176709 Tue Jan 24 11:05:04 -0800 2006 5 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 950566 This coming Sunday, January 29, is Chinese New Year. Inexplicably, the parade in downtown DC is the following Sunday, February 5 (2pm). Has anyone spotted posters announcing festivities at their local dim sum places this Sunday? Word of warning: Make sure your table isn't under any decoration that might be dislodged by the lion dancers! We had a disco ball come crashing down onto our table a few years ago when the lion dancers bumped into it. Tue Jan 24 11:05:04 -0800 2006 0 PollyG 1 950568 Hollywood East is doing a special menu (hollywoodeastcafe.com) but we went last year and were disappointed. We're regulars there and without a doubt it was the worst meal I've ever had there. I would put Chinese new year in the same category as Valentine's day or Mother's day and avoid Chinese restaurants that day. Tue Jan 24 11:23:39 -0800 2006 950566 0 shellymck 2 950574 G#d Almighty! Someone else had a bad experience at Hollywood East. Hollywood East is so overrated, especially the dim sum where they supposedly brought 3 master dim sum chefs from Hong Kong. Tue Jan 24 12:23:35 -0800 2006 950568 0 RL 2 950612 For what it's worth, we've had mixed experiences there: sometimes excellent dishes, sometimes disappointing, sometimes both in the same meal. It seems to be very irregular. Tue Jan 24 18:03:12 -0800 2006 950568 0 DC in DC 1 950591 Lakeforest Mall's Chinese New Year displays/events started on Monday. I haven't swung by New Fortune in the last couple weeks, but they usually have posters up to announce what's up for the Lakeforest celebration (and their own). Link: http://www.shoplakeforest.com/static/doc_040452.jsp Tue Jan 24 14:32:19 -0800 2006 950566 0 coastcat 1 950629 Hi, Polly. Here was the research I gathered earlier this week for my group: Hollywood East on the Boulevard - Sunday, January 29 - Opens 10:30; dragon dance Noon (reservations required) New Fortune - Saturday, February 4 - Opens 10:30; dragon dance Noon (no reservations) China Chef - Sunday, February 5 - Opens 10:30; dragon dance Noon (reservations recommended) Wed Jan 25 01:55:41 -0800 2006 950566 0 DanielK