The Chinese New Year 4711 starts on Sunday, February 10th.  This is the first of 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Snake.  The Chinese New Year 2013 is expected to usher in business prosperity. As the Snake is known for his inward cunning and cleverness, we can expect this year to be one where deep thinking and quick reactions to change are the order of the day.

The Chinese New Year celebration always includes a traditional Lion and Dragon dance. It is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday.  Lions and Dragons are considered good luck according to Chinese traditions. Dragons are frightening in appearance and yet benevolent in character. They are believed to possess supernatural powers and are capable of bringing good luck, life-giving rain, fertility, dignity and wisdom. It is also the symbol of imperial authority.

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck.

Chinese New Year is really about spending time with family, gift giving and, the all important, food-fest.  Make your reservations at these local restaurants who will  celebrating with dinner and dancing.

• Orchid Restaurant 
  730 Franklin Avenue, Garden City (516) 742-1116
• Lotus East  
  416 Route 25A, St. James (631) 862-6030
• Pearl East  
  1191 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset (516) 365-9898
• Albert's Mandarin Gourmet  
  269 New York Avenue, Huntington (631) 673-8188
• Fortune Wheel  
  3601 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown (516) 579-4700
• Kwong Ming 
  3342 Jerusalem Avenue, Wantagh (516) 221-0480
• Asian Moon   
  Locations in Garden City and Massapequa Park
• Fortune Garden 
  101 W. Main Street, Babylon (631) 422-6505
• The Orient  
  623 Hicksville Road, Bethpage (516) 822-1010
• Empire Szechuan  
  769 Middle Country Road St. James (631) 265-8585

We'd like to hear about your favorite Chinese restaurant on LongIsland.com Forum