City of Dreams celebrates Christmas, New Year’s Eve
A TOWERING 32-feet Christmas tree welcomes guests at the City of Dreams Manila’s main casino entrance, setting the mood for convivial gatherings the signature restaurants of the resort’s luxury hotels Nuwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams Manila: Crystal Dragon, Nobu Manila, and Haliya. At Crystal Dreams, a finely curated Cantonese menu makes an impressive spread for the holiday season. Available until Jan. 1 for P5,800++ per person, the seven-course menu features lavish dishes including Stuffed seafood in crab shell with La Tzi sauce, Steamed cod fish with tofu in teochew pickled green mustard, and Wok-fried Ohmi Wagyu beef with black garlic. Nobu Manila makes celebrations merrier with its Christmas six-course dinner tasting menu available on Dec. 24 and 25. For P5, 600++, the menu highlights include Pan-seared seabass with lobster miso cappuccino broth, seasonal mushrooms and baby corn, and Braised beef cheeks with seasonal mushrooms, daikon, roasted garlic and nobu cabernet demi sauce. Haliya offers a hearty four-course meal of reimagined Filipino dishes for Christmas Eve, available at P6,000 net for two to three persons. The menu includes Morcon (beef roulade) Wellington, a unique take on the favorite steak dish wrapped in pastry, and Noche Bilao, consisting of favorite Christmas desserts of kakanin (native delicacies). Café Society becomes a Christmas wonderland of chocolate sculptures and large gingerbread houses. For sale are 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), among many other treats. Meanwhile, the year ends and the New Year enters with celebrations at Nobu Manila, Haliya, and CenterPlay. On Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, Nobu Manila’s New Year six-course dinner tasting menu at P5,600++ per person, includes a Surf and Turf Truffle duo of lobster and shitake dumpling with truffle kuzu dashi, and sous vide beef tenderloin, truffle SMR (soy-mirin reduction) and smoked cauliflower purée. On Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, Haliya has a four-course menu good for two to three persons at P6,000 net that features a delicious take on Kansi (Bacolod’s beef soup), comprising a reverse-seared Black Tyde Ribeye steak, garlic confit, asparagus, king mushroom, hand-crushed marble potatoes, cherry tomatoes and Kansi gravy. City of Dreams Manila’s entertainment destination CenterPlay will host a countdown party which begins at 8 p.m. Revelers can groove to the song covers of the MUB band and to the rock and roll songs of Part 3 band. Bar seats are at P2,000 net, per person, which comes with a glass of prosecco and food and beverage consumables. Table seating starts at P4,000 net per person inclusive of two glasses of prosecco and consumables. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
Panda Express adds wok-seared steak and shrimp to menu
PANDA Express is bringing a surf & turf limited time offer entrée to the Philippines — wok-seared steak and shrimp, which is a juicy steak and large succulent shrimp, wok-tossed with potatoes, seasonal hand-cut yellow and red bell peppers, yellow onions, and green beans. These fresh ingredients are finished with a savory Chinese-inspired steak sauce. This holiday season, Panda Express favorites The Original Orange Chicken and the Honey walnut shrimp are available in family or party trays. Operated by the Jollibee Group in the Philippines, Panda Express has 13 stores in Metro Manila that are open for dine-in, take-out, and delivery through order.pandaexpress.com.ph, GrabFood, and foodpanda. Delivery locations include select areas in Manila, Pasay, Makati, and Quezon City.
Laudicos’ holiday recipes on Eats by Robina Farms
THE ONLINE cooking show Eats by Robina Farms’ year-ender episode is all about holiday recipes. Hosted by chefs Rolando “Lau” and Jacqueline “Jac” Laudico, its year-ender episode is all about Noche Buena cooking. The two will teach viewers how to whip up Christmas Paella, Belly Lechon, and Special Egg Salad. They will also offer invaluable cooking tips that will be helpful for viewers’ own Noche Buena preparations. Join The Breakfast Lovers Club Facebook group to catch the yearender of Eats Robina Farms, as well as previous episodes.
