OCBJ highlights special Lunar New Year Dishes at South Coast Plaza Restaurants

by Christopher Trela  |  Orange County Business Journal

January 23, 2023

Lunar New Year-this year the Year of the Rabbit-is one of the biggest holidays in the world, and food plays an imp011ant part in the celebration.

Many dishes are thought to have a sym­bolic meaning such as bringing wealth, good luck or long life.

According to Epicurious.com, traditional Lunar New Year foods include longevity noo­dles, a whole steamed fish for abundance, and sticky rice balls for togetherness. In that spirit, South Coast Plaza’s restau­rants offer diners a variety of special dishes to honor the holiday.

Knife Pleat: Chef Tony Esnault of Knife Pleat, the Business Journal Chef of the Year for 2022, has created a three-course lunch menu honoring Year of the Rabbit that begins Jan. 24 and is available Tuesday-Fri­day.

The three dishes may be ordered a la carte as well.

A Lunar New Year cocktail has also been created, the Lucky Rabbit, with exotic touches of vodka, Szechwan, ambrosia tea, mandarin, and star anise. Knife Pleat will fea­ture a Lunar New Year afternoon tea on Sat­urday, Jan. 28.

Specially designed dishes include mini mooncake, black sesame ball with mandarin filling, and chocolate gold coins. Pastry Chef Germain Biotteau ‘s collection of six signature macarons with Asian-forward fla­vors such as mandarin, passion fruit, mango and black sesame is available in a decorative box. 

Water Grill: Water Grill honors Lunar New Year with an a la carte menu of four symbolic dishes available through Feb. 7 at lunch and dinner.

They include shrimp shumai, garlic noo­dles with jumbo lump crab, whole crispy black sea bass, and wok-fried local spiny lob­ster. 

Din Tai Fung: For a limited time, red en­velopes will be distributed to guests, while supplies last.

No word on if there is money in the en­velopes. Expect even longer waits than usual for a table at the always-busy restaurant; check out the extensive Lunar New Year dis­plays throughout the shopping center while waiting. 

Paradise Dynasty: Located at CollageCulinary Experience, Paradise Dynasty will offer nine Chef’s Lunar New Year dishes available through Feb. 12.

Stir-fried Boston lobster with XO sauce, poached chicken tossed with black truffle sauce and braised pork shank with dried scal­lop and spinach are among the creations. Par­adise Dynasty will also distribute red envelopes, while supplies last, to guests with dine-in offers to redeem on future visits through April 30. 

Quattro Cafe: Special Lunar New Yeardishes will interpret the prized wild abalone in a variety of ways, prepared with Asian fla­vors. Available for lunch and dinner. 

AnQi, Mian, Liiderach Chocolatier Su­isse, Sugarfina and See’s Candies also have Lunar New Year specials.

Visit southcoastplaza.com/dining for more in­formation on these and other restaurants.

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