Photo by magical-world.

Dish of the Week: Chinese dumplings

Where: China Bistro, Joe’s Noodle House, Sichuan Pavilion

It may already be 2013, but Sunday marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar new year. Celebrations carry on for two weeks and are steeped in ritual and symbolism, all meant to usher in good luck for the year to come. Food is no exception, and a raft of special dishes are prepared for the big day, usually because they bear some relationship (visual or phonetic) to fortune or money. Dumplings are one of several de riguer dishes because they resemble an old form of Chinese currency. Fish, noodles, glutinous rice cake, and a kind of black algae that bears a terrifying resemblance to human hair also feature prominently in the new year’s meal.

If you want to ensure good fortune in the Year of the Snake, be sure to hunt down some authentic Chinese dumplings this weekend. To do this, you’ll need to look beyond D.C.’s sad Chinatown—or “Chinablock” as it is sometimes more aptly called. The freshly pulled noodles of Chinatown Express may beckon, but their dumplings are so thick and doughy that you’ll feel like you swallowed a brick after eating them. For the real deal—think ginger-scented pork and napa cabbage tucked into a thin pasta skin—you’ll need to trek out to Rockville. China Bistro (755 Hungerford Drive, Rockville) makes a dozen different varieties, with traditional pork as well as seafood and vegetarian fillings. If a trip to the suburbs isn’t in the cards, you can find an acceptable substitute at Sichuan Pavilion (1814 K Street NW). Their pork dumplings with a spicy-sweet oil-based sauce are not the kind traditionally consumed at new year, the restaurant location is far more convenient for folks who live or work in D.C.

Small Bites

Just Ducky
Chinese New Year is also a good excuse to indulge in the most decadent of fowl, Peking duck. Lacquered to a glossy, crackling finish and served eerily like a Chinese taco, it’s one of those foods that’s worth experiencing at least once in your life. Eater has a run-down of places around town to get your fill of this crispy delight.

I’ve Got the Vapors
Jose Andres has announced his latest project, a cocktail lab/alcoholic sister to the highly experimental minibar. The not-so-creatively named barmini will sport a rotovap, a contraption with the mind-bending ability distill flavors and aromas from solid food into hyper-concentrated liquids. Seats at the tiny bar can only be secured through an online reservation. Barmini opens on February 15.

Serrano and Sherry
The Post reports on the latest bar from The Columbia Room’s Derek Brown. Inspired by Brown’s time in Spain, Mockingbird Hill (1843 7th St NW), slated to open in May, will feature more than 50 different varieties of sherry as well as Serrano and Iberico hams.