What better way to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year (February 8th) than with some good food? Here are six perfect spots (with some festive specials) to ring in the Year of the Monkey. Gung hay fat choy!
M.Y. China
Martin Yan’s M.Y. China is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a special eight-course menu (eight is a lucky number) inspired by Executive Chef Tony Wu’s grandmother. ‘Grandma Wu’s New Year Menu’ will feature traditional dishes that Wu grew up with, including a ‘fortune platter’ of roast duck, squid, and jellyfish; a whole fish with peppers, green onion, and chili bean sauce; and organic fried chicken. And if you happen to visit on February 15th, Martin Yan himself will be in the dining room greeting guests. // $38 per person for groups of 6+, February 5-20th, 845 Market St (SoMa); Reserve here.
Opt for a seat on Crystal Jade's gorgeous patio, weather permitting of course. (photo via the restaurant)
Crystal Jade
For a fine dining splurge, visit Crystal Jade on the Embarcadero. They’re offering a prix fixe menu of authentic Chinese dishes such as Yusheng, or prosperity salmon with shredded vegetables as well as Pen Cai, a Chinese casserole with scallops, prawns, and abalone. There’ll definitely be a roast duck in the mix too. // $68 per person for groups of 10+, February 8th-22nd, 4 Embarcadero Center #1 (Embarcadero); Reserve here.
Fang
Executive chef and co-owner Kathy Fang recently appeared on the Food Network show Chopped in an episode centered on Chinese New Year. During the competition, Fang made a ‘Lucky Rice Pudding,’ using coconut milk and topped with winter melon mint salad and pulverized lucky dragon candy. Fang will be serving the same dish at her restaurant to celebrate the New Year - Delish! // 660 Howard St (SoMa); Reserve here.
Hakkasan
Visit Hakkasan next week for a signature menu created by Chef Ho Chee Boon showcasing dishes that will bring luck and joy in 2016. The menu contains a double boiled fresh ginseng and chicken soup, followed by diced wagyu beef, and a dim sum platter. And that’s just the beginning. Entrees include wok-fried lobster in a spicy truffle sauce, pipa duck, grilled Chilean seabass, and dried scallop and crab meat fried rice. There’s also an exclusive cocktail and dessert inspired by the Year of The Monkey (don’t worry, the menu is primate-free). It’ll all only set you back $138.88, but remember, eight is a lucky number. // Through February 22nd, 1 Kearny St (FiDi); Reserve here.
Koi Palace
For the more adventurous palate, check out the menu at Koi Palace—it’s legit (maybe a little too legit). Available on the menu are boiled fish maw, sea cucumbers, alligator paws, and turtle stir-fried with Chef’s Secret Sauce, amongst others. It’s certainly an option, but we may just stick to our weekend dim sum routine. // $44-88 per person for parties of 10+, 365 Gellert Blvd (Daly City); Menu here.
Rice Paper Scissors's New Year fete is BYOB. (photo via the restaurant)
Rice Paper Scissors
The Vietnamese New Year, Tet, is celebrated on the same day as the Chinese New Year. Rice Paper Scissors will be celebrating both as they pop up at at Pizzahacker on Saturday February 6th. The special menu will contain banh tet, traditional Lunar New Year sticky rice cakes, as well as their delicious pho ga and pho French dip. And perhaps best of all, it’s BYOB. We’re in pho’sho. // Saturday, February 6, 3299 Mission St (Mission); Event page here.
Omar Mamoon is the founder of Dough & Co.
