Thursday, February 11, 2010

Chinese New Year's Brunch at the Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel + GIVEAWAY!

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation from PR Rep, Britta Franson of Weber Shandwick to try out the Chinese New Year's Brunch at the Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel. My previous visits have included enjoying their Chocolate Tea at the Lobby Lounge and a Media Dinner at the Dining Room to check out Chef Michael Voltaggio's new menu, but their brunch at the Terrace was something I had yet to experience. I jumped at the chance and was even able to bring a guest.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

As we were being seated, our hostess graciously pointed out where all the various food stations were situated in the dining room. I have to admit to feeling a bit dazed by the time I sat down. There were just so many food options. I already pictured myself having to be rolled out to my car. The first thing I wanted to mention is that while your server was happy to consistently refill both your water, champagne and orange juice glasses, there was actually a Self-Service Drink Station where you could mix your own Mimosas, your own Bloody Mary drink or have a glassful of a drink made up of St. Germaine Liqueur and Green Tea. Choices abound.

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Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Although the pastry and muffin station looked tempting, carb freak that I could be, I decided to skip it entirely to ensure that I had enough room in my system for everything else. Take a look below at what I "bravely" gave up.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

The first thing I put on my plate was cheese and considering that I am such a cheesehead, I actually restrained myself by just taking 3 out of the 10 that were available. I wasn't tempted by the fresh fruit, but a couple of slices of bread with olives called to me.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Around the corner from the bread was a charcuterie lover's delight - various cured meats on wooden boards. Of course, I had to have a piece (or two) of all of them, along with a green bean salad and lox.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Down the stairs was a Sushi Station and a spicy tuna roll and a salmon and eel nigiri also landed on my plate before I sat down to enjoy the first part of my meal.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Now that I've had my fill of cured meats and cheese, it was time to investigate the Chinese Food, a special brunch offering just for the month of February. At one station there was a chef preparing stir fry dishes using fresh colorful vegetables.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Next to him was a carving station where you could get slices of Char Siu Pork and Peking Duck.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Dim sum was also on the brunch menu and included everything from steamed pork buns, and shau mai to shrimp and scallop dumplings. There were even Chinese soup spoons of various condiments for additional flavor.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Doesn't this look a pretty picture below? I think Mimosas should be a new Dim Sum tradition at all San Gabriel Valley dim sum restaurants.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

The nice thing about dining at the Terrace was no one was rushing us out the door. My guest and I enjoyed our food at a leisurely pace. There would be moments where we'd pause our eating just to chat and enjoy each other's company in between sips of our Mimosas. I think that also gave us time to digest our food in between forays to the various food stations situated in all corners of the restaurant.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

After enjoying our Dim Sum, we found out that there were other Chinese-inspired small plates of dishes like a Hibiscus Poached Chicken with Ginger Orange Carrot Puree.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

If seafood was your thing, believe me, you were taken care of. Beneath an ice sculpture, there were raw oysters, shrimp and even crab claws along with lemon and cocktail sauce, if you so desired.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

If you're of a meat lover, you were covered to because there was a carving station where you could get both lamb and prime rib with a side of veggies (or not).

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Suffice to say, I definitely got surf and turf all in one plate, as you can see.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Since I wanted dessert, I only had a few bites of what was on that plate, which I actually felt a little bad about. In retrospect, I think my friend and I should have shared so as not to be too wasteful, but at least we ended up doing that when it came to our desserts, starting with our crepe. With the crepes, there were also waffles, but I was happy to skip that. The crepes were cooked with your choice of fresh fruit and topped with this amazing caramel sauce. I was feeling the blackberries, which were deliciously plump and tart.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

Around the corner was a huge Chocolate Fountain with bowls of fruit, housemade marshmallows and cake squares for your dipping pleasure. I decided to forgo all this chocolate goodness and opted for the dessert station.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

The desserts were also Chinese or Asian inspired. There was everything from Jasmine Flan and a Mango Mousse to a Taro Cake and Lychee Fruit Salad. My favorite was actually the Hazelnut Almond Cake with Chocolate. Other sweets included Creme Brulee and a Raspberry Gateau.

Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel
Chinese New Year Brunch at The Terrace in the Pasadena Langham Hotel

In the end, I really enjoyed the brunch at the Terrace although I do have a few quibbles about some of what I ate For example, the prime rib was way too rare to suit me. The Hibiscus Chicken I mentioned earlier was a little too dry and the surprisingly, so was the crab claw meat. The Peking Duck was also a tad oily, but was at least moist and juicy. When it came to the Chinese food, specifically the dim sum, I'd say that there are better options in San Gabriel Valley, but I can also say that there are also worse options in San Gabriel Valley. In geneal, the dumplings and buns were pretty good.

Overall, it was a very relaxing atmosphere with the piano playing in the background. The service was excellent with our beverage glasses always filled as soon as they got empty. As for the food, was it a mind blowing experience for my taste buds? No. I think that's too much to ask of a brunch; however, every thing was fresh and well-prepared and the variety was absolutely stellar. My guest and I got there at 11 am and literally closed the place down. Suffice it to say, we had a great afternoon at the Terrace.

Champagne Chinese New Year's Brunch runs every Sunday in the month of February
  • 10 am to 3 pm
  • Sunday Brunch is $75 for adults and $35 for children under 12.
  • Complimentary valet parking is available.
  • For reservations, please dial (626) 585-6218 or book online.
Langham Hotel
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 568-3900


Prize Giveaway!

Now that you've read about how much I enjoyed the Chinese New Year's Brunch at the Terrace in the Langham Hotel, now is your chance for you and a guest to experience this brunch for yourselves! The total cash value for this prize is $150.00 and includes everything you've read in this post. Available dates for this brunch are Sunday, February 21 or Sunday, February 28. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday Afternoon. There are several different ways to enter and each way gets you an entry!

Mandatory (for at least one entry)
  1. Leave a comment on my blog and let me know why you'd like to win this prize. Be sure to leave some kind of contact info so that I can get a hold of you, if you've won.
Additional Entries:

New to Pleasure Palate or the Langham?
You can do any or all of the things listed below for additional entries.

Already Following or a Fan of Pleasure Palate and the Langham? Please mention whether you've already done 1 through 5 and if you've done 6 and 7 for additional entries.

In both scenarios, you can have up to 8 entries each; however, please note that you have to comment back and let me know which of the actions you took, so that I can keep track of them. If you don't, you'll be entered only once instead of multiple times.

  1. Follow Pleasure Palate on Twitter
  2. Fan Pleasure Palate on Facebook
  3. Follow the Pasadena Langham Hotel on Twitter
  4. Fan the Pasadena Langham on Facebook
  5. Join the Pleasure Palate Dining Group
  6. Friend Me on Facebook AND Mention this Contest on your Facebook Profile
  7. Tweet: Win a Chance for Two to Enjoy Brunch at @LanghamPasadena via @pleasurepalate: http://bit.ly/bUaBOS
Contest Ends Tuesday, February 16 at midnight. Winner will be chosen randomly. Please leave some kind of contact info in your comments so that I'll be able to email you if you've won this prize!




^

57 comments:

gourmetpigs said...

Man I tried getting a picture of that Peking duck and it came out bright red because of the heat lamp. How'd you do it?

nytransp said...

Because the pictures are making me salivate! Because I love brunches and Pasadena and I also want to test my knowledge of cheese on that cheese tray. Because I love dining in beautiful surroundings with good friends.

pleasurepalate said...

I just told them to turn the heat lamp off for a second so that I could take the picture. :)

Wandering Chopsticks said...

I wanna go! Reason? I'm a fat blogger who likes to eat and I'd never be able to afford the Langham otherwise. :P

Let's see. This comment is 1. I already follow you on Twitter 2. I just refollowed Langham Pasadena 3. And I just retweeted you for 4. :)

Michael Allman said...

Wow!!! What a feast for the belly and the eyes! OMG! An ice sculpture and a chocolate fountain! :) I'm so easy to please sometimes.

