It’s less than a week away.  It’s time to say goodbye to the year of that mischievous monkey and welcome the incoming Year of the Rooster.

The Chinese New Year 2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster and it begins January 28, 2017.  Always the second New Moon after the winter Solstice, the date fluctuates each year.

But the celebration is always the same – big and bold and it lasts for several weeks.

As Chinese communities around the world plan for the New Year celebration, here in big D there are several don’t miss events to help ring the rooster. And remember, wear red during this time as it is said to be very auspicious.

 The city of Grand Prairie hosts a huge Chinese New Year Celebration each year in that city’s Asia Times Square.  The Lunar New Year Festival takes place from January 27 to 29, 2017 and it’s free entry and parking. Expect concerts in the evening as well as all day actives like multicultural performances, Lion and Dragon Dance and Martial Arts.  There are also food and business booths, a kidzone and a Children’s Singing Contest.

Ring in the Year of the Rooster with the Crow Collection of Asian Art celebration.  A spectacular all-day Chinese New Year Festival will be held on Saturday, January 28, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held inside the Crow Collection of Asian Art and outdoors on Flora and Harwood Streets in the Dallas Arts District.  Expect lion and dragon dances, family-fun art-making activities, calligraphy demonstrations, face painting, face changers, fortune telling, kung fu and breaking demos, Beijing Opera renditions, musical performances, traditional Chinese dances and more.  A fireworks finale will close the evening festivities and even better the event is free.

Lunar Celebrations for Foodies

It’s not always easy to find genuine Asian dishes outside of Asia, but fortunately there are a few local restaurants that offer authentic menus.

Irving’s ‘Fortune House’

Straight from Shanghai, Fortune House is one of Irving’s newest palate-pleasing treasures. Located in an unassuming shopping center in Las Colinas, the restaurant serves up every possible variation on the dumpling. Most notably these include the juicy soup dumplings of owner Lucy Young’s childhood. Don’t miss the green onion pancakes either. When in doubt, the friendly and outgoing staff will demystify the menu for you.

Yao Fuzi in Plano

Duck…duck…calamari. Indulge your taste buds in crispy fried deliciousness at Plano’s Yao Fuzi, another under-the-radar outpost for authentic Shanghai cuisine. The extensive menu has plenty to appeal to both adventurous and more timid palates, from the jellyfish appetizer to the must-try Fuzi crispy beef. Wash it all down with one of the restaurant’s specialty martinis or a Fuzi mule.  

Get Your Fill at Garland’s ‘Pho Bang’

Pho, the Vietnamese noodle dish, has become a popular comfort food in North Texas and with so many pho shops popping up, consumers are faced with a delicious dilemma – which to choose? Garland is home to one of the go-tos, Pho Bang.  The restaurant concocts a winning combination of silken broth and meltingly tender beef tendon. Some find it the perfect hangover cure.

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck and Executive Chef Jacob Williamson will celebrate the Chinese New Year featuring a special Year of the Rooster Tasting Menu with five courses.  The special menu will be available to guests from Saturday, January 28 to Monday, February 6, 2017.  The limited-edition menu will include a selection of acclaimed signature dishes as well as a contemporary interpretation on authentic Chinese New Year fare.

On February 7, 2017 you can add to the fun and take part in the Interactive Night Market. An all-you-can-eat Chinese BBQ-themed night market with live action stations, expect traditional dim sum, noodles, BBQ brisket and more. There will also be a Chinese calligrapher and lion dancers for the evening entertainment.   

Just Go to Plano’s Jusgo

Prefer to cook up your own Lunar New Year feast at home? Jusgo is a supermarket in Plano that sells every possible Asian ingredient you might need from exotic fresh produce and fish to hundreds of kinds of noodles and prepared foods, all at a great value.

Named one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” and Culture Map Dallas’ “Rising Star Chefs for 2016,” Taylor Kearney’s passion for food began during his childhood.  He has kept his passion going in the Dallas area by taking on the role of Executive Chef at both Cedar Grove and Front Room Tavern in Hotel Lumen.

He learned how to grow a garden, preserve foods and raise livestock from his grandparents in east Texas and he also learned a little about holiday tradition too.

In fact, Kearney’s go to traditional holiday dishes that he grew up with during this time of the year include all the southern staples.

