Goodbye Earth Pig, hello Metal Rat. Welcome the Chinese New Year with a sumptuous feast and usher in some good vibes. At Xin Tian Di...
Crowne Plaza Manila offers guests and diners a festive feast for six with the Happiness Menu at Xin Tian Di featuring an auspicious array of traditional dishes all the way until January 31, 2020. Just like the previous years, Executive Chinese Chef Peter Leung showcases bold and hearty flavors for the Chinese New Year (for more on Xin Tian Di at Crowne Plaza, see my earlier posts, Lo Hei! Toss It High and Welcome the Year of the Earth Pig at Xin Tian Di... from last year, Welcome The Year of the Dog at Crowne Plaza Manila from 2018 and Love Dim Sum? You'll Love Dim Sum Unlimited Nights at Xin Tian Di... on my very first visit three years ago). Hungry? Read on for a tasty peek...
For the past three years, I've enjoyed Xin Tian Di's culinary creations and this year's Happiness Menu looks equally impressive. From their previous menu for the Year of the Earth Pig and the Year of the Dog, Xin Tian Di consistently served memorable dishes highlighted by the ceremonial Yu Sheng salad toss (check out their past Chinese New Year menus and my favorite dishes from last year here with the Deep-Fried US Scallops with Wasabi Salad Dressing and from 2018 here with their Stewed Home-Style Pork Knuckle with Flower Mushroom and Sea Cucumber "Patatim" Style dish). Our special Chinese New Year feast at Xin Tian Di for the Year of the Metal Rat began with some tasty dim sum...
...fresh from the steamers as the first apetizer course and traditional Fortune Yu Sheng were prepared by Executive Chinese Chef Peter Leung.
The first appetizer course of Xin Tian Di's Happiness Menu was then presented by the staff...
...and laid on the table. The Cold Cuts Combination of Chinese & Japanese Style includes a variety of roasts as well as sushi and rolls, each one offering tasty savory bites before the mains.
The much-awaited Fortune Yu Sheng with fresh salmon and a variety of condiments was then presented...
...as Executive Chinese Chef Peter Leung added the different condiments to the ceremonial salad. Each ingredient and condiment has a special meaning for the Chinese New Year (see my post here on the meaning and ritual of the salad toss from last year's Chinese New Year menu at Xin Tian Di). 
After the ceremonial toss, the Fortune Yu Sheng was ready. The fresh, crisp and clean flavors of the various vegetables brings a subtle sweetness to the palate followed by the vibrant sharpness of the dressing made with oil, salt, pepper and citrus. Light yet full of flavor, it's an auspicious start to the new year.
A comforting bowl of Dried Scallop, Fish Maw and Shredded Sea Abalone Soup was then served, warming both the palate and body with its subtle yet deep flavors. Diners can also opt for the Double Boiled Conch Meat, Chicken, Coconut with Conpoy Soup.
The Happiness Menu at Xin Tian Di also includes 1/2 Roasted Peking Duck in a 2-Way Course...
...delicately carved with the crisp layer of skin and juicy meat...
...and wrapped in Chinese pancakes with fresh leeks, cucumbers and a dab of hoisin sauce. It's just not Chinese New Year without the traditional Peking Duck.
The next courses were then served. The delicate and nuanced notes of the Steamed Sea Bass Fillet in XO Sauce drapes the palate with a subtle richness, from the sweet hints of the sea bass to the mildly sharp flavors of the XO sauce.
The Braised E-fu Noodles with Crab Meat and Assorted Seafood with Egg White brings a lavish vibe to our Chinese New Year feast with the soft noodles draped in the thick and creamy sauce. The egg adds that indulgent richness to the dish, complementing the briny sweetness of the crab and seafood.
The Braised Broccoli with Wild Mushroom and Bean Curd Roll in Oyster Sauce adds deep and earthy notes to our Chinese New Year feast at Xin Tian Di. Both flavor and texture come into play as you go for another bean curd roll.
A platter of Fried Organic Rice with Veal & Asparagus in Abalone Sauce was then served...
...along with the second course of the Roasted Peking Duck, the Wok-Fried Minced Duck served with fresh and crisp Lettuce Cups. The minced duck also pairs well with the fried rice.
For dessert, diners can enjoy traditional Pan-Fried Sweet Glutinous Rice Cake...
...and a bowl of Sweet Almond Ginger Tea. The sumptuous Happiness Menu at Xin Tian Di is priced at P 17,888++ good for sixpersons. You may also opt for the P 19,764.34 net package inclusive of one complimentary box of Tikoy. The special Chinese New Year menu at Xin Tian Di will be offered until the end of January. Welcome the year of the Metal Rat with a festive feast at Xin Tian Di...
Xin Tian Di is located at at the Fourth Level of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Avenue, corner Asian Development Bank Avenue, Ortigas Center, Quezon City or call (632) 633-7222 local 7296 and 7298 for inquiries and reservations. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/xintiandirestaurant/ for more updates.
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