Classy dishes, sparkling wine
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On New Year's Eve, some restaurants go the foodie route, with course after elaborate course. Others emphasize fun, with DJs and passed hors d'oeuvres. Whether you want to be at the heart of the action in the city or somewhere more mellow savoring something delicious, there's an option here for you.
Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro Chef Jason Bond rings in a local, seasonal New Year with a menu that includes such dishes as braised beef cheek in a gougere with roasted marrow and caviar; baked ravioli with farm egg, black kale, and fresh truffles; and Massachusetts soft-shell lobster with sea urchin bisque. Seatings at 5:30 (for those who want to catch the fireworks on the Common), 7:30, and 10 p.m. $72 per person, add $35 for wine pairings. 25 Charles St., Boston. 617-723-7575, www.beaconhillhotel.com
The Beehive "The End Is at Hand!" So proclaims the invite to the Beehive's First Night (or Last Night, if you want to look at it that way) fete. At least we'll all go down together, with performances from burlesque troupe Pinchbottom and funk-soul band Reality, savory and sweet nibbles from chef Rebecca Newell, and plenty of champagne. 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. $95 per person (admission and food) or $75 (admission only). Cash bar. 541 Tremont St. 617-423-0069, www.beehiveboston.com
Bella Luna/Milky Way Lounge & Lanes This is the last year to celebrate at this location; the restaurant and lounge (sans bowling lanes - sob) are moving to the Brewery Complex. For $35, you can partake in a three-course menu - choices include lobster and basil bisque, beef tenderloin with gorgonzola demi glace, and flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter torte filling; $15 gets you in to just the dance party, featuring DJs, games, and prizes. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. (Party starts at 9 p.m.) 403-405 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-3740. www.bellalunajp.com
Estragon The tapas restaurant offers a chef's tasting menu for $55, a toast, and the traditional eating of 12 grapes at midnight, one with each chime of the clock. Tasting menu 5:30-11 p.m.; partying like a Spaniard midnight-2 a.m. 700 Harrison Ave. 617-266-0443, www.estragontapas.com
Feast of the Seven Fishes The traditional Italian dinner of seven seafood dishes is usually offered Christmas Eve, but three North End restaurants - Bricco, Mare, and Trattoria il Panino - are extending the season. Offerings may include Bricco's lobster fra diavolo, Mare's poached Chilean sea bass, and Trattoria il Panino's shrimp limoncello. Bricco ($85 per person, $110 with wine pairings. 241 Hanover St. 617-248-6800. www.bricco.com); Mare ($85, $110 with wine pairings. 135 Richmond St. 617-723-6273, www.marenatural.com); Trattoria il Panino ($55. 11 Parmenter St. 617-720-1336, www.trattoriailpanino.com)
Hamersley's Bistro The locally focused longtime favorite offers a four-course menu for $110 per person. Dishes may include warm oysters with miso, ginger, chilies, and lime; game consomme with julienne of vegetables and rabbit meatballs; and grilled duck breast; plus a trio of desserts and a champagne toast. 553 Tremont St. 617-423-2700, www.hamersleysbistro.com
Restaurant Dante The party is called "Sin - the Anti-New Year's Resolution," but the virtuous are welcome to attend, too. There will be food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres, a DJ and dancing, and complimentary champagne at midnight. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $80, $100 at the door (cash bar). 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge. 617-497-4200, www.restaurantdante.com
Rialto Dinner and dancing, with food from chef Jody Adams and live music from the Goldies, who play everything from reggae to jazz to oldies. The seven-course meal ($125, with a wine pairing for $60) starts at 9 p.m. with Island Creek oysters, moves on to foie gras and halibut, and ends with Monte Bianco, a dessert of chestnut puree. If dancing seems too challenging after all that food, there's a five-course menu ($95, wine pairing $40) available at 6 p.m. that skips the fancy footwork. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge. 617-661-5050, www.rialto-restaurant.com
Scarlet Oak Tavern Steer clear of the city with this three-course menu being served from 5-11 p.m. It includes a champagne toast, appetizer, entree, and dessert. Price ranges from $48 (pumpkin ravioli) to $72 (filet mignon and lobster) depending on which entree you choose. Or roll in for brunch on New Year's day, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 1217 Main St., Hingham. 781-749-8200, www.scarletoaktavern.com
Summer Winter The Burlington restaurant, from the folks behind Arrows, hosts a "Black and White New Year's Eve Celebration." You dress in black or white (or both), they serve an $89 five-course prix fixe from 5:30-11 p.m. (limited a la carte available, too). Courses include potato-leek soup with lobster profiteroles, beef tenderloin, cheese, and an array of sweets. The duo Grass Gypsys will perform. 1 Mall Road (in the Marriott), Burlington. 781-221-6643, www.summerwinterrestaurant.com
Tomasso Trattoria Tomasso celebrates with a Bubbly Battle, pitting France against Italy in a blind tasting. There will be five courses, each featuring one French and one Italian dish (e.g. butter-poached lobster with egg pasta and topped with a poached quail egg; agnolotti filled with porcini and mascarpone with black truffles), paired with sparklers from Champagne and Franciacorta. You pick the winner. Seating at 8 p.m.; $200 per person (includes tax and gratuity). (Other dining options available, too.) 154 Turnpike Road, Southborough, 508-481-8484, www.tomassotrattoria.com
T.W. Food The Cambridge restaurant goes straight-up French for the night with two seatings: a four-course menu earlier in the evening, followed by an eight-course menu taking you into the new year ($59 and $85, respectively; add $35/$49 for wine pairings). Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. You might find yourself eating egg custard with foraged cepes or puff pastry with root vegetables and apples, house-made boudin blanc or beef with foie gras and peppercorns. 377 Walden St., Cambridge. 617-864-4745, www.twfoodrestaurant.com
Devra First can be reached at dfirst@globe.com.