“My family was very traditional,” Kearney said. “We had most of the staples that any southern family would have like fried turkey, ham, green bean casserole, whipped sweet potatoes, cheese-wiz stuffed celery, dressing, the ever amazing jellied cranberry sauce and a plethora of desserts, most importantly of which was my grandmothers chocolate pie.”

Throughout high school Kearney worked in barbecue restaurants where he developed a passion for smoked foods and southern cuisine. After graduating, Kearney attended the Art Institute of Dallas’ culinary program and then worked for Hilton Hotels in fine dining.

He even landed at three-Michelin starred restaurant, PIC, in Valence, France for a time. He was named sous chef for Chef Scott Romano at The Joule Hotel’s Charlie Palmer and was responsible for the restaurant’s charcuterie and dry-aging programs as well as banquet and seasonal menu development.

He has been with Front Room Tavern since 2015 and was the founding Executive Chef at Cedar Grove when it opened in June 2016.   Of the Dallas holiday menu traditions he said “This is a beef town, if we don’t offer prime rib it would be an injustice to the people. We do offer some traditional sides and mains, but this time of the year it seems that prime rib rules all. It’s on all of my holiday menus.”

Of course, there is also that Black Eye Pea tradition that folks in the south can’t get enough of on New Year’s Day.

“It’s a southern thing,” Kearney said. “I don’t recall my family ever following this tradition, but in my early years in the kitchen, I found out how important it is to some patrons.  Every year black eyed peas and cornbread make a visit. Especially in this weather there’s nothing wrong with a big pot of beans.”

The tradition regarding black eyed peas on New Year’s Day goes back to the Civil War.  It is said to be the first food a person should eat on New Year’s Day in order to gain luck and prosperity throughout the year.  The peas can be served with greens in which the peas represent coin money and the greens paper money or served with cornbread, which represents gold.

Another notable tradition, eat 365 black eyed peas on New Year’s day to ensure good luck every day of the year.

As for Kearney’s own personal New Year's Eve traditions he said he is not a superstitious person, so he does not have any personal traditions.

He did add “Just find a way to celebrate another year on this earth in whatever way you see fit. Enjoy a glass of bourbon, hug your family, be thankful for all that you have, and strive to make this year better than the last.”

Both Front Room Tavern and Cedar Grove will be open on New Year's Day and Kearney recommended the Hangover Brunch.

“We will have amazing food specials and offering buckets of bubbly for $20.17.”

Where are you going to party like it is 2017, here are a few of our recommendations to ring in the New Year right.

At Supper Club at The Highland Dallas you can spend the last moments of 2016 indulging in a three course dinner from Chef John Tesar of Knife Dallas, entertainment from Ricki Derek and his 16 piece band, a  complimentary bar, champagne toast and countdown to the New Year. Cocktails from 8 to 9 p.m. (live music from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.), Dinner 9:30 to 10:45 p.m. and the finale celebration 10:45 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with live music. Choose from two Super Club seating options; you can sit with your crew at the VIP tables in groups of four or mix and mingle with general seating, tickets are $225 to $1000.

At the Ritz Calrton, Fearing’s on McKinney Avenue will have a New Year’s Eve Dinner on Saturday, December 31 with the first dinner seating including a three-course menu with reservations available from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for $95 per person.  The second dinner seating will feature a four-course menu and champagne toast with reservations available between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. for $195 per person. Live music will be featured in the lobby followed by a festive balloon drop at midnight. Prices exclude additional beverage, tax and gratuity.  To make a reservation call 214.922.4848.

The NYLO Dallas Soda Bar in the South Side district has a great view of the Dallas skyline and will be offering an equally great party on December 31.  The Black and White Ball tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple and can be purchased by calling 214.421.1080.

If a ball is not on the agenda the more mild South Side district Alamo Drafthouse has a great patio and will host a New Year Celebration for $50 per person including live music, appetizers, casino games and a photo booth.

The Ivy Tavern is offering three limited quantity packages for New Year’s Eve including Reserved 75: $75 - reserved table for 2-4, 1 bottle champagne, choice of appetizer from NYE menu; Reserved 250: $250 - reserved table for 4-6 ppl, 1 bottle champagne, choose 1 bottle of sponsored liquor, and choice of 2 appetizers from our NYE menu or the Reserved 500: $500 - reserved table for 8-10 ppl, 2 bottles of champagne, choice of 2 bottles of sponsored liquor, and choice of 3 appetizers from our NYE menu.  The New Year’s Eve cocktail menu will feature IVY Infusion based cocktails featuring Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka, and Beefeater Gin with DJ Ironic playing with a full light show and dance floor. $10 cover after 11 p.m. for non-reserve package members and the kitchen is open until midnight with the house specialty breakfast tacos available until 2 a.m.

Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine will do a three-course meal, champagne toast at midnight and live entertainment by Fingerprint's for $45 per person. Guest will also have the option to enjoy the entertainment in the bar area only for a $15 cover charge. 

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas is going all out for New Year’s Eve with a black tie only Beats and Bubbly party, hosted by The Skinny Arm, focusing on adult learning and entertainment. There will be a DJ, a full bar serving beer, wine and spirits on each floor and the cafe will be open and food served for purchase. Tickets are $50 from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on N. Field Street.

Pinstack is offering two New Year’s Eve parties on December 31.  There is a family event or one for 21+ only. Packages for both events feature unlimited attractions, one game of bowling (based on availability), catered cuisine, non-prize video games, a complimentary glass of champagne (for adults, of course!) and more.

The family-friendly event is from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a buffet for $49.99 for adults and $39.99 for children under 12. The 21+ event is from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. with chef-inspired cuisine at $59.99 per person. Tickets can be purchased at www.pinstackbowl.com/NYE.

New Year’s Eve at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is a good place to ring in the New Year in ultimate luxury with overnight hotel accommodations available from $330 per night. The Mansion Restaurant’s Executive Chef Tom Parlo has created two luxurious menus for December 31 featuring lobster, Ibérico de Bellota pork tenderloin and Wagyu sirloin Rossini with foie gras. Select a festive bottle of champagne or explore wine pairings to accompany the meal. Wine Director Jennifer Eby offers an exceptional wine list encompassing vintages from Texas and around the globe. For dessert, experience Illanka, inspired by the breathtakingly creative Illanka Stratosphere by Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin which won national acclaim with a first place award at the 2015 Valrhona C3 Competition in New York City. The dessert will be offered for one night only and features Illanka chocolate mousse, brownie, coca nib tuile and jasmine raspberry sorbet. There is early evening dinner with reservations available at 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., $115 per person. The late evening dinner reservation can be made from 8 to 8:30 p.m. and the eight-course menu is offered for $200 per person along with a sparkling wine toast at the stroke of midnight. High-end additions include Golden Osetra caviar offered by the ounce at $195. White truffle may be added to certain dishes for $50 per person. An extravagant wine list features champagnes, reds and whites ranging from by-the-glass selections to $10,000 bottles. For New Year’s Eve reservations call 214.443.4747.

At the Mansion Bar there will be a Black-tie soiree with bartender Danny Caffall on hand crafting cocktails as George Anderson & the Signature Band perform live music. Patrons will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast at midnight. Champagnes and wines range from by-the-glass selections to $10,000 bottles. You can also enjoy a classic Old Fashioned, which changes seasonally, or order the famous and beloved Mansion Gin & Tonic, crafted with house made tonic. New Year’s Eve table reservations available for a minimum of $150 per person by reservation at 214.443.4747.

Next Door located in Uptown provides the perfect setting for New Year’s Eve with two heated patios and a modern design.  It is $20 for general admission, $30 for a VIP speed admission, $45 for the ultra VIP ticket with champagne, VIP admission and appetizers/champagne from 8:00 to 9:30 in the upstairs lounge. 

Grayson Social on Pacific in Dallas will host a New Year’s Eve brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner seating from 5 p.m./7:00 p.m./9:00p.m. and the bar stays open until 1 a.m. The party will include champagne toast at midnight for last seating and the special four-course menu for $50 per person with a glass of champagne includes a first course choice for one to two people of pulled Chicken Poutine , Cornmeal Dusted Oysters or chicken fried quail; Second Course choice one per person: Petite Romaine, Sweet Corn Bisque; Third Course choice of  Country Fried Yard Bird, Seared Redfish, Pork Rack, or Prime Rib for an additional $10 and the Fourth course is Croissant, Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

You’ve bought all the Christmas gifts on the list and now you want to give yourself a gift too.  How about suggesting a Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas day meal out so you do not have to cook?  There are a number of tasty and high-end restaurants that are more than happy to do the cooking for you.  Here are a few of my top recommendations.

