We have an annual Chinese New Year dinner at Keefer Court. It is a small family run Chinese restaurant and bakery located on the West Bank in Minneapolis. Paulina and Sunny Kwan are the owners. Jack Ma is the Head Chef.
I think Keefer Court is the only real Chinese bakery in the five state area. They offer all kinds of treats like, Almond cookies big and small, fortune cookies, cream horns, Steamed Char Siu Bow, and my favorite, Baked Char Siu Bow. Plus they make Curry Beef Bow, Sticky Rice, Egg Custard tarts, and Coconut tarts. Oh, did I forget the Sesame Balls with red bean paste inside? Oh, I did. They also make authentic Hong Kong style birthday cakes from scratch. These cakes are filled with a layer of canned fruit cocktail and covered with whipped cream!
Did I forget to mention, Keefer Court is a tiny place? When we have our Chinese New Year event we take over the whole place. A table is set in a long line so we can seat 20. There is no other table space in the restaurant. When other customers drop in, there is a tiny high top counter 2 people can sit at.
We gave Chef Jack a daunting task. He had to prepare an incredible banquet for 20 that was, when possible, gluten free, mostly suitable for vegetarians, without leaving the omnivores wanting. He was armed with gluten free oyster and soy sauce to use in his recipes. Our hostess for the evening was Michelle Kwan, daughter #2. She kept everything running smoothly. (Thank you.)
Anyone who has ever been to a Chinese restaurant expects white or fried rice to be served with the dish they ordered. It is SOP. This is not what happens at a Chinese banquet. The meal is served in an order that features the most impressive dishes first. The chef is not just cooking. The chef is making edible art that you can see and then eat. Rice is a basic food. Asking for some before it is served is an insult to the chef. Don’t do it. Rice usually comes near the end or at the end of banquet. It is usually fancy fried rice and is served last to make sure you had enough to eat. In my experience, I’m always full by the time any rice gets to the table.
Apologizes for not photographing the dishes as they came the table. So sorry. I was too busy enjoying the food, the company and a bit of Maotai.
I once pulled myself away from the fun to run up to the kitchen to photograph Jack in action. As an added bonus I got to see the building of a Hong Kong style birthday cake.
We talked, we ate and then we ate some more. At the end of the meal, my neighbor Randy got a fortune cookie with very specific instructions. He showed me the fortune. It said that he and I should perform an encore presentation of the Frank Zappa song Lonesome Cowboy Burt. We originally sang this song at the top of our lungs at the now closed Blue Point Restaurant in Wayzata. Really, the closing was not our fault. When we were finished singing at Keefer Court, everyone had enough to eat, and thought it prudent to say goodbye and leave.
Michelle and She Who Must Be Obeyed briefly conferred about the seating arrangements. The ladies decided that we will have two round tables next year. This will allow 4 more folks to enjoy this excellent event. Play nice, and you might get an invite.
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