City of Dreams Manila ushers in abundance, happiness and good fortune in the Year of the Earth Dog with auspicious Chinese New Year specialties at its premium Chinese restaurant Crystal Dragon, from February 5 to 20.

Crystal Dragon’s Lunar Chinese New Year a la carte menu highlights two styles of the ‘Yu Sheng” salad: the traditional Prosperity Abalone and Salmon “Yu Sheng” salad and the Shredded Roasted Duck variation with fresh fruit salad in sesame dressing. The “Yu Sheng” salad or “Lo Hei” originated from the Cantonese phrase’s meaning of “tossing up good fortune,” a traditional Chinese New Year ceremony from Singapore, Malaysia and China. Raw fish is customarily used to symbolize prosperity, wealth, happiness and long life.

For the prosperity toss, guests gather before the table, use their chopsticks to mix the ingredients together and then toss them up while saying “Lo Hei!” and well wishes out loud to bring in good luck.

To complete the Lunar New Year dining experience, Crystal Dragon offers two set menus and new dishes in the a la carte menu: Oven-baked Marinated Cod Fish Fillet with Fragrant Golden Garlic, Slow-cooked Supreme Fish Maw with Abalone and Pork Knuckle in Claypot, Oven-roasted Manuka Honey Marinated Kurobota Pork Slice with Pork Liver, Braised Stuffed Black Mushroom with Sea Cucumber in Supreme Oyster Sauce, Wok-fried King Prawns with Supreme Soy Sauce Reduction, Wok-fried Cantonese Rice Cake Sliced with Air-dried Preserved Meat, and Pan-fried Crispy Nian Gao with Kumquat Compote.

For groups of four to six, the “Happiness” and “Abundance” five-course set menus at Crystal Dragon are ideal for celebrating with family and friends. The “Happiness” menu includes Prosperity Salmon “Yu Sheng” with Fruit Salad; Braised Eight Sea Treasure with Shredded Abalone Broth; Steamed Hong Kong Style Cod Fish with Baby Cabbage in Supreme Soy Wok-fried King Prawns with Supreme Soy Sauce Reduction; Wok-fried Cantonese Rice Cake Sliced with Air-dried Preserved Meat; Chilled Mango Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream; and Pan-fried Crispy Nian Gao with Kumquat Compote.

The “Abundance” menu starts with Prosperity Abalone & Salmon “Yu Sheng” with Rock Melon Salad followed by Double-boiled Sea Treasure with Baby Abalone in Cordycep Flower Soup; Steamed Sea Grouper with Shredded Ginger in Homemade Soy Sauce; Oven-roasted Manuka Honey-Marinated Kurobota Pork Slice with Pork Liver; Stewed Pork Belly with Sea Cucumber, Bean Curd and Green Vegetables; Wok-fried Cantonese Rice Cake with Air-dried Preserved Meat; Warm Sweetened Eight Treasures Tea with Ginseng and Honey; and Double-flavor Chinese New Year Nian Gao Platter.

The “Happiness” and “Abundance” set menus are at P3,680++ and P6,680++, respectively.

 Crystal Dragon’s koi-shaped Nian Gao, packaged in a premium gift box, is at P2,000++ each and available from February 1 to March 2. The traditional treat, locally known as Tikoy, is a sticky and sweet delicacy symbolizing unity and togetherness, is mainly made of glutinous rice flour and is this season’s ubiquitous popular gift.

The “Yu Sheng” Prosperity Salad will also be available for lunch or dinner for the traditional prosperity salad toss at Red Ginger from February 15 to 17. Red Ginger’s prosperity salad is comprised of thin slices of fish, seven-colored shredded vegetables, kaffir lime leaves, crushed peanuts, pomelo, and honey plum sauce.

At the Noodle8 casual dining area at the main gaming floor, a Lunar New Year menu special is offered from February 1 to 28, consisting of festive dishes: Chun Juan, traditional deep fried pork barbecue and vegetable spring rolls with spicy plum sauce; Shou Mian, a noodle dish with baby abalone, shrimps, squid, and assorted green vegetables; and sweet treats Steamed Lemon Custard Bun and Coconut Tart.

For inquiries and reservations, guests can call 800 8080, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.