Dragons And Pigs And Ducks, Oh My; Mandarin Oriental Fetes Chinese New Year!

SOUTHWEST -- The Chinese New Year (aka the Lunar New Year) might have officially started on Monday, but the celebration didn’t get going in earnest until the Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. threw open its doors on Wednesday evening, for a festive party heralding the Year of the Dragon (the Male Water Dragon, technically).

In the Chinese zodiac, the dragon commands special symbolism as the luckiest year (ending on February 9th, 2013) and the night’s host, hotel General Manager Amanda Hyndman, spared no expense in feting the occasion.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted inside the Mandarin’s soaring marble lobby area by a series of live dance performances. And after being cheerfully greeted by what must have been seemingly every employee of the hotel, they soon found themselves with a ‘Dragon Royale’ (Champagne, Chambord & Cranberry Juice) specialty cocktail in-hand, casually strolling through the doors to the award-winning Sou’Wester restaurant.

Normally a D.C. foodie haven for all things Southern, yesterday evening the venue had been transformed into a darkened Asian oasis, complete with oriental umbrellas and décor, a photo booth, and a bouncing DJ.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Eric Ziebold presided over an army of kitchen and wait staff, as an endless parade of both savory and sweet dishes made its way to the tables of hungry revelers.

Carving stations for both freshly roasted pig and Peking duck were clear hits, as was the buffet line which boasted an array of mouth-watering Asian-inspired delicacies.

A creatively-choreographed and authentic dragon dance capped the night off, as the troupe snaked its way through the lobby and restaurant with Hyndman playfully tempting it with a hanging head of lettuce.

Happy (Chinese Year) 4710 Washington!