Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

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How to celebrate Chinese New Year in Miami, 2021

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Welcome Chinese New Year with feasting, lion dances and a magnificent Light show, ENJOY!

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year is Friday February 12.
It’s Year of the Metal Ox. Celebrations go for 2 weeks culminating with Lantern Festival on February 26.

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Chinese New Year Radio Interview
WDNA  with radio host, Linda Gassenheimer
Ensure your luck through Chinese Year, get tips what to eat, do’s and don’ts.
Receive Chinese New Year gift for 50% discount to my online class here. Use code: LINDAG2021, all uppercase, expires February 14!

Here are some wonderful ways to celebrate Chinese New Year starting with…

ILLUMINATE CORAL GABLES
link to download map and artists bios

Do NOT miss this light exhibit!
Get yourself there!!! You’re welcome. 

A first of its kind stunning interactive art, video projections, and light sculptures will be activated on Chinese New Year, this Friday, Feb 12 in downtown Coral Gables. A free month-long exhibition with 8 amazing artworks to experience created by 16 local, national, and international artists. Artworks 24/7. 

Colorful, handcrafted, lit lantern “Fireflies” artfully hung from pedicabs by internationally acclaimed Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang will be the first I want to see! 
Local Cuban artist Carlos Estevez with his animated, light projections, Urban Universes are best viewed when dark from 6-10pm, Wed.-Sun. 

This exhibit is curated by Lance Fung Collaboratives whom I’ve gotten to know and really enjoy his sense of humor. 

Then FEASTING…

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TRAN AN and Zitzsum (indoor/ outdoor)
This is the most fun collab!
Sunday, February 14th ONLY, takeout available
2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (or sell-out)

Announcing first-annual YEᗩᖇ Oᖴ TᕼE O᙭ socially-distanced festivities. Tran An will team up with Zitzsum for a Chinese New Year inspired collab that promises to ignite the senses. Chef Jon Nguyen of Tran An and Chef Pablo Zitzmann of Zitzsum(opening soon), will be serving up a-la-carte selections brimming with authentic and nostalgic flavors! The limited-release menu (see flyer) is designed to promote prosperity, longevity, unity, luck and other aspects of good fortune for the coming year. First come first serve. See you there!

2KoreanGirls (takeout only)
Ghost kitchen for pickup and delivery only
Check for hours on their website

2 Korean Girls is celebrating Lunar New Year with an exclusive Korean New Year dish offer, Impossible Kimchi Mandu ($10) and Spicy Crab Mandu ($12), only available this weekend for takeout and delivery. The Korean Dumplings are served with a side of Umma’s special Korean Teriyaki sauce for dipping.

To round out your New Year feast, order these dishes with cute names: OB, Original Bibimbap, Ribeye Bulgogi; Kimchi Fried Rice and Napa Cabbage Kimchi; Fish Better Have My Money! –Korean Miso Cod; Phat Buddha –  Adashah; Impos-Seoul-ible – Impossible Bulgogi Meatballs.

P.S. The gals use my cast iron wok and gas stove to cook your dishes, you’ll notice the superb flavors and textures people! In their words, “it’s a game changer!”

P.P.S. will post about them in separate blog, love story how they learnt to cook from their mom. 

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Palmar (indoor/outdoor)
Friday, Feb.12

Modern Chinese with a tropical vibe, like that. I couldn’t get a definitive, I think they have 3 special dishes for Chinese New Year and this is one of them, Fried Rice. So, call before you go!

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HAKKASAN at Fountainbleau Hotel, Miami Beach (indoor)
Lion Dance Friday, Feb.12, 8pm
$108 pp prix fixe, Feb.11-15

The Year of the Ox is centered around the principle of “Peace, Love and Sharing” with Chinese New Year itself falling on Valentine’s weekend this year. Dishes include The Celebration Garden, an authentic Cantonese salad made with Smoked eryngii mushroom carpaccio with bee pollen and plum dressing; ingredients renowned in China for bringing prosperity and good fortune. Other dishes include Double Treasure Fortune with Quail blossom puff paired with a Seafood jade dumpling; Braised Abalone Roasted Duck Fried Rice and more.