Richmonde Hotel Ortigas celebrates Christmas
RICHMONDE Hotel Ortigas is celebrating the holidays with room accommodations, buffet feasts, and a year-end party. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, celebrate with a convenient city staycation complete with buffets and activities. A stay on Dec. 24 can come with breakfast buffet for two at P4,500 net, or breakfast plus Christmas Eve Dinner Buffer for two at P6,500 net. On Dec. 31, rates start at P4,800 net with breakfast buffet for two; and P6,600 net with breakfast for two and two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party; P7,500 net with breakfast and New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet for two; and P8,800 net to get the full New Year’s Eve package — breakfast buffet, New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, and Countdown Party tickets for two. All in-house guests during the Yuletide season also get a 15% discount on food and beverage orders from Room Service, and complimentary access to the Christmas Choco Corner and Chill at the Pool. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Masses will also be held in the hotel’s 3/F function room on Dec. 25 and 31 at 10:30 a.m. Richmonde Café will have Noche Buena and Media Noche feasts on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve featuring traditional holiday fare like porchetta, paella Valenciana, churros con tsokolate, braised beef brisket, seafood kebab, crème brulee, and many more. The Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet is priced at P1,595 net and will be served from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Buffet at the café while glitzy cocktails will be served at the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at the hotel lobby. The dinner buffet is priced at P1,880 net per person while tickets to the countdown bash are priced at P1,280 net each, inclusive of three drinks, a cocktail buffet, party favors, a glass of sparkling wine at the countdown, and live band performance. To make it a total celebration to remember, a New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet and Countdown Bundle is available at a special discounted rate of P2,550 net. Recover from a night of partying with the hearty New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet at Richmonde Café on Jan. 1 from 6 to 10 a.m. for P980 net. Children six to 12 years old get 50% off on all buffets while toddlers five years old and below eat for free. Richmonde offers value-for-money holiday room rates for bookings until Jan. 14, 2023 (except Dec. 24 and 31), starting at P3,600 net (room only) and P4,200 net (with breakfast for two) for stays from Sunday to Thursday; and P3,800 net (room only) and P4,400 net (with breakfast for two) for Friday and Saturday stays. For inquiries, table reservations, and countdown ticket purchases, call (632) 8638-7777, SMS or Viber (63) 917-534-4352, e-mail fbsup@richmondeortigas.com, or message @Richmonde Hotel Ortigas on Facebook and Instagram.
Holiday homecomings at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
CELEBRATE in Iloilo City by spending an epic holiday break with loved ones at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. Book from Dec. 16 to Jan. 26 at rates starting at P5,700 net (room only) and P6,200 net (room with breakfast buffet for two). These include Wi-Fi access, use of the swimming pool and Fitness Center, discount privileges in participating establishments at the Festive Walk Mall, and tours to the Brandy Museum and the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art. On Dec. 24 and 31, stays can be had for P6,000 net (room only) and P6,500 net (room with breakfast buffet for two) with all the above-mentioned perks. Room package options are also available from P8,580 net that include two seats to the Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve Luxe Dinner Buffet and the Christmas Day/New Year’s Day breakfast buffet, in addition to the Festive Walk Mall store discounts, museum tours, Wi-Fi access, and use of the gym and pool. Book the New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch Buffet Package, available only on Dec. 31 for P7,350 net, which comes complete with perks good for two. The Granary will offer Holiday Luxe Dinner Buffets on Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and Jan. 1, with dishes like cochinillo, braised short plate, roast lamb leg, roast turkey, smoked ham leg, roast beef, paella, and more. The all-you-can-eat holiday buffets will be open from 6-10 p.m., for P1,500 net. Children six to 12 years old get a 50% discount and children five years old and below eat for free. The Granary as it serves its first Champagne Brunch Buffet on Jan. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., priced at P1,350 net inclusive of a glass of champagne. Richmonde also has Holiday Banquet Packages with rates starting at P59,000 net for 30 persons, and include a lunch or dinner buffet with a round of drinks; coffee and tea; five bottles of wine; four pool passes each good for two persons; a gift certificate for an overnight stay for two persons in a Deluxe room with breakfast buffet; plus discount vouchers for room accommodations and food and beverage orders. The Granary also has an assortment of signature pastries and limited-edition Holiday Goodies. For at-home celebrations and potluck parties, The Granary also has Holiday Hotbox Specials with choices ranging from a single serving to platters good for four to five persons. The Holiday Goodies and Hotbox Specials are available for takeaway and delivery until Jan. 31. For inquiries, reservations, bookings and orders, call +63 33-328-7888 or contact stay@richmondeiloilo.com for room accommodations; +63 917-563-3973 / sales@richmondeiloilo.com for banquet bookings; and +63 917-563-3558 to order holiday goodies. Bookings and order of goodies may also be made online at Richmonde’s official website, www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph.
