NYC's 8 Best New Year's Eve Dinner Menus
Toast to 2013 with your loved ones over a delicious prix-fixe dinner. Make reservations for an early or late seating at one of these NYC restaurants offering standout New Year's Eve menus. By Sarah Shaker.
Head downtown to TriBeCa for a meal fit for an Iron Chef. Enjoy an early celebration during their first seating from 5:30 - 7:00pm, which includes five courses for $95 or the second seating from 9:00 - 11:00pm offers six courses plus a glass of champagne from Magnum for $195. Menu highlights include Chef Guerard's Eggs (Crème Fraiche, Gravlax, Smoked Trout Roe), Chili Lobster (with Texas Toast), Creekstone Farms Filet (Foie Gras Rossini and Black Truffle) and Champagne Glazed Torta.
La Villette, a chic new neighborhood brasserie in the West Village, is throwing an all-night soiree to ring in the New Year. Executive Chef Bonnegrace has created a festive four-course French feast with the first seating from 5-6:45pm at $49; a second seating from 7-8:45pm at $79 and a third seating from 9 to 11:45pm at $125 or $185 to include a bottle of champagne. The menu features Tartare de Langouste, Foie Gras Terrine, Filet Mignon and Housemade Tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and shaved truffles all to be enjoyed to the beat of DJ Marco Peruzzi spinning at midnight. And the best part is, they have an all-night liquor license - yes, you read that right – so you can sip on cocktails until it's time for breakfast (or a long nap) at 8 a.m.
Seafood lovers should hop on the L to Williamsburg for a New Year's Eve prix fixe dinner in an oyster paradise known as Mason Premiere. The four-course menu includes Assorted Seafood Crudo, Sea Scallop (Foie Gras Mousse, cauliflower and black truffle), Sea Bass and Squid (with artichoke and bouillabaisse) and a sweet (yet toxic) Absinthe Panna Cotta with seatings at both 6 and 9pm for $95 and $125, plus a special NYE cocktail menu.
La Mangeoire, the French country hideaway in Midtown, is a cozy and intimate spot for New Year's Eve. Chef Christian Delouvrier and owner Gerard Donato invite diners to bring family and friends for a low-key, yet filling dinner to ring in 2013. The early seating offers a three-course meal for $65 with reservations from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. The later seating is a four-course $95 meal, which includes a cranberry sorbet and Champagne intermezzo, party favors and midnight dancing. Menu items include Crispy Crab Cakes with lobster reduction, Medallions of Venison with fresh foie gras and Lobster and Black Truffle Risotto.
One of Astoria's best neighborhood restaurants for a date night or brunch celebration is offering a three-course New Year's Eve dinner with seating at 5pm ($50), 6pm ($60) and 9pm ($60 plus a champagne toast). Enjoy plates like Lobster Ravioli (truffle cream sauce and celery root), Slow Braised Beef Short Rib (Cheddar Polenta, kale, fried onion and Barolo wine sauce), Bacon Wrapped Organic Chicken (stuffed with spinach and mozzarella, served with roasted potato, marsala wine sauce) and Pecan Bar S'more.
One of our favorite Greek restaurants, located in the East Village, offered a Mediterranean Christmas Eve Dinner and will also be open to celebrate New Year's Eve with a five-course prix fixe for $75. This Greek inspired meal includes Lobster Bisque Soup, Pan Seared Duck Breast with Wild Spicy Greens, Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Baby Roasted Vegetables and ends with a Chocolate Surprise.
Dine in style at the designer's flagship for a sophisticated New Year's Eve celebration. The $300 prix fixe includes Baby Main Lobster Tail (Potato-Leek Mousse and Winter Truffle Dressing), Homemade Egg Tagliolini Pasta (Quail Egg and White Alba Truffles), Halibut Fillet (with Cockle Clams and Red Prawn), Beef Tenderloin (with Foie Gras, Quince, Crispy Green Onions and Rossini Wine Reduction), Armani Panettone (one of our favorite Holiday season desserts) and a champagne toast to ring in 2013.
After sipping on their White Christmas Cosmo, one of NYC's best holiday cocktails, we know Sotto 13 will offer a fun and delicious New Year's Eve celebration. Guests can toast to 2013 "social Italian" style at this new West Village restaurant. Perfect for both dates and groups at $70 per couple, guests receive 3 tapas, 2 cocktails, 1 pizza/pasta and dessert. Also included is a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and an open bar option from 11PM-2AM for an additional $50 for those look to start 2013 off a bit tipsy.
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
