Chinese New Year at Zentan
Get ready to channel your inner Dragon and Celebrate New Year’s. Again. Yes, that’s right, again. This celebration will involve fireworks too, but the similarities end there. This time you’ll be ringing in 4710, which, on the Chinese calendar, is the year of the Dragon.
You won’t have any dull ball drops to watch for this party thank goodness, just 15 days of colorful parades, beautifully costumed dancers, and fun galore.
Make sure you reserve enough time during the festivities to sample China’s diverse cuisine because eating is serious business during New Year. Choosing the right restaurant is paramount if you want to feed your inner dragon, and for the money, that means getting a table at ZENTAN. But, don’t wait too long, because at $47.10 per person, their prix-fixe menu is a steal and it only lasts five days, from January 23 through January 28.
In homage to his roots, ZENTAN’s celebrity Chef Susur Lee, with creative input from his Executive Chef, Jaime Montes De Oca, has created a spectacular four-course menu that’s as eclectic as China’s cuisine. At $ 47.10, the prix-fixe leaves enough room in your wallet to sample one of ZENTAN’s phenomenal cocktails, and I recommend the Gin Rickshaw. It’s made with Tanqueray, grapefruit, lemon, and fresh tarragon and its refresh citrus notes make it lip smacking enough to accompany virtually every dish on the menu, including dessert.
There are three choices for the first course including crimson-colored Szechwan Hot & Sour Soup, a perfect way to start the New Year since red is a symbol of prosperity. This soup is a revelation of complex layers of sweet and sour with touches of brightness from fresh cilantro. It’s so delicious you could be tempted to bathe in its spicy goodness. You can also choose savory Spinach & Shiitake Dumplings, or velvety Turnip Cake with Japanese Eggplant and Roasted Peppers.
The second course is Chef Susur’s famous 19 -ingredient Singapore Slaw, which is a fantastic tower of matchstick carrots, jicama, tomatoes, daikon, cucumber and tons of other yummy ingredients tossed with roasted peanuts and savory plum dressing. Watch a video here and learn how to make this quintessential culinary Yin and Yang at home.
For the third course, you can choose from Stir Fried Longevity Noodles tossed with Jicama, Edamame, and Soy Ginger Sauce, Crispy Garlic Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce, or Whole Crispy Red Snapper with Chili Black Sauce.
For the finale, you’ll have a hard time choosing between a delightfully creamy Honey Tangerine Gelato, Five Spice Apple Tart with Salted Caramel Ice Cream, or a rich Egg Custard Tart with Kumquat Preserves. In China, it’s customary to share gifts for good luck in the New Year, so before they send you on your way, you’ll receive a red envelope filled with eight lucky coins. As they say in Beijing, “Zhu ni hao yun!” or Good Luck.
What: Chinese New Year Prix-Fixe Menu
When: January 23, 2012 to January 28, 2012
Where: ZENTAN | 1155 14th Street NW, Washington DC
Who: You and your fellow Chinese food fans
What’s Next? Make your reservations by calling 202.379.4366
Photo Credit: Summer Whitford
Category: EAT N' DRINK, FOODIE EVENTS, NEW EVENTS, RESTAURANT EVENTS
