CHICAGO, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 70 guests crowded a Chinese restaurant in Chicago to enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine and world-renowned wine as a celebration was held Monday to ring in the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 5.

The celebration activity, organized by American Chinese Restaurant Institute, endowed all guests with a special experience of "East Meeting West."

Guests would not only enjoy the authentic Chinese dishes, but also take a dip into the world-class Hennessy Cognac, while watching the legendary "face-changing" performance as well.

Performers of "face-changing" instantly switched masks by raising a hand, swinging a sleeve or tossing the head, to the thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

"It is amazing and exciting. I have never seen it before," Rhonda McDonald, who came from the U.S. city of Houston to attend the celebration, told Xinhua, "I love Chinese food and Chinese culture. Every year, my kids and I celebrate the Chinese New Year."

"This creative activity offers us an opportunity to engage in delicious Chinese cuisine, classical performance and elegant wine at the same time," noted Liu Jun, acting Consul General of China in Chicago. He wished everyone in attendance a happy and an auspicious Year of the Pig.

"The purpose of the American Chinese Restaurant Institute is to use food as a medium to prosperity and to enhance friendship. It is committed to helping the development of the Chinese food industry in the United States and to promote Chinese food abroad," said Tony Hu, president of the institute.

Chicago is the first U.S. city to launch the Chinese New Year celebration in the name of the city government. This year marks the sixth year for the city to celebrate the Chinese festival, and dozens of programs have been organized to that end.