By Alithea De Jesus

Christmas is in the air and the best thing to spend a holiday is being with family, friends and loves ones.

And nothing beats a perfect dinner when you are in a relaxing, safe place and have great food selections to choose from that would make you smile as you recall the best dining experience you had that delighted your gastronomic experience and made your special moment memorable one.

As the City of Dreams Manila reopened the reopening of Nobu Manila last November 6, for the time being, will only allow dinner at 50% capacity based on the government guidelines. But don’t fret, your date nights and intimate dinners are guaranteed to be enchanting as it starts from 5 PM onwards, and guests have an option to dine at their relaxing cabanas which are ideals for al fresco dining date nights or intimate dinners among family and friends.

In the eponymous restaurant of world-renowned celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who is credited for creating Japanese-Peruvian fusion artistry, avid followers will again enjoy Nobu’s signature dishes such as Black Cod Miso, New Style Sashimi, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Beef Tobanyaki, among other highly-favored classics.

|Nobu Manila also highlights new dishes on its menu created by Head Chef Michael de Jesus, including two that creatively infuse Filipino flavors:  Nobu Manila Style Kurobuta Pork Sisig, a medley of kurobota pork belly (a highly flavorful premium cut), aji amarillo aioli, bacon furikake and poached egg; and Green Tea Leche Flan with homemade mochi pearls, azuki beans and goma tuile. The Tofu Sliders, Nori Tacos, and Tomato Matsuhisa Salad, are among the other new dishes worthy to explore.

Head Sushi Chef Kei Hirukawa also introduces new sushi and sashimi specialties consisting of sustainably sourced seafood. Apart from bolstering City of Dreams Manila’s commitment to sustainability and support to SMEs, premium, locally and responsibly sourced seafood including big-eye tuna, lapu-lapu, aori squid, shrimp, and belt fish provide succulent tastes for sushi and sashimi creations and at the same time, add a sumptuous allure to the already well-loved menu of the restaurant.

Nobu’s eight-course Signature Omakase, specialty tempura, tobanyaki (Nobu roast specialties), yakimono (grille items), brick oven dishes, kushiyaki (grilled skewers), soup and noodle dishes, and a broad selection of sushi, sashimi and sushi rolls, salads and soups complete the extensive menu. A wide range of spirits and other refreshments enhance the dining experience. Guests can choose from premium sake, wines, beers and specialty cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages.

Nobu Manila will be serving dinner guests until 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The other signature restaurants of City of Dreams that have also reopened are Crystal Dragon, Red Ginger, Jing Ting, and Wave, all operating at 50% capacity in observance of physical distancing. Known for its premium Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties, Crystal Dragon is open from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; while the property’s Southeast Asian restaurant, Red Ginger, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Jing Ting, which specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine, is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Wave, a contemporary poolside deck restaurant and bar offering international favorites, light snacks, and refreshments, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for guests, stringent hygiene protocols are in place: alcohols and hand sanitizers are available at the restaurants’ entrances. Menus are accessible through QR codes to further reduce physical contact, and face masks and face shields are mandatory for guests and property colleagues throughout the resort complex.

These measures are consistent with the property-wide heightened sanitation protocols implemented by the City of Dreams Manila under its “Play it Safe” campaign. Throughout the resort complex, distance markers are visible to guide guests on proper distancing. Numerous hand sanitation stations are also available in highly frequented areas. High-touch surfaces such as escalator railings and elevator buttons are disinfected every 20 to 30 minutes by a dedicated shift to ensure the extensive and increased frequency of disinfection.

For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.