Who says New Year celebrations are over? There are wonderful goings on at Mainland China on St Mark's Road. January 24, was the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations in China. The celebration starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called the 'Lantern Festival', which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. According to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. The year 2001 is called as the 'Year of the Snake'.

The Chinese New Year celebration is one among a list of events that add verve to the city's lifestyle. 'Mainland China' invites food buffs to drop in and witness the celebration. Started in 1998 in Bangalore, Mainland China is one among a chain of restaurants owned by Anjan Chatterjee and one of the few authentic Chinese restaurants in the city.

"Probably more food is consumed during the New Year celebrations than at any other time of the year. In Chinese culture the Dragon signifies good luck," explains M G Sagar, Assistant Unit-In-charge. The menu in the restaurant for the New Year is very different for 15 days compared to the other days. The Head Chef Lee Lam, who is from Hong Kong, looks after the kitchen himself for a couple of days and then moves on to the supervision of other city restaurants. Shrimps on Toast, Cantonese Prawn Balls, Steamed Fish with Lemon Grass, Lohan in Clay Pot, Gansu Lamb, Three Treasure Vegetables in Chilli Basin Sauce, Eight Treasure Soup are some of the special dishes on the menu for the New Year. Your meal finished, you are presented with Chinese zodiac sign cards.

The city's elite are often seen enjoying the good food here. The décor of the place is dominated by Chinese traditional symbols and colours. Striking reds, yellows and greens, which are considered auspicious, are the prominent colours and vibrant Chinese figurines and murals decorate the walls. The Dragon head, hanging ornaments, dry fruits and nuts, drums give you a complete feel of China.

"We also have a bar here. An average vegetarian meal for two people would cost Rs 400 and a non-vegetarian meal would cost Rs 500 plus the taxes," says Sagar. "15-20% of the customers coming here are Chinese. Quality service and friendly ambience is what we always stress upon. We are not in any rat race. We always do the best and leave the rest to the people."

The sauces used here are imported from Hong Kong, seafood is brought from Mumbai, Peaking Ducks are imported from Singapore and meat is bought from the local market. Mainland China bagged the award for the Best Oriental Cuisine for 1999-2000.

"A lot of sauces are used in Chinese cooking and we use a particular brand of sauce called Lee Kum Kee. Many eminent personalities of the city come here. Rizwaan Razack, Ravi Purvankar, Chimman Das to name a few," says a smiling Sagar.

Now is your chance to get a feel of the real China and taste authentic Chinese cuisine. Be a part of the celebrations at Mainland China.

Contact:
M G Sagar, Mainland China,
14 Church Street
Bangalore - 560 001.
Phone: 2559 7722/7744
E-mail: mainland@bgl.vsnl.net.in, mainland@touchtelindia.net

Photographs and Text by Aditi Kumar   |