Celebrate Chinese New Year at Denver Restaurants

The Chinese New Year is tomorrow, Friday, January 31 and with it begins the Year of the Horse. The new year is a long-anticipated and very important celebration in the Chinese calendar and Asian communities acknowledge it with lavish feasts and specific traditions. Several Denver restaurants, Ace, ChoLon, and Parallel Seventeen included have prepared special menus for the occasion. Here's what to expect.

This Friday and Saturday, ACE celebrates the Chinese New Year with a five-course meal for two including two special house-made sodas. Adult beverage pairings will be available as well as the eatery's newest drink, appropriately namedThe Year of the Horse, created by bar manager Randy Layman. All courses will be available a la carte, along with the full regular menu.Highlights include grilled rice ball with Szechuan syrup and pork Dan Dan noodles. The dinner costs $52 for two.

At Parallel Seventeen, chef Mary Nguyen offers is three course special menu that includes a miso soup with house udon noodles and straw mushrooms as well as a Chinese sausage stuffed quail, with mushroom bread pudding, caramelized onion puree. The regular menu is also available along with these specials offered a la carte.

Zengo's celebration extends from January 30 until February 2 and features a special menu with themes around Luck, Wealth, Longevity and Prosperity. Dishes featured include mushroom egg rolls, Singapore-style noodles, and steamed scallop gyoza.

At ChoLon, chef Lon Symensma prepared six special dishes to celebrate the beginning of the year of the horse. Among them: Bo Ssam- slow-cooked pork roast, lettuce cups, traditional condiments, served with white or brown rice; Peking-style pork leg, served with chicharrones, moo shu pancakes, and spiced pork bone tea; and Lion's Head meatballs, served with chili-soy and sticky rice. Some dishes will be served family style and some will be individual. The LoDo restaurant will also offer beverage pairings.

· Chef Mary Nguyen On Chinese New Year Traditions and More [EDen]
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