Signature cocktail – Fire and Grace – with Don Julio Reposado. 

P.S. Remembering when Hakkasan hosted a 13 course Yum Cha for my Wok Star Supper Club gathering. People still rave about it to this day. If interested in joining my gatherings, sign up for my free newsletter in right side bar —>>
so you’ll be first to know and get access.

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HUTONG in Brickell (indoor/outdoor)
Friday, Feb.12, lion dance, music 
$168 pp available only for this night

This is one of our favorite restaurants, decor, service and excellent execution.

Example of Chinese New Year feast:
WAGYU BEEF MILLEFEUILLE;
GOOD LUCK CHAO SHOU: Scallop & prawn wonton in a homemade chilli oil.

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PHUC YEA (indoor/outdoor)
Thursday, Feb. 11, lion dance
$55 pp with take-home surprises

5 course prix fixe menu like…
Five-Spiced Duck Confit with curried chickpeas, cranberries, water chestnuts;
Truffled Fried Rice and Bun Bo Hue made with oxtail, cha lua, cabbage, pineapple in a spicy beef broth.

$13 hand-crafted cocktails featuring Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal and Campari.

DJ set by La Negra Fabulosa  

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, Brickell (indoor/outdoor)
Lion Dance with beating drums, cymbals and gongs
Feb. 12, Feb. 13, 7pm

MO Bar + Lounge will serve Dan Dan Noodles including pork roasted peanuts, green onion, chili oil [USD 20] and Pork & Shrimp Shu Mai including tobiko and black truffle aioli [USD 16]. Specials are available February 1-15. 

“Sip for Luck” cocktail made with Oxley gin, sparkling sake, passion fruit, lemon and ginger syrup [USD 17].

La Mar by Gastón Acurio will serve Min Pao steamed buns filled with Chifa flavours, XO, scallops, lobster and water chestnut [USD 25] and Long Life Noodles including wok stir fried egg noodles, vegetables, duck, shrimp and pork [USD 55].

SOBEWFF Dinner at Novikov Miami hosted by Chef Charles Phan

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Food Network Cooking Channel and South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) are doing a fantastic job with their dinner series, I love their tag line – Eat, Drink, Educate.  Guest chefs from all over the States are matched with Miami restaurants who share similar cuisines. Having dined at both Novikov Miami and The Slanted Door, Charles Phan’s San Francisco restaurant at the Ferry Building back in 2004, I was curious to see how their dishes complemented each other. Seamless and flawless are two words that come to mind! 

I got a chance to chat to Charles Phan before the craziness started and glad we took our photo then, cause I noticed some splashes of what looked like caramel sauce from his delicious Spanish Mackerel, ha, ha!

SOBEWFF just celebrated their 18th year!  It started as a one day affair and now spans over 5 days with 100 events.  Food lovers gather in South Beach from all over the world, so it’s not surprising most events were sold out. 

About Charles Phan in a nutshell…
Phan was an architecture student for 3 years before dropping out to help his mom at her sewing shop prior to becoming a restauranteur with NO KNOWLEDGE of running a restaurant or cooking professionally, the closest thing he did was bussing tables. 1995 was when he opened The Slanted Door in its original location in the Mission, San Francisco.  24 years later, Phan owns and operates 5 restaurants with one opening soon in Las Vegas.  I see he has applied his architecture into styling and cooking his food and into his restaurants.  He enjoys merging modern Chinese, Vietnamese, French food using classic techniques to tell “stories” about his dishes. 

About Novikov…
Head over for the full scoop of my Miami Spice lunch at Novikov here.  

Nothing is ordinary at Novikov Miami, this unique sculpture greets you as you enter!

The ambience with the curved outdoor patio and pendulum lights, the gorgeous breeze coming off Miami River made for a perfect setting.

Top: Phan’s Mung Bean Dumplings and Gau Choy Gow Pan-Fried Wild Shrimp & Garlic Chive Dumplings. I could’ve devoured 100 of them! Paired perfectly with Ferrai-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose 2017.

