NOCHE BUENA does not have to be held in one’s house. Often these days, families are opting to avoid the stress and mess of arranging the feast by going outside the home to celebrate. Here are some of the restaurants that are offering special Noche Buena menus.
City of Dreams
FLAVORS of Christmas are highlighted at The Tasting Room from Dec. 23 to 31 with either a five-course or a four-course menu priced at P8,400++ and P7,100++ per person on offer. The menu comes with an option for wine pairing for an additional P2,500++ for the five-course menu or P2,000++ per person for the four-course menu. Diners will be given a Mexican hot chocolate cube and a lemon cake as a door gift. Meanwhile, the Crystal Dragon celebrates the Holiday season from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 with a six-course Festive Season menu priced at P2,280++ per person. Over at Nobu Manila, there is a Special Omakase offering for the whole month of December. The eight-course Omakase is priced at P5,400++ per cover. On Dec. 22-27, Nobu is also offering a Christmas Special Omakase priced at P6,999++ per cover. The flavors of the season can likewise be savored at Red Ginger with its Festive Platters featuring Javanese fried chicken, braised US beef brisket with coconut caramel, banana leaves-wrapped native seabass with tamarind, five spice crispy pork roll, and minced pork and cellophane noodles stuffed squid. Any of these dishes are accompanied by tomato and lemongrass rice, seasonal vegetables, and soy braised tofu. For inquiries, call 800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
Marco Polo Ortigas
SAVOR all-time favorite holiday treats at Cucina. The Christmas Eve dinner buffet highlights a wide array of dishes such as roast Angus beef rib eye, caramelized ham, and crispy duck breast on mango basil sauce. Have the traditional Noche Buena with a midnight spread that includes Filipino signatures pancit palabok and Cebuano pork humba. Bibingka and puto bumbong will be served to complete the holiday. The midnight buffet will commence at 11 p.m. on Dec. 24. Holiday rates are at P3,800 for Christmas Eve Dinner, P1,800 for Noche Buena (Midnight), and P2,888 for Christmas Day. For more information, call 720-7777 or book online via www.marcopolohotels.com or e-mail manila@marcopolohotels.com.
Diamond Hotel
SAVOR a smorgasbord of appetizers, meats, seafood, pasta, salads and desserts at the Corniche buffet restaurant. Lunch Buffets are available for P2,980 nett person with entertainment by a pianist on Dec. 24, and a trio instrumentalist and a magician on Dec. 25. Christmas Eve will see a Dinner Buffet at P3,380 nett per person with entertainment by a trio instrumentalist and a magician. On Christmas Day, savor the tastes of the holiday with a Dinner Buffet for P3,380 nett per person with entertainment by a pianist at the Upper Lobby. At the Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant on Dec. 24 and 25, have a get-together with family or friends over a Japanese lunch or dinner set menu at P7,980 nett for four persons and P10,880 nett for six persons. For reservations, call Diamond Hotel at 528-3000 ext. 1121.
New World Makati Hotel
DINE for four at Café 1228’s lunch or dinner buffet spread or feast on Jasmine’s holiday set menu good for six persons and get a chance to win a two-night stay with Club access at New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel and two roundtrip business class tickets from Philippine Airlines. Throughout the month of December, Café 1228’s international buffet will feature traditional Christmas favorites from around the world. Lunch is priced at P2,299 per person on weekdays and P2,599 on weekends. Dinner is at P2,699 per person. Toast Christmas with free-flowing local beer, wine, and soft drinks for an additional P699 per person. Christmas Eve dinner comes with one round of sparkling wine and standard drinks for P2,999 per person. Christmas Day lunch is priced at P2,599 per person. Have a hearty holiday at Jasmine and indulge in a authentic Cantonese feast with a choice between three festive set menus, starting at P9,888 for six persons. Diners can customize the menus with ala carte dishes such as Peking Duck, live fish and seafood offers, and other Jasmine specialties. These holiday offers are available on Dec. 22 to 25. Finally, all-you-can-eat dim sum is served Yum Cha-style for P1,388 net every lunch on weekends of December, and P1,688 at lunch on Dec. 22 to 25. For more information or to make a reservation, call New World Makati Hotel at 811-6888 ext. 3387.
Crimson Hotel
THE hotel’s Café Eight will offer everything from classic roast beef, turkey, Yorkshire pudding and duck rillettes to white truffle cake and pumpkin pies in its holiday menus. The restaurant will have a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet from 6 p.m. to midnight (P2,100 net per person) which includes a Santa meet & greet and live entertainment; a Christmas Day Brunch Buffet from noon to 3 p.m. (P1,500 net per person) which includes a Santa meet & greet, magic and tricks, and face painting; and Christmas Day Dinner from 6 to 10 (P1,500 net) with live entertainment.
The Peninsula Manila
THE PEN’s various restaurants will be offering special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day options ranging from afternoon tea, to buffets (breakfast, merienda, lunch, and dinner at different outlets), and four- and five-course set lunch and dinner menus. For details, call 887-2888 or visit peninsula.com/manila.
Crowne Plaza
SEVEN Corners Restaurant’s “Merry and Bright” holiday buffet will be on offer on Dec. 24 for dinner, Dec. 25 for lunch, and Dec. 31 for dinner. Known for its grilled prime rib steak, sushi, and a spread of Western and Asian fare, the venue’s buffet for the season is inclusive of unlimited beverages. At Xin Tian Di, the “Warm and Radiant” festive set menu will be available from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2. A 10-person feast includes the restaurant’s signature Peking duck and array of dim sum. The “Merry and Bright” holiday buffet at Seven Corners goes for P2,700 nett per person, while the “Warm and Radiant” set menu for 10 persons is P31,888 nett. For details call Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria at 633-7222 or e-mail mnlcp@ihg.com and 633-7111. For Seven Corners restaurant, call 633-7222 local 7384/7385. For Xin Tian Di restaurant, call 633-7222 local 7296/7298.
