Wondering where to usher in the Year of the Goat in the capital? Panic not. Haute Time has some suggestions on where you should be celebrating Chinese New Year (19 February)
Barts
On Thursday 19 February, Uncle Bart will welcome all those that fancy a party to come and celebrate, One Night In China Town! For one night only, guests will see Barts transformed into a Chinese den of fun, frolics, good-fortune and firewater (aka alcohol).
Decorated with red Chinese lanterns, paper cuttings, peonies, door couplets and more, Barts will be hard pushed to maintain their usual low profile, what with a host of Chinese dancers rumoured also to be in attendance. Partnering with Johnnie Walker Black Label, the drinks menu will be inspired by elements of the Orient, with woody Whisky notes and smokey scents. For those a little peckish, and fellow fans of Peking duck, there will also an assortment of canapés – made in China – of course.
Min Jiang
On 18 and 19 February, Min Jiang – located on the10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel – will celebrate Chinese New Year with a fabulous authentic nine course menu. The menu, created by Chef Han, is priced at £98 per person with an array of dishes including crispy lamb brisket with Chinese buns and steamed king prawns with homemade fermented chilli sauce. Min Jiang’s legendary wood-fired Beijing duck will also be available as an additional course ordered in advance.
Mr Fogg’s
This year, in honour of his Chinese chums, Mr Fogg has decided to celebrate, the Lunar New Year too…after all, it is the Year of the Goat…what’s not to bleat about!?
On Thursday 19 February, having passed through the entrance, generously sprinkled with hanging red door god inscriptions, (one must stick to traditions on such occasions, and certainly no harm in ensuring evil spirits are warded off), guests to Mr Fogg’s humble abode will then be welcomed by a fiery fleet of dragon dancers, accompanied by a soundtrack of perfectly pitched Peking music and other Oriental octaves.On taking their seats, sojourners will be served a selection of Chinese delicacies, as well as a complimentary cocktail, courtesy of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. In true Chinese custom, all household staff shall also be temporarily swapping their traditional Gieves & Hawkes military uniforms for a range of hanfu style outfits and robes. It is not just the staff that will be decorated, the drawing room walls will also be adorned with hanging red lamps and lucky money that can be redeemed for guests complimentary cocktail. Finally, before the celebrations come to a close, and shortly following the ringing of the midnight bells, frequenters will be fed a festive fortune with their bills (a fortune cookie of course).
CHINESE MADE SIMPLE
Dim sum: starter of small steamed or deep fried dumplings with filling.
Chinese five-spice powder: contains Szechuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, fennel seeds and cloves. The five ingredients represent the five tastes bitter, sweet, sour, salt and pungent.
Pak choi: Chinese green-leaf vegetable.
Szechuan: typically hot and spicy cooking originating from the Szechuan region of China. Often contains Chilli pepper and Szechuan pepper.
Wontons: small filled parcels often floated in soup. Won Ton means “swallowing a cloud.”
Haute Cuisine
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