I love raw oysters. I love fruit. I love cheese. I love meat. I love everything.

Please put me in contention for this grand prize.

Kat - @kat_taf said...

That looks intense! I've heard such amazing things about the Langham. This looks crazy amazing. Would love to be able to check it out.

As for the additional entries...like last time, count me in for all of the above. I'm off to tweet & share now.

Javier (@javadrinker68) said...

Wow...is it wrong that I drooled over the pics even though I'm not the least bit hungry right now? Wow!!

KISHI said...

Would love to try out Langham Hotel for Chinese New Year. All the way from Australia and been wanting to try out this place :) :) :) Maybe I will win this entry :) :) :)

Kishi
510.305.1686
kishiz@yahoo.com

Paula said...

Hi Abby, this is Paula. Wow, this meal looks incredible!!! I want to try it all!!!

Paula said...

Hi Abby, this is Paula. Wow, this meal looks incredible!!! I want to try it all!!! I'm crossing my fingers that I win...

Carrie Calderon-Carr said...

My husband and I will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary this Sunday on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, we've never put ourselves first on our priority lists. We always put our children first. We'd love to treat ourselves (even if it is belated) for our anniversary at the Langham. It would mean so much.

Elise Edwards said...

I want to win because Sunday Brunch is my favorite meal of the week and my budget doesn't let me do it often.

I just completed 1 and 2 (and you can contact me on twitter @eliseme) to get the extra entries and I'm already #5. Thanks!

The Duo Dishes said...

A good friend comes to town on the 27th, and he was the first to recommend the Langham last year! He'll be quite ecstatic upon his return to LA. Plus, Chinese brunch is all around amazing.

The Duo Dishes said...

Already following on Twitter and just tweeted it!

bluepupae said...

nice spread. how did you not eat everything in sight? and kudos for another great giveaway.

pleasurepalate said...

bluepupae: Well, I thought I actually ate a lot. lol I basically stayed from stuff that would be too filling (pastries) from stuff that I've experienced before (made to order omelettes and chocolate fountain) and went from there. :)

Totoro said...

I want to win this prize because all the food looked awesome!!

Marissa Bergado said...

Hi Abby! You must select me because: #1) I am A LOT OF FUN to eat with because I provide interesting conversation and would try everything, #2) A great critic-I will tell you the honest darn truth whether something is great or just so-so, #3) I have BEEN DYING to HAVE BRUNCH at the LANGHAM for ages and would LOOOOOOOVE to bring my mom with us, who is CLASSY, BEAUTIFUL, and JUST MAY PLAY THE PIANO for us, #4) I lost the contest for the San Antonio Winery because I have not been out to as many restaurants as I should have, #5) I need to start the New Year right by eating as much as I can and attracting prosperity and luck, #6) I provide fun and am great company! By the way, I am doing all I can to win this time, doing all 1-8 and my e-mail is: marissa_bergado@yahoo.com HOPE TO BE INVITED!!!! =)

Totoro said...

I am now following you and retweeted. Thanks for the giveaway!

novy said...

Already following you, the langham and retwetted plus the comment. Crossing my fingers and hoping to experience a good meal at the langham.

miriamdema said...

oh, i just made reservations for this because it looked so yummy!

we've never been to the Langman but Dumplings and oysters in the same place, how can you say no?

we'd love to win the giveaway though, thanks for such tempting blog coverage!

1.already follow :)
2.done!
3.done!
4.done!
5.i've been meaning to do that, done!
6.done and done!
7.done!

whew! that was a few tabs to do all that, kinda fun though :)

and just to make it super easy!
miriamdema at gmail dot com

sydvischus said...

Abby, I would love to win this contest!
1. My British husband is a huge fan of alcohol during brunch :-)
2. I'm Chinese American and the photos of the dim-sum offerings are making me drool right now.
3. Your delectable descriptions are fabulous, this seems like an incredible experience, and I'm dying to go but can't afford $150 for a brunch right now!
Thanks for your consideration!

