Year of the Rabbit: A Time to Indulge in Lunar New Year Feasts

By Morris Gut

The Chinese Lunar New Year – this year is the Year of the Rabbit – begins on Sunday, Jan. 22 and will last for two weeks. Many Asian eateries will be marking the festivities with special dishes and menus. Be sure to check ahead for exact dates, times and pricing.

At Aberdeen Seafood & Dim Sum at the Residence Inn, the staff told us they would be offering special New Year’s banquets. You can also celebrate by selecting their popular dim sum or something from the regular menu. Aberdeen Seafood & Dim Sum is located at 3 Barker Ave. in White Plains Info: 914-288-0188 or visit www.aberdeenwhiteplains.com.

David Chen is an old-world spot in a freestanding house serving solid Cantonese cuisine to the community for more than 25 years. Specialties include a 10-ingredient fried rice, Moo Shu pork, pan-fried noodles and a seafood pot. Also, enjoy the tea service. David Chen is located at 85 Old Mount Kisco Rd. in Armonk. Info: 914-273-6767 or visit www.davidchens.com.

A Cantonese spot along the strip full of Asian restaurants, Mister Chen serves wonderful house-made soup dumplings and buns, chicken Lo Mein and tasty honey-glazed barbecue spare ribs. Mister Chen is located at 265 Mamaroneck Ave. in Mamaroneck. Info: 914-777-1212 or visit www.misterchenny.com. 

Omandarin Chinese Cuisine will be serving some of the classics: Peking duck, assorted hot pots and hearty Mandarin pork shank in its beautifully decorated dining room. Omandarin Chinese Cuisine is located at 361 N. Central Ave. in Hartsdale. Info: 914-437-9168 or visit www.omandarin.com.

Located in the Tarrytown House estate, noted Chef Dale Talde has reimagined upscale Hong Kong cuisine with modern twists at Goosefeather. Goosefeather is located at 49 E. Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown. Info: 914-829-5454 or visit www.goosefeatherny.com.

At Peking Garden, you can take out such reasonably-priced retro-Chinese specialties as egg rolls, shrimp Chow Mein, vegetable chop suey and beef Lo Mein. Peking Garden is located at 56 Main St. in Brewster at the Metro-North station. Info: 845-279-4006 or visit www.pekinggardenny.com.

Other Notable Asian Eateries

Communities in Vietnam, Korea, Tibet, Thailand and Singapore also mark the Lunar New Year. Here are some local venues to check out.

The Asian fusion menu at Asian Wave Bistro is in a modernized setting. Dishes from China, Thailand and Singapore include the tasty, spicy Szechuan dumplings, Thai spring rolls, Peking duck crepes, sesame chicken and Singapore rice noodles. Asian Wave Bistro is located at 636 Columbus Ave. in the Rose Hill Shopping Center in Thornwood. Info: 914-579-2777 or visit www.asianwavebistro.com.

A tasty fusion of Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese cuisines, Jewel of Himalaya serves Momo dumplings and stir-fried noodles. Jewel of Himalaya is located at 751 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale and 34 Triangle Center in Yorktown Heights. Info: 914-874-5506 (Scarsdale location) or 914-302-2886 (Yorktown Heights) or visit www.jewelofhimalayany.com.

Saigonese is a good spot for spring rolls, large bowls of Pho, spare ribs and delicious bun vermicelli bowls with lettuce wraps. Closed on Lunar New Year’s Day, Jan. 22. Saigonese is located at 158 S. Central Ave. in Hartsdale. Info: 914-288-9088 or visit www.saigonesehartsdale.com.

Len Dang’s specialties at The Banh Mi Shop include grilled short ribs, a variety of Banh Mi sandwiches, great Brussels sprouts with lemongrass and garlic and grilled pepper shrimp. The Banh Mi Shop is located at148 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-686-6888 or visit www.thebanhmishopny.com.

Tom Bui’s tasty bites at Vietnam’s Central include fried pot stickers, satays and jasmine fried rice. Closed Jan. 22. Vietnam’s Central is located at 694 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale. Info: 914-723-7222 or visit  www.vietnamscentral.com.

Owners Junho Kim and Joohyun Kang operate a whimsical Korean fusion spot in Bibille, where you can build your own Bibimbap Bowl and bite into Korean fried chicken. Bibille is located at 14 Main St. in Tarrytown. Info: 914-372-7677) or visit www.bibille.com.

Or Cook it Up Yourself

If you are an intrepid home cook and want to pull the wok out of the closet and oil it up, you may want to visit the big, bustling H-Mart for a wide variety of pan-Asian products. There is a dining court and take-out there, too.

They are located at 371 N. Central Ave. in Hartsdale (914-448-8888) and at Highridge Shopping Center on Central Park Avenue in Yonkers (914-500-6550). 

Though smaller, New Golden Village Oriental Market, at 365 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale (914-437-9795), would also be a good bet for ingredients. 

Winter Farmers Markets

So, you’ve had enough of winter and you miss visiting your favorite farmers market? Some of our most popular markets operate all winter, and while you may not get the spring, summer and fall harvest produce, it still is a good place to pick up a variety of artisanal goods such as meat, cheese, jam, bread and more. Here are some local purveyors. Happy grazing!

Ossining Winter Farmers Market, corner of Spring and Main streets, Ossining. Year-round. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: Visit www.downtoearthmarkets.com.

Pleasantville Farmers Market, 10 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville. Year-round. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon through Mar. 25. Info: Visit www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org.

Larchmont Winter Farmers Market, Chatsworth Avenue and Myrtle Boulevard (Metro-North upper lot). Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Year-round. Info: Visit www.downtoearthmarkets.com.

Irvington Winter Farmers Market, Main Street School auditorium, 110 Main St., Irvington. Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Info: Visit www.theirvingtonfarmersmarket.org.

Hastings -on-Hudson Winter Farmers’ Market, commuter parking lot, (across from Metro-North station), 131 Southside Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: Visit www.hastingsfarmersmarket.org.

Gossett’s Farm Market at Gossett Brothers Nursery, 1202 Old Post Rd., South Salem. Year round. Saturday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: Visit www.gossettbrothers.com.

Cold Spring Indoor Farmers Market, Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Route 9D, Garrison. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: Visit www.csfarmmarket.org.

Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market, Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association, 15 Mount Ebo Rd. South, Brewster. Year round. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: Visit www.hudsonvalleyfarmersmarket.org. 

Westport Farmers Market at Gilbertie’s Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Rd., Westport, Conn. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: Visit www.westportfarmersmarket.com.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or by e-mail at gutreactions@optonline.net.