Celebrate New Year's With Unique Sophistication
San Diego really does know how to throw a good party, but if the hassle of a late night club experience this New Year”s seems a little too much, why not opt for something a little different?
Like perhaps a relaxing evening enjoying a good meal and some musical entertainment. This year a few of the city's best restaurants and entertainment venues are offering special New Year's Eve menus to help celebrate the beginning of 2013. Take a look below to see what "out-of-the-ordinary" fun is to be had in San Diego this New Year's.
Mille Fleur New Year's Menu
This year Mille Fleur is offering both an a la carte menu as well as a six-course prix-fixe menu created by Chef Martin Woesle. Two seating times will be available depending on which menu guests are interested in. From 5 to 6:30 diners can order from the a la carte menu which includes appetizers such as sautéed quail salad with endive and blood orange ginger dressing; Blue Heron Farm garden salad, with Reims Champagne dressing; lobster bisque with cognac and dill; and Pacific oysters on the half shell. Guests will also be able to choose from a selection of six entrée choices, including everything from Maine lobster risotto and whole Dover sole "Meuniere," to oven-roasted duck breast with apple and hand crafted spinach Spatzle gratin. To finish? Apple fritters with cinnamon; baked chocolate Beggar's Purse with vanilla sauce, berries, and mint chiffonade; vanilla crème brulee served alongside a lavender cookie; and truffles of Belgian chocolate with Rancho Sante Fe oranges and Swiss cacao.
For those wishing to experience the Mille Fleur six-course tasting menu ($115), the meal will being at 7 and last until 9 pm. Choose between Dungeness crab meat cake with artichokes, sorrel, and white burgundy butter sauce, or tuna Carpaccio with trout roe to start before diving into an offering of four mushroom bisque, grilled Maine sea scallops, duck spring roll with Allspice, Broken Arrow Ranch antelope loin, and artisan cheeses. To conclude the prix-fixe menu, Chef Woesle has created a gratin of blood oranges served with Sabayon, ice cream, and chocolate truffles.
Anthology Rockin' New Year's Eve
Are you a lover of both classic rock and fine dining? This December 31st, Anthology is throwing their 2013 Rockin' New Year's Eve event, complete with great music performed by the classic rock cover band, The Trip! and a three-course meal. With two shows planned, guests can get their fill of rockin' roll and filet mignon before heading home to count down to the New Year, or join the 9:30 set and count down with Anthology. Tickets range from $25-$185. The Rockin' New Year's Eve menu starts off with Maine lobster bisque prepared with truffled lobster, caviar, and Brioche crouton; or sugar pie pumpkin salad with shaved pumpkin, arugula, pecorino, and pomegranate. For the main, diners will enjoy either grilled filet mignon served with Chanterelle mushroom risotto; pan-seared local sea bass with glazed baby root vegetables; or Crow's Pass Tahitian squash ravioli with roasted Brussels sprouts, goat cheese, and rosemary walnut veloute. The first seating begins at 6:30 pm and the second seating is at 9:30. Dinner also includes a champagne toast.
Café Japengo and Hyatt Regency La Jolla Staycation
Celebrate the New Year with Café Japengo's "staycation" offerings. Located in the luxurious Aventine lifestyle complex, Café Japengo, which has been awarded for its sushi and Asian fusion creations, has announced a New Year's Eve prix-fixe dinner. Executive Chef Jay Payne and Executive Sushi Chef Jerry Warner have created a series of dishes with a festive, Asian flair. Sample curry calamari in Thai lime vinaigrette; braised pork belly in a steamed bao bun; organic salmon with vegetables in a port demi glace; and prawns with forbidden rice and local, organic vegetables. Choose from chocolate lava cake, tempura banana with vanilla gelato or sorbet to round off the meal. In addition, Café Japengo's regular menu items and sushi menu will be available.
In honor of 2013, Café Japengo is also offering two packages, "Dance and Stay" ($179) and the "Japengo Dine and Stay." So if you feel like pairing some dancing and champagne along with dinner, keep the party going at Michael's Lounge inside the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. The event will include a countdown, DJ, party favors, late night dessert table, and a midnight balloon drop. In the morning, enjoy access to a complimentary breakfast buffet for two at the Hyatt's Barcino Grill. The "Japengo Dine and Stay" includes all of the above as well as a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, a complementary bottle of champagne, and a choice of the Café Japengo New Year's prix-fixe menu or $59 per person credit towards the regular menu.