The ox is out, the tiger is in. Nothing to do with a nine iron, this tiger is the symbolic zodiac sign for Chinese New Year 4708, which kicks off on February 14th.

Good luck, prosperity, and a long life are the traditional buzzwords, and you can get a shot at each by eating the right foods.

Chinatown Brasserie Dim Sum chef Joe Ng says Chinese New Year menus are planned around vibrant colors (royal red is happiness, gold is fortune), and foods with words that sound lucky. Gung Hei Fat Choy is the Chinese New Year's wish meaning "may you make a lot of money." It also roughly translates to black sea moss with smoked, dried oysters. Eating pig brings profit, dried seafood beckons wealth and good business, and noodles translate into longevity, so refrain from cutting them. Whole chicken is for good health, duck represents fidelity, and whole fish means abundance.

Forecasters say the tiger year will usher in drama, intensity and change, making it the perfect time to seize new opportunities.

Check out our breakdown of Chinese regional cuisines and chef Joe Ng's restaurant recommendations for Chinese New Year.

Here are chef Joe Ng's recommendations for restaurants to enjoy Chinese New Year:

• CHINATOWN BRASSERIE
  Special Chinese New Year prix fixe banquet menu.
  www.chinatownbrasserie.com
  380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
  T: 212.533.7000
• GOLDEN UNICORN
  Traditional Chinese for pig leg, dried scallop.
  www.goldenunicornrestaurant.com
  18 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002
  T: 212.941.0911
• ORIENTAL GARDEN
  For Hong Kong style seafood.
  14 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10013
  T: 212.619.0085
• PACIFICANA
  Very good suckling pig.
  813 55th Street, 2nd Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11220
  T: 718.871.2880
• PING'S SEAFOOD
  For more modern seafood.
  22 Mott Street, New York NY 10013
  T: 212.602.9988

Chef Joe Ng will be appearing on The Martha Stewart Show, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 (check your local listings for times).

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