If you’ve waited until the clock is about to strike midnight to make plans for New Year’s Eve, you’re in luck. We’ve found three fun (and delicious) ways you can ring in 2017.
Here they are, in no particular order.
1. A Night to Remember at Blue Earl Brewing
4 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
210 Artisan Drive, Smyrna
www.blueearlbrewing.com
Chef Willie Enchill and his crew have whipped up a five-course menu, each paired with a different Blue Earl brew.
Tickets are $119 per person for an eight-course dinner, live band, dancing, cocktails, Champagne, craft beer and wine. Dinner starts at 8 p.m.—or arrive at 10 p.m. for a live band, dancing, cocktails, Champagne, craft beer and wine for $79 per person.
MENU INCLUDES:
First course
- Shrimp cocktail
- Paired with Walking Shoes—German-Style Hefeweizen
Second course
- Fried lobster rolls with teriyaki sauce and wasabi ginger
- Paired with Honeysuckle Rose—Belgian Blonde Ale
Third course
- Poached Alaskan salmon in Sauvignon Blanc with root beer foam
- Paired with When Doves Cry—Vienna Lager
Fourth course
- Smoked coffee and maple syrup prime rib with blueberry demi glace or au jus
- Paired with Walking Blues—IPA
Fifth course
- Tiramisu
- Paired with Top of the World—Bourbon Vanilla Imperial Stout
2. Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Caffé Gelato Restaurant
8 p.m.–1 a.m.
90 E. Main St., Newark
www.caffegelato.net
MENU INCLUDES:
Reception:
- Yukon gold potato blini with Champagne espuma and caviar
- Fried pumpkin ravioli with Gorgonzola “mousse”
- Prosciutto-wrapped shrimp with lemon-artichoke aioli
- Lamb “lollipops” with veal demi glace
- Artisan cheese charcuterie boards
- Roasted fingerling “chips” with smoked salmon, lemon chive whipped mascarpone and caviar
- Flatbreads with lobster, mascarpone and dill pickled onions
- Flatbreads with rosemary beef tenderloin, arugula pesto and Gorgonzola
- Lobster and triple cream Brie with Piquillo pepper jam on toast points
- Champagne-blood orange risotto “spoons” with poached bay scallops and chives
- Crab cakes with lemon-crème fraîche
Appetizers:
- Butter-poached, cold water lobster; house-crafted ricotta tarragon gnocchi
- House-crafted, pumpkin, mascarpone and goat cheese ravioli, truffle emulsion, sautéed baby spinach, toasted walnuts and melted leeks
Salad:
- Mixed baby greens salad with roasted beets, shaved fennel, blood oranges, toasted walnuts, caprino fresco, Champagne—blood orange vinaigrette and pomegranate arils
Intermezzo:
- Blood orange sorbetto
Entrée:
- Pan-seared, center-cut filet mignon and pan-seared day boat scallops with butternut squash and mascarpone risotto, foie gras fortified, wild mushroom and Marsala emulsion, prosciutto-roasted Brussels sprouts and candied butternut squash seeds
Dessert:
- Mini strawberry-Champagne tart
- Raspberry, white chocolate and pistachio profiteroles
- Assorted petite fours and truffles
- Lemon-ricotta cookies with lemon glaze
- White chocolate hazelnut and cherry biscotti
- Mini crème brulee
- Cookies and holiday cookies
3. New Year’s Eve at Merchant Bar
426 N. Market St., Wilmington
www.merchantbarwilmington.com
Times vary depending on package—call 543-5574 for more information.
Merchant Bar has a New Year’s Eve package to suit almost anyone. Its date night dinner-for-two package comes with a three-course dinner and a bottle of sparkling wine. The open bar package is $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and includes open bar from 9 p.m.–midnight, a Champagne toast and late-night snacks. There is also a pay-as-you-go cover, which is $20, but does not include open bar.
Purchase tickets via Eventbrite, or call 543-5574 to discuss seating availability and pricing.
Prix Fixe Menu – $130 Per Couple
MENU INCLUDES:
For the table:
- Bottle Simonet Blanc de Blanc Brut N/V
- Bright Peach, Apple, Bubbles for Days
First Course (choice of one):
- Marinated olives & hummus — Harissa crackers (v)(*gf)
- Red and gold pickled beets — ricotta, tarragon oil (v)(gf)
- Baked crab dip crab dip — jumbo lump crab, béchamel, brown butter crumbs, crudités, toasted baguette
- Tuna poke — ahi tuna, soy, avocado, scallion, crushed macadamia nuts, sesame seeds, tortilla chips
- Crispy calamari — sweet corn chow chow, spicy aioli
- Fried mozzarella — baby arugula, aged balsamic, sweet roasted pepper dip (v)
Entrée (choice of one):
- Sauteed shrimp — wild gulf shrimp, heirloom tomato salsa, queso fresco, cilantro (gf)
- Merchant burger — fresh ground chuck, Cooper sharp cheese, pickles, spicy sauce, chips
- Smoked duck — smoked duck breast, duck confit, shredded vegetable, hoisin sauce, sesame crepes (*gf)
- Mussels and frites — Nova Scotia mussels, white wine, garlic, bistro fries, crusty baguette (*gf)
- Moroccan chicken — olive-tomato tagine, golden raisin, Harissa olive oil (gf)
- Crab pad Thai — jumbo lump crab, rice noodles, Thai shrimp sauce, salted peanuts, bean sprouts (gf)
- Pizza tart — Fontina cheese, caramelized onions, creamy bechamel sauce, rosemary (v)
Dessert
- Vanilla semifreddo drops, lemon curd, black pepper shortbread
