A fun fact about The Year of The Monkey that I learnt while doing research is that lucky colours associated with the year in Chinese Astrology include gold & white – the same colours that adorn the logo of Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto. I guess you could say it’s destiny that we should all be celebrating the Chinese New Year at one of our favourite hotels in Canada. With several ways to celebrate with us over the next few weeks, come and see why it will be a destination you have to see for yourself.
Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to get behind the scenes of some incredible events and experiences at Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto. It’s why when friends and family visit us in the city, or we need a staycation to unwind, it is one of our first choices to turn to.
For the upcoming lunar new year, it only makes sense to come and enjoy the celebrations with us at this iconic Asian hotel. Here are just a few experiences for you to enjoy above and beyond the stunning rooms, delicious meals and relaxing atmosphere.
Lion Dance and Live Music Performances
“The Lion Dance has been a part of Chinese culture for many centuries and will kick off the hotel’s Chinese New Year celebrations on 8 February 2016. Starting at 2:30 p.m., the Chinese Kung Fu Institute of Canada Ltd. dance troupe will perform a traditional Lion Dance and eye dotting ceremony in the Lobby Lounge. Guests will see the lion dancers demonstrate their agility and skill, moving energetically with the lion’s head and body to the beat of big drums and the clashing of cymbals. As the dance builds in momentum the lion head will crouch low and “eat” lettuce leaves, throwing out these leaves representing prosperity in the Chinese culture. The lion dancers will then make their way through the various outlets of the hotel, bestowing wishes of good fortune and prosperity on Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto in the Year of The Monkey.
Adding to the festivities at the conclusion of the Lion Dance at 3:30 p.m., guests can stay in Lobby Lounge for live performances by a traditional Chinese trio featuring Miriam Sue playing the guzheng -a Chinese plucked zither, Frederick Yiu playing the dizi- a Chinese flute and Amely Zhou playing the erhu- a two-stringed bow instrument. While enjoying the melodious music, guests can experience the return of the popular Chinese New Year High Tea.”
Chinese New Year High Tea
Available from 8 to 21 February 2016, guests can enjoy a Chinese New Year inspired menu featuring savory items such as:
- · Pork and shrimp fried dumplings, rice paper roll with marinated wild mushroom, coriander shoots and ginger emulsion.
· Pastry selections include matcha and red bean cake, a matcha tea sponge, red bean reduction and green tea cream; warm sesame balls with crispy glutinous rice, lotus seeds paste and toasted golden sesame seeds and tropical bombe, a passion fruit bavarois, calamansi center and coconut crunch.
· Other menu items include a selection of traditional finger sandwiches: Pacific smoked salmon with truffle egg mayonnaise on wholemeal bread, as well as favourites like poached Atlantic lobster with citrus crème fraiche on brioche roll.
· To finish on a sweet note, guests can savour fragrant Chinese black tea and classic English scones served with clotted cream, house-made pandan leaf curd and strawberry jam while sipping tea chosen from a menu of over 75 premium selections.
· A vegetarian option Chinese New Year High Tea menu is also available.
The Chinese New Year High Tea is priced at CAD$44 per person or CAD$25 per child and is served daily from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge beginning 8 February 2016 to 21 February 2016.
Lobby Lounge Late Night Dining
“Guests can toast the Year of the Monkey in the Lobby Lounge which will feature nightly, starting at 9:00 p.m. to midnight, live performances by local contemporary artists and bands, signature cocktails and a special dim-sum offering including four varieties of dim-sum from a vegetarian option featuring deep fried mushroom bean curd, the classic siu mai comprised of steamed pork and scallops, a chicken siu mai option and har gow made of steamed shrimp and ginger dumplings for CAD$16 per order.”
These experiences will help to show you the beauty, creativity and inspiring atmosphere that only Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto can create. Not to be missed, I encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible because they will fill up! For more information or to make reservations, please call 
647-788-8888 or email [email protected].
For online reservations please visit http://www.opentable.com/bosk-at-shangri-la-hotel-toronto.
For more inspiration all year round, make sure to follow @ShangrilaTO on Instagram & Twitter, and ‘Like’ their Facebook page. Tag your photos on social media as you enjoy the Chinese New Year experiences listed above with us. We can’t wait to see what your favourite moments are!
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you come along on our daily adventures with us!
Please remember to enjoy responsibly and never drink and drive
Photos: Teddy Chau, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!