Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2015
Another year is drawing to a close, and you know what that means — it’s time to party hearty! And it seems that the entire city feels exactly the same way, as almost every bar and restaurant is readying to throw some sort of massive, New Year’s Eve bash. But if you’re going to ring in 2016 right, you might as well do it at one of the top-tier spots in town, from Toro and its Spanish masquerade, to lush Le Bernardin’s extravagant sit-down dinner.
Toro
At their popular, Barcelona-style tapas spot in Chelsea, chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette are ushering in the New Year with a traditional, Spanish masquerade (cocktail attire required). Running from 9 pm-2 am, the $250, all-inclusive tickets include access to a raw bar, passed pinchos, such as Quail Eggs with caviar and sea urchin and Octopus Salad with carrots and mint, and unlimited wine, beer and (largely sherry-based) cocktails, with entertainment highlights including a DJ and dancing.
Read MoreGotham Bar and Grill
If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in New York, why not celebrate it at one of the city’s quintessential restaurants? Venerable chef-owner Alfred Portale is offering a $130 seating during the earlier part of the evening, followed by a $325 gala leading up to midnight — but whenever you choose to dine, know that you’ll have access to some truly scrumptious dishes; such as Poached Maine Lobster with sevruga caviar, Taleggio Tortellini with truffles, Dover Sole with rainbow carrots in a brown butter sauce, and Short Rib of Beef, bathed in barolo and paired with perigord truffles, buttered leeks and velvety potato puree.
Read MoreLe Bernardin
Eric Ripert’s incomparable Le Bernardin will offer a special holiday tasting menu in both its private dining rooms — known as Les Salons — and in the main dining room as well. And you better believe that at $240 per person, the dishes will be downright decadent; think King Fish Caviar served in a marienere broth, Langoustine with foie gras mache and white balsamic vinaigrette, and Lobster served with a chestnut mousseline and Persian lime sauce… plus truffles, truffles, truffles galore! Not to mention the duo of elegant desserts; we’re talking Slow-Roasted Pear topped with beurre noisette and Baba Au Scotch; served with caramelized banana and black walnut ice cream.
Read MoreSalvation Taco
It may not be nearly as swishy as Le Bernardin, but April Bloomfield’s Salvation Taco has an equally festive fiesta planned for New Year’s Eve. Along with the standard a la carte menu, guests can choose from a selection of celebratory specials, including Duck Tamale with sweet potato masa colada, roasted duck and cracklings, a Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder feast with charred pineapples and avocado salsa, and Mexican Chocolate Pudding for dessert. Attendees can also enjoy large format cocktails on the rooftop, like the “Rum Resolution,” dance to beats from DJ Bryan Mette, and watch the ball drop at midnight, from screens scattered throughout the restaurant.
Read MoreKat & Theo
Just opened this fall, this spacious Flatiron spot features inspired, Mediterranean-tinged cooking from accomplished chef Paras Shah (formerly of Momofuku Noodle Bar, Per Se and El Bulli). And on New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy a lavish nine-course meal for $150 a person in the cozy back dining room, warmed by a ledge stone fireplace. The celebratory feast will features dishes such as East Coast Oysters with nori grapes, cava gelee and caviar, Braised Goat Neck with long noodles, spiced goat broth and preserved lemon, Octopus Terrine with collards and black eyed peas, and Wagyu Sirloin with potatoes.
Read MoreBowery Meat Company
A New Year’s Eve spent eating tiny, passed bites accompanied by massive amounts of alcohol can go downhill pretty fast. But that won’t be an issue at Josh Capon and John McDonald’s heavily meat-centric Bowery spot, where the $135 prix fixe includes Fois Gras and Chicken Liver Parfait with onion jam, Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops with cucumber and yogurt, Skuna Bay Salmon with spaghetti squash and pumpkin seeds, and Gingersnap Cheesecake Tart, Doughnuts and a Seasonal Fruit Plate for dessert.
Read More
Fung Tu
Recently awarded two stars from the New York Times, this seasonal American Chinese restaurant is offering a New Year’s Eve, seven-course tasting menu featuring both new dishes (like Foie Gras Mousse on You Tiao Bread) and greatest hits no longer on the regular menu, such as Hamachi with pickled mushrooms, Scallop Wontons with shaved truffles, and Moon Cake with chestnuts, lemon and luxardo cherries. An earlier dinner seating only costs $95 per person, but you might want to spring for the later one ($125), which includes party favors for each table, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for every diner.
Read MoreThe Eddy
For a more laid-back evening, visit this intimate, critically acclaimed East Village eatery (endorsed by The New Yorker, New York magazine and The New York Times), offering a $125 pre-fixe tasting menu on New Year’s Eve. Chef Brendan McHale — a vet of Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar — will be kicking off the evening with brown butter and meyer lemon-sauced Taylor Bay Scallops and shaved truffle-topped Blackfish, accompanied by signature cocktails like The NYE Punch; served in an eclectic collection of copper goblets and teacups.
Read More
Check out My Book – Try This
