It’s safe to say that Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has reason to celebrate — 50 of them to be exact. For its golden anniversary, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel has been rolling out the red carpet for a slew of fun festivities this year, and the next event on the list is a special one. After a successful 2012 collaboration, famed Beijing eatery Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant will return to Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Cantonese restaurant, Man Wah, for a series of dinners between October 24 and 31, finishing off with a special gala on November 1.
Da Dong is a Beijing institution for its super-lean roasted duck that has half of the fat usually found in the dish. The bustling restaurant whips out bird after bird from its line of ovens. If you haven’t had the chance to visit the original, this is another opportunity to try the signature plate from chef Dong Zhenxiang (known as Mr. Da Dong). At the Hong Kong hotel, 10 chefs will replicate 30 of Mr. Da Dong’s well-known dishes, such as the braised sea cucumber (a delicacy in Chinese cuisine), as well as a few new ones, such as the braised abalone with Chinese yam and truffle sauce, and the deep-fried sweet-and-sour Mandarin fish. The meals start at HKD698 (US$90) for a six-course lunch and go up to HKD1,388 (US$179) for an eight-course signature dinner.
Gourmands should try to snag a seat at the exclusive November 1 gala dinner, hosted by Mr. Da Dong himself. The eight-course feast with Château d’Yquem wine pairings will be held inside Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s lavish Connaught Room — think wood-paneled walls and glittering chandeliers — with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra providing the entertainment. In honor of Da Dong’s newest cookbook, Da Dong’s Artistic Conception of Chinese Cuisine, the event will showcase the famed chef’s skills of blending food with art. For example, his sea cucumber dish will be presented on a curved white plate, where snowy mountains will be painted with the sauce. As the dish is served, the hostess will read a poem to further articulate this artistic concept.
Photo Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group LLC