NK said...

Egad! Am I the only one that thinks that leaving the duck's head in would kill the appetite for it?! I don't want to see that before I eat it! Other than that, awesome pics! I would love to take my grandpa here. In fact, I must really want to go because I've done SIX of the options! and i'm so anti-social media! my handle on twitter is jennysuk and i'm already a member on pleasure palate.

Lynda said...

This would be an awesome gift for my fiance for valentine's day & Chinese New Year!! He's been working so hard (overtime, 8-10 days in a row) that I would like to treat him to something nice - and food is always therapeutic.

Lynda said...

now following pleasurepalate on twitter [user - lyndagp]

PS: I forgot to leave my contact information on my last post!! [lyndagp at gmail dot com]

Lynda said...

now a fan of pleasure palate AND langham on facebook

Bertha said...

well... the ambiance of the hotel really comes through on the pic's, and the food has wonderful variation for the palatte!
for a brunch, this is unusual.
I should be chosen because I would gladly eat all they had to offer, and keep my manners in check even though I would be trembeling with anticipation!

Anonymous said...

Count me in.
An afternoon having Chinese food in Pasadena sounds great.

michael-t

Unknown said...

I am a pleasure palate member and a fan on facebook.
I would LOVE to go to this, because your photos of the food are lush and irresistible, and I could never afford such an extravagant meal otherwise. It would be great to share this experience with a fellow foodie.

Unknown said...

Oh, I should add, as a reason for this specific bring-a-guest lunch, my birthday was last Saturday, and my boyfriend and I had reservations for a multi-course tasting meal at Piccolo Ristorante. The night before I got sick and was too nauseous the following day to go to the dinner. We rescheduled for a tasting tonight at Grace, and yesterday my boyfriend came down with a horrible sore throat. Today he is in bed and really sick, so again we have to cancel my birthday meal out. This would be such a treat for us to make up for this string of bad luck (assuming neither of us gets ill the day before!)

Orlando personal injury lawyer said...

That photo is awesome. Haha... chinese tiger statue.

Meowmi said...

Great write-up, everything looks totally OMNOMNOMNOM!

I've done 1-8, so please put my name down for the contest, which I'd like to win b/c I'm in the process of tutoring my boyfriend in the art of hunting down great places to eat. Haven't been to the Langham since it changed over from the Ritz, but I'm sure it should be on the list!

Thanks!

Wasima said...

I'm not a huge buffet person but an all Asian buffet (which is the type of food I gravitate to in all buffets) in such a lovely setting in my favorite town sounds amazing. My last celebration at the Langham was when it was Ritz-Carlton, celebrating my grandparents' 50th marriage anniversary. I have done 1-7 on your list so it's an easy entry for me.

zoran said...

Lovely pictures.
following on twitter etc, 1, 3, 5, 7

groundling@gmx.net

kathleen c said...

OK, Abby, i've requested your FB friendship (you've got an awful lot of friends) i've fanned PP and the Langham, and i've increased the competition by profiling your contest but i'm drawing the line at twitter. you know how to reach me at ccrashcup.
kathleen

Unknown said...

Hi, I would really like to try brunch at the Pasadena Langham Hotel. I follow your food blog, and went through all your old entries, when my little sister got me interested in cooking, and food in general about a year ago. If I win this prize, I would definitely take my little sister as we both have never had an upscale brunch before. I come from a family of seven, so my parents cannot spill out 75 dollars per head to enjoy a delectable feast like this. I can be reached at aylwinv@gmail.com if I somehow win this chance!

EatTravelEat said...

What a beautiful spread. I love anything taro and I want that taro cake right now. And yes, the prime rib looks very rare. Guess they could have grilled it a bit if you personally wanted a not so rare slice of prime rib.

Marissa Bergado said...

Hi again Abby! Another little detail I wanted to add to my previous comment: My mom plays classical piano, the most difficult pieces, and perhaps if I get to take her (and I can convince her), she can play Debussy's Reflections.....Quite elegant, lovely, and a classical piece for such a special event :) Anyways, thank you for being considered. I love how you organize the most fun food events!!! :)

Small Group said...

