Hollywood East Will Celebrate Chinese New Year With Lion Dance

The Chinese New Year began on Monday, ushering in the Year of the Dragaon. But since last weekend was technically still the old year, all the major celebrations will take place this weekend--including a parade through Chinatown in D.C. on Jan. 29.

In Wheaton, is throwing a New Year bash with a 14-dish menu and traditional Lion Dance performances.

Owner Janet Yu said her restaurant is fully booked for Friday night, which will also be a fundraiser for Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international non-profit whose members are female leaders in food, beverages and hospitality. Saturday and Sunday at Hollywood East will be "very full," Yu said.

The Lion Dance performances are on Friday at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday at noon and 7:30 p.m. ; and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

What's on the menu? Appetizers include marinated cuttlefish, boneless pig knuckles, shredded jellyfish. For the main course, there's a mix of vegetable, meat and noodle dishes. And it wouldn't be a Chinese New Year without Fat Go for dessert--steamed Chinese prosperity cakes.

The Lion Dance will be performed by the Chinese Youth Club. Yu was a part of the club herself when she was young, and now Yu's sons participate. They were recently featured in a broadcast on WUSA9.