Monday marks the start of the Chinese New Year. The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, each year it’s imbued with the characteristics of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese calendar.
This New Year’s celebrations usher in the Year of the Dragon, the most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac, marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity. But 2012 is also known as the Year of the Water Dragon, said to exert a calming influence over the beast’s fiery nature.
When it comes to festivities, Atlanta isn’t exactly Beijing or even New York or San Francisco. Still, there are plenty of places to observe the Year of the Dragon this week, including any number of Chinese restaurants that stretch along Buford Highway.
SCAD, Midtown — The Savannah College of Art and Design celebrates Chinese New Year and launches a new photo book about the historic neighborhood around SCAD’s Hong Hong location, “Tilting the Lens: Telling the Story of Sham Shui Po.” The discussion, book signing and reception is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are requested. 6-8 p.m. Jan 26, SCAD Atlanta, Fourth Floor Building C, 1600 Peachtree Street, RSVP: 912-525-6991, scad.edu/atlanta
Shen Yun Performing Arts, Cobb Energy Center — The New York-based Chinese dance and music company returns with a new 2012 show inspired by the myths and legends of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Colorful costumes, digital backdrops, and a live East-meets-West orchestra highlight the two-hour multimedia performance. Jan.-27-29. $50-$200. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, 770-916-2800, cobbenergycentre.com.
Spice Market, Midtown — The restaurant, located in the W Midtown, will offer complimentary nibbles in the bar area and a $28 four-course tasting menu, with fragrant mushroom egg rolls, chili-garlic egg noodles with seared shrimp, and wok-fried grouper. Each guest will receive a lucky fortune cookie containing discounts for future visits. Decorations will feature tables set with Chinese zodiac placements. Drink specials include $3 Tsing Tao beer and $5-$7 specialty cocktails. Jan. 22-23. 188 14th Street, N.E., 404-724-2550, spicemarketatlanta.com.
Rosebud, Morningside — Chef Ron Eyester will kick off the Chinese New Year with a menu honoring the flavors of Asia and traditional Southern and brunch dishes. Specials include soy-braised bacon, ginger salad, pickled egg and Riverview Farm grits, and breakfast fried rice, with duck, soy-braised bacon, Hakurei turnips, corn pops and scrambled egg. Rosebud’s Monday dinner menu and Monday night brunch menu will also be available. Jan. 23. 1397 North Highland Avenue N.E., 404-347-9747, rosebudatlanta.com.
Doc Chey’s Noodle House, Grant Park — At all three metro locations, Doc Chey’s seventh annual celebration features the Lucky Chinese New Year Sampler, with a trio of foods believed to bring good luck when eaten during the 15 days of the Chinese New Year. Try peanut noodles for longevity, dumplings for wealth and shrimp rolls for happiness. For every $12 sampler ordered, $2 goes toward fundraising efforts for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Jan. 23–Feb. 6. 563 Memorial Drive, 404-688-4238, doccheys.com
