Happy New Year! No, we’re not a month too late – it’s Chinese New Year starting on 7th February 2008 and running for another 15 days and it’s a great excuse for a celebration. And no, we’re not talking about getting a Chinese takeaway.
2008 is the Year of the Rat in Chinese astrology – and although there’s not a lot of food-related ways we can go from there (we just missed out on Year of the Pig, though, mmm…), plenty of Chinese restaurants in London are getting in on the act and celebrating. We’re dusting off our best red sweaters and getting ready for fireworks, Lion Dances and, of course, plenty of amazing Chinese food.
Ping Pong is one restaurant that’s getting in on the act, and with seven locations there’s sure to be one near you. They’re known as one of the go-to places in London for great dim sum so we think it’s a perfect spot for a celebratory feast. Two special menus have been created, but the best part is that they’re offering free cocktails to Londoners born during the Year of the Rat. (That’s 1948, 1960, 1972 or 1984 – don’t try it, rats of 1996, you’re still much too young to drink.) The drink is rather unappetisingly called the Ratini, but it comes with a jelly rat garnish on the side. Who knew rats so close to cocktails could be so cute?
When we want to go it a bit more upscale, we love Kai Mayfair. (£108 shark’s fin soup, anyone?) They’re getting all traditional on us this year, with a famous Feng Shui consultant giving exclusive readings to diners and an orange throwing ceremony, which will hopefully help the singletons amongst us at finding true love. Sigh. Meanwhile, trendy Chinese bar and restaurant Shanghai Blues is holding a Lion Dance which will hopefully do the trick for dispelling bad luck – hey, it can’t hurt!
And finally, the Lotus Chinese Floating Restaurant (and yes, it actually floats on the Thames) is gearing up for a major feast with a ten course banquet menu. It costs a mere £28, which practically makes us fall off our chairs – £28 for ten courses! Talk about good luck.
Let the countdown begin!
I used to live in Hong Kong and there was this great dim sum place on Kowloon-side which was huge. The waiting staff would roll gigantic hostess trollies around a massive dining room and serve up all sorts of dumpling-y treats.
As I barely spoke any Cantonese I used to just point at the bamboo baskets and hope that it wasn't piggy testicles or anything with tubes. Thankfully, it was all pretty tasty and in all the times I ever went I never got caught out with anything unsavoury.
Now back in London I love to go to Ping Pong, it serves great dim sum without the gristly gamble!