Berries, and Persimmon Jelly.
Yuletide Confections at Café Society
Café Society turns into a Christmas wonderland, delighting guests with delicious displays of whimsical chocolate sculptures and large gingerbread houses alongside a spread of sweet goodies offered for the whole month of December. Christmas Chocolate Houses (P2,000 net), Santa Bear in milk and white chocolate in varying sizes (starts at P450 net), and the colorful Gingerbread Houses in small or large sizes (starts at P1, 200 net) are tasteful treats perfect for a fancy holiday spread.
Yuletide staples such as Panettone (Italian Christmas bread); Stollen (cake-like bread with its origin in Germany); holiday-themed Sugar Cookies and Meringues; Fruit Mince Pies; Log Cakes in Mango-Passionfruit, Chocolate Truffle, Hazelnut and Green Tea flavors; and Christmas-themed cakes further evoke the season’s flavors.