Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year Celebration at Red Hook Tavern
"The Reward for Having Feelings Is Great Joy."
This past Saturday welcomed the arrival of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon. Dragons are an important symbol of Chinese culture and the most desirable Zodiac sign to be born under, with couples hoping their child will inherit the power and fortune the dragon represents. Me? I’m a Rooster, but I feel bad for all those Year of the Rats out there.)
Red Hook Tavern in Red Hook, Brooklyn, has been celebrating this occasion over the years with a special Lunar New Year Celebration Menu created by Executive Chef Bun Cheam including a line-up of nostalgic Chinese classics inspired by Bun’s youth along with decorations, a specially curated playlist, and a few surprises. Tickets to the event sell out quickly every year and is a highlight evening of dining out for many longtime regulars. This year was the fourth year in a row with the Lunar New Year Celebration Menu takeover, but it was my first time taking it all in. I joined my associate Benny, who is also a bartender at Tavern, for a late Friday afternoon celebratory lunch at the bar, and though the run of the weekend menu is over, I wanted to share the experience with you.
Red Hook Tavern Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year Celebration
Menu by Executive Chef Bun Cheam
Golden Nugget Dumplings
Mushroom Spring Rolls
Salt & Pepper Prawns
Crab Yi Mein
Buddha Noodles
Short Rib Dan Dan Noodles
Garlic Eggplant
Crispy Pork Belly
Whole Branzino
Roast Duck Breast
Dry-Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger (there would be a protest on Van Brunt Street if their justifiably famous Tavern Burger wasn’t on the menu.)
We were seated at my usual corner spot at the bar and the room was decorated with dragons and pops of bright red, including the staff who were all rocking red shirts (and in some cases, slacks and ascots), and there were Chinese covers of classic pop songs playing on the speakers.
