Where To Dine On New Years' Eve In Boston
For those who are looking to spend New Years' Eve at a restaurant, options in the Boston area abound
For those of you who will be milling about downtown for New Years, Chef and Owner Jason Santos will be keeping things hot at Abby Lane. Right across from The Wang and very conveniently located in the heart of Boston's clubbing district, a 3-course meal will be available in addition to the regular a la carte menu. Pan-seared scallops, chestnut Bisque, Pepper Crusted Filet Mignon or Pan-seared bass are among the options for appetizers and main courses, desserts are simple and classic; flourless chocolate cake and vanilla cheesecake. When you are done with your meal and you simply don't feel like heading out into the cold, just head upstairs to the lounge above Abby Lane to continue the fun and libations.
65$ a person, beverages not included. Abby Lane is open from 11:30- 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
Beat Hotel
The owners of The Beehive (Boston's South End) and newly opened Beat Hotel in Harvard Square have planned out two incredible parties for the evening. Good luck picking between them!
Harvard Square pumps things up with its 1980's Time Warp: New Year's Eve Celebration. From 9pm to 2:30 am, guests will soon forget what year they are in as they are taken back to the 80's with cover band SAFETY bringing back the likes of The Smiths, Madonna, Devo, the Go Go's and Blondie. Appearances will also be made by Drag Diva Madge of Honor and the Solid Gold Circus Performers throughout the night.
Executive chef Rebecca Newell will have copious amounts of delicious New Year's specials and fan favorites like her crispy tuna spring rolls and Smokey chipotle BBQ spare ribs served buffet/cocktail style. You can get your drink on all night long thanks to the stellar bar team shaking Hennessy Cognac and Tito's Handmade Vodka into dangerously tasty cocktails...and that is not to forget the Domaine Chandon and Moet & Chandon perfect for that countdown to midnight!
115$ per person or 75$ without food buffet with a cash bar all evening.
As for their South End counterpart, The Beehive funks things up this New Year's eve with its 7th Annual, New Year's Eve Gala celebration. Also from 9 pm to 2:30 am, The Beehive turns down the lights and turns up the discotheque burlesque. Their infamous bohemian style cranks it up Moulin Rouge style with burlesque performances by 'The Sexation' Calamity Chang, Lil' Steph and Stormy Leather – this is not going to be just another year! Sinclair Jennings will be belting out funky vibes and vocals throughout the evening.
New Executive chef Marc Orfaly will be at the ready to refuel with his version of New Year's dishes served buffet style and of course, the cocktails at The Beehive never disappoint.
125$ a person and 85$ without food, cash bar all evening.
Catalyst
Bring the whole gang into Catalyst this New Year's where Chef/Owner William Kovel highlights all New England has to offer this wonderful time of year with his usual modernist flare. A mutli-course meal involving optional (and additionally priced) powder point oysters and catalyst charcuterie boards for the table and followed by a subsequent four courses is perhaps just the thing you and your family/friends need to let 2013 go in peace.
All courses feature local ingredients and each course can be accompanied by an expertly selected wine or hand crafted cocktail from the bar.
75 $ per person – additional wine and beverage options available a la carte
On the corner of Clarendon and Stuart street, Chef Eric Brennan and his cohorts are bringing you fresh from the farm this New Year's Eve. Two different menus will be available for guests, a three-course menu for those seated at 5:30 and a 4 course for those seated from 8:30 onwards. Each will be featuring the bounty from Brambly Farms...think 'Pig'! Locally caught lobster will also be on hand as well as an array of sumptuous produce from Post 390's many partner farms.
New Year's Eve is about bringing friends and family together and just this will be featured in the menus at Post 390 this year. Special menus are available in the Tavern for a more casual feel, or the dining room. Oh, and don't forget! Both will also come with a complimentary champagne toast.
