In keeping with its exotic oriental roots, Mandarin Oriental, Miami is hosting a Chinese New Year celebration on Friday, February 8, 2013 to usher in the year of the snake in grand style. Guests will enjoy dining experiences in the hotel’s two distinguished restaurants – Azul, the signature restaurant featuring the eclectic cuisine of Chef Jacob Anaya and Café Sambal, the elegant waterfront Asian restaurant. Captivating lion dance performances, Asian ribbon dancers and Chinese calligraphy demonstrations will add to the excitement.
The evening begins at 7pm with a lively champagne reception at the hotel’s stunning pool deck. Following the reception, guests can choose to dine at Azul or Café Sambal and enjoy festive set menus brimming with Chinese delicacies.
The four-course Azul menu includes:
“Longevity”
Quail Consommé with Green Scallions and Handmade Long Noodles
“Good Luck &Fortune”
Fresh Water Eel & Foie Gras, Compressed Asian pear, Tangerine puree
Or
Vegetarian Rice Porridge, Bok Choy, Ginger and Scallions
“Abundance & Wealth”
Steamed Local Fish & Scallop Mousse, Baby leeks, Tender Chinese greens, Young Ginger, Lemon grass, and White soy & Sesame oil
Or
Szechwan Style Short Ribs, Daikon and Okinawa Sweet Potato cake
“Togetherness”
Chocolate Dragon Ball, Soft Almond Cake, Black Tea Ice Cream
The Café Sambal culinary team will prepare an array of Chinese specialties served family style and to include Peking Duck Lettuce Wraps, Chinese Egg Roll, Long Life Egg Noodles, Barbecue Pork Dumplings, Soy Braised Baby Back Rib, Singapore Chili Seafood, Wok Fried Beef Strips in Orange-Ginger Sauce and a selection of Chinese inspired desserts.
For the Chinese, this celebration is the most important of the year symbolizing the Earth’s new beginning. The Chinese culture utilizes a lunar calendar based on the moon’s cycle to create its zodiac signs and twelve animals to represent the twelve signs of the Chinese horoscope. According to the Chinese calendar, the snake represents a zodiac sign that is intelligent and graceful.
True to tradition, rousing lion dance performances will capture the spirit of the season – it is said to bring good luck to households and the businesses they visit. All guests will receive a ‘red lai see packet’ filled with wishes of good health and good fortune.
The cost for the Chinese New Year event is $85 for a three-course family style menu at Café Sambal and $35 for children ages 6 to 12. The cost is $135 for a four-course set menu at Azul. Prices are per person, plus tax and gratuity and include champagne reception. Mandarin Oriental, Miami is located at 500 Brickell Key Drive.
