The Chinese Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, January 28, and, as usual, there is no shortage of places to celebrate. Here are our top picks for the best feasts to ring in the Year of the Rooster. Stacie Overton Johnson selects some of the finest feasts to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Abu Dhabi
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
Crust will host a Chinese-themed family brunch this weekend, featuring specialities including Peking duck and dim sum to welcome in the Lunar New Year. In addition, every guest at the hotel’s Eclipse Terrace Lounge will receive a complimentary fortune-cookie milk shake until Sunday.
• The brunch is tomorrow, 12.30pm to 4pm; Dh275 including soft drinks, Dh125 for kids ages 6 to 12. Call 02 333 2222 or visit www.fourseasons.com/abudhabi
Abu Dhabi
Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
This popular Chinese restaurant is dishing up a special new year feast as well as a celebratory brunch. The feast includes dishes such as roasted duck, stir-fried lobster, wok-fried Wagyu beef and a traditional osmanthus cake, shaped like a koi fish. The restaurant will also offer four celebratory brunches where chefs will serve up meats such as Australian Wagyu beef sirloin and prawns marinated in cumin and Chinese five spice from the barbecue grill.
• The feast is available Sunday to Thursday until February 3, 6pm to 11pm; from Dh195. Brunch is on Friday, Saturday and February 3 and 4 from noon to 4pm; from Dh195. To book, call 02 813 5552 or visit www.rosewoodhotels.com
Abu Dhabi
Sevilla Restaurant, Al Raha Beach Hotel
Sevilla’s regular Friday brunch will transform into a celebratory Asian feast this weekend. In addition to the usual international flavours on offer, expect Chinese noodles, dim sum and an array of Chinese desserts and teas to savour while enjoying views of the Gulf. There will also a live band on hand to add to the festive vibe.
• Tomorrow, 12.30pm to 4pm; Dh204 including soft drinks. Visit www.alrahabeach.danathotels.com or call 02 508 0555
Dubai
Downtown Toko, Vida Downtown Dubai
For a relaxed celebration, try Downtown Toko’s garden, which will be transformed into a Chinese retreat, complete with gold, bronze and red decorations. A special three-course set menu will feature dishes such as duck noodle soup and Chinese-style sea bass. There will also be live entertainment to help to make the evening festive.
• Until Saturday, from 7pm; Dh195. Call 04 442 8383 or visit www.downtowntoko.com
Dubai
Na3na3, The Address Dubai
Follow up a day of shopping with a one-day-only New Year dinner at Na3na3 in The Address Dubai Mall. Guests will be welcomed with an authentic Chinese tea ceremony, followed by a feast of signature dishes, including a live dim sum station and a Peking duck station.
• Saturday, from 7pm. Dh195, includes soft drinks. Call 04 888 3444 or visit www.theaddress.com
Dubai
Kitchen 6, JW Marriott Marquis
Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style at the tallest hotel in the world. Kitchen 6 will serve up a buffet featuring Chinese specialities including the prosperity salad toss, Singapore chilli lobster, new year rice cakes and more. Guests will also receive a red lotus welcome drink on arrival.
• Tomorrow to Sunday, 7pm to 11pm; Dh215, includes soft drinks. Call 04 414 0000 or visit www.jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com
Editor’s pick
Hakkasan Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Hakkasan restaurants around the world are pulling out all the stops. The high-end restaurant – at Emirates Palace in the capital and Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai – will have Chinese wishing trees where guests can hang red and gold ribbons on which they have written their hopes for the year. The elaborate set menu at both locations includes a prosperity tossed salad, a steamed dim sum platter and mains that include: Dover sole with pumpkin and shiitake mushroom; wok-fried tiger prawns with lemon grass and chilli; braised abalone with fat choy and dried oyster; and braised Chinese vegetable in bean curd skin. For dessert, there is a ginger panna cotta with mandarin and caramelised white chocolate.
• Nightly until February 11; Dh488 a person. Call 04 384 8484 (Dubai) or 02 690 7999 (Abu Dhabi), or visit www.hakkasan.com for more information