Table Hopping with Morris Gut: Get Ready for Lunar New Year Feasts
The Chinese Lunar New Year, ‘Year of the Snake’ celebration begins on January 29th and will last through February 2nd. Many Asian eateries will be extending the festivities through the month with special dishes and menus. Be sure to check ahead for exact dates, times, and pricing. Here are some tasty suggestions…
Soup Dumplings at Mister Chen — Mister Chen in Mamaroneck and Scarsdale serves a modernized Chinese menu espousing popular traditional regional dishes. It is carving out a place all its own thanks to owner Paul Chen and his mom who is head chef. I was excited about the dumpling station where you can watch the cooks prepare a variety of Chinese dumplings from scratch. Soup dumplings have always been a pet passion of mine and one evening I was so smitten that I ordered two rounds, 6 to an order, served in their steam boxes. Take a careful bite and suck up that delicious warm broth, then savor the delicious pork or crab filling. If you are a novice, the staff will show you how. Have also enjoyed their Pork Belly Sandwich, meaty Spareribs, General Tsao’s Chicken, spicy Kung Pao Chicken, and Jumbo Prawns with garlic sauce. There’s even old-fashioned Chow Mein. Mister Chen, 265 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck. 914-777-1212 www.misterchenny.com www.misterchenseafood.com
Ku Asian Bistro, 480 New Rochelle Road, in the Chester Heights section of Bronxville (914-668-8877), has a fine hand with their regional Chinese fusion specialties. ‘Ku’ is a Chinese word meaning ‘fantastic’, so let the chefs surprise you with their delightful Asian fusion flavors. From the Chinese kitchen try the Spareribs, Shrimp with Long Bean, Moo Shu Pork, Kung Pao Chicken, and General Tso’s Chicken. Free parking. www.kuasianbistro.com
O Mandarin Chinese Cuisine, 361 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-437-9168) will be serving the classics: Peking Duck, assorted Hot Pots, and hearty Mandarin Pork Shank, in their beautifully decorated dining room. www.omandarin.com
Communities in Vietnam, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, and Singapore also mark the Lunar New Year. Local venues to check out:
Jewel of Himalaya, 751 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-874-5506) & 34 Triangle Center., Yorktown Heights; a tasty fusion of Tibet/Indian/Nepal cuisines serving Momo Dumplings and Stir-Fried Noodles. www.himalayarestaurantny.com
Saigonese, 158 S. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-288-9088), good spot for Spring Rolls, big bowls of Pho, spareribs, and delish Bun Vermicelli Bowls with lettuce wraps. Closed in Lunar New Year’s Day, Jan. 22. www.saigonesehartsdale.com
If you are an intrepid home cook and want to pull the old wok out of the closet and oil it up, you may want to visit big bustling H-Mart for a wide variety of pan-Asian products. They are located at 371 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-448-8888). There is another H-Mart in the Highridge Shopping Center on Central Park Ave., Yonkers. www.hmart.com Though smaller, Top Asia Mart/New Golden Village Oriental Market, 365 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-437-9795), would also be a good bet.
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)