Monday, February 8th, kicks-off the year of the Monkey for the Chinese New Year. How often are you able to share a new experience with someone. We were hosting a French foreign exchange student for two weeks and for her final night with us we decided to take her out to P.F. Chang’s for dinner. They were going to have a Chinese New Year Celebration at school, so we thought we would like to expose her to Chinese cuisine. Unlike America, there are not Chinese restaurants in her rural town in France. Fast Food restaurants yes, but not something like P.F. Chang’s  I was a little nervous that she would not enjoy dinner so we ordered some of P.F. Chang’s classic dishes.

Our student gobbled up 3 Lettuce wraps. We were starting on the right foot. She tried chop sticks for the first time. Our very friendly wait staff were accommodating and created “kids” chopsticks from a  rubber band and the chop stick paper.

For the main entrees, we ordered Mongolian Beef, we knew she was a big beef eater, as well as some other chicken dishes. From eating with chop sticks to trying a new cuisine, this trip was successful. The service was so quick, our student said “Fast Food!”

P.F. Chang’s is also offering a special Chinese New Year Menu, that featured about 6 specialty dishes for the year of the monkey, including a specialty drink. P.F. Chang’s is also celebrating by hanging traditional Chinese red envelopes filled with free offers on trees near its restaurants. Five lucky winners across the country will open an envelope with free P.F. Chang’s for a year!

·       P.F. Chang’s Chinese New Year menu features six signature menu that symbolically represent the luck of the new year, including:
•        Sichuan Chili Garlic Chicken
•        Hong Kong Style Sea Bass
•        Long Life Noodles & Prawns
•        Butternut Squash Dumplings
•        Mandarin Cake
•        Monkey Mule (a unique twist on the traditional Moscow Mule featuring Monkey Shoulder whisky and house-made ginger beer

Our waitress also told us about P.F. Chang’s loyalty program, which I had not heard of before. The best part of the program is that you can earn free entrees.

The Chinese New Year is an important time for P.F. Chang’s and there will be special events at the restaurant. You might want to contact your local one, to find specifics. P.F. Chang’s not only provides a quick but delicious meal for The Chinese New year, but throughout the entire month of February, P.F. Chang’s will donate $1 (up to $100,000) to Boys & Girls Clubs of America each time someone shares their Chinese New Year wish on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #PFChangswish and when a guest orders an item off the limited-time Chinese New Year Menu.

So this is a win win for the family. You get a delicious and quick dinner for the family, as well as contributing to the Boys & Girls Club of America. 

Like to cook at home, we have a few easy Chinese New Year Stir Fry Recipes for your to enjoy at home.