Welcome the Year of the Dog Savoring Food 101 Chinese New Year Menu Feb. 21

It’s officially the Year of the Dog . . . which in no way infers it’s acceptable to “woof” down dinner in 2018. Au contraire. Our fortune cookie reveals a year of savoring new flavors and mindfully enjoying each bite -- starting at a Food 101 Chinese New Year celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Executive chef Ron Eyester plans a special á la carte menu of Chinese-inspired dishes, available one night only, to honor the year. Look forward to chopped liver egg roll with shredded carrot, apple, scallion and apricot duck sauce ($9.50); lobster scallion pancakes with pickled mushrooms and toasted sesame mayo ($12); smoked spareribs with ginger salad ($13); Chinatown mussels with shallot, lemongrass and rice wine-sambal butter ($13); shrimp toast with toasted sesame mayo and marinated bean sprouts ($13); Mongolian pork tenderloin with crispy Brussels sprouts, radish and cilantro ($26); and Chinese fried chicken with steamed rice and braised red cabbage ($23). The next Year of the Dog barks in 2030, a long wait to mark the date. Call friends and celebrate now, this week, at Food 101. Make reservations on OpenTable.

Tin Drum Celebrates the Chinese New Year with New Dishes and Deals

Eager to get a jump on a holiday centered on "Lucky Days" with lots of peace, harmony and good fortune, Tin Drum Asiacafé is spinning out two takes on traditional Chinese dishes for Chinese New Year 2015. Famished guests won't have to drag on until February 19, the first day of "The Year of the Ram," to chopstick into Orange Ginger Chicken or Mongolian Fiery Steak because Tin Drum starts stirring up these comforting dishes on Monday, February 2. Served atop hot steamed white rice, one dish captures a colorful parade of crispy chicken, fresh red pepper and broccoli sautéed in sweet and tangy orange ginger sauce while the other sautés juicy steak and zesty green onions in spicy Mongolian sauce and caps the mix with crispy onion strings. Each dish is priced at $7.95 and is available for a limited-time only. Got a yen to save some money? Stop by Tin Drum on Fridays and request the Friday Meal Deal: fork out $6 for either of these two Chinese New Year entrées and a fountain drink.

Spice Market Welcomes the Year of the Dragon in Grand Fashion

People who are born in dragon years are passionate in all they do and carry out things in grand fashion. Like them, Spice Market also possesses the same qualities and will be hosting a Chinese New Year Celebration to commemorate the year of the dragon with symbolic dishes and drinks. The grand celebration takes place from January 22 to January 23.

Spice Market will be decorated in the spirit of Chinese New Year and all tables will feature Chinese zodiac placements. The Midtown restaurant will offer complimentary nibbles in the bar area; a four-course tasting menu for $28 and drink specials including $3 Tsing Tao beer as well as specialty cocktails for $5 to $7.

The Chinese New Year tasting menu includes the following symbolic dishes:

• Fragrant mushroom egg rolls to symbolizes wealth
• Chili-garlic egg noodles representing long life come with seared shrimp and star anise
• The wish of abundance comes with a fish dish of wok-fried grouper with napa cabbage, water chestnuts and cucumber
• A sweet, rich life should be yours after eating Ovaltine kulfi made with caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce

The year of the dragon is also marked by excitement and good luck. Spice Market will ensure guests have an exciting evening and will offer all attendees fortune cookies containing discounts for future visits in the spirit of good luck.

Spice Market: In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14^th Street, NE; 404-724-2550.

Celebrate the New Year at Spice Market

The Chinese New Year that is...

Don't have plans for Saturday yet? Consider joining Spice Market and Whiskey Park for a celebration of the Chinese New Year. Start the night off at Spice Market and enjoy their unique Bento Box offerings for $25 per person. Menu options include a choice of a soup, salad, satay, entree and dessert!

Following dinner, continue the evening with prizes, dancing and drinks when Whiskey Park and the Living Room celebrate the Year of the Tiger beginning at 9 p.m. Special offerings include tea-infused specialty cocktails with Svedka vodka, chowing down on dim sum, laughing over Chinese fortunes and applauding Chinese dragon dancers. And, some lucky guests will win red money envelopes stuffed with cash, a Chinese New Year tradition. Sounds like your Saturday night plans are set!