Dining Out on New Year’s Eve, 2013

image courtesy of temeculawines.org
image courtesy of temeculawines.org

I really enjoy getting to know people. Part of this is that I like knowing people’s passions in life. I had a friend that had an annual ritual with her husband each New Year’s Eve. That ritual was to discuss where they wanted to travel in the coming year.

It’s a great time to set personal goals and discussing vacations can be a fun topic to discuss during New Year’s Eve. Committing to dates on a busy calendar and saving money towards that trip can end up to be very rewarding.

Michael and I have done the research to set the stage for your vacation next year.  Here are some places to help set the mood!

Abigaile

Le Grand Buffet is a massive spread featuring Abigaile favorites and special dishes from Chef Tin Vuong. The cost is $50 for Le Grand Buffet. Diners can also opt for the Le Grand Buffet with open bar during dinner and entry into their New Year’s Eve Party with a champagne toast.  Cost of the Le Grand Buffet with open bar is $100.

Baleen’s Kitchen

Five course dinner featuring kobe beef tartare, fresh caught halibut and pan roasted Kurobuta pork chop. Adults $85; with wine pairing $110. Valet parking is complimentary with dinner reservations and bottle service. Complimentary midnight champagne toast for all guests.

Blue Water Grill

Four course pre-fixe menu for two.  First course is an appetizer to share with two people. Following that is a choice of soup or salad. Main courses include items such as: New York steak, cioppino or cedar plank salmon. Fourth course is a dessert to share. Cost is $40 per person. For an additional $10, you can substitute a lobster tail for the entree.

Circa

Dinner served from 6pm – 12:00am. Reservation includes entrance, party favors and midnight champagne toast. Deejay and dancing till 2am. Prohibition Era costumes are encouraged! No cover.

Dominique’s Kitchen

Four course surf & turf pre-fixe meal featuring lobster tail and filet mignon. The evening begins with a Kir Royale champagne cocktail. The other courses include watercress and crab meat soup, Belgian endive, walnuts, baby camembert in a truffle vinaigrette.  The dessert is salted caramel panna cotta with chocolate sauce. $69.99 per person plus tax and tip.  Seating from 4:00pm – 10:00pm.

Fish Bar

Surf and Turf – 6 oz filet mignon with a 6 oz Maine lobster tail.  Served with spinach and mashed potatoes – $39.99.  Dungeness crab crusted filet mignon with bearnaise sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus – $29.99. 1-1/2 lb Maine lobster, steamed and lightly grilled. Served with a choice of two side dishes – $29.99. Jumbo scallop and dungeness crab linguini with butternut squash, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, basil, lemon butter and drizzled with truffle oil – $24.99. 1 pound Alaskan king crab. Served with a choice of two sizes, lemon & drawn butter – $34.99

Fleming’s

Three-course prix fixe menu available only on New Year’s Eve at all Fleming’s locations during normal dinner hours. Filet Mignon paired with an 8-oz Lobster Tail.  The first course features a roasted prosciutto-wrapped shrimp with tomato jam and cilantro followed by a choice of a Fleming’s Salad or Modern Caesar. Price per person is $69.95 excluding tax and tip. Fleming’s featured wine pairing, Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, is available by the glass at $12 or by the magnum bottle at $100.  A special dessert, Black and White Roulade with homemade lemon custard and blueberry dipping sauce, is available for $9.95.

Fonz’s

Fonz’s will offer their regular menu. In addition, they will have the following specials: bone-in filet mignon, pistachio crusted Chilean sea bass with a lemon dill sauce and a dry aged ribeye steak.

Gaetano’s

Four course pre-fixe meal featuring a Pecorino crusted Halibut. The remaining courses include fresh spinach salad with warm pancetta dressing, anolini pasta filled with artichokes, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and walnuts.  Desert is a fried cannoli shell with warm chocolate sauce and a side of gelato. Adults $55.  Seatings are at 5:30pm and 9:00pm. Reservations are required.

HT Grill

Chef Nael’s Four Course Tasting Menu. A good mix of land & sea is on their menu.  Items such as oysters, crab claws, kale caesar salad, cannoli and lamb shank are featured that evening. Live entertainment from the Feed The Kitty band. A complimentary champagne toast is also included. The cost is $60 plus tax and tip.

Jackson’s Food + Drink

Four course pre-fixe menu. Course 1 is a choice of corn chowder with poblano chile soup or three different salads: roasted baby beets with goat cheese, arugula with gorganzola cheese and roasted red peppers, or a burrata salad with marinated heirloom tomatoes. The second course is a choice between a filet mignon risotto with oyster mushrooms, browned cauliflower, crab cakes with saffron tomato creme, or a yukon potato pancake with crème fraîche. The third course is available in three different tiers based on price. Tier 1 is available at $60 per person; diners can choose between braised short ribs or tagliatelle pasta with a housemade marinara sauce. Tier 2 dishes cost $70 per person; the available dishes include pan seared duck breast or a filet mignon with bernaise sauce. Tier 3 dishes are priced at $80 per person and include garlic rosemary scented Colorado Rack of Lamb or seared seabass with fennel. The dessert options are: chocolate souffle cake or a warm upside down blackberry pie. Price per person varies upon the tier selection and does not include tax and tip.

Kincaid’s

Kincaid’s is offering a limited menu featuring a prime rib dinner for $38.95.  Other items on the menu include lobster tail and an assortment of soups and salads.

Lido di Manhattan

Three course pre-fixe meal.  Seating between 9pm – 10:30pm.  $65 per person plus tax and tip.  Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  Early dinner seatings between 5pm and 8:30pm are also available with a special a la carte menu.

Paul Martin’s American Grill

In addition to their regular menu, Paul Martin’s will also offer the following specials: rack of lamb, cioppino, prime rib and lobster tail.

Salt Creek Grille

Chef’s Select Dinner By Executive Chef Brian Amparan. Children’s menu available. Dinner hours from 4pm – 1am.

White Brazilian New Year’s Eve Party at Samba

Samba’s will host a White Brazilian New Yera’s Eve Party, which will celebrate the “Year of the world Cup in Brazil.” DJ Chris Brasil will be on hand to provide the music. Brazilian samba dancers led by “Sambista” Joany will also be on hand. The dress code is white, a Brazilian tradition symbolizing peace and hope. Advance tickets are available here. Dinner ticket are $55 which includes an all-you-can eat barbecue and does not include admission to the party. For ticket information, visit BrazilianNites.com or call (818) 566-1111.

Terranea Resort

Terranea will feature a family friendly New Year’s Eve dinner.  The surf and turf dinner features a sous vide seared angus sirloin of prime beef and a seafood paella skewer. The dinner opens with a coastal appetizer.  The remaining dishes include a porcini mushroom tart, braised salsifis, chorizo and saffron rice, a dessert bar and house and sparkling wine.  A kids menu is available for children ages 5-10.  Advance purchase is required.

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