Dragon Quest… In the West, dragons are typically portrayed as remorseless leviathans with cunning minds and scorching exhales. Easterners, however, hold them to a higher standard and revere them for their benevolence and acumen. As the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, nearly two billion people will celebrate these chimerical creatures worldwide when the Lunar New Year kicks off on Feb. 10, 2024
Blackbird Modern Asian in Jupiter, FL., ,will mark the occasion with an “Enter the Dragon” Lunar New Year’s Celebration starting at 4 p.m. The Dragon Quest evening begins when guests arrive at their tables set with fortune cards and feng shui coins. As stilt walkers and geisha performing interactive pyro theatrics move around the room, they can toast to enlightened days ahead with a “Long Wang” martini inspired by China’s most ferocious, mythical dragon of the same name. The bourbon-infused cocktail tantalizes with unexpected ingredients like dragon fruit and cinnamon.
Executive chef Tim Nickey will honor the holiday with a curated menu anchored by luck-imbued dishes ranging from dumplings and eggrolls (wealth) and noodles (longevity) to fish (prosperity) and duck (health and happiness). Save room for executive pastry chef Denise Elrod’s dramatic piece de resistance – dragon tarte encircled by a ring of fire. Ignited tableside, the fiery presentation features apple tarte tatin topped with a milk chocolate dragon, mille-feuille, miso caramel, salted caramel gelato, and spicy cinnamon floss.
Bangkok Street Noodles (Brand Aid Creative Group and Essentials Group)
Throughout the evening, random diners will receive envelopes filled with $100 gift cards they can use towards future visits.
For entertainment, DJ James Simmons will spin Buddha Bar-style tunes until close. He will pause at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for a spectacular dragon dance presentation by Master Li Siu Hung and his award-winning dance teams from Lee Koon Hung Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu in Boynton Beach and Sunrise. At midnight, pyrotechnics expert Josh McMinn will set off a spectacular sparkler presentation.
Another DRagon Quest highlight will be unveiling a new dragon artwork by famed muralist and mixed media artist Amanda Valdes, also Cleve Mash’s niece, located near the alfresco bar on the second floor.
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Feature Photo Courtesy of Meredith Jean Wallace and Essentials Group