Last weekend, I attended the wedding reception of two dear friends, Danny and Melissa.  They held their reception in New York’s Chinatown at award-winning restaurant, Royal Seafood on Mott Street.

First, I’ve never been to a Chinese reception, so this was an event I’d anticipated for a few weeks.  The banquet room was decked out in red and gold to accommodate over 250 guests.  The room was buzzing with the bride’s Irish family and the groom’s Chinese family and we were made to feel very welcomed to this special event.

For those of you who know me or have read me, you know I can’t allow the food not to be front and center in this post, so here it is.  Ten fabulous courses, creatively prepared and served by a team who knows what it’s doing.  Luckily for me, I was joined at my table by two former co-workers who are Chinese, so customs and traditions were shared along the way, and very much appreciated.  Some thoughts and photos about the food:

Course 1:  A platter of various meats and fish: pork belly, conch, jellyfish and cured meats.  Absolutely divine!

Course 2:  Lobster, lettuce and melon ‘salad’ with tons of eggy mayo.  How great a combination is that!?

Course 3:  Egg rolls and fritters filled with sweet egg custard.  These ain’t your local Chinese restaurant’s egg rolls!

Course 4:  HUGE t-bone steak cooked to perfection (if your perfection is medium-rare) with a flavorful sauce.

Course 5:  Seafood soup that’s accompanied by a tangy vinegar.

Course 6:  Deep-fried pork.  Need I say more???!

Course 7:  Perfectly moist, lacquered skin chicken.  Were the Pringles only served to the American tables?

Course 8:  Whole Chinese bass deboned and filleted tableside.  Can’t possibly have more food!

Course 9 and 10:  Yes, looks like I’ve still got room for  lo mein and fried rice.

What an experience.  So blessed to have been invited to not only share in this very special day for Danny and Melissa, but also in this foodie dream meal.  If you have an opportunity to visit Manhattan’s Chinatown, be sure to stop by Royal Seafood for not only an amazing feast, but a memorable adventure.

Royal Seafood Restaurant

103 Mott St, New York, NY 10013 (between Canal and Hester)