Thanks for the contest! It sounds like plenty of fun to try out the brunch. Happy Lunar New Year~

michelle woo said...

Oh, yum! I need a last-min V-Day gift for the fiance. Haha, me= FAIL. This would be amazing.

Unknown said...

i would fully document and bathe in the delights of the brunch for weeks and weeks. all in all, i'd really love to go. i've been wanting to take my mom, but have been trying to save money to take her out for a nice little brunch. this would definitely help! :) if not, she'll still get to go though, since she's an awesome mom and deserves a fancy brunch every so often.

Tsz said...

My friend's birthday is coming up and I would love to take him out for brunch and for the chance to meet Chef Michael V!

Mike said...

Brunch is one meal that I have never had a great experience with. Maybe it's the identity crisis between breakfast and lunch, or maybe it cause I'm not really into bottomless mimosa's. I have a strong feeling that if I won the Langham brunch I'd have a change of heart and I'd be waving the brunch flag.

Mike said...

Hey Abby consider me having done additional entries 1-7. I'm in it to win it!

LAFress said...

Right now every dollar is going toward saving for a trip to eat my way through Turkey and Syria. I'd really love to try this brunch but winning this contest may be the only way I can afford it.

H. C. said...

Crossing fingers for the giveaway -- already follow you via twitter (possibly facebook too, but not sure) and you know my contact info ;)

LAFress said...

My delicious smoky Pad See Iew from Wat Dong Moon Lek must not have been enough to satisfy me because I'm really obsessing about this brunch. I went after some additional entries by doing #1,2,3,4 and 7 on your list. I wanted to do #6 but couldn't find a way to Friend you. If I am the very lucky winner, you can reach me at rakster@gmail.com. :-)

Unknown said...

Hi Abby, I had previously done 1,2,5, and 6--part 1. And I just did 3,4, 6--part 2, and 7. I've been wanting to try the brunch at the Langham for awhile, and I've wanted to take my mom there. But it's pretty expensive for brunch, esp. for two, and esp after my big giant paycut. Now that they've got the Chinese New Year theme, it's all the more reason to go. So I'm tossing a coin in the fountain and hoping to win!

Patricia said...

I'm not usually a fan of AYCE meals, but the Chinese-Western hybrid brunch looks amazing and your photos have left me wanting! I've done 1, 3, and 7.

Horse Head said...

This would be an incredible experience. The food looks amazing, and delicious. I love trying new things, but am sometimes a little wary if no one I know has recommended it. But they look like they have enough options that I would find many new and tasty dishes to try.

Andee (LAEasyMeals) said...

I would love to win because I have always wanted to try out The Dining Room! Your meal looks amazing and I would love another chance to celebrate Chinese New Years! Thanks for this great giveaway

Andee (LAEasyMeals) said...

I'm already following you on twitter and I just tweeted it! Also already a fan on FB

fel said...

I would love to win because I didn't get to celebrate Chinese New Year at all - my parents/family left me at home to fend for myself :( (I think I had a Subway sandwich on CYE - so Chinese, I know.)

I've already followed both you and the Langham on Twitter, and I've RTed your message. (Hope I win!)

oddlyme said...

Dear Pleasure Palate -

I am a very happy eater, but often, a thrifty one.

This would give me the chance to truly wallow in richness and joy. Who can say no to that?

With crossed fingers but not eyes,

Your hopeful reader

USCGirl27 said...

Because a brunch at Langham would be an EPIC dining experience, especially if it's for Chinese New Year. Go Year of the Ox children!

USCGirl27 said...

Just left a comment a moment ago, then clicked to follow you on twitter and retweeted "win a chance."

3 entries please!

Thanks!

Timothy said...

That place looks unbelievable,I don't think I've ever seen so much variety in one place. It looks like everything on the menu in a Bella Italia London, plus the rest, available all the time in quantities that blow the mind. I love the DIY mimosa/bloody mary station. Great idea.