Special menus, festivities ring in Chinese calendar's year of the ox

This year more than ever, people are craving a fresh start. And while to some extent the new year holiday offered that a few weeks back, a double dose is arguably what the doctor ordered.

Chinese (or Lunar) New Year - a ritual-laden, multi-day bash, among the most important in Chinese culture - wholly embraces the mantra "out with the old, in with the new." And it might well be the answer to winter doldrums. Perhaps this Monday, Jan. 26, its official beginning, can truly start things anew for you. The season kicks off on the first day of the Lunar New Year and extends to the 15th day, called the Lantern Festival, when children carry ornate paper lanterns at night. Traditionally, Chinese New Year begins with major house cleaning to "sweep away" bad luck (not a bad idea). Then, brooms and dustpans are put away, so as to avoid ridding homes of the good luck that's to come.

Often, buying new clothes and shoes or getting a haircut further the fresh-start feel. A shopping spree and trip to the neighborhood salon-spa - what's not to love? Of course, food (and lots of it) plays an important role. This Lunar New Year, which is the year of the ox, why not chill with friends, family and loved ones while leaving the effort of cooking to someone else? Here are some festivities sure to get you in the mood - or, at the very least, please your palate.

• Big Bowl, 1950 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-8881; 215 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 808-8880.

This place knows how to party, and they'll be doing so through Jan. 26 during an annual Chinese New Year celebration that features specials such as oxtail soup and potstickers. There also will be tons of events, including a money-saving "gambling" promo during dinner on Jan. 23. Guests get to roll dice, and whatever number appears is the amount that will be deducted from their check. If you feel like making the trek to the downtown location (6 E. Cedar St., (312) 640-8888), do so for the free dumpling-making class at 10 a.m. Jan. 24.

• Flat Top Grill, 218 S. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 428-8400; 305 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 652-3700 Score lots of luck-inducing foods at this design-your-own stir-fry spot Jan. 26 and 27. Among the ingredients on hand are Vietnamese soy or Thai red curry (red sauces are believed to ward off evil); mushrooms (to make wishes come true); seafood (ensures prosperity, marital bliss and a long life); and peapods (symbolize togetherness). Additionally, there will be lion dance performances at the Lombard location on Jan. 27 at 7:15 p.m. and in Naperville at 8 p.m.

• Karma, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein; (847) 970-6900 This sleek, pan-Asian boîte is dishing up foods that promise prosperity Jan. 26-31. Glazed "long life" Szechwan shrimp with chili sauce, asparagus, Thai chilies and roasted peanuts; flavorful, golden wontons bursting with ground pork, Napa cabbage and ginger with spicy yuzu dip; and "Having Many Children" Chinese mustard greens atop soy, sesame and black sesame-seed-accented Chinese noodles are sure to cure what ails you.

• Lao Sze Chuan, 1331 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, (630) 663-0303 This real-deal eatery is a sib of the downtown destination of the same name. You'll encounter typical dishes such as moo shoo pork as well as hot pots (reserve ahead), shredded pork with potherb and Yan Zhou-syle shrimp and ham fried rice.

• House of Emperor, 1212 S. Naper Blvd., No. 123, Naperville, (630) 983-8284 It's hard to miss the spectacularly colorful facade of this authentic, family-friendly place, where an extra-large menu plays host to classics including beef broccoli and empress chicken as well as special-occasion-worthy, crisp-skinned Peking duck.

• Ben Pao, 52 W. Illinois St., Chicago, (312) 222-1888 Head to this soy-scented, black and red pad for a special array of good luck eats and drinks, offered Jan. 23-31. One of the stars of the show: uncut "long life" noodles with star anise, rock sugar, soy, ginger and orange-peel-braised oxtail. (The noodles, which are never cut, are believed to impart longevity to the person eating them.) Also on hand: xiao llng bao, steamed, handmade beggar's purses filled with naturally raised pork, fresh ginger, chicken broth and scallions. To drink? The lucky eight ball with house-infused pineapple rum, amaretto, Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream and a splash of cream topped with a chocolate "lucky" number eight.

• Opera, 1301 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, (312) 461-0161 In celebration of Chinese New Year, chef Beverly Kim has planned five weeks of special menus focusing on various regional Chinese cuisines, including Beijing (Jan. 26 through Feb. 1), Schezwan (Feb. 2-8) and Canton (Feb. 9-15).

• Koi, 624 Davis St., Evanston, (847) 866-6969; Chen's Chinese and Sushi, 3506 N. Clark St., Chicago, (773) 549-9100 These siblings will start the celebration with Chinese lion dancing on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Koi and 9 p.m. at Chen's. While taking in the show, diners can nosh on a "Good Luck" menu, which is offered Jan. 23 through Feb. 1. Highlights include seafood-plentiful pan-fried noodles, whole fish in sweet and sour sauce and a "marriage-prolonging" dish dubbed Dragon and Phoenix, consisting of crispy chicken in tangy, spicy pepper sauce with shrimp sauteed in veggies and white wine.

• The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St., Chicago, (312) 337-2888 The hotel is hosting a Chinese New Year celebration (along with other city chefs) at Shanghai Terrace, starting with Tony Hu from Lao Sze Chuan on Jan. 23. Additional guest chef dinners will run through Jan. 25. Other festivities include a lobby-bound Chinese New Year afternoon tea, held through Jan. 29, which includes a "Basket of Health." In other words, expect to nosh on the likes of steamed dim sum, lobster dumplings and a sesame char-sui puff ($38). Festivities will culminate on Jan. 26, when chef de cuisine Chi Ping Xu hosts a cooking class, followed by a Shanghainese dinner that includes a complimentary glass of champagne ($120).

• Chinese New Year Parade, Wentworth Avenue and 24th Street, Chinatown, Chicago According to the Lunar Calendar, year 4707 is about to arrive, and there's no better place to toast than at this parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 and will feature a 100-foot dragon float and a traditional lion dance. Most restaurants will be open and offering celebratory meals.