Chinese New Year Table Setting Ideas

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is coming up soon. On January 29th, 2025 the beginning of the Year of the Snake will be celebrated. Although I am not of Asian descent, I do like to celebrate the Chinese or Lunar New Year.

Here in The Netherlands there is a big Asian population; in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague there are so-called Chinatowns. In The Hague the Chinese New Year will be celebrated with a festival on February 1st (including fireworks and the traditional Lion and Dragon dance). For more information please visit: 
https://denhaag.com/en/calendar/chinese-new-year-festival

I love setting the table for special occasions, whether it is for Easter or Christmas, Valentine's Day or a birthday party. For Chinese New Year I go all out. It's the perfect occasion to choose colors and flowers that I would usually not use. (Oh and it's a great excuse to order a cake at the Chinese bakery!) 

For the perfect Chinese New Year table setting the color red should be used! Red symbolizes good luck, happiness, as well as fertility and vitality. Gold is another popular color. If you don't have red tableware, you can simply add red touches, by using red flowers, candles, menu cards or napkins. I also like to add animal figurines that stand for that particular lunar zodiac sign, such as a tiger or rabbit.

Want to see more Chinese New Year table settings? Check out one of my previous articles about Lunar New Year:
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2024/02/happy-year-of-dragon.html

Happy Blue Monday 2025

Blue Monday... it's that time of the year again. Although I don't really suffer from winter depression (Thank God), I do miss the sun, hot weather and my summer clothes! So to cheer you (and myself) up, here is some blue travel inspiration.

Photo's taken in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Capri, Ischia, Rotterdam, San Valentino alla Muta, The Hague and Voorburg.

For more blue inspiration, please continue here:
Blue Monday 2024

Restaurant Celele, Cartagena de Indias

Restaurant Celele in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, is a true gem! Not a "hidden gem" anymore, but definitely something special. Celele restaurante is home to Colombian chef Jaime Rodriguez, who is not only a great guy, but also a true innovator. Chef Rodriguez does a lot of research on local ingredients, gastronomic culture and biodiversity. The result is a modern Colombian cuisine, showcasing the best of the best of Latin American produce.

In fact, the colourful (and very Instagrammable) dishes really show what contemporary Colombia has to offer. The Caribbean flower salad, the burrata served with watermelon and gazpacho, the stuffed crab, the guanabana mojito… literally everything tastes so good! 

The delicious food and drinks are served by a very well-trained and kind staff. They really know what they're talking about and if I remember correctly, some of them speak perfect English (and are able to explain the dishes to you in utmost detail).

On top of that, the interior decorating is amazing! I loved the attention to detail in every little thing, from the plates, to the cutlery, from the art on the walls to the flowers in the cocktails... and I could go on and on...! Celele stole my heart. And not just mine... In 2024 Celele ranked number 6 on the Latin America's Best Restaurant List.

If you're lucky enough to visit Cartagena, make sure you make a reservation for Celele in time, because this is currently the hottest place in town. You have to pay a small amount in advance in order to make the reservation, but this will be deducted from your bill. 

I think there is only one thing missing.... and that is merchandise! I would literally buy anything that reminds me of my visit to Celele (t-shirts, kitchen aprons, napkins, cocktail glasses, etc.)....

Celele
Cra. 10c # 29 -200, Calle del Espíritu Santo
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Tel.: +57 (301) 742 0389
Email: reservas@celelerestaurante.com 
Website: https://celelerestaurante.com/en/home/