Happy holidays, everyone. This time next week we will be thoroughly entrenched in 2011. And unless you’re cool with spending New Year’s Eve on the couch, eating those leftover Christmas Peeps, and watching Ryan Seacrest and (a hologram of) Dick Clark with grandma, you’ll probably need some party plans. Here are a few New Year’s Eve options:
Redfire Grill: in Hockessin is offering a four-course menu at just $55, DJ and dancing from 9 p.m. til 1 a.m., and a champagne toast at midnight. Call 235-2600 to reserve. Here’s a glance at the menu:
Soup and salads:
Lobster bisque with brandy and vanilla essence, chive oil
Three onion soup, cognac scented with gruyere chese
RF chopped salad with asparagus, tomatoes, hearts of palm, celery, bacon, green goddess dressing
Classic Caesar salad with creamy Caesar dressing and brioche croutons
Organic greens with toasted almonds, dried cranberries and blood orange vinaigrette
Appetizers:
Tempura oysters with Pernod-spiked remoulade
Shrimp cocktail with RF cocktail sauce
Fried calamari with citrus-Thai chili reduction
Warm garlic bread with Gorgonzola fondue
Local mushroom mélange with herbs de provence, puffed pastry
Entrées:
8-ounce filet mignon with green onion and bacon mashed potatoes, asparagus, Gorgonzola compound butter
12-ounce NY strip steak with Parmesan and truffle mashed potatoes, green beans, lingonberry demiglace
Atlantic salmon with sweet potato puree, caramelized onions, peppers and fennel, blackberry beurre rouge
Surf and turf, a 4-ounce filet with béarnaise, a 4-ounce crabcake with citrus-tarragon tartar, herbed fries
14-ounce ribeye with horseradish mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, whole grain mustard cream
European chicken breast with celery root and potato puree, vegetable medley, champagne veloute
Sweets:
Triple chocolate bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle
Crème brulee, egg custard with vanilla bean
New York style cheesecake with raspberry puree and crème angliase
Firestone Roasting House: in Wilmington has two NYE packages for their party, which begins 8 p.m. Friday.
The “basic” package (which costs $20 per person) includes:
Special drink prices
Savory buffet
Live entertainment with Speaker City and DJ Noj
Champagne toast at midnight
Photographer upon arrival
Photobooth all night
Party favors
All-inclusive package ($90 per person) includes:
Open bar
Savory buffet
Live entertainment with Speaker City and DJ Noj
Champagne toast at midnight
Photographer upon arrival
Photobooth all night
Party favors
Free overnight parking is offered. Call 658-6626 to purchase your ticket.
Lamberti’s Italian Grill & Bar: (in Prices Corner) will be featuring a chef’s special a la carte menu, with complimentary champagne toasts throughout the day and at midnight and live entertainment by Fulvio & Friends with dancing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The special menu features tortelloni al pastore served in a Gorgonzola cream sauce with walnuts, sliced portobello mushrooms and grilled chicken, Chilean sea bass pan seared and served in a lemon butter sauce with spinach and mashed potatoes and filet Pontevecchio served in a marsala demi-glaze cream sauce with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and crab meat, accompanied by vegetables and mashed potatoes.
To make a reservation at the Centerville Road location, please call 302-995-6955
Lamberti’s Philadelphia Pike location will also feature a special menu. A few items include seafood cannelloni stuffed with crab, lobster and ricotta cheese, served in a brandy blush cream sauce topped with baby shrimp, crispy chicken tre formaggi stuffed with Fontina, Parmigiano and Gorgonzola cheese and baby shrimp, finished in a cream sauce, served over capellini and filet Gorgonzola drizzled with a port wine sauce and topped with crab meat and Gorgonzola cheese.
To make a reservation at the Philadelphia Pike location, please call 302-762-9094.
The Lighthouse: Dewey’s famous Lighthouse and the Cove will celebrate New Year’s with Element K, a countdown celebration, champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $25. Call 226-1680 for more.
Stone Balloon Winehouse: will bid farewell to 2010 with the Auld Lang Syne celebration. Reservations are available from 4 p.m. until midnight, and cost $89 per person. That includes a five-course dinner, and free admission to the Bar Party.
The special menu includes:
Amuse bouche
Blacked eyed pea cassoulet
First course
A tasting of Atlantic coast oysters
Second course
Seared arctic char with ham and cheese croquette, house-made sauerkraut, smoked potato puree and lots of love
Third course
Pan roasted Maine lobster with wild mushrooms, cauliflower truffle puree, shaved winter truffles, white asparagus salad
-or-
Dry aged prime chef-cut ribeye with the perfect gratin, simply roasted heirloom veggies, red wine reduction and a celery parsley salad
Fourth course
Chef selection of artisan cheese
Fifth course
Chocolate goodie board
The Bar Party runs from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the bar (duh) and includes midnight munchies and a champagne toast. Admission for just the Bar Party is $10.Call 266-8111 for more.
The Chase Center on the Riverfront: is hosting a something-for-everybody New Year’s event, with:
– Premium open bar
– Champaign flowing all night
– Buffets through out the night
– Midnight breakfast buffet
– Live band
– DJ’s
– Movie theater
– Casino and game room
– Speed dating room
– Party favors
– NYC Ball drop broadcasted live – and lots more.
Click here for ticketing information.
Union City Grille: is hosting a champagne-flavored New Year’s with special guest Sean “Sinatra” Reilly and a special menu. Call 654-9780 for reservations. Food additions include:
Starters
BBQ Baked Oysters – Baked Oysters on the 1/2 shell glazed with bourbon BBQ sauce, topped with garlic-parmesan bread crumbs
Lobster Bisque – served with Lobster meat, tarragon mascarpone & ciabatta crostini
Crab Spring rolls – sweet claw crabmeat & shiitake mushroom springrolls served with a ginger queso dipping sauce
Entrees
Diver Sea Scallops – roasted shallot & rock shrimp ragout, truffle mashed potatoes & grilled asparagus
Beef Short rib – slowly braised with maitake mushrooms, gorgonzola & braising juices
Pesce Gratinato – Lobster, shrimp, scallops & jumbo lump crab poached in a butter fondue with basil gnocchi and melted fresh mozzarella
-Enjoy with a special menu devoted to Bubbly flavored your way. 8 selections and a special wine selection for the evening. Send 2010 on it’s way in style.
At the Rail: will offer a four-course prix fixe with sparkling wine and one selection from each course. Reservations, which cost $75 per person, are required. Call the Rail at 994-6700 X7194 to make yours. Here’s a glance at the menu.
First course
Lobster bisque or triple-cheese French onion soup
Second course
Caesar salad or crispy duck confit salad or tuna tartar tower
Third course
Delaware Park crab cake or Beef short rib and day boat scallops or The Rail’s crab and pasta or Apple cider glazed Cornish game hen or Petit filet
Fourth course
Pumpkin roll or Nutella crème brulee or Black forest cheesecake
Jack’s Bistro: will hold a reservations-only prix fixe party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, with live music ringing in the new year from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The menu is:
Caesar or Garden side Salad
Choice of:
NY Strip Steak, Red Bliss Mash & Veg du Jour
or
Pan Seared Crab Cakes, Winter Blend House Rice & Veg du Jour
or
Veal Scallopine served on a bed of Pasta
Choice of Homemade Dessert
and
Glass of Champagne or Sparkling Cider
Cost for the meal is $43.95 per person (gratuity not included). Call 544-5174 to make your reservation.