More for the New Year

Global offers a five-course fixed-price New Year's meal for $69 ($99 with wine pairings). Reservations are available starting at 5 p.m. Among the courses: smoked onion bisque with 2010 Bodegas Eidosela Albarino; Hudson Valley duck foie gras poached in Gewürztraminer, with 2010 Beblenheim Heimeimberger Gewürztraminer reserve; and veal breast with braised, smoked grits and 2009 Trenza Tinto, San Luis Obispo. 3520 Toringdon Way; 704-248-0866.

Café 157 will serve its regular dinner entrée menu (sandwiches not available) 5-9 p.m. New Year’s Eve, with filet mignon and broiled lobster tail as specials. 157 N. Trade St., Matthews; 704-844-8686.

"Happy Blue Year!" is Blue's plan: First seating (5-6 p.m.) is $34.95, with choices including flat iron steak, Moroccan spiced salmon and more. Live music runs 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (cover charge is $5 after 10, but that's waived with dinner reservations) and there's a complimentary Champagne toast and a late-night menu.

FABO spikes coffee

FABO, the "fabulous art buying opportunity" in Myers Park, with wine, coffee drinks, pastries and more, hosts a shopping event Dec. 22: Free glass of wine with each purchase of $20 or more, with staff shoppers who'll read your list and find stuff for you among pottery, jewelry, art, coffees, teas and accessories.

Also new: "Spiked Coffee" -- a coffee drink with chocolate, raspberry and red wine. 2820 Selwyn Ave.; 704-900-2430.

Late-night at Puck's, and Second Harvest

Wolfgang Puck Pizza | Bar in Phillips Place offers a new late-night menu 10 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, including half-price pizzas. 6706-C Phillips Place Court; www.wolfgangpuck.com/pb.

Also at Puck's: Five percent of all restaurant sales Dec. 17-22 will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina's holiday food program, which buys hams and turkeys for families who can't afford a special holiday meal.

Updated: Holiday meals

Passion8 offers Christmas Eve dinner 3-8 p.m., with country ham trio, stuffed Georgia quail, N.C. bison short ribs, day boat fish, duck confit and more among the options.
For New Year's Eve, dinner will be from an a la carte menu with specials, and served 4-8 p.m.

New South Kitchen will serve 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, with a buffet that includes roasted beef tenderloin, deep-fried turkey and salmon crab strudel, for $35 ($15 for those 12 and younger). The restaurant will also offer dinners to go that evening, with deep-fried turkey breast fillet or whole boneless breast; an assortment of sides and extras. 8140 Providence Road; 704-541-9990.

Café 157 will be open 4:30-9 p.m. Christmas Day, serving its regular dinner menu (meaning its sandwiches will not be available), plus specials of pan-seared Maryland crab cakes and rib eye steak. A Reservations: 704-844-8686; the restaurant is at 157 N. Trade St. in Matthews; www.cafe157.com.

The Wine Shop at Foxcroft hosts New Year's Eve dinner with two seatings, at 6 and 8:30 p.m., for $50, including a glass of sparkling wine. Courses include choice of steak tartare or parsnip potage with crab; scallops or short rib; apple galette or chocolate gateau. Reservations: 704-365-6550; 7824 Fairview Road.

D'Vine Wine Cafe is taking reservations for New Year's Eve; if you're seated by 8, you have the table for the party. The place offers New Year's specials, as well as its regular menu, and a "join the party" package: $10 gets you a drink special, party favors, music and a sparkling-wine toast at midnight. 14815 John J. Delaney Drive; 704-369-5050.

Naughty? Nice? Parties either way

Siblings Sullivan's and Del Frisco's host "Naughty and Nice" parties Dec. 21. Each will include raffles through the night. You win free raffle tickets several ways, including bringing an unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item (Sullivan's has partnered with the Salvation Army for a drive). Sullivan's will have a live band and DJ, and appetizers and cocktails for $6 each. Del Frisco's will offer half-price wines by the glass, wine bottle specials and more.

Custom cocktails for the events at both places are the "Other Mrs. Claus" (rum, lime juice and jalapeno) and "Santa's Little Helper" (vodka, eggnog, cinnamon and rumchata, which is a cream/rum liqueur).

Sullivan’s is at 1928 South Blvd.; Del Frisco’s is at 4725 Piedmont Row Drive.

'Coal oven pizza' en route to Concord Mills

Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza is scheduled to open at Concord Mills in spring 2013. The Florida-based chain will offer full-service dining and is known for its anthracite-coal-burning pizza oven, from which come traditional and specialty pizzas. It also offers pastas, sandwiches and more. Info: www.tonysaccos.com.

Free hot fudge cake at Shoney's

Shoney’s serves up its signature Hot Fudge Cake free to all dine-in guests -- while supplies last -- on Dec. 6. The deal is offered at all Shoney's: www.facebook.com/shoneys.