HOLIDAY setup pairs pine cones and pillar candles with clear glass and a red tablecloth. — HOLIDAY setup pairs pine cones and pillar candles with clear glass and a red table cloth.

It might already be too late to book rooms and flights to Discovery Shores Boracay or Club Paradise in Coron, Palawan, for the holidays, but if you made early reservations, you have much to look forward to.

Last week, we were given a taste of the festive menu and a peek at what to expect for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

“New Year’s Eve in Boracay is always a loud and celebratory affair. There are fireworks displays and parties all over the island,” said Jun Parreño, chief operating officer of The Discovery Leisures Company, Inc. (TDLCI). “Over at Club Paradise, the vibe is more laid-back. The food at both properties, however, is certainly worth the trip.”

That afternoon, we tried a few items, including Citrus-cured Norwegian Salmon with compressed melons served on a Himalayan salt block; Lobster Cappuccino with a crunchy Sea Bass fritter on the side; a hefty order of USDA prime Angus Beef Ribeye with roasted bone marrow and veggies; and a chocolate sampler simply titled “Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.”

Frances Maniquis, marketing communications manager of Discovery Shores, said that this was just a teaser of what’s to come. Sands Restaurant at Discovery Shores has three dinner banquets coming: an international dinner buffet spread on Dec. 24; a feast of Filipino favorites, Dec. 25; and a Rizal Day Pan-Asian buffet, Dec. 30.

It also has a special holiday cocktail named Christmastini available until Dec. 25. Local rice cakes will be served at the beachfront at 4-7 p.m. until Dec. 30.

CITRUS-CURED Norwegian Salmon with compressed melons on a pink Himalayan salt block

On Dec. 31, head to the resort’s beachfront at 7 p.m. for a Celestial New Year’s Eve gala dinner, countdown party and fireworks show. DJ Badkiss, DJ Javier Vargas and Smooth Band will keep the party going with the best dance hits late into the night.

Over at Club Paradise in Coron, the Shack Bar at Ocean Restaurant will have a Filipino Street Food Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a Boodle Fight at the picnic area where guests can experience the traditional Filipino military-style of eating where food is placed in the middle of long tables and you eat with bare hands.

On Dec. 31, the resort will hold its Sparkle 2016 New Year’s Eve dinner and countdown party with music provided by DJ Dodie Ocampo and BOB Band.

Visit https://facebook.com/DiscoveryShoresBoracay or https://facebook.com/club.paradise.palawan