Chef John Tesar is doing his 7 Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve again as one of the Spoon Pop-Up Dinners. Tickets can be purchased from $175 to $225 at http://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/24545708309985285

Tesar’s restaurant Knife located in the Highland Hotel on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas is open for regular hours on Christmas Eve and will be open for Christmas with a prime rib.  Brunch is from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. 

The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Restaurant is festively adorned from floor to ceiling for the holiday season. Encounter grand Christmas trees, delicate handmade ornaments, elegant wreaths, holiday lights and oversize velvet bows along with Christmas Eve or Christmas day dining.  The Mansion restaurant will offer a special Christmas menu on Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25 featuring traditional holiday favorites from Executive Chef Tom Parlo and a decadent dessert display created by Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin. Starters include winter greens, braised oxtail and mussel risotto; entrées include smoked pheasant, black bass, filet mignon Rossin and lamb loin; desserts include Snickers yule log, chestnut mandarin tart, chocolate tiramisu, apple cinnamon crème brûlée, peppermint marshmallow lollipop and more. Celebrate with delightful sparkling wines, whites and reds or explore rare vintages from regions all over the globe, all hand-selected by resident sommelier Jennifer Eby. Reservations are available for $125 per person and for $55 for children 12 and younger. For available times call 214.443.4747.

At Fearing’s located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel on McKinney Avenue both Christmas Eve lunch and Dinner will be served.  Fearing’s is offering an à la carte lunch from the regular menu from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or the seasonal three-course dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m.  Pricing for dinner is $100 for adults, $30 for children 12 and under excluding beverage, tax and gratuity.  To make a reservation call 214.922.4848.

The Front Room Tavern at Hotel Lumen across from SMU has a terrific Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebration planned from Executive Chef Taylor Kearney. The restaurant is open all day on Saturday, December 24 and Sunday December 25 from 7 to 11 a.m. with a Brunch Buffet and Dinner Specials on Christmas day. The Christmas Brunch Buffet is $55 adults and $20 for kids twelve and under. Selections from the Brunch Buffet include shrimp, crab claw, dipping sauces, deviled eggs, tavern hot sauce, baby arugula salad, marcona almond, dried cherry, lemon-thyme vinaigrette, butternut squash bisque, roasted chicken & dumplings, a chicken cracklings carving station, roasted leg of lamb with mint jelly, prime rib, carving ham with a cinnamon-orange glaze omelet station and made to order as-you-like hot selections from challah French toast to banana foster waffles with caramelized banana and rum glaze, Tavern eggs benedict, pan seared trout, brisket scramble with house smoked brisket, roasted potato hash, scrambled egg or the Randall’s biscuits & gravy with black pepper béchamel hot sides.  Reservations can be made at 214.219.8282.

The Christmas menu from Omni Dallas and Omni Fort Worth is a savory affair with a Texas Spice theme at Omni Dallas offering a Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch buffet. Each dish emphasizes signature local ingredients and Southern style cooking, perfect for each family member. The dinner menu in Dallas features a green bean salad, roasted cauliflower and green apple soup, roasted ribeye, rosemary and sage roasted free range chicken, smoked Texas gulf fish, sweet potato casserole, brussels’ and bacon. Guests and locals can complete their meals with pecan pie, cast iron apple crisp, buttermilk pie, minted brownies and lemon meringue tartlets. Dinner is available on December 24 from 5 to 10 p.m., $26 per person.

The brunch menu at Omni Dallas includes Texas greens, roasted fall squash salad, roasted butternut squash and lemon cream soup, roasted turkey, Christmas ham, herb roasted Texas gulf catch, green bean casserole, omelets and a wide selection of sweets to top it off such as warm Texas spice cookies, cinnamon apple bread pudding, chocolate mousse shots and chocolate mousse shots. Brunch is available on December 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $26 per person.

 At the Cast Iron at Omni Fort Worth Hotel there will be complimentary mimosas for brunch, accompanied with flavorful starters including grilled asparagus and artichoke, curried cauliflower, pearl couscous and roasted beet. Featured entrees range from traditional roast turkey, clove studded sliced ham, slow roasted prime rib of beef, pistachio crusted salmon to green bean casserole. Guest and locals can top off their meal with pumpkin cake pops, mini pecan pies, apple cinnamon tarts, Christmas cookies and cupcakes and wild berry bread pudding. Brunch is available on December 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $60/adults, $30/children five to 12, children under five eat free.

