Thursday, December 30, 2010

Newly updated: New Year's Eve plans

Fran's Filling Station will be open for New Year's Eve, serving a menu of favorites along with "some things more reminiscent of Metropolitan Cafe," says Fran Scibelli, referring to her former more-upscale spot in south Charlotte. New Year's Day brings her first annual "Lucky Food" buffet, with the traditional Southern dishes of braised pork, collards, black-eyed peas, plus other fare, served all day -- like an open house. 2410 Park Road; 704-372-2009.

Sante hosts a five-course meal for $59.95, with choices that range from roasted lamb rack to filet mignon to lobster. Seatings are 5-9:30 p.m. and you get a $10 discount if you reserve or arrive by 5:30. The place will also be open 5-9 New Year's Day. 165 N. Trade St., Matthews; 704-845-1899.

Sibling restaurants Press will offer half-off bottles of wine for the Eve; Aria will have its regular dinner menu and offer a complimentary Prosecco toast for each diner; and Frankies 710 Trattoria will offer three courses for $30, including a half-carafe of house wine per couple.

Another group of siblings: Toscana will have its regular menu plus some specials; Luce offers three courses for $34.95 with choices that include short ribs, shellfish and linguine and osso buco; Coco Osteria will do three courses for $25.95, with choices ranging from lobster ravioli to lasagne to stuffed pork chop; and MezzaNotte will have its regular dinner menu and plans to host families, especially ones with "lots of kids."

The Liberty offers a $40 three-course menu (with beer pairings for $15 more), with choices that include roasted chestnut soup, crispy smoked Sonoma quail salad, Maine lobster and shell bean succotash, local wild striped bass, hanger steak, maple-cured Black Berkshire pork loin chop and more. 1812 South Blvd.; 704-332-8830.

Soul Gastrolounge opens for dinner at 5 (the usual time), with music kicking in at 10 p.m. Dec. 31. Dinner features include new potato and lobster chowder with caviar garnish and surf and turf, and music from the MedlinKidz. 1500 Central Ave., 704-348-1848.

Lava Bistro and Bar will have three courses and a glass of Champagne for $39.99, with seatings between 5 and 8:30 p.m. 8708 J.W. Clay Blvd.; 704-549-0050.

Global plans two seatings: 6 and 8:30 p.m., each with five courses and a glass of Champagne for $65 ($95 with wine pairings). 3520 Toringdon Way; 704-248-0866.

Nolen Kitchen offers a special meal for $35, a Champagne toast at midnight, and is taking reservations from 5-10:30 p.m., with the party going at the bar until 2 a.m. 2839 Selwyn Ave.; 704-372-1424.

The McNinch House offers two New Year's Eve packages: "grand" (seven courses with wine pairings) and "premier" (five). Live music from jazz guitarist John Sharp will be on hand, as well as Champagne and favors. 511 N. Church St.; 704-332-6159.

At Foskoskies, Blue Tulip will play jazz and count down the New Year. The restaurant is taking reservations for seatings on the hour and half hour throughout the night and will offer regular dinner entrees and salads a la carte, and a three-course fixed-price menu ($41-$47) as well. 2121 Shamrock Drive; 704-535-2220.

"New Year’s Eve at The Urban Garden" will put guests in the glass-roofed Urban Garden joined to the uptown Ritz-Carlton by an enclosed walkway, with live music, an open cash bar, complimentary parking and party favors. Admission is $50; $75 for VIP seating on the terrace/overlook level, which will include a reserved table, Champagne toast and dessert and coffee bar. Hours are 10 p.m.-2 a.m. If you dine at the hotel's BLT Steak that night, you'll get complimentary admission. Tickets (nonrefundable) are available at 704-972-4401, or from the reception desk of The Ritz-Carlton (110 N. College St.) on Dec. 31, based upon availability.

Village Bistro will do a four-course meal for $39.95, seatings are 4-8 p.m. or 8-11 p.m. 14815 Ballantyne Village Way; 704-369-5190.

Kalu does an eight-course dim sum prix-fixe menu for New Year's, with seatings in the downstairs lounge at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Cost is $150 per couple, plus tax and tip, and includes a bottle of sparkling sake. During the dinner each couple will receive a red envelope of "luck," an Asian New Year’s tradition; one will hold a $75 Kalu gift certificate. Reservations are required: 505 E. Sixth St.; 704-910-4877.

Blue hosts a party with a 5-6 p.m. seating and three-course meal for $29.95. Corner of 5th and College streets; 704-927-2583.

Georges Brasserie offers its regular menu plus a three-course chef's tasting menu (with blue-cheese-crusted filet mignon and lobster tail, among other items) for $75, wine pairings an additional $25. Veuve Cliquot will be discounted all evening, and there'll be dancing with live music from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. 4620 Piedmont Row Drive; 980-219-7409.

The Wine Shop at Rivergate will have a four-course menu with Champagne toast for $45, with entree choices including osso buco and veal Marsala. (It's also offering New Year's Day brunch from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with live music.) 14142 Rivergate Parkway; 704-831-9000.

The Wine Shop at Foxcroft, meanwhile, has two seatings (6 and 8:30 p.m.) for a $49, three-course meal that includes one bottle of red or white wine from a selected list, plus a complimentary Champagne toast. 7824 Fairview Road; 704-365-6550.

3 comments:

Ronald C. Lown said...

McD's is offering it's first ever three course meal, which is to die for. Meal includes your choice of beverage, all for $6.00.

Hurry! Seats are filling fast!

Anonymous said...

Helen! Hello Helen!

Anonymous said...

Anyone who signed up for Kalu is very adventurous. That restaurant has really good food and really awful service - sounds like news year eve is way too complicated for their servers to handle