Though still in recovery from all that excess everything thanks to Christmas and New Year (we sure as hell are), you should already be making plans for Spring Festival, which will be here before you can say “gong xi fa cai.” Here are 8 worthwhile options that you can sink your teeth into, so loosen those belts and dig in.
Cherry Garden
Try one of Cherry Garden’s festive menus like the seven-course Blissful Set with dishes such as braised baby abalone with sea cucumber and fish maw, and salmon with XO sauce and surf clams (from $128 per person, min. two people). Add on some Prosperity Yu Sheng with crispy fish skin and salmon (from $68) or, for a healthier rendition, Garden of Wealth with fresh fruits and vegetables (from $48). Jan 9 to Feb 6.
Chinois
At Chef Susur Lee’s first restaurant out of North America, expect six-course menus (from $98 per person, min. of two; from $738 for a table of 10) featuring upscale items like braised fresh abalone drizzled with truffle sauce; there’s also hamachi (yellowtail), hokkigai (surf clam), silver bait and salmon yu sheng (from $68). Through February 6.
Hai Tien Lo
At the Pan Pac they pay homage to this year’s Chinese zodiac animal with Lucky Dragon Yu Sheng ($388), topped with succulent morsels of lobster, salmon, tuna and surf clam (but, unfortunately, no dragon). Set-wise, six courses start at $98 per person (min. two pax). Through February 6.
JING
Here you’re spoiled for choice with eight different set menu offerings (from $98 a person, min. two persons, for a five-course set) from Jan 9 to Feb 6 (closed for lunch on Jan 23). We like the Perfect Menu (from $788 for eight people), which features Hokkaido scallops and prawns sautéed with honey peas, as well as Kurobuta spare ribs with Champagne sauce and truffle jus.
Man Fu Yuan
Aside from their six-course menus (from $108 per person, min. two persons), we recommend Man Fu Yuan’s signature yu sheng, a mouth-watering combination of salmon, hamachi (yellowtail), ikan parang and crispy fish skin ($158) available through February 6.
Min Jiang
Notable dishes include the Claypot Reunion Rice ($108) done in the classic Cantonese style with pork belly, Chinese sausages and waxed duck leg, and their delicious hamachi yu sheng ($118), with tobiko (flying fish roe), homemade taro and sweet potato crisps, jellyfish, pomelo and pine nuts. Set menus start at $88/person (min. two persons), from $788 for a table of 10. Through February 6.
Peach Blossoms
After an extensive million-dollar facelift, Peach Blossoms is back with a newly appointed chef, Hong Kong native Chan Shun Wong. Check out some of his creations for Lunar New Year including Abalone Treasures Pot (from $248) and an unusual charcoal-grilled Wagyu yu sheng with sesame dressing (from $68), from Jan 16 through Feb 6.
Peony Jade Restaurant
Not only is Peony Jade’s Harvest Your Riches Abundantly Lo Hei Yu Sheng ($288) shaped like a dragon, it’s also loaded with ingredients like lobster, salmon, tuna, swordfish and abalone. But wait, there’s more: It’s topped with edible golden leaves. If that isn’t exciting enough then try Executive Chef Ryan Shiu’s Golden Dragon Egg ($298), which you have to smash to get to the stuffing: we won’t ruin the entire surprise but we will say there’s black truffle, Korean ginseng and whole Australian abalone waiting. February 6.