From Novikov: Marinated & Grilled Chilean Sea Bass Skewers with Ginger, Jalapeno & Cilantro. I probably had six of these, so good. Paired  with Ferrai-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose 2017.

From Phan: Refreshing Green Mango & Cucumber Salad, Thai Chile & Garlic Fish Sauce Dressing paired with Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2017.

From Phan: Spanish Mackerel with Caramel Sauce paired with Ferrari-Carano Pinot Noir 2016.

From Novikov: Tender morsels of Wagyu Skirt Steak, Yuzu Chimi, Garlic Crisp & Micro Herb Salad. Paired with Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. We sat next to pescatarians so they gave us theirs, ha, ha. Oh our tummies and taste buds were so happy.

From Novikov: Dessert – Crunchy Sesame Ice Cream Cone. Gorgeous end.

NOTE: this was a media dinner but doesn’t sway my judgement.

Miami Historic Haven: Patch of Heaven Sanctuary hosts Wok Star class

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Ready for a unique Wok Star experience?  Start with my cooking class followed by a fascinating tour of  Patch of Heaven Sanctuary, a hidden jewel in South Miami! You’ll feel like you’re in Asia, surrounded by ancient relics and luscious foliage. You’ll end the afternoon with flavored beverages and Asian pastries. I’m so excited to share this hidden treasure with you. I first visited POH when I attended a Yoga Retreat and spent a day there taking the tour. What a relaxing experience it was and met many like minded people I’ve stayed in touch with. 

Majestic Entrance to Patch of Heaven Sanctuary with huge, gorgeous Poinciana tree.

Why I chose Patch of Heaven Sanctuary to host my class?
My classes are usually held in upscale kitchen design showrooms because a beautiful environment sets the tone for learning and creativity. POH is so serene and peaceful, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve stepped into a beautiful retreat out in the countryside. You’ll be ready to learn ANYTHING in these surroundings.  I am so honored to be hosted by them. 
Beautiful wood tables where class will be held!

Courtyard beside the area where the class will be held.

Why Patch of Heaven Sanctuary is so unique?
You won’t find anything like this in Miami. It’s like stepping back in time, as if you’re in Asia. Everywhere there are Buddhas and Asian relics, or timeless pieces picked up from all over the world. Cozy spaces, wood benches to sit, meditate and be in the moment.  
There are a few more interesting projects in the works which are not featured here like the Bat towers and Beekeeping project. You’ll hear the history and fascinating stories about POH. I’ve taken this tour personally and it’s definitely so worth it.

There’s the most beautiful Koi pond, a couple of houses with adorable indoor waterfalls, swimming pool and a horse barn. It’s TOTALLY a magical space. I’m only sharing a small portion of the property because I want you to experience the wonders yourself. You’ll be blown away by its extraordinary beauty at every turn. Bring your camera, you’ll want to remember this place and share with others. 

This unique property encompasses tropical hardwood hammock forest, pine rock-land, exotic gardens and historic structures built by the Matheson family in 1964.




Cost of POH tour?
Cost is $25 which goes directly to POH to help with upkeep of their property. There will be infused water to hydrate as well as Asian pastries on your return. 

Purchase my Wok Star class EARLY!
This is a first come, first serve basis. Do not put off till last minute and be disappointed you cannot get in. TOTAL is $110: $85 for class, $25 for tour. This is a complete experience.  

Click HERE to book your experience NOW!
Keep in mind, you can book their various spaces for weddings, photo shoots, Quinces, Corporate events, launches, musical events, food festivals, well, for anything you want with a different vibe! There’s plenty of parking too, so rare in Miami.

About Patch of Heaven Sanctuary:
POH is a one-of-a-kind historic estate dedicated to reforesting and preserving their native plant and wildlife species. Visit Patch of Heaven Sanctuary website for complete details.  It is a nonprofit charity organization located in the Redland area of Miami-Dade County and their mission is Preservation, Conservation and Education.