With the Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival) just around the corner, we are impressed with the latest figures coming out reporting that up to 1.5 million visitors will flock to Sydney just for the cultural event.
In tribute, we put forward another two celebrated Asian-fusion Sydney restaurants to consider ringing in the festivities with:The 12 Chef-Hat rated Luna Lu, with its Opera House views and Ni Hao Bar sitting on the rooftop of the iconic heritage-listed Civic Hotel, are both hosting Lunar New Year set menus to welcome in the Year of the Dragon.
What we love however, is not just the menu at Luna Lu but the fact they have taken it one step further with dumpling classes (and even tea ceremonies), from celebrated Chef Pier Davide Maiuri, who has worked not only in 10 world-rated restaurants but also prestigious four Michelin-star venues.
One of the reasons dumplings have been so popular in Chinese culture and still today is that when eaten at Lunar New Year, they are considered to usher in wealth and good luck (because they are shaped like ancient Chinese money).
The hands-on class includes learning how to make the little delicacies from scratch in 90 minutes including a glass of sparkling wine on arrival with the recipes ready to take home so you can continue your dumpling journey.
As for the banquet menu, that will set you back $130 per person with sittings available from February 10-24. To see the full menu options, check out here.
Meanwhile, over at Ni Hao Bar, the lost period of Hong Kong’s golden age comes alive, bringing nostalgia and the essence of East meets West to modern-day Sydney. The set Lunar New Year menu includes a lo hei with sashimi platter and plum dressing, cucumber salad, poon choi hot pot, lap Chong steamed rice, gailan with ginger and oyster sauce, finishing with mango ice cream pudding for dessert, with coconut sago.
Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong! Our Australian-Asian fusion scene is thriving and exciting.
