Chinese Moon Festival Celebration For Lovers And Families

Chef Joseph Poon, chef/owner of Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant, in Philadelphia Chinatown, has created a special banquet to commemorate the Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chung Chiu).

The Moon Festival, celebrated on September 21 this year, corresponds to harvest festivals in Western cultures and symbolizes the harmony between man and nature. Traditionally, families celebrate the holiday by hosting reunions, eating a delicacy called moon cake, watching the full moon and singing moon poems. Lovers typically eat, drink and moon watch together. Even couples that live far apart make an effort to moon watch at the same hour to feel closer to one another. Legend has it that the old man on the moon decides upon future marriage partners  making it a particularly important holiday for those in love, or wishing to be. The Moon Festival is believed to bring romance and happiness.

Families and couples seeking romance and happiness can celebrate the holiday at Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant. Chef Poon has created a special banquet. The menu is served family-style for parties of eight or more. (Couples wishing to attend, to seal their future together, can bring friends or be seated with larger parties.) Each table receives ALL of the following dishes: five types of dim sum (hot assorted appetizers): Crispy Mini Spring Roll, Hargow (Crystal Shrimp Dumpling), Shi Mai (Shrimp, Pork, Shiitake Thin Wrapper Dumpling), Har Joe (Crispy Water Chestnut, Shrimp, Cilantro Dumpling), Spinach Nacho with Five Spicy Asiago Cheese.

Seven entrees: Medallion Beef Sirloin in Black Pepper Corn Merlot Sauce, Jumbo Tiger Shrimp and Sea Scallop with Kennett Square Mushrooms with Fresh Ginger, Lemon Grass Cilantro Zest Consommi, Joes Famous Peking Duck with Grilled Tortilla and Hoisin Burgundy Scallion, Steamed Whole Fresh Tilapia from the Tank in Black Bean and Chives, Crispy Tofu Medallion with Shanghai Greens, Crabmeat and Egg White Zinfandel Essence, Lobster with Garlic Chili Tomato Rice Sauce, Honey Moon Fried Rice with Tomato Shrimp and Chicken Cream Corn. Two desserts: Fresh Mango Yogurt with Chocolate and a Traditional Moon Cake filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and duck eggs.

The cost for the meal is $35 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reservations necessary. Please call 215/928-9333. The banquet will be available August 25 through October 5, 2002.

Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant is located at 1002 Arch Street, at the corner of 10th and Arch Streets in Center City Philadelphia, 215/928-9333. Website: www.josephkpoon.com. Free parking is available after 4pm with validation at the Auto park at The Gallery on 10th Street between Arch and Filbert Streets.