Lunch with Alex, Po and Shrek at DreamPlay

It's not often you get to enjoy a meal with Alex, Po, and Shrek. Or Hiccup. And the penguins.

Your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation come to life at DreamPlay for a unique family experience. At the special Media Appreciation Lunch hosted by City of Dreams Manila, guests were treated to sumptuous dishes prepared by their signature restaurants at DreamPlay for a lavish feast. With Alex, Po, and Shrek. And Hiccup and the penguins too.

Play. Create. Learn. DreamPlay is an interactive entertainment concept developed by DreamWorks Animation around their popular characters combining both live and digital play spaces located at City of Dreams Manila. And it's the perfect setting for the City of Dreams Appreciation Lunch for exclusive guests from the media.

And it's an impressive space, with each corner at DreamSpace transporting you to your favorite movie scene from DreamWorks Animation.

DreamPlay offers so many attractions that's not only fun, but stimulates your imagination as well. Do the Kung Fu Panda Dojo, the Thread of Enlightenment, the Wall of Destiny, and the Stairway to Heaven and enjoy each step of the way at DreamPlay.

During the Media Appreciation Lunch, City of Dreams featured the signature dishes of their restaurants, including fresh hand-pulled noodles from Jing Ting (for more on Jing Ting, see my post, Northern Exposure: A Taste of Authentic Northern Chinese Flavors at City of Dreams Manila's New Jing Ting Restaurant).

Jing Ting's Hand-Pulled Noodles with Minced Pork and Mushrooms offered guests a taste of authentic Northern Chinese cuisine. Made with firm and fresh hand-pulled noodles, the dish is both savory and spicy with the distinct notes of fresh vegetables, earthy mushrooms and juicy minced pork coming together in a perfectly balanced and seamless blend.

In another station, a whole fresh tuna was displayed and carved. Freshly prepared Filipino Style Seafood Ceviche with Coconut Vinaigrette featuring Yellow Fin Tuna, Salmon and Sea Urchin, and Tanigue (native mackerel) opened up your palate with its fresh and clean flavors.

Nobu featured their signature rolls served with a special sauce (L) while Red Ginger offered a refreshing Thai Beef Salad (R), a tart and mildly spicy salad with fork-tender beef prepared a la minute (for more on Red Ginger, see my post at A Taste of Royal Thai Cuisine at Red Ginger).

For the main course, the Tasmanian Salmon Wellington with baked salmon in puff pastry drizzled with rich and creamy champagne buerre blanc was served. Light yet satisfying, the rich and delicate notes of the imported salmon come through followed by the light and flaky buttery crispness of the pastry capped by the creamy sauce.

But there's one dish that made a lasting impression, the Confit Egg with Potato Mousse, Truffle, Caramelized Onion and Bellota Ham by The Tasting Room (more on The Tasting Room on my posts, All Hands on Deck at The Tasting Room's 4-Hands Dinner from last year and A Taste of The Tasting Room from two years back). The light, airy and foamy potato mousse is topped with a delicate confit egg and thin slices of Spanish Bellota Ham drizzled with nutty truffle oil for an indulgent blend of flavors. Each spoonful coats the palate with its velvety-smooth richness, and you'll crave for another serving. 

But save room for some decadent chocolate filled with premium whisky...

The rich notes of fine chocolate and the deep smoky hints of premium Scotch whisky is one of those flavorful combinations that's always been a personal favorite. Indulgent chocolate filled with Macalan 12 Years, Glen Morangie 12 Years, Royal Salute 21 Years, and Chivas Regal 25 Years...just can't get better than that.

In between bites, why not pose for a few photos with your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation? Learn some cool dance moves from Alex (L) from the successful Madagascar series, or some cool martial arts tricks from Po of the popular Kung Fu Panda series. 

Cap your feast with scoops of ice cream from DreamPlay's Chez Gingy to end your dining experience on a high note. City of Dreams Manila promised guests an awesome experience. And we got it. Find out yourself and visit DreamPlay with the kids at City of Dreams Manila, and have fun with Alex, Po, and Shrek. And Hiccup and the penguins too. 

DreamPlay is located at City of Dreams, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Paranaque, Manila or call +632 800-8080 for inquiries and more information. You can also visit their website here at https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/entertainment/dreamplay for more updates.

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