Chowking’s Chicken Feast Friday to Sunday deals
CHOWKING is now offering its “Chicken Feast: Great Chicken Deals from Friday to Sunday” on its new Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken. Chowking offers an additional free chicken for every box of Chowking Chicken Sarap every Friday to Sunday, until Dec. 31. With every four-piece Chicken order, customers can enjoy one additional free chicken; they get two free pieces for every six-piece Chicken order; and three free pieces for every eight piece Chicken order. Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken is made with tender choice cuts of chicken marinated in unique Chinese spice, then fried with a crunchy coating. It is served with gravy. The deal is available via dine-in, take-out, drive-through, and delivery.
McDonald’s and Super Mario
THE NEW Happy Meal selection for McDonald’s takes on the video game plumber Super Mario and all his friends besides: there’s Luigi, Toad, Lumalee, Donkey Kong, Bowser, and Princess Peach. There are eight toys in total, with Mario in two poses: sliding and sitting in his rollerball-powered Kart. The Happy Meals that come with a toy include the one-piece chicken meal, the four-piece Chicken McNuggets Meal, the McSpaghetti Meal, the Cheesey Burger McDo Meal, and the Burger McDo Meal, all ranging in price from P134 to P180.
Healthy Christmas gifts from Santé
PEOPLE are now interested in giving healthier gift sets, which can include nutritious snacks, vitamins, health kits, medicines, and more. To make a gift set fancier and more natural, one can add Santé Barley Pure Powder 3g in a Box of 30 sachets. It is made with certified organic barley grass by BioGro, New Zealand’s largest and best-known certifier for organic produce and products that promote the highest levels of organic quality. An Immune system booster gift set can include daily vitamins and supplements, facemasks, alcohol, and even an air purifier, plus the Santé Barley Pure Powder. One sachet can provide a daily dose of Vitamin A, Vitamins B3 and B9, and Vitamin C. A New year diet gift set can include healthy snacks that are low in calories like mixed nuts, granola bars, vegetable chips, fruits, and local snacks like cassava chips and dried mangoes, and the Santé Barley Pure Powder. Its fiber content can delay gastric emptying, generate a sensation of fullness, and increase bowel motility. To learn more about this and other Santé products, visit its website at mysante.com.
Have a Conti’s Christmas
CONTI’S Bakeshop and Restaurant has many dishes that can be the star of the noche buena and media noche table — its Baked Salmon, served with fresh side salad of greens in season, its classic Chicken Ala Kiev, Garlic Sotanghon, Roast Beef in Mushroom Sauce, and the Christmas specials: Porchetta, Chicken Relleno, and Ham Roll. To know more visit http://www.contis.ph/ or check out the Facebook (@contisph), Instagram (@contis_ph), and tiktok (@contisph) pages.
Emirates serves top champagnes
EMIRATES is currently the only commercial airline in the world officially serving Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon onboard. Global airline exclusive agreements are in place until 2024, meaning that Emirates is the only international airline offering a “taste of the stars” to passengers at 40,000 feet. On Emirates, Dom Pérignon is served in First Class across all global routes, Veuve Clicquot is served in Business Class on routes to the Americas, the UK, and Europe, and Moët & Chandon is served in Business Class on routes to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific including Australasia. Economy Class passengers can also purchase Moët & Chandon onboard. Economy passengers can also bring an extra sparkle to special occasions onboard by pre-booking a cake and champagne package. For $43, cabin crew will surprise a passenger onboard with a mini celebration — including a vanilla or chocolate cake paired with Moët & Chandon Brut 20cl. Passengers can also enjoy champagne in Emirates Lounges in Dubai and across the globe before they board their flight. In Dubai, the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Concourse B even has a unique Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge, where each iconic cuvée is matched with canapés created by Michelin-starred chefs. Passengers can learn more about the process of making champagne and Emirates collection on the Emirates Wine Channel, or speak to Emirates cabin crew who are provided with food pairing and technical notes for each champagne.
