HIGH ENERGY LION DANCE AND ELEGANT FEASTS USHER IN THE YEAR OF THE HORSE AT CITY OF DREAMS MANILA
As the new year gallops into the Year of the Fire Horse, City of Dreams Manila presents auspicious traditions, vibrant performances, propitious feasts, and other fortune-filled surprises to commence the lunar new year in high spirits.
A GRAND CHINESE NEW YEAR DISPLAY AND SPECTACLE
The integrated resort ushers in the Lunar New Year in full stride with a centerpiece of an imposing 17-foot galloping golden stallion, set in between cherry blossom trees, at the main casino entrance. The installation, which is made of sustainably sourced and non-toxic materials, and uses LED lights, artfully pays tribute to the dynamic energy of this year’s Chinese Zodiac – Fire Horse, symbolizing strength and rapid success.
Also on display is a Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+, the grand prize of the Draw and Drive promo exclusive to Melco Club members. A car is at stake along with other prizes, in two separate raffle draws on February 28 and March 28 at 10 pm at Centerplay. Terms and conditions apply.
Adding a touch of festive flair, the resort welcomes good fortune with an auspicious eye-dotting ceremony on February 17, 5 pm at the main casino porte cochère. Revelers are set to witness the marvel of eight lion and 70-ft long dragon dance performances, acrobatic movements and high jumps performed by skilled artists from Ling Nam Athletic Association. The spectacle marks City of Dreams Manila’s annual majestic Chinese New Year tradition to the sound of loud drumming to drive away evil spirits, and to augur good fortune and joy.
The lion and dragon dance makes it way to the family entertainment center DreamPlay at 6 pm, preceding a parade of well-loved DreamWorks characters at the resort’s The Shoppes at the Boulevard.
DINING
Crystal Dragon and Yee Sang
The integrated resort’s well-loved restaurant for Cantonese and regional Chinese cuisine highlights a special a la carte menu of seven specialties that evokes the fiery spirit of the ”Bing-Wu” Fire Horse. Available for lunch and dinner from February 16 to March 3, the menu is headlined by the Prosperity Two-head Abalone Yee Sang with Arctic Surf Clam, an indulgent rendition of the traditional prosperity toss salad.
Yee Sang
Meaningfully curated with each ingredient corresponding to an auspicious greeting, Crystal Dragon’s symbolic Yee Sang is a delicious medley of sliced abalone and arctic clam (for abundance and surplus) served with julienned white radish (for encountering good opportunities), pickled papaya (for best returns), carrots and pomelo (for good luck), dried orange (for wealth), white and red pickled ginger (signifying pursuit of abundance), coriander (for fresh beginnings), and green frisée (symbolizing freshness and vitality). Completing the lunar new year staple are the chopped peanuts (for the house to be filled with gold and silver), deep-fried flour crisps (representing gold bars), and oil and plum sauce (for numerous sources of wealth).
A time-honored tradition, the Yee Sang is an integral celebratory fare shared by a group gathered around the table, to mix and toss the ingredients high up with chopsticks while reciting auspicious phrases to bless all present with well-wishes, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. The ritual is believed to augur good fortune: the higher the toss, the better the prospects and greater wealth for the coming year. This meaningful Lunar New Year tradition is popular in Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore where heritage Chinese restaurants introduced it in the 1960s.
Crystal Dragon’s Chinese New Year a la carte menu also highlights other indulgent specialties for the season, evoking abundance: the luxurious Slow-braised Good Fortune “Pen Cai”; Duo Flavor Steamed Grouper with Scallop Lucky Bag; and Steamed Lotus Leaf Rice with Chinese Sausage, Roasted Unagi and Spicy Edamame Sticky Rice Ball, and the Braised Sea Treasure & Dry Scallop Thick Broth with “Fatt Choi”. Not to be missed is the Five Happiness Hot and Cold Combination Platter, consisting of crispy roasted suckling pig, chilled Jiang Su boneless pork knuckle in supreme stock jelly, golden seaweed and salted egg shrimp roll, stir-fried squid with white pepper, and steamed Sakura spinach seafood dumpling. A special dessert platter combines Steamed Red Bean Tangerine Bun, Chilled Coconut Custard Mahjong Pudding, Warm Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Ball, and Red Fire Cracker and Chili Kataifi Coconut Flakes.
Nobu Manila
The Manila outpost of celebrity Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s globally renowned restaurant also presents delightful a la carte dinner offerings that reflect the flavors of the enduring festivity, which includes its own Nobu-style Prosperity Toss Salad consisting of smoked salmon, shrimp and yuzu plum dressing for a shared observance of the auspicious ritual. The Chuka Medley, a delicious platter combining Nobu-style shrimp toast; roasted duck breast in wasabi and plum reduction; and stir-fried beef tenderloin in Szechuan teriyaki, is another novel experience for families or friends to enjoy together.
Nobu Manila’s Chinese New Year specials, available from February 15 to 22 also include: Aji Oshizushi (horse jack mackerel, cilantro, Japanese long green onion, and pickled young ginger); and Awabi Three Ways (local abalone prepared New Style with dry miso, wasabi salsa ponzu, and creamy spicy).
Nobu Manila is open Wednesday to Sunday, 5 pm to 10 pm, and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
For reservations and information, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com, or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com. Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.
###
About City of Dreams Manila
City of Dreams Manila is at the gateway to Entertainment City in Parañaque and is part of the Aseana City township development.
The resort, which opened in February 2015, features: modern gaming spaces including VIP and premium mass gaming facilities Qi Long and Sky Gaming; three award-winning luxury hotel brands: Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams, with an aggregate total of 939 rooms; health and wellness facilities that include Nüwa Spa and Nobu Spa; The Shops at the Boulevard; more than 20 restaurants and bars across the property; and distinctive entertainment venues: DreamPlay, the world’s first DreamWorks-themed family entertainment center, and CenterPlay a contemporary entertainment bar at the focal point of the main gaming floor.
For more information, please visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
About Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation
Integrated casino developer Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation (“MRP”) is a subsidiary of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ:“MLCO”), the developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities in Asia and Europe. MRP’s subsidiary, Melco Resorts Leisure (PHP) Corporation (“Melco Leisure”), which developed City of Dreams Manila together with SM Investments Corporation, Belle Corporation and Premium Leisure Amusement, Inc., operates and manages the luxury integrated resort.
For more information about Melco Resorts and Entertainment Philippines please visit: melco-resorts-philippines.com.
