Tang Dynasty Banquet        7/18/2008 2:39:31 AM

Tang Dynasty Banquet is in the style of Tang cuisines, which is one of the most three famous things in eating (the other two are Jiaozi Banquets and Mutton Paomuo respectively) in Xi'an. The dishes in the banquets are diverse and plentiful and with special flavor. To partake of the banquet is something different from the other banquets. The waitresses who serve beside the tables in the Tang Dynasty Banquet have to wear Tang-style garments, and their buns are highly coiled up, they look very beautiful. The dishware and goblets on the tables are all imitated the Tang-styles. When the banquet is getting under way, a eunuch (not a true eunuch) with a horsetail whisk in his one hand proclaims the imperial decree to explain the purpose. Then the royal band plays the tuneful ancient music, and at this moment the toasters begin to drink a toast to each other. When a dish is served, its name is read aloud by a Tang Dynasty officer, and then he explains the cultural attraction of this dish. During the banquet, The Tang-style music and dance are performed, and Tang poems are recited. The wine served in the banquet is Huanggui dense wine, which was ever drunk by Lipo (a very famous poet in Tang Dynasty) and Concubine yang (the most caressant concubine by emperor Li long-ji). The dishes, pastries and soup are cooked by an ancient menu called cooking cauda banquet menu which was written by Wei Ju-yuan, and the dishes on the banquet tables are all the dishes which ever served for one of the Tang Dynasty emperors, Li xian (A.D.656－710).