New Year’s Eve – Dining Out

Though it’s universally understood that New Year’s Eve will always be one of the more overrated holidays, it’s nonetheless a lovely excuse to celebrate at some of NYC’s newest and finest restaurants…

Brasserie 44 – Usher in 2008 in the dining quarters of this
newly renovated hotel (pictured right).  Restaurateur John McDonald seems to have a
knack for pleasing the hip set, so expect a properly festive evening.
Chef Scott Ekstrom (Oceana) will be cooking a $135 prix fixe dinner, featuring
sunchoke soup and a duo of ribeye and short ribs.
Phone:(212)944-8444
Address: 44 West 44th St., nr. Sixth Ave.

 

Del Posto –  For a decadent night out, dine at this
elegant Italian in the Meatpacking District.  Chef Mark Ladner will be
preparing a $250 seven-course meal with lobster, caviar, and
truffles.  It’s an old world dinner party, replete with a
pianist and Champagne toast.  If seven courses seems
indulgent, diners can elect a $125 five-course prix fixe sans the bubbly.
Phone: (212) 497-8090
Address: 85 Tenth Ave., btwn 15th & 16th Aves.

Strip House – Best not to drink on an empty stomach, and a beefy strip is apt to get the job done.
Diners can order their usual from the menu or elect for New Year’s specials, the likes of crab claws and prime rib with horseradish popovers.  And how much easier can a steakhouse make it to “drunk dial” for a reservation?  (See phone number listed below.)
Phone:(212)328-0000
Address: 13 East 12th St., nr. University Place

Bar Stuzzichini – Small plates have never been so in vogue, so ring in the New Year at this casual Flatiron with a battery
of Italian antipasti and stuzzichini.  Chef Paul di Bari will be
serving up meatballs, gnocchi amatriciana and lots of champagne.  If
you’re scared of a prix fixe commitment, this is your guy.
Phone: (212)780-5100
Address: 928 Broadway, nr. 22nd St.

Suba – There couldn’t be a better time to start on your New
Year’s resolutions than by celebrating in the name of charity.  This
LES Spanish eatery (pictured right) will
be throwing a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres – quail eggs with
chorizo & rock shrimp skewers – by chef Seamus Mullen
as well as an open bar and cava countdown, all for $225 per person ($50
will go to Food Bank for New York City.)  Dancing is not required,
but highly recommended.
Phone: (212)982-5714
Address: 109 Ludlow St., nr. Delancey St.

Fiamma – You won’t be the only one celebrating at this
reinvented Italian as chef Fabio Trabbocchi can drink to a rather warm
New York welcome.  This $200 prix fixe dinner entails caviar-topped burrata, truffle-laden sole and veal rib eye.  It probably won’t
be a late night, but truffles and caviar are never a bad way to start
the New Year.
Phone: (212) 653-0100
Address: 206 Spring St., nr. Sullivan St.

Rayuela – This LES tropical oasis will be hosting a Latin American soiree on the second floor “treehouse”.  Courtesy of chef Maximo Tejada, the $105 four-course menu will involve free-flowing sangria, cava and citrus-spiked ceviche.
Phone: (212)253-8840
Address: 165 Allen St., nr. Delancey

A Voce – For a very grown up evening, dine at this
sleek Gramercy Italian.  Ordering a la care can sometimes be
a welcome relief from the steep privilege of counting down.   And if
you don’t care for the champagne rite of passage, feel free to order a shot with chef
Andrew Carmellini’s duck meatballs.
Phone: (212)545-8555
Address: 41 Madison Ave., at 26th St.

Gotham Bar & Grill – Dine beneath soaring ceilings and white
drapery-swathed chandeliers at this classic Union Square
establishment (pictured right.)  The black tie-optional festivities include four or six-course menus designed by chef Alfred Portale.  There are also plans for a champagne toast and a seven-piece band, which will play
everything from jazz to Motown.
Phone: (212) 620-4020
Address: 12 East 12th Street, nr. Fifth Ave.

Perilla – Celebrate with Top Chef winner, Harold Dieterle, where he’ll be serving his usual eclectic New American fare in the West Village.  Reserve a spot at one of two seatings, the second of which features a four course menu for $75.  Think lemon gnocchi with braised rabbit and mustard greens and tarragon or sautéed John Dory with sunchokes, and cauliflower.
Phone: (212) 929-6868
Address: 9 Jones Street. nr. West 4th St.

Gilt – Spend the night at this glamorous midtowner, tucked into
the posh New York Palace Hotel.  If you can fork out the $500 ticket to
dine like a “Gossip Girl”, then your evening will be happily riddled
with caviar, truffles, and dancing (a
privilege on this now cabaret-prohibitive restaurant scene.)
Phone: (212) 891-8100
Address: 455 Madison Avenue, at 50th St.

Tasting Room – This cozy neighborhood spot offers an alternatively subdued and intimate option for New Year’s Eve.  A reprieve from the prix fixe menu path, this seasonal American will be serving their usual a la carte menu, which will likely include a hen-of-the-woods mushroom soup, pork rib roast and olive oil chocolate cheesecake finish.
Phone: (212) 358-7831
Address: 264 Elizabeth Street, nr. Houston St.

Until we eat again,
Restaurant Girl
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