Shangri-la celebrates Chinese New Year

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu prepared an oriental classic feast to ring in the Year of the Metal Rat. To welcome the Lunar New Year, the resort crafted classic dishes that were sure to give guests an exceptional dining experience.

Tea of Spring, the resort’s Chinese restaurant, offered Lunar New Year set menus. Living up to their reputation as a nationally acclaimed award-winning restaurant, their menu featured many delightful dishes. Some highlights were Steamed Live Grouper in Double Deluxe Soy Sauce, Fresh Tiger Prawns served with Exotic Fruit Salad, and Steamed Fish Fillet with Truffle Spinach Sauce. Each set menu came with a plateful of Yee Sang. Families could do their Prosperity Toss on their table. The restaurant also served creative specialties for Chinese New Year. Guests enjoyed Koi Fish Tikoy, which is tikoy molded as koi fish. Also available was Year of the Rat Bun Basket. The buns resembled cute rats.

Other than a dining experience, the resort also held a traditional ceremony. The celebration began at 10:18 AM on the 25^th of December. The eye-dotting ceremony took place first, which traditionally precedes the lion and dragon dance. A string of fireworks was then set off to drive evil spirits away. The ceremony was concluded with a Prosperity Toss. This ritual brings long life, prosperity, and unity for all. It is believed that if you toss the salad higher, then you have higher chances for a wealthy and prosperous new year.

Tides, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, took part in the celebration as well. Throughout the weekend, Lunar New Year Lunch and Dinner Buffet were served.

Videos and photos from the celebration can be viewed on Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu Facebook page. For resort updates, visit their page on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @shangrilamactan.