THE PACIFIC USHERS IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON WITH CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS – special menu and dance performance, new dim sum offerings
Considered by many to be the most auspicious year on the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Dragon will be ushered in with appropriate style at The Pacific Restaurant, with an menu rich in lucky symbolism, a lion dance celebration and the introduction of some delicious new menu items.
Wealthy, powerful and held in high esteem, those born in the year of the dragon are considered extremely fortunate in Chinese culture. However, the Pacific’s three-course Chinese New Year menu, available during dinner from January 23 – 29, aims to give everyone a joyous and lucky start to the Year of the Dragon. Priced at $38.88 per person, diners can choose to add on specially chosen tea pairings for an additional $8.88, or wine pairings for $28.88. The menu is as follows:
Scallop Tofu Croquette
XO Sauce and Rice Crackers
Wine Pairing: Road 13 Chenin Blanc
Tea Pairing: Silk Road Dragon Tears
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Tea Smoked Duck Leg
Mandarin Orange infused Shao Shing Wine Sauce
Crushed Taro Root with Chinese Ham
Wine Pairing: Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Noir
Tea Pairing: Silk Road Imperial Mandarin
or
Pan Fried Ling Cod, Prawn filled Shitake Mushroom
Crab and Egg White Sauce
Eight Treasure Sticky Rice
Wine Pairing: Sandhill Viognier
Tea Pairing: Silk Road Imperial Mandarin
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Honey Pomelo Tea, Banana Filled Sweet Pastry Globe
Wine Pairing: Sea Cider Pomona
Not only has the menu been designed by Hotel Grand Pacific‘s Executive Chef Rick Choy to taste delicious, the dishes are packed with important cultural symbolism to ensure that diners start off the new year on the right foot. For example, duck represents fidelity and the red colour of the dish is also considered lucky. Pomelo, a giant relative of the grapefruit, is a symbol of abundance as the Chinese word for the fruit sounds like “to have.” Round shapes, whether they be croquettes, steamed rice cakes or pastries represent bringing family together. Fish serves as another symbol of prosperity as the Chinese word sounds a lot like the one for “riches,” and it is believed that eating it during Chinese New Year will make your dreams come true throughout the rest of the year.
In addition to the Chinese New Year menu, a lion dance performance will take place at the restaurant on Friday, January 27, adding to the celebrations. The hotel will also introduce a special-edition Chinese New Year cookie, available through the Courtyard Café, located at street-level, opening onto Belleville Street.
The Pacific will also use the dawn of a new year to introduce some changes to the weekend dim sum menu. The restaurant will re-launch the eight-dish menu with three new dishes replacing former options, along with eight tea choices, available year-round from 11:30am – 3:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Ocean Wise dim sum program, the only one of its kind in Western Canada, has become a favourite with visitors and locals since it was introduced in 2006. More information on the dim sum program, including a video, can be found online here.
Reservations for both the Chinese New Year menu and weekend dim sum can be made by calling 250.380.4458.
The Hotel Grand Pacific offers guests what they want, where they want it. Conveniently located on the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria, it is the perfect choice for the lifestyle traveller seeking an alternative from the traditional branded hotel stay. With 304 spacious guestrooms and suites, the Hotel Grand Pacific is renowned for delivering an exceptional and personalized guest service experience. With a focus on health and wellness, the hotel offers complimentary access to the Victoria Athletic Club, located on-site. Relax at the spa or dine at the all-day Pacific Restaurant or The Mark, an award-winning fine dining restaurant. The Hotel Grand Pacific is a proud member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
