Lucky Garden Lunar New Year Event Report

[Chris Amirault]

So unassuming, the little strip mall facade behind which lurks Lucky Garden. And what a fantastic meal we had, yet again, for Lunar New Year on January 25. A baker's dozen of us circled the table and placed ourselves in the hands of Rose, our crack server, daughter of manager Sherri, and a member of the clan that runs the terrific North Providence institution.

No shots of the group, I'm afraid; but here's most of the food lineup. Braised lamb with black mushrooms and tofu sheets, a big favorite at the table:

Skin-on pork leg -- I think it's a lower hock and foot -- braised over lettuce, another big favorite:

We had several people attending who hadn't had a lot of Chinese food, so we were sure to include a lot of basic classics like pea pod leaves, clams in black bean sauce, and har gow:

Tofu-wrapped shrimp and chive rolls:

Chicken feet:

Char siu bao, perfect as always:

And the hit of the meal, a steamed flounder that astonished all with its simplicity and intensity of flavor:

We ended with a trio of desserts: egg custard tarts, a pineapple cake-let, and these amazing red bean coconut New Year cakes:

We also had choi sum as a vegetable side, scallion pancakes, Shangai soup dumplings, some steamed vegetarian dumplings, fried taro root fritters with five spice pork and shrimp.... I may have missed something; hopefully another participant will chime in with more details I've missed!

Thanks to all contributors to this great event; thanks to Lucky Garden for the astonishing meal!

[annarborfoodie]

As I sat in the hospital eating my chicken salad sandwich on Sunday, I was thinking about all the wonderful things we were missing... hopefully we can make it next year. It looks like you all had a great time.

[NewEnglandSteve]

Thanks for putting this event together,Chris. It was a great time and the food was fantastic. It was such a treat to be able to sample all of these great dishes. I'm looking forward to the next event!

[LindaK]

Let me also add my thanks, Chris, for organizing the gathering. Good food and good conversation both. Definitely worthy of the annual event it seems to have become!

The flounder was indeed the star of the meal but everything was delicious--though somehow I missed the taro root fritters you mention here, and I love taro root.

[Chris Amirault]

This in from Haven, a non-member (not yet!) who joined our event:

That cozy corner of a Chinese restaurant, with those intriguing dishes coming one after another and crowding the enormous lazy susan in the center of the table; the 13 dramatically different guests joining together in taste sensations and some conversation--where else to learn that other cooks also hate it that their ginger gets disgusting quickly and how to prepare it without a grater--and so attached to the table and the experience, it was hard for people to leave--sort of stuck to the table, I guess.  Chicken feet, pig's feet, pork bellies (now I understand a little bit more about pork belly futures), majestic bean paste New Year Cake, that fabulous noodle dish with its light and significant spices, the little  swirly pastries with the chopped meat and veg ingredients, and I never had a tofu sheet in my life.  It was a way-way out of the ordinary experience for me; many thanks for including me in it.

Thanks again to all the participants. We raised $120 for the Society!

[eynkiora]

Chris, I think you left out the pork belly in your report. It was my favorite. The tofu wrapped shrimp rolls were my other favorite I think...or maybe the little cakes at the end. It was a great time and great food and I'm so glad me and Patrick could make it out this year.

[Catherine Iino]

So jealous . . . and hungry. I'll look forward to next year.

[Chris Amirault]

Chris, I think you left out the pork belly in your report. It was my favorite.

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Ah, yes: the pork ton bor. Excellent as always.

[kkeym]

Looks fantastic, I'm disappointed I couldn't make it this time -- hope to make the next one!

Kkeym