Where to Celebrate the Year of the Dragon

Chicago restaurants gear up for Chinese New Year

If you weren't able to get out and about on New Year's Eve here's your second chance to celebrate -- the Chinese New Year.

2012 marks the Year of the Dragon, which only comes around every 12 years and is considered one of the luckiest and most prosperous of them all.

Chinese New Year actually falls on January 23, but several Chicago restaurants are offering special events and menu specials before and after that date.

  • Sunda is offering a five-course meal for $50 a person or a la carte from January 16-30. The menu includes items such as wonton soup with duck and foie gras, five spice chicken wings and cashew chicken. On the 23rd, the restaurant presents a special Dragon Dance performance including fireworks on Illinois.
  • Visit any P.F. Chang's location from January 23-Feb. 6 and receive a special red envelope containing an unknown reward that may be anything from a discount on your meal to a free appetizer or dessert. The restaurant has also created a limited edition Dragon Punch featuring Tsingtao beer, Skyy Infusions Dragon Fruit Vodka and a dash of Sriracha.
  • Big Bowl restaurants are celebrating from January 19-23 with a different theme each night that ranges from a specialty menu to lucky cocktails and a dumpling cooking class. Click here for locations and event information.
  • Shanghai Terrace in the Peninsula Hotel offers a special New Year's menu for $105 per person with items including billionaire's fried rice and oyster fritters.
  • Koi Restaurant in Evanston celebrates on January 21 with a traditional Chinese Lion Dancer performance and a special menu of symbolic dishes. The Good Luck menu will be available from the 21-26th.
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