Chinese New Year Dining Specials in Washington DC

During the month of February, many restaurants in the Washington DC area offer specials in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Here are a few dining specials for 2013, the Year of the Snake. Of course, many people flock to the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown where you may find a less expensive meal.

Ping Pong Dim Sum
Two Locations: Chinatown - 900 7th Street NW Washington DC (202) 506-3740.
Dupont Circle - 1 Dupont Circle NW Washington DC (202) 293-1268.
The 7 Days of Sins promotions run for the first week of Chinese New Year, Feb. 10 – 16, 2013. Sunday, Feb. 10th - wear snakeskin print clothing (or a boa) and shed 15% from your bill 11am-4pm. Monday, Feb. 11th - Ping Pong will donate a portion of the proceeds from the Chinese New Year specialty cocktail, Snake Venom (a blend of rum, guava and Jasmine Iced Tea) to the Chinatown Community Cultural Center. Tuesday, Feb. 12th - “Snakes on a Plane” Viewing Party at 8 p.m. Food and drink specials offered from 4-11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13th – Complimentary “snakebite” shooters for ladies from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14th –Share a sinful Valentine’s Day with your special snake by sampling the Love at First Bite menu ($60 per couple), which includes aphrodisiac ingredients in each dish. Friday, Feb. 15th – Roll a Snake Eyes for $50 off your bill. Saturday, Feb. 16th – End the Chinese New Year with a Special Performance at Ping Pong Dupont.

The Source
575 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC.
The six-course “Year of the Snake” tasting menu is available Feb. 12-23, 2013 at $135 per person, and $185 per person with wine pairings. The Source is offering a special dumpling cooking class on Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Priced at $75 per person, guests will begin the class with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, and enjoy a dumpling feast, served family-style and prepared by Chef Drewno and his team, after the lesson. For reservations, please call Erica Frank at (202) 637-6106 or email erica.frank@wolfgangpuck.com. The Chinese New Year extravaganza with Chef Wolfgang Puck will be held on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Although seats to the six-course dinner have sold out, a dim-sum reception is available in the bar and lounge. Priced at $50 per person. Reservations are limited; call the restaurant directly at 202-637-6100.

Zengo
781 7th Street, NW Washington, DC. (202) 393-2929.
Zengo will celebrate the Chinese New Year with three brunch specials, which will be available in addition to its $35 bottomless brunch menu, during the last three weekends in February: February 9-10, 16-17, and 23-24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dishes includes Scallop & Bacon Gyoza Dumplings with chive, nigori sake-yuzu dipping sauce, which symbolizes wealth and luck; Crispy Skinned Pekin Duck with flour tortillas, orange coriander sauce, hoisin, leek, and pickled cabbage, which symbolizes family and good fortune, as well as Pork and Shrimp Lo Mein with crisp pork belly, bell pepper, water chestnut, and scallion. For dessert, each guest will receive a fortune cookie with the chance to win prizes, as well as wishes of good luck and wealth in the New Year.

To learn about parades, performances and other celebrations, see a guide to Chinese New Year Events in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia