This special 10-course Lunar New Year set menu is fit for an Emperor

Chinese New Year isn’t until next month, but establishments already have special menus and merchandise to celebrate and usher in the Year of the Dog.

Fastfood joints and casual restaurants may have promos and offerings, but if you have a hankering for something lavish and extra decadent, you might want to check out Man Ho at Marriott Hotel Manila.

Man Ho's 10-course meal is good for 10 people

The signature Chinese restaurant of the international luxury hotel chain opened its Manila location in November 2016, and much like other Man Ho locations in the world, has a slightly tweaked menu to appeal to local palates.

“Our kitchen team is run by Hong Kong native chefs, but our service still breathes the five-star Filipino hospitality,” said Executive Chef Meik Brammer.

The special set menu starts with a Barbecue Combination plate filled with roast duck, barbecue pork, soya chicken and century egg. For lighter fare, diners can also choose a Fresh Scallop Salad and Celery with Prawn X.O sauce.

For the soup course, sample Chicken with Sea Moss, a hearty and healthier alternative to the usually thick Chinese soups.

The main course is a relentless parade of some of Man Ho’s best. There’s melt-in-your-mouth Pan Fried Beef Fillet with Black Pepper Sauce; Hong Kong-style crispy Fried Chicken; Braised Bai Ling Mushroom or the so-called “prince of edible mushrooms;” with assorted fresh vegetables; and fresh Lapu-Lapu steamed in light sauce.

Although rice is often served towards the end in traditional Chinese lauriats, Man Ho’s Fujian Rice, which is stuffed with seafood mushroom and vegetable cutlets, is so rich it might as well be an entrée.

For dessert, there’s traditional Nian Gao or Tikoy and a fresh platter of fruits.

This special 10-course Lunar New Year set menu, which is good for 10 persons, costs P33,880++.

If that's a little too much for you, Man Ho has its Lunar New Year trademark, Poon Choi, or “Chinese casserole in a basin.” It's a one-pot communal dish good for at least 10 persons.

The impressive Poon Choi aka Chinese casserole in a basin is also good for 10 people

It also signifies prosperity and affluence because of the lucky eight items in the dish, including abalone, prawns, sea cucumber, dried fish maw, sea moss, marinated duck, dried scallops and assorted vegetables.

The elaborate dish is made to order at least two days in advance and costs P15,888++.

The special Chinese New Year’s offerings at Man Ho is avaialable daily until February 16, 2018. And if you’re keen on celebrating the New Year with a bang, Marriott Manila will also have a Lion and Dragon Dance ceremony on February 17. — LA, GMA News

Man Ho Chinese Restaurant,  Marriott Hotel Manila. Website. 12nn to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm. +632 9889999.