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Carmen L. Tong

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EXPERIENCE LUNAR NEW YEAR – GATHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOGETHER

FOR AN AUTHENTIC CHINESE FEAST IN CHINATOWN NEW YORK CITY

Special Restaurant Offerings for Good Fortune in Celebration of the Year of the Rooster - February 2005

NEW YORK, NY – January 10, 2005 – Celebrate the Year of the Rooster, February 9, 2005, in New York City’s Chinatown with elaborate feasts and special Lunar New Year dishes for good fortune. Throughout the month of February, restaurants specializing in everything from traditional Cantonese to Malaysian dishes will be offering special menus, traditional dishes and feasts that will leave patrons with an unforgettable Chinese New Year experience. For more information on Lunar New Year restaurant feasts in Chinatown please visit

Lunar New Year is one of the most important and longest celebrations in the Chinese calendar and is also a time for reunions and celebrations with family and friends. Lunar New Year feasts are believed to symbolize good fortune and are a joyous celebration of togetherness. There are even particular dishes that are served at these feasts in celebration of the New Year. For instance, black moss seaweed is eaten to increase wealth; dried or fried bean curd represents fulfillment of wealth and happiness; a whole serving of fish signifies togetherness and abundance; and noodles served uncut symbolizes longevity and long-life.

Following is a round up of the best Lunar New Year feasts and special offerings in Chinatown:

  • A & B Lobster King House (1 Mott Street, Phone: 212-566-0930) – From February 8, 2005, through February 12,2005, A & B Lobster King House will feature a special selection of “Poon Choy,” which according to legend was served to a king who had fled to Hong Kong. The Hong Kongnese welcomed the king with a feast but did not have enough plates to serve the food so they layered the food in a large bowl with the most absorbent foods at the bottom (i.e. turnip, tofu), and the most flavorful items on top (i.e. meat, seafood). The idea behind this method (which later became known as “Poon Choy”) is the layer of food at the bottom would absorb the flavors and juices from the layer above it.

Among the restaurant’s “Poon Choy” offerings is the Golden Poon Choy, which is layered with abalone, dried oyster, shitake mushroom, dried scallops, jumbo shrimp, conch, dried fish maw, taro, lotus root, Shanghai bok choy, and prince mushroom. The Golden Poon Choy is priced at $50 per person. A Vegetarian Poon Choy is also available at $18 per person.

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  • Golden Unicorn Restaurant(18 East Broadway, Phone: 212-941-0911) – From February 6, 2005, through March 6, 2005, Golden Unicorn will offer a wide variety of special Lunar New Year dishes such as braised 16-headed abalone ($38.80) and baked pork Peking style in nest with fried bean curd ($13.80), as well as many banquet choices. The Wealthy Banquet Package, priced at $298 for ten people including a complimentary bottle of wine, features a 12-course set menu including deep fried Buddha’s delight roll; the stir-fried lobster with ginger and scallion; and sautéed chicken and calamari with vegetables.

The Good Fortune Banquet Package, available at $398 for ten people including a complimentary bottle of wine, also features a 12-course set menu including the pan-fried filet mignon Cantonese style; golden raisin fried rice; and the house special BBQ combination.

A special dinner menu for the Lunar New Year is also available and is priced at $28 per person (including tax and gratuities) with options ranging from a two-person to a ten-person dinner. Menu items include the shredded duck with rainbow vegetable; Peking roasted duck; and the fried grouper cubes with corn sauce.

  • Oriental Garden Restaurant(14 Elizabeth Street, Phone: 212-619-0085) – From February 1, 2005, through March 1, 2005, Oriental Garden will offer four special banquet menus ranging in price from $298 - $498 for 10 persons. The $298 Special Banquet Menu features dishes such as a chilled jellyfish combination; braised dried scallop and oyster with black moss seaweed; dried scallop in lettuce wrap; and stir-fried lobster with ginger and scallion. The $498 Special Banquet Menu features Lunar New Year favorites such as stir-fried conch and jumbo shrimp with fried bean curd; braised abalone; boiled lobster in broth; roasted squab; and steamed whole fish with soy sauce.
  • Peking Duck House (28 Mott Street, Phone: 212-227-1810) – For two days only, February 7th and 8th, the Peking Duck House is offering a special Lunar New Year Menu, including appetizers, choice of two soups, entrees, and desserts (2 person minimum). The menu features steamed vegetable buns; fried scallops; fish roll with mushroom and ham; Peking duck; assorted fried rice; and green tea ice cream. The special menu also comes with a complimentary drink and is priced at $48 per person.
  • Sweet-n-Tart Restaurant(20 Mott Street, Phone: 212-964-0380) – Special set menus for parties of two, four, six and eight will be available at $25 per person, not including tax or gratuities. The set menu for six persons features roast Peking duck; orange flavored prawn with broccoli; and pan-fried Chilean sea bass.

The restaurant is also offering a $268 and $338 Special Banquet Menu, which features dishes such as the sautéed sliced chicken and cuttlefish with vegetables; braised fish maw in superior soup; and stir fried lobster with golden garlic.

Specialty Lunar New Year dishes such as the braised lobster with watercress sauce; sautéed shrimps with orange “coin treau” sauce; and braised dried scallop with snow peas leaves will also be available ala carte. All of the restaurant’s offers will be available from February 9, 2005, through February 28, 2005.

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Other restaurants offering special Lunar New Year menus include:
  • Buddha Bodai (5 Mott Street, Phone: 212-566-8388) – a kosher vegetarian restaurant
  • Chatham Restaurant (9 Chatham Square, Phone: 212-267-0220)
  • Fuleen Seafood (11 Division Street, Phone: 212-941-6888)
  • Hop Lee (16 Mott Street, Phone: 212-962-6475)
  • Jing Fong Restaurant (20 Elizabeth Street, Phone: 212-964-5256)
  • Mr. Tang’s Restaurant (50 Mott Street, Phone: 212-233-8898)
  • Oriental Pearl Restaurant (103 Mott Street, Phone: 212-219-8388)
  • Ping’s Restaurant (22 Mott Street, Phone: 212-602-9988)
  • Shanghai Garden (14 A Elizabeth Street, Phone: 212-964-5640)
  • The Nice Restaurant (35 East Broadway, 212-406-9776)

In addition to feasting during Lunar New Year for good luck, it is also believed lion and dragon dances bring good fortune. That is why one might find a lion or dragon dancing by their table. And if not, be sure to seek out good fortune at the Lunar New Year festivities happening in Chinatown on the actual day, Wednesday, February 9th or the day of the parade, Sunday, February 13th. For more information on event happenings, please visit

About Chinatown New York City

Chinatown New York City, combines authentic Asian-American culture with the energy and influence of the most exciting city in the world. With over 200 restaurants, numerous Asian bakeries and tea houses, jewelry shops, arts and antique stores, an active nightlife and dozens of cultural attractions and landmarks, Chinatown stands as a world within a city. Whether dining, shopping, or strolling down the charming, narrow streets, visitors to Chinatown New York City, will find virtually limitless opportunities for new experiences and added insight.

Located on the east side of Lower Manhattan, Chinatown New York City, is the largest in the United States. The neighborhood has been growing steadily since the mid-1800s, and today stands as a vibrant community offering the opportunity to enjoy and explore Asian-American culture. Chinatown New York City is easily accessible via many New York City MTA subways and buses, as well as several convenient area parking garages. For more information, visit

Note to editors: NYC & Company, the city's official tourism marketing organization, is a private, membership-based non-profit dedicated to building New York City's economy and positive image through tourism and convention development, major events and the marketing of the city on a worldwide basis.

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