If China towns in your part of the world are witnessing a celebratory buzz, you can attribute the vibrancy and laughter to the Chinese New Year. Already, busloads of tourists are making flight reservations to destinations like Hong Kong and China to be a part of the festivities (read traditional lion dances, grand firecracker spectacles and New Year night Parades). In case you have not been able to squeeze out time for such leisurely vacations, celebrate the Chinese New Year in style at some of the plushest hospitality addresses in town. It is the 'Year of the Dog' and you can go on a Chinese dinner trail in and around the Capital to kick-start the celebrations.
Time: 1230 to 1445 hrs (Lunch) and 1930 to 2345 hrs (Dinner)
Price: A la carte menu
House of Ming, Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi’s Chinese restaurant, is paying homage to the Year of The Dog through a grand culinary showcase. Master Chef Zhou Jian has a festive menu in store for you to get into the New Year spirit. Both traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare will be on offer, including the Doubanjiang Chicken with Sweet Basil and Scallions, Steamed Tofu Spicy Golden Garlic, Chilli Lobster Spiced Plum Dried Strawberry, Steamed Sea Bass Asparagus Black Bean and Pak Choy and Pine-Nut Pouch In Rice Net.
The fun Pan Asian restaurant that has loads of devotees in the Delhi-NCR region is planning to usher in the Chinese New Year with much fanfare. It is launching a concept called the 'Mama's Bowl Manifesto', to welcome the Year of the Dog. Pegged as comfort food meant for sharing, Mama's Bowl Manifesto offers several meal-in-a-bowl options. Vegetarians can truly rejoice as there are exciting vegetarian bowls such as Tofu 2 Way (tofu in pepper sauce and tofu salt-and-pepper served with udon noodles and veggies) and Aromatic Rice Meal and Tofu (the dish is served with a homemade aromatic chilli sauce, Jasmine fried rice and rocket salad). Carnivores can join the party with their pick of chicken bowls, including the 8 Treasure Bowl Chicken (the dish comes with vegetables in garlic, edamame as well as celery and is served with vegetable fried rice), the Hot China Action Bowl (slow poached chicken with Szechwan chilli oil served with ginger-and-scallion sticky fried rice) and much more.
It will ramp up the New Year festivities with unique offerings from 'Chef Lauah Ban', a speciality chef at The Roseate. Two curated salads from the chef’s stable are up for grabs on the occasion. There is a Salmon Lo Hei (INR 888, plus taxes) and a Veg Goose Lo Hei (INR 888, plus taxes) to add colour and freshness to your platter.
There are several packages for entertainment as well as dining splurges, as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The entertainment options are as follows:
These packages are only available from February 14 until February 17, 2018
Advance payment and reservations are required
For someone who does not wish to buy a package, the minimum spend per couple would be INR 8,000
Entry Fee of INR 3,000 (Inclusive of taxes) will be charged per couple, for patrons entering post 10.30 pm. This is only applicable to those who do not wish to avail any package
House of Soy, Radisson Blu Faridabad’s Pan Asian restaurant, is also planning to take your taste buds on a magical Oriental tour with spread curated by 'Chef Avanish Jain', as part of its Chinese New Year celebrations. The festival’s highlights include live counters serving lip-smacking fare such as Minced Basil Lamb In A Crunchy Cup, Peking Duck With Pickled Vegetables, Stuffed Chinese Crepe With Chilli Sambal (vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian), as well as desserts.
Susmita Saha is a Delhi-based Features Writer. She has worked as an Assistant Editor at India Today and The Telegraph and writes on arts and culture, films, travel, food, architecture, design and various other lifestyle subjects. She has seriously itchy feet and plans to tick the world off her bucket list, one burger at a time.
