Chinese New Year is a time for get-togethers… and plenty of food and drinks. Whether you’re with your friends or family, these will keep everyone satiated in the Year of the Rooster.
Eat
The Carvery
Eating out this festive season? Then this is one restaurant that will sit well with everyone. The Carvery at Park Hotel Alexandra is adding some Chinese New Year specials in its buffet lineup from January 10 to February 11. The Crispy Pork Belly With Apricot Ginger Sauce is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and we’re sure grandma would love the Flower Crab Stew. Look out for the Roasted Duck Breast as well, because the yam croquettes that come with it are insanely addictive. And don’t forget the desserts! Those who prefer to end their meal on a lighter note can go for the Persimmon Fruit Compote, while cake lovers will enjoy the creamy Yuzu Trifle, which is not as cloying as you’d expect it to be. The buffet is priced at $45++ for lunch and $55++ for dinner. There’s also the Golden Eight Treasures Yusheng, $38.80++.
The Carvery is at level 7 Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Road. Tel: 6828 8880.
Drink
Vinomofo
After all that spring cleaning, the last thing you want to do is grocery shop for all the guests who are going to visit during Chinese New Year. At least you’ll be settled on the alcohol front with Vinomofo, a recentlylaunched wine site that delivers the bottles right to your doorstep.
Wine lovers can expect a wide range of tipple, from brand names to smaller, artisanal wineries, starting from as low as $20 per bottle.
And the delivery is pretty quick too – you can expect same-day drop-offs for orders made before 2pm.
Snack
Pineapple Tarts and Salted Egg Yolk Chips
What’s CNY without goodies to snack on in between rounds of Blackjack? Pineapple tarts are a must-have, and Bakerzin’s range of pineapple tarts – which comes in a pretty red festive-themed tin – would sit pretty on your coffee table. Their shapes are a huge selling point as well: the Original Pineapple Tarts are shaped like golden ingots, and for more adventurous gourmets, there’s also the Fish Floss-flavoured Tarts, which are shaped like fish, and the Lemongrass-flavoured Tarts, which are shaped like pineapples.
Looking at how the salted egg yolk trend blew up last year, we’re betting that these Spicy Salted Egg Yolk Lotus Root Chips from Goodwood Park Hotel would be a hit with your guests as well.
Pineapple Tarts, $22.80 for a box of 18 pieces, available at all Bakerzin outlets and online at www.bakerzin.com. Spicy Salted Egg Yolk Lotus Root Chips, $36.15 nett per jar, available at The Deli, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road.