This past Monday, February 18, 2008, Metro Group Maritime hosted its annual Lunar New Year Celebration at the popular Manhattan eatery, Chinatown Brasserie. MGM celebrated the year of the Rat with friends and guests including representatives of COSCO, Evergreen, Yang Ming, Ecuadorian Line, Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, Mediterranean Shipping and United Arab.

The event took place in the restaurant’s lounge, a striking atmosphere that includes a koi pond running the length of one wall. Long noodles, representing long life and oysters, pronounced “hao” which sounds like the word for grand event and other traditional Chinese New Year foods were served over an eight (very lucky number) course meal. Many guests brought friends and family along, and after a cocktail hour and sit down dinner everyone invited was encouraged to take a turn at karaoke. By using this opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year and honor its Chinese clients, Metro Group Maritime succeeded in strengthening the connection it has fostered between East and West.

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Metro Group Maritime Celebrates the Lunar New Year :

After last year's tremendously successful Lunar New Year party, Metro Group Maritime is gearing up once again to usher in the Year of the Rat with a party on Monday, Feb. 18.

"Last year had such great attendance and we had so much fun, how could we not do it again?" said Victoria Medeiros, director of sales and marketing for Metro Group Maritime. "Last year was more geared to our Chinese friends. The basic rule for invitation was you either had to work for MGM or work for a Chinese steamship line. This year, we decided to make it a larger event and include more of our friends. We made the rule that you have to work for a company that is directly or indirectly affected by trade with China, so I guess that means everyone is invited."

This year's soiree will be held at the acclaimed Chinatown Brasserie whose chef, Hong Kong-born Joe Ng, has been praised for his Cantonese specialties and unusual twist on classic dim-sum staples.

MGM chose Chinatown Brasserie because of its outstanding food and gorgeous setting.

According to a release from the eatery, the restaurant's design and decor are an amalgamation of New York and Chinese "cultural layers." The effect is one of an upscale brasserie with Eastern elements such as ornate screens, oversized silk lanterns and floral wallpaper.

Metro Group Maritime's event will be held in the restaurant's downstairs dining lounge replete with koi pond and carved cork sculptures from Shanghai.

"This year is going to be another wonderful celebration of the entry of the new lunar year," predicts Marcus Arky, general counsel. "We especially hope to make our friends who are far from their homes and families in Asia feel closer to home."