Kung Hei Fat Choy

For the Chinese, this celebration is without a doubt “The” most important of the year, symbolizing the Earth’s new beginning. The Chinese culture utilizes a lunar calendar based on the moon’s cycle to create its zodiac signs and twelve animals to represent the twelve signs of the Chinese horoscope. With the ushering in of 2011, according to the Chinese calendar, we welcome the year of the Rabbit, which represents a zodiac sign that is wise, serene and considerate. What’s that? You have never celebrated a Chinese New Year?? We invite you to join us!


On Saturday, February 5, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests will enjoy festive delicacies, captivating lion dance performances, lively Oriental-style music and Asian artistry on the outdoor terrace of Café Sambal, with fantastic views of sparkling Biscayne Bay. The restaurant will be elegantly adorned with authentic red and gold lanterns, ornate candles and other traditional Chinese decorations. True to tradition, rousing lion dance performances will capture the spirit of the season – it is said to bring good luck to households and the businesses they visit. All guests will receive a ‘red packet’ filled with wishes of good health and good fortune. Guests can also find out what the Year of the Rabbit has in store for them with a complimentary fortune telling reading.

Now … onto the food … my favorite subject! The talented Mandarin Oriental culinary team will prepare an array of tantalizing Chinese specialties to be enjoyed in a family-style dining experience. Some highlights from our menu to get your palettes palpitating …

DIM SUM SAMPLES: An assortment of six dumplings filled with chicken, shrimp and scallop, or pork and served with chili/soy dipping sauce

FRIED EGG ROLLS: Choice of hand rolled chicken or shrimp and vegetable rolls with sweet chili and mustard dipping sauce

ORANGE AND TANGERINE: Wok fried kobe beef and Asian vegetable, jasmine rice

ROASTED KUROBUTA PORK IN FOUR PEPPER CRUST: Egg noodles, black mushrooms, broccoli, cherry port sauce

PEKING DUCK: Crispy skin and perfectly cooked meat, Chinese crepes, green onions, and hoisin sauce

I know, I know, it is unfair to post this blog before lunch (before dinner, or any time in between for that matter!) Please join us, and as well, accept our wishes for a very Happy New Year (Chinese style!)

Starting the New Year in Style… Wedding Style

Happy New Year everyone! And with the start of 2011, I have some very exciting news to share about happenings and accolades for Mandarin Oriental, Miami!


Let’s start, shall we?

Within the wedding world, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style is the premiere resource for brides, planners and professionals alike; providing at the turn of a page, or click of the mouse, the world’s premiere wedding and event vendors. Wedding Style has become a “bible” for modern brides. Over the past years, Mandarin Oriental, Miami has been proud to partner with Grace as our philosophies, values, pursuit of excellence and utmost professionalism are shared.

2011 will be no exception, as I am delighted to confirm that the new issue of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style is now on newsstands and features two of Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s Executive Pastry Chef Frederic Monnet’s wedding cake creations. Take a look.

Also hot off the press, our “Live the Experience” wedding video has met with incredible acclaim. The video, as well as our hotel images and information have been proudly featured on Grace’s Platinum listing.

We extend warmest thanks to Grace and her incredible team, and look forward to many more stories in the future!

So this is it … we start a new page and as our story for 2011 unfurls, our love and true passion for life’s most precious wedding celebrations will continue to be posted and featured. Thank you for reading… and stay tuned for a FANtastic new year!