By Tedrick Melvin Yau
It’s time to ring in the “Year of the Ox” with an abundance of sumptuous – and auspicious – dishes from this good ol’ Chinese resto in San Juan City.
Dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year is one occasion that definitely brings families together. And whenever Chinese cuisine is poised to take the spotlight, one iconic restaurant is most certainly not far behind.
A go-to for exceptional Chinese cuisine, Gloria Maris in the Greenhills Shopping Center, has most certainly made a name for its delectable and authentic dishes. Since it opened in 1995, it has been a beloved spot for celebrating momentous occasions, from birthdays to baptismals, to reunions and more.
With this said, Gloria Maris welcomes the “Year of the Ox” with Chinese New Year Specials that highlight not just exceptional taste, but also auspicious offerings. In time for the new normal, the restaurant also came up with packaging that is tailor-fitted for guests who would opt to celebrate the Lunar New Year at home.
Starting with a hearty dish, the Poon Choi is served in a big bowl complete with exquisite offerings like braised meat, abalone, dried scallop, and sea moss. Simply abundant, this dish is dubbed by the restaurant as “the lucky pot filled with prosperity and treasure.”
Another must-try is the Crispy Fried Eel marinated with cider and honey. Each eel slice is served on top of a bed of vegetables and fried crackers. Equally hearty is the tender Steamed Chicken with ham and vegetables, which uses wild ranch chicken meat sautéed with superior sauce.
Making the dinner extra special is the Singaporean Chili Crab: spicy whole crabs that are served in spicy and sour sauce and toasted white bun. For a more savory choice, there’s also the Shrimp Toast, wherein perfectly fried, crispy prawn is placed over toasted bread.
These go well with the popular Two-Tone Almond Seafood soup. Strikingly interesting, the yin and yang presentation of this dish will urge you to not only taste it, but also take a photo for your social media post. When mixed, the almond soup brings a rich, milky and sweet taste that enhances its pumpkin flavor.
And of course, what is a Chinese New Year celebration without the tikoy or the glutinous rice cake? A favorite among Filipinos, it is usually eaten on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Known in Mandarin as “nian gao”, the name also sounds like the term for “higher year,” or plainly put, “better times ahead.” It is believed that eating tikoy will help bring progress, happiness, good fortune and togetherness in your life.
Completing the cake set are the traditional radish cake and taro cakes. Each cake is mixed and garnished when ordered, and can easily be deep-fried at your home kitchen.
What’s more, the restaurant has also implemented new protocols in time for new normal diners who may want to enjoy their Chinese New Year feasts in the restaurant. Orders for pickup and delivery are also most welcome.
With social distancing measures in place, Celebrating Chinese New Year might not be as grand as before. But where there’s good food and good company, there will always be reason to celebrate — and hope for — better days ahead!
