TABLE TALK: Chinese year of the rabbit begins Feb. 3, so make plans now

Bunnies — they’re not just for Easter. The Chinese New Year, which begins Feb. 3, celebrates the Year of the Rabbit.

The Chinese community will have several celebrations:

Asian Pacific Market, 615 Wooten Road, at 2 p.m. Saturday, is planning a festival that will include free samples of many traditionally Chinese foods.

The Colorado Springs Chinese Culture Institute’s Chinese New Year Festival in the City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 5. Several local Asian restaurants will offer food for sale as well as other culturally related activities. There will be a Tea House and kids’ zone available. Cost is $5 for adults and $4 for CSCCI members, students and military personnel with an ID; children 5 and younger are free.

Silver Pond, 5670 N. Academy Blvd. Feb. 3 to 5, will offer several specials, including half a roasted duck. Call 594-9343.

French chef arrival
The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St., announced earlier this week that Daniel Gerson will take over the executive chef position. He brings with him an impressive culinary résumé. He was born in Lyon, France, the epicenter for world-class food. He polished his culinary training by attending Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. He has been the head chef in renowned Five-Star restaurants all over the world, including Sedona, England, France and the Middle East. We can’t wait to give his food a try.

Corned beef on the way
Temple Shalom, 1523 E. Monument St., will have its pre-ordered corned beef sandwich lunches available Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For $10.50, you get coleslaw, dill pickle, chips and a cookie with the sandwich. Free delivery for pre-orders of 10 or more lunches.
To pre-order, call 634-5311 and press No. 12, or 630-1209, or fax 447-9385 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Feb. 4.

Doggone good barbecue
Coming toward the end of February there will be another location to dive into the award-winning Bird Dog BBQ: in the Shops at Mesa Ridge in Fountain.

Hey, cupids
Valentine’s Day is near, and it’s never too early to get a jump on prime dinner reservations. Here are a few to ponder.

• Tajine Alami, 10 Old Man’s Trail in Manitou Springs, will offer a six-course dinner with belly dancing entertainment 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11 to 14. Cost is $35 per person. Call 685-1119.

• Joseph’s Fine Dining, 1606 S. Eight St., will have a special menu with choices of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts Feb. 13 and 14. Call 630-3631.

• The Blue Star, 1645 S. Tejon St., will have a special menu with many choices for appetizers, soup or salad, entrees and desserts for $60 per person; $75 for food and wine pairing. Call 632-1086.

• Coquette’s Bistro & Bakery, 915 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs, will have a special Grecian Lamb Crepe with a glass of bubbly and Red Velvet cupcake for $25 per person. The offer is for Feb. 12 to 14. Call 685-2420.

• Nosh, 121 S. Tejon St., will have an eight-course meal for $50 per person on Feb. 14. Call 635-6674.

• The Craftwood Inn, 404 El Paso Blvd. in Manitou Springs, will have a five-course meal Feb. 11 to 14 for $110 per couple. Call 685-9000.

• The Stagecoach Inn, 702 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs, will offer several $14 entrees, bottles of wine, a couple of martini specials and you can add an appetizer and dessert to the $14 entree. Call 685-9400.
—
CONTACT US: Send tips about restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and food specials to Teresa .farney@gazette.com or call 636-0271. Do you manage a restaurant? Send us your e-mail address so we can keep in touch. Hear her “KVOR Table Talk” radio show noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on 740 AM.