Special dinner starters at the Omni in Fort Worth include wild mushroom bisque and winter gem salad. Entrees include grilled cowboy steak, pan seared silk snapper and sage and garlic roasted turkey. And to satisfy the sweet tooth, guests can indulge in an apple-rhubarb cobbler or a maple pecan pie. Dinner is available on December 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. and on December 25 from 6 to 8 p.m., $45/adults, $21/children five to 12, children under five eat free. Reservations needed for brunch and dinner call 817.350.4106.

Grayson Social on Pacific Avenue in Dallas will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Christmas Day for brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The special menu for Christmas Eve or Christmas night dinner service will be $35 per person including four courses.  There is the first course choice for one to two people of pulled chicken poutine, cornmeal dusted oysters and chicken fried quail.  The second course choice one per person is petite romaine and sweet corn bisque while the third course choice is from country fried yard bird, seared redfish, pork rack or prime rib for an extra $10.  For the final dessert course you can choose from croissant or caramelized pear bread pudding with homemade vanilla ice cream.

At Cook Hall located in the W Dallas – Victory Hotel Executive Chef Vijay Sadhu will serve a three-course Christmas special offered on Sunday, December 25. Guests can celebrate the holiday for $35 per person and the pre-fixe holiday menu includes soup, your choice of entrée and a dessert.

Other ideas, the Ivy Tavern on Lemmon Avenue is open on Christmas Day featuring its regular full menu or the Truck Yard on Sears Street near Lower Greenville is open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Christmas Day and will be serving its famous Cheesesteaks for $9.99.

The Concours d'Elegance of Texas is moving its home to Arlington, Texas in 2017 and marking its sixth anniversary in its new Dallas/Fort Worth location. 

Since 2011, the event has been held at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa on lake Conroe, north of Houston in Montgomery, but Mike Ames, Concours d'Elegance of Texas Chairman said “we determined that we could expand on our early success at a more metropolitan and centrally located site. The City of Arlington has become an enthusiastic supporter.”

A three-day vintage car celebration the Concours d'Elegance of Texas is one of the largest vintage motoring and luxury lifestyle events in the state.

The event, which will be held in Arlington’s Entertainment District in April of next year means that folks from around the metroplex can get an up close and personal look at these vintage cars without having to travel further south for the experience.

“The area is home to an extremely active car-collector community,” Ames said about the move to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  “There is an automotive heritage here and is the site for many sports/entertainment activities including the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Six Flags.  We believe the Concours d'Elegance of Texas will become an annual “must event” and the Arlington Entertainment District is perfectly positioned.”

To be held on April 21-23, 2017 at the Richard Greene Linear Park, located between the Cowboys AT&T Stadium and the Rangers Globe Life Park, the Concours weekend begins Friday with a police escorted, driving tour of local attractions and a luncheon for the Concours entrants. Friday evening, Worldwide Auctioneers and the CoT present an opening reception at the Arlington Convention Center, which gives attendees the opportunity to see the wide array of cars to be auctioned.  On Saturday, Worldwide Auctioneers presents the 16th Annual Texas Classic Auction with over 100 rare and collectible cars on the auction block. Ames said automobile classes will include true classic cars from the early days all the way through the modern exotics.

“We have not had a motorcycle class to date, but it is on the drawing board,” he said.  “All the entrants are judged by experts and the day is capped with an exciting and educational awards presentation.” 

Open to the public, Saturday night will conclude with the Cowboys and Cars Dinner plus silent and live auctions benefiting a variety of charities including Make-A-Wish North Texas, Holy Angels Residential Facility, Arlington's River Legacy Foundation and the Next Gen Education Program.     

Ames said the name "Concours d'Elegance" means contest of elegance and dates back to the 17th century when the French aristocracy would meet in the parks of Paris on summer weekends to parade their carriages, each decorated more elegantly than the next.

Over time the carriages became horseless and the parades became competitions among automobile enthusiasts. 

“There are several major Concours events in the U.S. each year. They are generally focused on the coasts,” Ames concluded. “Our goal is to build a world-class Concours event right here in the center of the most prosperous state of the country. Last year we had cars and visitors from over 40 states and several foreign countries.”