Strip T's, Ribelle and North – New Year's Popup
Something really special is in the works from former momofuku duo Tim Maslow of Strip T's and Ribelle and James Mark of North in Providence. In a merging of cultures, they have decided to create an incredible New Year's menu inspired by Chinese New Year's traditions. A blend of American and Chinese will be an ode to the old and a welcome to the new and in the spirit of the New Year, 5 % of proceeds will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank.
On December 31st, with seatings starting at 5:30 p.m., a five course meal will be served family style to tables of 8, a lucky number in Chinese culture. Parties are not required to be 8 in number and making new friends is encouraged.
Menu items all exemplify the creative genius that defines these two master chefs. Throughout the evening, guests can enjoy a hot and pungent soup with lobster, country ham, crab paste, dried scallop and shan tofu, Shanghai Pan Fried Noodle and Skate Wing Tomahawk, Crispy Sweet potatoes and fermented black bean mash and of course Peking Duck!
180$ ticket for two people and this includes food, tax and tip; beverages are available a la carte.
*Due to the nature of this dinner, allergies and dietary restrictions may not be accommodated. No substitutions.
Known for delicious and authentic Italian cuisine as well as his stellar cooking classes, Chef/owner Angele DiGirolama or Ristorante Olivio has a delectable three course menu up his sleeve to ring in the New Year. On December 31st, head to this restaurant before you head out into the night! From 5 pm to 10:30 pm, eat your heart out for the last time in 2013 from Prosecco risotto with lobster meat or a very special Shrimp Cocktail to a classic and imported Buffala Mozzarella and parma prosciutto drizzled with pesto.
Move on to the main course with a choice of Surf and Turk, Lobster Ravioli with sweet corn, grape tomatoes and mascarpone or Chicken Tolletine stuffed with asparagus, prosciutto and mozzarella. A selection of desserts will be prepared and a toast to the end of 2013 and the beginning of fresh New Year will round out your meal...and send you on your way!
Olivio's regular menu will not be available this evening and beverages are not included.
The Sinclair
Harvard Square's new(ish) live music venue presents diners with an incredible deal on a special three-course prix fixe dinner. Executive Chef Matt Cunningham starts things off with an amuse of ammunition bread, marrow butter and marinated cranberry. First course selections include fowl rabbit terrine, baby kale salad and seared scallops. Mains are featuring grilled, aged sirloin, pistachio gnocchi and pan roasted arctic char and for dessert, good luck picking between maple brioche doughnuts, buttermilk granite and coats milk cheesecake...
50$ per person with an optional wine, whiskey or cocktail flight for and additional 20$. Reservations highly recommended.
Strega Waterfront and Strega Prime
Both Strega Prime and Strega Waterfront are offering diners a tantalizing New Year's Eve menu. Their Waterfront location presents a 3-course chef's tasting menu boasting oysters Rockefeller and ahi tuna Carpaccio for starters, wood roasted chicken under a brick and stuffed sole for mains and Chef's Sal's famous tiramisu for dessert all for 75$ or 90$ with the additional and optional wine pairings.
Strega Prime in Woburn also offers a 3-course Chef's tasting menu, but with an array with different items. Butternut squash bisque, farmed salmon tartare and seared foie gras come first, followed by your choice of 8 oz. Prime Sirloin Au Poivre, Grilled Swordfish or Pan-seared Halibut and last but definitely not least, chocolate mousse vanilla bean panna cotta or...wait for it...nutella whoopee pie. 85$ per person and 100$ with wine pairings.
Both locations will be having a midnight champagne toast – of course!
For those of you who missed it last year. West Bridge hosts their annual Drunch – aka Drunk Lunch after the debauchery of New Year's Eve. You know you are going to want a solid meal, full of delicious meaty goodness and...well, perhaps another cocktail or two to help things go down. All of this and more can be found at West Bridge in Kendall Square where Chef/ Owner Matthew Gaudet and Bar Manager Josh Taylor know just what you need. Last year whole animals were being carved table side...who knows what's on tap for 2014? Painkiller anyone?