Toro In Newtown Rings In The Chinese New Year

My wife and I were fortunate enough to be invited to a Chinese New Year celebration at Toro in Newtown, a terrific restaurant known for its Chinese food, Japanese food and exceptional sushi.

You may know that 2011 is the year of the rabbit. My lovely wife was born in 1955, making her the year of the sheep. I was born in 1958, making me the year of the dog. Putting it all together, I guess that makes me a sheep dog. Woof!

The beautiful thing about this event was that it wasn’t a paid dinner but a private party. The restaurant closed at eight that night, and friends of the restaurant were invited at nine. Ann and I parked, then passed through the entrance

and past the bar.

We were greeted by Becky Chou of Toro,

and then led us to a table, where everyone soon became fast friends.

Drink orders were taken straight off. Ann and I were more than happy

with Tsingtao beers, which we consider ideal accompaniment to Chinese food.

Then all manner of exotic dishes flooded the tables. The happy faces at each table tell the story.

Look at Ann’s concentration.

Perhaps the greatest treat was Peking duck,

its skin incredibly fragile and crackly.

There was also ginger lobster,

Dungeness crab,

roasted chicken,

razor clams in black bean sauce,

and pea greens with garlic.

Doesn’t everything look absolutely fabulous?

It was the most delicious and authentic Chinese food I had enjoyed in Connecticut in years (except when I cook my own Szechwan food).

The beer and wine kept flowing

as the evening kicked into its party phase. Karaoke microphones were passed around.

Folks on the sidelines were enjoying themselves, too.

Some people at our table even considered getting in on the action.

Kind of a Mistress of Ceremonies, this lively gal was an absolute trip handing out the traditional red envelopes associated with Chinese New Year! I let my camera feast upon her.