All about Chinese New Year and Where to Celebrate.
The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, has more than 4,000 years of history and is the longest holiday of the year. In the 21st century, the national holiday begins on the first of the Lunar Calendar and lasts until the 15th of the first month. In 2020, Chinese New Year begins on January 25th and ends February 8th. Known as the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar, this tradition is always named after one of twelve animals featured in the Chinese zodiac.
This year, MIAbites is giving you all the best recommendations on where to celebrate the Year of the Rat. So take your red envelopes, order some Peking Duck and enjoy at the following South Florida locations:
Tanuki (1080 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139)
From Thursday, January 23 – Saturday, January 25, Tanuki will offer a Chinese New Year Feast which consists of two prix-fixed menus. The first menu for just $45 per person will include one welcome cocktail, bottomless sake (for up to two hours), 12 pieces of dim sum and gyoza and one dessert. The second menu for only $55 per person will include one welcome cocktail, bottomless sake (for up to two hours), one appetizer or maki, one main course, and a special Chinese New Year dessert. These menus are not only delicious, but the price is right!
Palmar (180 NW 29th Street, Miami, FL 33127)
Selected as one of Bon Appetit’s “Best New Restaurants in the US”, Palmar will celebrate the Chinese New Year on Tuesday January 28th with a special four-course “Emperor’s Feast.” Be there as Chefs Manuel Cabeza and Raymond Li dazzle diners for just $59 per person.
Hakkasan Miami (4441 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139)
Celebrate the Year of the Rat at Hakkasan Miami with an auspicious signature menu, lion dances, wishing ribbons, and more. Traditional lion dances will take place on January 25th, while the wishing ribbons and exclusive menu items will be available for guests throughout the entire Chinese New Year celebration. The signature menu will include many traditional dishes and is available for just $98 per person. Think Cheng Zi with Diplomatico Manuano rum, Yu Sheng salad, Golden Treasure pockets, Wok-fry Maine diver scallops, baked salt crusted chicken, baby pack choi ‘v’, fragrant rice, and Lucky Jie for dessert. For reservations visit: http://bit.ly/2NbK25i
The Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Avenue, Granada Ballroom Coral Gables, FL 33134)
Wear red this Chinese New Year and head to the Biltmore Hotel to celebrate! The Biltmore will host a New Year Celebration featuring a Chinese Buffet dinner, dancing, specialty cocktails, lucky charms and lots of fun. Tickets are $55 per person and the cash bar will feature $10 beverages for all other libations. Must be 21+ to attend. To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chinese-new-year-at-the-biltmore-tickets-86331727521
Mandarin Oriental (500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, FL 33131)
Celebrate “the Year of the Metal Rat” at the Mandarin Oriental from January 25 thru February 2. The Forbes five-star rated hotel will feature lots of fun programming including the addition of the 100 red lanterns and a giant lucky kumquat tree in their lobby. On January 25, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., a special lion performance will take place in the lobby complete with beating drums, cymbals and gongs. La Mar by Gastón Acurio will serve Asian-inspired specials to honor the Chinese New Year. Dishes will include pork and shrimp wantan with tamarind sauce, steamed branzino with fermented soy bean sauce, Chinese mushrooms, vegetables and fried rice. MO Bar + Lounge will serve a traditional Dim Sum buffet nightly from 5-8 p.m. for just $25 per person. The “Good Fortune” cocktail will also be made with mandarin orange vodka and will be served to celebrate the festivities!
Komodo (801 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131)
David Grutman's three-story indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge features its signature Peking Duck, prepared to perfection and served beautifully with cucumber, scallion, pancakes and hoisin sauce for guests to create their own unique palatable experience. Combining Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe, Komodo is the perfect venue to celebrate the Chinese New Year and/or National Peking Duck Day with its signature dish in addition to a variety of Asian-inspired items such as assorted sushi and nigiri, house-made rice and noodles, cocktails and more.
The Wharf Miami (114 SW North River Dr, Miami, FL )
On Saturday, January 25th, the Wharf Miami will celebrate the Year of the Rat alongside the Miami River, with live music, Chinese dragon performances, Chinese decór, cocktails & More! $25 bottles of Côtes De Provence Rosé will be sold from noon – 6 p.m. and guests can enjoy $12 lychee mojitos all day long. Food will be available for sale from Lung Yai Thai Tapas, MOJO Donuts + Ice Cream by Hershey’s, CRACKED by Chef Adrianne, La Santa Taqueria, Spris Artisan Pizza, and OG Ceviche Seafood & Grill.
Phuc Yea (7100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami FL 33138)
Join us for Phuc Yea’s Lunar New Year Party with Campari on Saturday, January 25 from 7:30 pm! Featuring Chinese New Year inspired cocktails & the best viet-cajun cuisine on the scene. Dine around with pop-up food stations that include a whole hog caja china, chicken & veggie curry station, cajun fried rice, summer & veggie rolls. Don’t be koi — because this party is taking you out of your comfort zone & into a new year of abundance & wealth. Tempt your fortune with card readers, enjoy a lion dance show starting at 8:30PM throughout Phuc Yea restaurant, or just vibe with a DJ spinning from party start to close.
BlackBrick aka Midtown Chinese (3451 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137)
Chef Richard Hales ode to all things Asian, with his signature twist. On January 25th BlackBrick offers its Regular menu, with a special prize to anyone who dines there that night.
Wok Star Eleanor Hoh Cooking Experience
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Eleanor Hoh and her popular Wok Star Cooking Class on January 25 from 12-4 p.m. The cooking experience will take place at the beautiful historic Patch of Heaven Sanctuary in South Miami where you’ll feel like you’re in Bali. Elanor’s easy NO recipe, NO measuring ROADMAP together with her WOK STAR KIT takes the guesswork out of cooking so it becomes creative and FUN. With a few fresh ingredients and only 4 seasonings, participants will cook up easy, healthy, one-dish dinners. Class will be followed by a guided tour of Patch of Heaven and guests will end the day with Chinese pastries and a red packet filled with a good luck memento. The cost is just $110 per person. To register, visit: https://eleanorhoh.com/miami-wok-cooking-classes/