Tok Panjang, a long table CNY heritage feast at Folklore
Like a breathe of fresh air, Folklore celebrates Lunar New Year with Tok Panjang - a lavish heritage feast sprawled out over a long table - a ritual at Peranakan households meant to mark special occasions. Here, there are no traces of the stodgy peng cai nor tacky heaviness of nian goa (apologies if I've stepped on anyone's feet with that remark. Do note that I do love a good Nian Gao), instead, the tabletop is covered with 15 heritage dishes prepared true to Chef Damian's Peranakan maternal grandmother. Talk about embracing the communal spirit, Folklore's Tok Panjang has got it down pat.
[CNY'16] Ce La Vi: Modern Asian CNY Menu and the most 'HUAT' Yu Sheng.
CE LA VI. The ostentatious establishment that occupies the 57th floor of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, was where I partook in a lo hei that I deem the most 'HUAT' of the year. Mainly because, you can't get any higher than that in terms of elevation. The seemingly transparent act of tossing yu sheng from a vantage point garnering enough luck to power me for the whole year, or so I hope.
The iconic rooftop location houses a energetic club that promotes the pursuit of pleasures as well as a fine dining establishment on the other side, sporting floor to ceiling window panels for some unparalleled views of the city skyline. This Lunar New Year, CE LA VI rolls out a lavish Asian inspired meal with the over-indulgent option of wine pairing; a somewhat mandatory choice when exposed to peer pressure from the opulent settings.
[CNY'16] Mitzo: Prosperity Delights
As earlier mentioned, the first place (in my books) for this year's Lunar New Year menu has been allocated to Szechuan Court in Fairmont Hotel. Coming in a close second is Mitzo's prosperous delights. Well-know for its vibrant decor, plush interiors as well as its progressive Cantonese cuisine, backed with an innovative cocktail program, Mitzo has always been a firm favourite for me when it comes to Asian dining - here, the double-boiled soups are a hit and roast meats are utterly divine. However, Lunar New Year provides some unexpected twists and turns with specialities such as the Pearls of Prosperity Kingfish Yu Sheng and the Superior Lobster Fortune Pot sounding like they are fit for royalty and looking every bit the part.
[CNY'16] Szechuan Court @ Fairmont Hotel: Best Lunar New Year menu of 2016
Chinese New Year arrived in a torrent of auspicious dishes and mad tossing of yu sheng. I won't brag, but by the time Christmas arrived, I had already raked the sweet sour concoction 5 times at various establishments. Despite the many frivolous moments spent at the round table, I distinctively remember one restaurant which managed a record-setting taste triumphant attempt at every signature dish served up.
Chinese New Year
TWD @ Chinese New Year:
Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread
The onset of Chinese New Year brought truckloads of opportunities for baking and feeding the crowds craving for a little piece of sweet nothing even after their more than satisfactory meals. In all respect of the nature of this week's TWD challenge as posed by Heather of Sherry Trifle (check out her blog for the recipe!), I decingingly baked the Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread as a tea time treat for the Aunties visiting my Dayima's house on new year's day. To be honest, the recipe was a real hassle, requiring freshly grated ginger, ginger powder, melted chocolate and chopped chocolate bits. All a little too much for lazy me of course. But the end result made it all worthwhile. What burst out of the fridge after a quick blast to set the chocolate glaze was a ligh, moist and subtly spiced cake balanced by the inclusion of everyone's FAVOURITE... chocolate. I could live with this combination forever!
With the lovely confection transported to the aunt's house without a taste test on my part.. i was strangely confident that this would be a hit over with the aunties. And truth to be, upon reaching the gates of the house, with my freshly baked crostata di mirtillo e cocco in tow, I was greeted by praises that the cake went down lovely with a cup of tea. Destination: Cloud 9...
So I would like to pose a major thanks to Heather for picking this week's recipe! Sure was a winner in my books!
for more versions of this beauty. please tune in to the TWD blogroll!
at my dayima's place on New Year's eve. Stupid Brother had to pick some silly game for all of us to play. And of course I can recognise my own mother's face blindfolded!!! haha.
the next day @ my er-yi's place for steamboat. I swear that the amount of food purchased was enough to feed at least 30 people! to think we only had 15 at the table.. haha. That's the thing about CNY, MORE! but never less... haha.
then a little midnight shopping with Babe and his family @ Mustafa Little India. The spice alley.. oh my gosh!!! I just get so excited thinking about it!
The next day was spent at my ah-ma's house for lunch and then dinner again at Dayima's house with the extended family. No photos to show though. Had my taste of chinese new year again after a continous run-away from the hustle and bustle over the past years, Kuantan in 2006 and Pulau Lang Tengah in 2007 (still one of the most spectacular island scenaries I had ever seen). A taste of family gatherings and nonstop reunions from house to house, guess I would be suffering from withdrawal effects. And after pushing away the notions that I had once hated Chinese New Year for its mundaness, I actually enjoyed myself this year. How often do you get to see all your relatives, (catch up on the latest gossips), enjoy good food and what not in a short span of 2 days?! What more could I ask for seriously.. haha.
More visiting to do today though.. sigh. Do come back for a slice of my crostata di mirtillo e cocco later!
Thank you dear for being with me through all of the rough times,
riding the waves together...
You're my solace.
