The August Moon festival or the Mid-Autumn festival is a harvest festival celebrated in China. It falls in the month of September or early October in the Gregorian Calendar. Families come together during the festival and celebrate the harvest by feasting. It is similar to Sankranti that we celebrate here.
To ring in the festivities, Ming Garden the exclusive Chinese and Thai restaurant at The Gateway Hotel is organising an August Moon food festival.
The restaurant has prepared a special menu on the occasion to give diners the opportunity to sample delicacies that are not a part of the regular menu. Chef Sarat Chandra Bannerjee says he has put together dishes that have a Schezuan touch to it as Vizagites love their food spicy.
The have a selection of dim sums that can be ordered steamed or pan fried. Prawns, squid, fish and chicken starters cooked with Chinese spices. Vegetarians can enjoy exotic vegetables like water chestnut.
For the main course sea food, chicken and meat dishes have been given an interesting twist with a number of innovative sauces. Apart from the regular soy and spicy sauces a more subtle white sauce flavoured with garlic, an egg white sauce are on offer to go with fried rice or noodles.
For dessert, gourmands can relish fig rolls, snow apple, cheese cake, mouse or a jasmine tea pudding.
The meal ends with the diners receiving a fortune cookie each which adds fun to the dining experience.
The festival is on for lunch and dinner till September 22. Call 6623670 for reservations.
