The Chinese New Year of 4710 starts this weekend which means that traditional dishes that promise long life, prosperity and other aspects of good luck will be on the menu at restaurants specializing in Asian cuisine.
Begun on the new moon and ending at the full moon 5 days later with a Lantern Festival, the New Year celebration starts Feb. 10 and ends Feb. 24 in 2013. However, restaurants are dishing out good luck food with special events beginning Feb. 8.
Among them are the Koi Restaurant, Evanston, and the Big Bowl chain in Chicago and suburbs.
A Lion Dancer will open Chinese New Year at Koi Restaurant, Evanston, at 7 p.m. Feb. 8. Expect dishes of seafood pan fried noodles for long life and lychee chicken for prosperity. The Good Luck Menu continues through Feb. 10. Then come back Feb. 24 for Koi’s Lantern Festival for a children’s parade of lanterns and rice balls. For more information visit Koi and call 847-866-6969. Koi Restaurant is at 624 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201.
Culinary classes, gift certificates and some complimentary dishes are part of Big Bowl’s celebration.
Dumpling classes (reservations and deposit needed) will be at the Lincolnshire site, 215 Parkway Drive, 9 a.m. Feb. 9 and at the Chicago site, 6 E. Cedar St., Feb. 16. Call 312-589-7001 for information and reservations. The fee is $50 adults, $10 children 13 and under.
Because the Chinese New Year designates birth and renewal, on Feb. 10 Big Bowl restaurants will have Hóng Bao (birthday celebration) certificates in lucky red envelopes for dine-in customers. An envelope may contain a card for an appetizer, house ginger ale or desert or a gift certificate. Youngsters may receive a Kids’ Hong Bao envelope for a free Kids Menu meal.
For information on all Big Bowl restaurants in the Chicago area visit Chicago Big Bowl or call 312-589-7001.
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