<mh>Celebrate Chinese New Year
<bt>The Chinese Year of the Horse begins on February 12 and the Golden China Restaurant in Leesburg will honor ancient Chinese tradition and welcome in the New Year with Chinese opera and food. The opera company is the Chu Shan Opera Institute which has performed at the Golden China Restaurant for seven years according to Jane Hsu, owner of the Golden China Restaurant. The celebration will take place Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17 with a special children's workshop on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. Dinner seatings are 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and the opera performance is included. The price is $18.95 for adults and $13.95 for children. For information and reservations call 703-779-0998.
<mh>Starbucks Offers Valentines Chocolate Blend
<bt>Starbucks is selling one pound promotional bags of its chocolate coffee blend, Caffe Verona. Java lovers can continue a coffee-themed Valentines with the Sweetheart Box, featuring chocolate covered almonds, raisins and espresso beans in a heart shaped box.
<mh>Calling All Cornbread Cooks
<bt>Martha White Corn Meal and Lodge Cast Iron are sponsoring the National Cornbread Cook-Off 2002. Send your best original main dish recipe cooked in a cast iron skillet and prepared with at least one cup Martha White Corn Meal or one package of Martha White Cornbread Mix to: National Cornbread Cook-Off 2002, 209 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219, or e-mail the recipe to cornbread@dvl.com. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 28 and received by March 7 and include your complete name, mailing address and daytime phone number. E-mailed entries must be received by midnight Central Standard Time on Feb. 28.
Ten semifinalists will be invited to prepare their creations and compete for cash prizes at the final judging on April 27 at the National Cornbread Festival held in South Pittsburg, Tenn. Recipes will be judged on taste, creativity, appetizing appearance, ease of preparation and appropriate use of the product. For more information, visit www.marthawhite.com or www.lodgemfg.com.
<mh>Student Chefs Serve Friday Lunch
<bt>Every Friday, future chefs from Stratford College’s School of Culinary Arts 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, Falls Church invite the public to come and enjoy the fine cuisine which they prepare and serve themselves. A different style of service — buffet, traditional or Russian — is highlighted each week. Lunch ($10) is served promptly at 11 a.m., dinner ($15) at 8 p.m., and a happy hour is available 6-8 p.m. Call 703-821-8570 for reservations or information.
<mh>“Maxie Hour”: Afterwork Cigars & Martinis
<bt>Between 4:30 and 7:30 Monday- Friday, Angelo and Maxie’s Steakhouse in Reston Town Center hosts a special happy hour. “Maxie Hours” features quality bottled beers for $3 or $3.50 and wine and topshelf martinis for $5. Maxie’s 10 ounce martinis include pucker apple and vodka “big apples”, Absolut mandarin and cointreau “Mandirinis”, cosmopolitans, and white chocolate martinis. Steamed mussels, calamari, and clams classico appetizers are $2.99. Lunch is served Monday - Friday between noon-3 p.m. Call 703-787-7766 for reservations.