New Year's Eve

The amount of emails and press releases I have received about ~NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNERS~ is out of hand. Staggering. I could dedicate an entire tablehopper issue to them, but I won’t. Basically, any restaurant you love is probably open and serving dinner on New Year’s Eve, so my best advice is to call your faves and see what is being offered.

But, in case you’re short on ideas, here are a few that caught my eye, and range from the beaucoup bucks to a few that won’t cost you an arm, leg, and your first-born child.
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For the loaded:
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton's chef Ron Siegel has put together a seven-course tasting menu ($500 per adult, inclusive of wine pairing, tax, and gratuity). Guests will enjoy a live band and dancing until 2am. Seating times: 7pm to 9pm.

For the less-than-spectacularly loaded:
Fifth Floor is hosting two different seatings, one from 5:30–6:30pm (four-course menu with wine pairings: $125, or $175 premium wine pairings, not inclusive of 20% service charge); or from 8:30pm–9:30pm, (five-courses with wine pairings: $150, or $200 premium wine pairings, not inclusive of 20% service charge).

For the gourmand:
Bar Tartine is doing two prix-fixe menus, one for omnivores, and another equally decadent spread for vegetarians, each highlighting a little luxury (caviar, truffles, spiny lobster, and more...). A complimentary house-made prosecco aperitif kicks off the evening, and for diners counting down to 2009 at the table, a glass of Champagne. $80 four-course prix-fixe menu ($120 with wine pairings). Seatings from 6:30pm–10:30pm.

For the fireworks set:
One Market Restaurant will feature two seatings with a special four-course menu from chef Mark Dommen. Live piano music from Billy Philadelphia, and diners for the second seating will have spectacular views of the fireworks from Pier 36, as well as a midnight toast with complimentary Iron Horse One Market Cuvée. The first seating begins at 6pm. ($85 per person), and the second seating begins at 8pm ($120 per person).

For the romantic:
Baraka is hosting a 7pm seating with a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $75, and a 9:30pm seating with a three-course prix-fixe dinner with an extra amuse, a glass of Champagne, and party favors for $95. There will be an optional wine pairing for an additional $40 for either seating. Entrée selections will include slow-rendered duck breast, braised leg, turnip puree, quince, and cinnamon duck jus; or seared scallops, bacon, sunchoke puree, crispy artichoke, chervil, and roasted chicken jus.

A San Francisco favorite:
Piperade is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu for $100 (excluding tax and gratuity), with seatings from 5:30pm–10:30pm. Complimentary glass of cava for all diners. Entrée choices include roasted squab with root vegetables and huckleberry sauce; fillet of beef with Gascon fries and sauce Choron; sautéed black cod with porcinis and Irouléguy reduction; or chicken “duet” coated with pistachio-dried apricots, shiitake, and sherry wine jus.

New Year’s Eve
Wed. Dec 31st, 2008

Various locations