Xin Tian Di, signature Chinese restaurant of Crowne Plaza Hotel Manila Galleria is currently offering set menus of auspicious dishes perfect for Chinese New Year celebration this 2014. Impressive Chinese cuisine that are known to bring good luck this Year of the Wooden Horse can be enjoyed at Xin Tian Di starting today, January 30, 2014 to February 13, 2014.
One of Xin Tian Di’s Chinese New Year auspicious entrees is the Yu Sheng Salad which is more known as the CNY “Prosperity Toss Salad.” This Chinese delicacy when translated to English means “abundance of wealth and long life.”
I have been participating to Chinese New Year gatherings for quite a while now but it was only this year that I got to try the wonders of Yu Sheng Salad Ceremony. And trust me, it’s fun. “A good excuse to play and have fun with your food” one of my dinner mates noted during the preview of the CNY dinner celebration at Xin Tian Di. The fact that it can bring prosperity is an added bonus.
Yu Sheng (literally means “raw fish”) Salad comprised of ingredients known to be auspicious in itself. The combination of which is believed to provide abundant prosperity. These lucky ingredients includes raw fish that signifies abundance, carrots which indicates good luck, green radish for eternal youth, white radish for prosperity in work and business, and peanut crust for longevity.
The ceremony calls for incorporating each ingredient to one another and tossing it altogether using chopsticks as high as one can while chanting “Lo Hei”, the Cantonese word for “tossing luck” seven times.
Aside from the Yu Shen Salad, the CNY set menu we feasted on at Xin Tian Di includes other Chinese dishes which are all believed to bring different kinds of luck.
Peking Duck in its glorious hue of red is said to bring happiness. The Peking duck we devoured served on table side is done in two ways; Peking Duck wrapped in Tortilla with hoisin sauce and Minced Peking Duck served with Lettuce Leaves.
The Peking Duck wrapped in Tortilla I found to be a really pleasant dish. I have had a lot of this before but Xin Tian Di’s rendition was just downright savory and well executed, hence making it on of the best I have had. For an added texture and perhaps nutritional value however, Peking Duck with Lettuce Leaves is also a good alternative.
First sip of the Double Boiled Chicken with Black Mushroom led me into thinking that it was also a duck dish. The flavor was just perfect and comforting that borders into soulful. However, the menu indicates that it is a different dish altogether. I guess it only indicates how perfect the soup was flavor-wise. The black mushroom lends an earthy flavor to the dish, elevating it even further. Chicken is believed to symbolized a good marriage and the unity of family especially when the chicken was served whole.
Prosperity Dimsums handcrafted by Chinese Executive Chef Sam Lee were also served. We had Siomai with Baby Abalone, Fried Po Pya, both signifies good fortune, and Mixed Meat Seafood Dumpling for strength. Xin Tian Di also offers Dimsum Platter which is way bigger and features different dimsums signifying different kinds of luck.
Reminiscent of gold Chinese coin which signifies wealth and good fortune, Braised African Abalone with Broccoli in Oyster sauce was also feasted on during our dinner. The distinct taste of the abalone went well with the broccoli not to mention the sauce.
Steamed Cod Fish Fillet with Taosi may look like a simple dish, but its flavor is just bursting and the delicate silk-like texture suggests pleasant mouth-feel to it. Eating fish during CNY celebration is believed to help one make their wishes come true.
Braised Pork Leg with Sea Moss and Lettuce may not be the most appetizing dish on the table but it sure was one of the best. It kind of reminds me of a well loved dish Pata Tim, only it has sea moss which I found surprisingly good. This dish is believed to signify unity in family as well.
Noodles in every Chinese celebration signifies long life, hence I was not surprised that Seafood Efu Noodles was served to us. Equally delightful dish, probably one of the best noodle dish I have had recently. It was said that cutting the noodles does not promotes luck, hence must be avoided. Slurp the noodles away if you must.
For the dessert we had the proverbial Tikoy, a staple delicacy every Chinese New year that holds the promise of a better year. We also had some Chocolate Buchi which symbolizes gold coins for wealth and good fortune.
The Chinese New Year Set Menu we feasted on that night proved to be impressive flavor-wise and in terms of serving portion. There are other set menus available at Xin Tian Di and the prices starts at Php4,800++. Other Chinese delicacies perfect for the Chinese New Year are also available such as the Ang Ku Kueh or the Tortoise Cake and the famed fish-shaped Tikoy. From January 30 to February 13, 2014 The Yu Shen Salad is also available for take out priced at Php988++ (four to size persons) and Php1,888++ (ten to twelve persons).
Xin Tian Di Restaurant
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
Ortigas Avenue cor. ADB Avenue
Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone No.: (632) 633-7222 local 7240 / 7247
Facebook Page: /xintiandirestaurant
