Setting the mood and adding fun and excitement for families, City of Dreams Manila unwraps yuletide and seasonal offerings.

Words and photos City of Dreams Manila
December 22, 2023

City of Dreams Manila unwraps yuletide and seasonal offerings at its premium restaurants Crystal Dragon, Nobu Manila, Haliya and Season 88. At Café Society, whimsical holiday-themed confections conjure awe and wonder.

To heighten the holiday dining, the season’s festive drinks are also available across the property from Cafe Society, Hidemasa, Rossi Pizza, Haliya to Wave poolside restaurant and bar.

Adding fun and excitement for families, DreamPlay holds an all star holiday parade of well-loved characters from DreamWorks Animations at 5:30 PM, every Saturday and Sunday of December, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day at The Shops at the Boulevard. Characters from the films Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, Madagascar, and Trolls will be on parade to delight the kids and kids at heart.

Setting the mood for joyful gatherings, a garden-themed Christmas tree display at the resort’s main casino entrance welcomes guests. Adorned with lush, colorful floral accents and glistening lights, the sprawling display is the resort’s centerpiece this holiday season. Christmas trees are also on display at the lobbies of Nuwa Manila, Nobu Hotel and Hyatt Regency Manila. A Christmas bazaar at The Shops at the Boulevard comprised of well-curated kiosks offering luxe jewelry, home, fashion and other trendy selections adds to the holiday shopping until December 24.

Crystal Dragon’s Festive Season Menu

The integrated resort’s acclaimed restaurant known for its Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties highlights premium ala carte choices from December 18 to January 1, 2024, from lunch onwards: Braised Sea Treasure Broth with Alaskan king crab, fish maw and Chinese ham; Oven-baked Chicken filled with black truffle paste and foie gras; Wok-fried Prawns in homemade cheese sauce and crispy enoki mushrooms; Flaming Wagyu Beef – Sichuan Style with king oyster mushrooms; and Chilled Sweetened Honeydew with soymilk jelly, homemade vanilla ice cream and pearl sago.

Nobu Manila’s Christmas Sunday Brunch and Omakase

Nobu Manila fȇtes guests with a “Nobu Experience” at its Holiday Sunday Brunch on December 24 for P4,388 net per person. Unlimited helpings of popular Nobu-style dishes laid out on the buffet and a la carte service include the Nobu Signature Sashimi Trio of Tuna Matsuhisa, Yellowtail Jalapeño and Salmon Karashi su Miso; Black Cod Butter Lettuce; Nobu Pork Sisig; and an array of maki rolls unique to Nobu, to name a few. The featured Carving of the Day – the Whole Rib Roast and Wagyu Chuck Roll served with a choice of mushroom wasabi pepper sauce or creamy wasabi -- complemented by Salmon Wellington with Nobu-style tartar sauce, different choices of kushiyaki prepared ala minute, a ramen bar and seafood bar take diners to a one-of-a-kind celebratory dining experience.

An elaborate Christmas dinner also beckons at the restaurant, where a seven-course omakase tasting menu reflecting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s new-style Japanese cuisine will be offered for dinner on December 24 and 25. At P5,600++ per person, the menu consists of a complimentary chef’s choice of appetizer; Crispy Whitefish with kumomo puree, jalapeño dressing, crispy quinoa, caviar; Assorted Sushi; Inaniwa Noodles with shrimp in tomato clear soup; Tuna Pastrami Salad with amazu, grapeseed oil, vegetable salad roll and crispy onions; and Chilean Seabass Inasal with sweet potato korokke and yuzu atchara caviar. The menu’s piece de resistance is the Nobu-style Wagyu Beef Wellington with roasted tomato jus, braised roots and crispy nasu, preceding a dessert of Strawberry Vanilla Bavarois with meringue and sponge cake.

Haliya’s Christmas Menu

For a Filipino noche buena that evokes the flavors of the season, Haliya has customized a modern Filipino Christmas menu with ala carte choices. Available on December 24 from lunch onwards and for dinner on December 25, the special dishes are comprised of: Duck Jamonado Ensalada, a medley of mesclun greens, marble potato, baby beans, cherry tomato, green olives, pearl onion, baby beetroot, soft-boiled egg in cranberry vinegar dressing; Molo Krema, a comforting concoction of crispy molo noodles with water chestnut, celery, carrot, spring onion, corn and leek oil; Chicken Pastel with mushroom, queso de bola sarsa, asparagus, water chestnut, potato, herb jus, and black salt; and Persimmon Panna Cotta with butter cream, calamansi honey sauce, candied pinipig, chestnut crumble and a trio of macaron.

A Celebration of Asian Flavors at Season 88

A selection of Chinese and Korean specialties from December 15 to January 14 makes up an Asian feast shared among family and friends at Season 88. Situated at the vibrant main gaming floor, the 24-hour chic dining room and lounge offers special Chinese dishes: Hakka Braised Pork Belly with rice vinegar and peanuts and Wok-fried Butter Prawn with oats; and Korean favorites: Honghap Tang (Korean mussel soup with red and green chili, leeks and savory soy sauce) and Bossam (Korean pork belly wrap with radish kimchi). Diverse international cuisines complemented by a wide array of premium beverages and spirits are also on the menu.

Café Society’s Yuletide Confections

Christmas wafts in the air at Café Society, with various holiday themed confections transforming the cafe into a yuletide wonderland. Playful chocolate sculptures, gingerbread houses alongside a spread of confections and pastries are offered until the end of December. Christmas Chocolate Houses (P2,000 net each), Santa Bear in milk and white chocolate in varying sizes (starts at P400 net), and other Christmas staples like Panettone (Italian Christmas bread); Stollen (cake-like bread with its origin in Germany), fruit mince pies, and yule log cakes complete Café Society’s fancy holiday spread.

For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, 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.