If you haven’t heard, today marks the beginning of Chinese New Year. Kicking off with a street party like few others, 2012’s Year of the Dragon is considered the luckiest, so I imagine in approximately nine months, we’ll be seeing a boom in Chinese progeny along the sidewalks of New York. If you were anywhere near Chinatown this afternoon, you witnessed the celebratory atmosphere featuring firecrackers intended to ward off evil spirits, and performances by musicians and artists, as well as lions and dragons dancing through the streets. If you missed it, don’t worry; Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade and Festival will take place next Sunday, January 29th from 11 AM – 4 PM and wind its way along Mott, Canal, and Bayard Streets.
In addition to the awesome and breathtaking street spectacles, part of the tradition of Lunar New Year is the gathering of family and friends for large, festive meals. Spanning 15 days (through February 6th), the sights and sounds of Lunar New Year is matched only by the food. In honor of this most important day on the calendar, a host of New York restaurants are offering Chinese New Year menus and specials. Though you can walk the streets of Chinatown for a sampling of the most authentic fare this side of Beijing, here are some other offerings from local spots in various parts of the city.
With a full Chinese New Year menu launching on Tuesday, the 24th, the Singaporean Masak’s dishes are inspired by Chef Larry Reutens’ reflections on celebrating with family and friends in Singapore. Featuring arrowroot chips, Ci Gu, meaning benevolence, a Yue Sang salad with artic char and dressed with sesame seed and blood orange vinaigrette that symbolizes wealth, prosperity and abundance, Nantucket Bay scallops, the shell of which represents the opening of new horizons and wealth, and roasted quail that is stuffed with glutinous rice for family unity, and shiitake mushrooms and lotus seeds marking the hope for many offspring, prices range from $6-$22. Menus will be served through February 6th.
Through Monday, February 6, Yotel New York will be offering a 4-course sharing menu in honor of Chinese New Year at its signature restaurant DohYo. Created by Executive Chef Nicholas Kayser, $32.50 buys rice dumplings (symbolizing good fortune), Oriental long noodles (symbolizing long life), and the requisite whole roasted poussin (symbolizing prosperity). Dessert comes in the form of a lychee panna cotta (symbolizing wealth), but that’s not all! On Wednesday, January 25th, Yotel will be hosting an over-the-top Chinese New Year Party beginning at 10 PM in the hotel’s Club Lounge. Nightlife king Patrick Duffy will play Master of Ceremonies while tunes will be spinning courtesy of Lady Gaga’s own Lady Starlight. With nightlife royalty like Mint and Serf, Darian Darling, Henry de la Paz and Roxy Cotton Tail in attendance, as well as contortionists and lion dancers, this will be one the Chinese New Year you won’t soon forget.
Mandarin Oriental: Upper West Side
For something less frenzied, the celebration of Chinese New Year at the Mandarin Oriental, New York is the way to go. Through February 5th, the "Afternoon Tea of Togetherness" will be served in the stunning Lobby Lounge overlooking Central Park and features a selection of dim sum made with foods symbolizing prosperity for the New Year. The Jade Vegetable Dumpling denotes happiness, good fortune and liveliness while an Emperor Pork and Watercress Wonton symbolizes strength, wealth and close family ties. The Mandarin Shrimp and Mango Roll represents togetherness and good luck, while The Year of the Dragon Duck Wrap represents cleverness, prosperity and joy. Paired with traditional Chinese teacakes, the Mandarin’s signature ginger scones, and a collection of teas, the menu is available daily from 2:30 pm - 4:30 PM and is $48.
Additionally, West Village favorite Red Farm is now offering black truffle chicken soup dumplings ($18) to celebrate the Lunar New Year, while the Fashion District’s Café China added four new courses to its menu including a spicy lamb hot pot ($28) and steamed pork in lotus leaf ($19), but if you’re looking for central Chinatown eats without all the fuss, hit one of these spots for the real deal. For Peking duck aficionados, it’s all about the crispy-skinned birds at Peking Duck House (Mott and Pell), while for dim sum without the carts, tuck into intimate Nom Wah Tea Parlor on Doyers. For seriously authentic noodles, hit Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles (also on Doyers), and for 24-hour munchies, head to Wo Hop on Mott.
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