Peking duck, fresh scallops and steamed lapu-lapu at Peking Garden for Chinese New Year

MANILA, Philippines - As the Year of the Water Snake ushers in the Chinese New Year, Peking Garden offers a special set menu that starts with four kinds of appetizers. The rest of the menu includes shark’s fin soup with shredded chicken and bamboo pith (or fish with shredded radish and ham soup), whole Peking duck, sautéed fresh scallops with crispy lotus roots, steamed lapu-lapu in hot chili sauce, braised pig’s knuckle with dried oysters and broccoli, golden crabs with salted eggs, fried rice with shrimps, and for dessert, hot sweetened almond pureed glutinous balls.

Peking Garden is at the fourth level, Greenbelt 5 Phase 2, Ayala Center, Makati City, 729-0567, 729-0820 and third level, TriNoma Park, North EDSA, Quezon City, 901-0502, 901-0507. It is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Stick to success: Tikoy treat at Luk Yuen

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Prosperity whole coin tikoy at Luk Yuen

Luk Yuen is offering tikoy treats including the Prosperity Coin whole tikoy (with no preservatives) at P220/box, with one free box for every five boxes purchased, gold bars (three pieces of sliced tikoy) at P65/order, and lucky bamboo tikoy sticks, served with coco jam, at P85/order of pieces.

Luk Yuen is at Cash & Carry Mall Makati, 856-5778/5779; Glorietta 5 Ayala Center, 856-5199/2081, Greenhills Shopping Center, 721-2620/2685, SM Megamall Bldg. B, 633-4396/1610; and Alabang Town Center, 772-4967/3028.

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Welcome the New Year: Chinese roasted suckling pig at Diamond Hotel

Chinese roasted suckling pig at Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel celebrates the Year of the Snake from Feb. 1 to 28 with a two-night stay in a superior room inclusive of buffet breakfast for two at Corniche and a one-hour massage for two for only P13,800. Book before Feb. 1 and enjoy a free room upgrade to a deluxe room. At Corniche, the buffet includes traditional Peking duck, Chinese roasted suckling pig, steamed grouper, Chinese prawn salad and assorted dim sum. Dessert treats include turnip cakes, tikoy and other sweet treats. All these for only P1,800 at the lunch or dinner buffet from Feb. 4 to 10. Spend a minimum of P5,800 and get to pick a prize from the Prosperity Tree for a chance to win hotel accommodations, dining certificates, Health Club and Spa treatments, and more! 

The Dragon and Lion Dance performance is on Feb. 10, 11 a.m. at the hotel lobby.

Diamond Hotel Philippines is at Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila. For information, call 528-3000. 

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Lucky salad: The yu sheng salad at Crowne Plaza

Yu sheng salad at Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s unique room offering is inspired by the strongest trait of this Chinese zodiac — flexibility.  Check in any time of the day and check out the same time the following day. Book now until Feb. 28 through www.crowneplaza.com/cpmanila.  At Xin Tian Di there is koi fish-shaped tikoy. Chinese executive chef Sam Lee features eight essential auspicious dishes that includes the yu sheng salad, abalone, tiger prawns, whole fish, dumplings, sea moss, dried scallop, dried oyster and nian gao. The Chinese New Year set menu is available from Feb. 9 to 24.  There will be a Dragon and Lion Dance performance on Feb. 10 from 11a.m. onwards.

For information, call 633-7222 or e-mail fandb.reservations@ihg.com and cpgm.reservations@ihg.com.

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Sweet, sticky and lucky: Tikoy treat at Shangri-La Makati

Radish, pumpkin, taro and classic tikoy at Edsa Shangri-La Makati

Edsa Shangri-La, Makati, offers special room packages from Feb. 2 to 20, with rates starting at P7,500+ inclusive of buffet breakfast at Heat, a bottle of red wine, guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m. and double points for Golden Circle Members. A Family Suite package is also available at P16,100+, inclusive of Horizon Club Lounge access,  a bottle of red wine, guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m. and triple points for Golden Circle Members. From 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m, classic nian gao or tikoy delicacies are available at the hotel lobby until Feb. 9. Available in classic, radish, pumpkin, taro and water chestnut, these rice cakes also come in fish shapes with prices starting at P988+ and in gold bar shapes, priced at P388+. On Chinese New Year, guests are greeted with the rhythmic beating of the drums, cymbals and gongs at the hotel lobby, as a traditional Dragon’s Eye Dotting Ceremony opens the Lion and Dragon dance ritual. Guests can feast on Cantonese specialties with Summer Palace’s set menus for groups or families of 10 people. Patrons can choose among The Abundance of Wealth set menu, priced at P16,888+,Prosperity set menu priced at P18,888+ and Longevity set menu at P21,888+ from Chinese New Year until Feb. 24.

For information, call 633-8888, fax 634-7373 or e-mail promotions.esl@shangri-la.com for dining reservations.