The HOT List!

EAT NOW!
The Chinese believe we all start off fresh at the beginning of each new year. Well, wipe your slate clean with the Chinese New Year Celebration at Indochine hotspot STEEL. Celebrate the Year of the Rat with a three-course dinner (sweet and sour ribs, hoisin duck breast) and a lion dance performance to ward off bad luck. Partake in other end-of-year Chinese traditions and do some major cleaning (starting with your plate) and family visiting. Better yet, invite them and maybe they'll pick up the tab. Feb. 7-9, 7PM, $40.
STEEL Restaurant & Lounge
950 W. Peachtree St.
Midtown Plaza
404.477.6111

The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain but for flavorful and authentic Iberian cuisine in Atlanta (saffron-infused paella, gazpacho, plancha-grilled seafood) head to Cuerno, the nuevo spot from Riccardo Ullio. The resto's salvaged metal sculpture of Spain's four-legged iconic symbol is, um, no bull. 905 Juniper St., Midtown, 678.904.4589.


SHOP NOW!
Think Project Runway meets High School Musical (minus the hissy fits and embarrassing Polaroids) when Grady High School fashion students show off their stylish designs at LUXE Deconstructed Couture Fashion Showcase. Like what you see? The tricked-out vintage items from 11 students are up for grabs ($250), as is the gratis food and bevies from JCT Kitchen. Expect plenty of one-of-a-kind creations with nary an impromptu pop song in sight. Feb. 7, 7PM-10PM, no cover.
LUXE-Atlanta
1000 Marietta St.
Downtown
404.815.7470


PARTY NOW!
Just because the holiday was originally named after two Christian martyrs (and may have involved animal sacrifice!), there's no reason not to have a rollicking fun time at Valensteins 2008, Atlanta's largest Jewish Valentine's Day party. Join 500 of your closest friends (and make new ones!) as you get into the romantic spirit with Geisha House's sexy atmosphere. The specially priced cocktails and gratis apps should help. Feb. 9, 9PM-2:30AM, $15-$20.
Geisha House
1380 Atlantic Dr.
Atlantic Station
404.355.6949

GET SMART NOW!
A tale full of family scandals, gossipmongers and Southern culture (no, not the Spears' saga), Cold Sassy Tree makes its Atlanta operatic debut at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Religion, death and social taboos get the sassy treatment in this story from Georgia-native Olive Ann Burns. Feb. 7, 8 and 10, $28-$97. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, 770.916.2800.