NUE & Chasin' Tails Offer Lunar New Year Specials & Prizes

Snake-Themed Lunar New Year Celebration at Falls Church Restaurants Chasin’ Tails and NUE

The Year of the Snake – symbolizing "wisdom, charm and renewal" in the Chinese Zodiacal tradition – is upon us and what better way to celebrate in the City of Falls Church than to visit two restaurants along Broad Street, each offering generous specials and prizes to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Chasin’ Tails and NUE Elegantly Vietnamese at 944 West Broad St. invite customers to join a "transformative celebration in the spirit of the Year of the Snake" this Lunar New Year. From Wednesday, Jan. 1 to Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, they're excited to offer an experience that blends traditional Lunar New Year customs with "unique, modern twists." The Lunar New Year itself falls on Jan. 29 this year.

Welcoming 2025: The Year of the Snake
"Symbolizing wisdom, charm, and renewal, the Year of the Snake marks a time to shed the past and embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm and insight," a press release from Happy Endings Hospitality said. "Festivities reflect these themes through every detail, from decor to dining, offering a contemporary flair that is sure to captivate and inspire."

$25K 'Li Xi' Giveaway: A Tribute to Tradition
In homage to the beloved Lunar New Year tradition of gifting red "li xi" envelopes filled with lucky money, Chasin' Tails and NUE have elevated this experience with their custom-designed Animal Dice game.

Guests can win grand prizes such as an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Vietnam or Las Vegas, complete with 25 million Dong or $2,500 in spending money. Other lavish gifts include exclusive 2025 Edition Hennessy 'Reimagination' trio sets, elegant jewelry from designer Mindy Lam, and year-long gift card packages.

Executive Chef Daniel Le’s Celebratory Menu and Snake-Themed Cocktails:
Highlighting the celebration, Executive Chef Daniel Le debuts a Lunar New Year five-course tasting menu that bridges Vietnamese and American traditions. "Featuring 'lucky' ingredients to honor prosperity and renewal, each dish balances timeless Vietnamese heritage with reimagined American favorites to usher in good fortune," the press release said. "Accompanying these delights, bespoke snake-themed cocktails will intrigue and refresh, crafted to capture the essence of the snake’s mysterious and transformative nature."

A Grand Celebration that Transcends Food
"Lunar New Year brings back the best memories of my childhood in Saigon — getting ready with my family, visiting the temple with my mom, and visiting every aunt and uncle’s house to collect 'li xis' and play games with my grandparents well into the night," shares Tuyet-Nhi Le, founder and CEO of NUE and Chasin’ Tails.

"Growing up, we celebrated for at least two weeks, and it's this larger-than-life celebratory spirit that I am passionate about bringing to Falls Church. This isn't just another Lunar New Year event; it's a month-long experience that captures the heart of our cultural celebrations, complete with gift-giving and showcasing exceptional craftsmanship."

"We are incredibly proud to collaborate with talented artists like jewelry artist Mindy Lam, the Thieu Vy Collection, tattoo artist Kim Truong, and poet and artist Thu Anh Nguyen, who each bring unique elements to our celebration," she continued.

"We invite everyone to join us at NUE and Chasin' Tails for a start to the year of the snake that's as memorable as it is meaningful. 'Year of the Snake' reservations can be made via OpenTable from 1/1/25 to 2/13/25."

About NUE Elegantly Vietnamese
Founded by Tuyet Nhi Le, a visionary Vietnamese-American entrepreneur, NUE is a modern upscale restaurant that creatively reimagines traditional Vietnamese flavors through contemporary culinary artistry, seen through a distinct Viet-American perspective.

Beyond its innovative cuisine, NUE embodies Le’s vision as a vibrant platform for exploring and celebrating Vietnamese history, culture, and art. Serving as a hub for engaging events and impactful collaborations with thought leaders, NUE transcends the conventional dining experience.

Inspired by her own journey navigating dual identities, Le crafts NUE into a cultural bridge that seamlessly connects the rich heritage of Vietnam with the dynamic influences of contemporary American life.

About Chasin’ Tails: Seafood that Celebrates!
Chasin’ Tails (CT) has been a local staple since 2012 when it became the first restaurant to introduce backyard crawfish boils to Northern Virginia. Former professional poker player, Di Dang used his winnings to open CT as a celebration of his heritage and their family’s Viet-American cuisine and traditions they cherished during childhood trips to Louisiana.

Now in its thirteenth year, CT has evolved into Chasin Tails: Seafood that Celebrates!, a testament to the fusion of American and Asian influences. The restaurant now offers an eclectic menu that invites guests to explore bold and exotic seafood traditions of Asia.

With the recent grand opening of its flagship location in Falls Church, CT embodies a celebratory spirit, not only through its shiny modern interiors that mirror the festive vibe but also its chef-crafted dishes designed for celebrating life’s milestones. CT invites guests to create lasting memories over pots of seafood, continuing to celebrate its rich heritage with every meal served.

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle in which each year is associated with one of 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal represents specific personality traits and influences the year. [India Times]

According to one legend recounted on Wikipedia, "There is a reason for the order of the animals" in the Chinese Zodiacal cycle. "A race was held to cross a great river, and the order of the animals in the cycle was based upon their order in finishing the race. In this story, the snake compensated for not being the best swimmer by hitching a hidden ride on the Horse's hoof. When the horse was about to cross the finish line, the snake jumped out, scaring the horse, and thus edging it out for sixth place."

A Bit on Snake Symbolism

While snake symbolism may be frightening or tempting to many imbued with Western theological traditions, many ancient and Eastern cultures revere the image of the snake for a variety of positive reasons.

"It’s worth noting snakes have been important to ecosystems and a myriad of cultures over the centuries, the Calgary Herald notes. "They’re a food source for foxes, hawks and eagles, while also helping to control rodent and some insect populations. Some snakes have been worshiped as gods in India, with offerings of milk occasionally poured on snake pits. They can also be seen as a symbol of virility and fertility and are even prayed to during a Hindu festival Naga Panchami. Ancient Greeks used snakes to ward off evil and other cultures around the world have associated snakes with wisdom and healing."

"It’s many of those positive beliefs that influence predictions for the year of snake in 2025. For those born in a Year of the Snake, the world often sees them as alluring, astute, charming and thoughtful," the Calgary Herald continues.

"Celebrities born in years of the snake include Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Daniel Radcliffe, Joe Jonas, Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Shania Twain, Chris Martin, Ben Stiller, Charlie Sheen, Brooke Shields, Chris Walk, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cyndi Lauper, Hulk Hogan, Bob Dylan, Audrey Hepburn, Dick Clark, Mahatma Gandhi and Pablo Picasso."

Snake

"(1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025): In addition to the snake characteristics mentioned earlier, those born in these years can seem mysterious and are often talented individuals or deep thinkers. This is a year in which snakes can turn around any bad luck and consider big life changes, such as buying a house, having a child, starting a business or pursuing new work ventures. Colours that bring luck include black, red and yellow, while the numbers that resonate best for you are two, eight and nine." [Calgary Herald]

Snake: A Year of Prosperity

"As the Year of the Snake, this period is particularly beneficial for those born under this sign," India Times reports. "The Snake’s natural intelligence and charm will be amplified in 2025, ensuring a prosperous year in terms of career, business ventures, and personal growth. Snakes will attract positive attention and could see a rise in their professional success. However, it’s crucial for Snakes to avoid overindulgence, particularly in romantic matters, to keep their relationships balanced. By focusing on their health and maintaining calm, Snakes will thrive throughout the year."

By Christopher Jones