June 14, 2004 | Ask Gael
What’s that exotic rhythm on Rockefeller Plaza?

        That would be the keening ghazals of the sitar and the drum chant that herald Chinatown lion dancers leaping across the flower-decked esplanades of Rockefeller Center at Taj Hotels’ Feast of Many Moons—a giant cookout on June 14 in the garden below Prometheus. Normally this annual James Beard tribute benefiting Citymeals-on-Wheels draws America’s star chefs. But a major gift from India’s venerable Taj Hotels group—seeking to showcase a worldwide makeover and its newest luxury properties—prompted Restaurant Associates and Citymeals to dream Asian. Litchi mar-tea-nis, Peking duck, giant-clam salad, green-tea milkshakes, and Kama Sutra chocolates are on the menu as hometown wok stars like Nobu Matsuhisa, Masa Takayama, and Spice Market genies Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Gray Kunz steam, stir-fry, and tandoori-grill side-by-side with legendary chefs from Australia, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Honolulu. Restaurant Associates’ Ed Brown (pictured, middle left) will welcome Shun Lee’s Sun-Dao Man (right), Ian Chalermkittichai (middle right) of the forthcoming Kittichai, and Floyd Cardoz (left) of Tabla.

For information: 212 687 1290.






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