Honouring one of the of most well-loved traditions, I pen down my wishes on red ribbons before tying and throwing them high up into the 7 feet tall majestic gold-leaf wishing tree’s branches. I’m at Hakkasan Mumbai to revel in the Chinese New Year and to try the exclusive menu that has been crafted to pay homage to the festivities. Expat Chef Raymond, has put together the celebratory menu which features soup, small eats, wok dishes, noodles, a wealth pot shaped dessert and a festive cocktail available from 28th January until 24th February 2019.
I’m told that the limited-edition signature menu features dishes made using ingredients believed to bring good luck and prosperity auspicious to this festival. As for small eats, I start with the Three style mushroom dumpling with water chestnut and pinenut. The delicious treat is interestingly pleated in the shape of a fish which symbolizes prosperity in Chinese culture. However, the culinary gem to me was the Shacha Chicken Puff. It was filled with delicately flavoured chicken inside a lotus-shaped puff. The lotus flower symbolizes long life and honour while the beetroot juice gives the puff a festive red colour.
Among the vegetarian selections, the Asparagus and shimeji mushroom in the champagne honey sauce is an absolute feast. Hitting the right spot, the Stir fry pomfret with onion and single head garlic in Toban chilli sauce featured tender fish fillets served alongside peppers, onions and king trumpet mushrooms. The Wok-fry lobster with spinach is another must try. Lastly, the delightful and irresistible Hand-pulled noodle with char siu chicken pairs well with the wok dishes.
For desserts, the Wealth pot, a six-layered dessert of soya caramel, almond dacquoise, feuilletine base, mandarin compote, mandarin chocolate chantilly and mandarin granite tasted as spectacular as it looked. The Fortune macarons that are theatrically presented with a refreshing mandarin filling made for a perfect end to the celebratory meal. Overall, the menu packs in an engaging culinary play with unforgettable and sumptuous flavours and spot-on textures. And truth be said, each dish is a star in its own right.
Where: Hakkasan
206 Krystal, Waterfield Road,
Bandra (West), Mumbai 400050
When: Available from 28th January until 24th February 2019
Restaurant Timings: 12 Noon to 4 pm and 7 pm to 1 am
Phone: 022 26408800
Note: The critic was invited by the restaurant but all the opinions expressed herewith are her own
