I received some of this information as much as ten days before putting this post together. So, reservations may no longer be available at some of these restaurants. You'll have to make some phone calls. There's a good mix of fixed-price and anything goes options.
A few highlights. Fleming's is spreading its celebration over three nights. Pazo and RA Sushi are offering good options for kicking off the evening. Miguel's Cocina & Cantina is offering the #1 most attractive amenity -- a Stoli O Ice Bar on a heated patio. Well, maybe the most attractive to me.
If you sent me information about your restaurant's New Year's Eve plans and it's not here, I am sorry for the omission. Always safest to send it to richard.gorelick@baltsun.com
If you did not send me information about your restaurant's New Year's Eve plans and it's not here, I'm not really all that sorry.
In either case, feel free to post your restaurant's New Year's Eve offerings in the comments below.
Champagne is not always Champagne, I know, but I said Champagne anyway.
The 13th Floor -- I've included it because this venue in the Belvedere Hotel, operated by Truffles Catering, is including a dinner buffet in the $50 ticket. The party starts at 9 p.m.
Charleston -- Two options here, both of them at fixed prices. Advance reservations are a must.
The Gala Dinner & Celebration includes a multi-course menu, endless Champagne, premium open bar and party favors at midnight. Gala dining guests are invited to watch the unobstructed view of the Inner Harbor fireworks on the Harbor East promenade immediately outside the front door.
Reservations are accepted at 8:30 p.m, 9p.m, 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. $259 per person.
Reservations for an Early Dinner option are also being accepted beginning at 5:30 p.m. These reservations do not include party favors or the midnight celebration. A fixed price menu is offered at $109 per person (or $159 with wine pairings).
Cinghiale -- The Harbor East restaurant will ring in the New Year with a multi-course, modern Italian dinner. Party hats and favors as well as a sparkling toast will be provided at midnight. Guests are invited to watch the unobstructed view of the Inner Harbor fireworks from the vaulting picture windows facing the marina and harbor. Reservations are highly recommended. $76 per person, or $116 with accompanying wines.
Fleming's -- The Harbor East steakhouse is running its New Year's Celebration over three nights. That's right. Guests can choose to ring in the new year on the evenings of December 30 or January 1 in addition to December 31. Dinner options include Filet Mignon and crab-stuffed shrimp ($79.95), North American lobster tail ($59.95) and New York strip and giant shrimp ($69.95), all of are paired with wines. Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label brut champagne will be available by the glass for $25.
Germano's Trattoria --In addition to the regular dinner menu, the Little Italy restaurant will offer its fettucine with fresh calamari -- fresh caught squid in a light tomato sauce sauteed with homemade fettucine.
Gertrude's at the BMA -- The New Year's Eve Supper Club will offer two seatings. The first, at 6/6:30 p.m., offers a fixed-price three-course menu for $59 ($49 for vegetarian). The second, at 9/9:30 p.m., offers a fixed-price four-course menu for $95 ($85 for vegetarian), as well as live music, party favors, and a Champagne toast.
Jack's Bistro -- Taking reservations for "all size parties," and serving from the regular menu, with a few specials. NOTE: Jack's will be closed for vacation on January 1 and reopen on Friday, January 14.
Mari Luna Latin Grille -- A real New Year's Eve party, starting at 9:30 p.m., with live music and dancing. The $60 per person ticket includes the restaurant's regular items as well as seafood displays, carving stations, passed hors d'oeuvres and a Champagne toast. A $40 early seating option is being offered to, but you have to be out of there by 8 p.m.
Miguel's Cocina Y Cantina -- Among the attractions here are a Stoli O ice lounge on the (heated) patio, Milagro Silver maragarita pitchers for $20.11, a Champagne toast, and "one of the best view of fireworks in the city." The regular menu will be available. Proprietor Michael Marx says, "no package deals, no pricey menu...just a great view, free onsite parking, and easy city escape to 95." Reservations are recommended.
Mt. Washington Tavern -- "The ubiquitous complimentary noisemakers and Champagne toast at midnight plus a special menu will be offered."
Pazo -- The full menu is available until 1 a.m., with regular dinner reservations available from 5pm-8pm; New Year's Eve celebration reservations are available from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. The Midnight Celebration includes midnight sparkling toast, party hats and favors, live entertainment by Patrick Albán & Noche Latina and a special music mix by Ryan Patrick. Reservations are highly recommended. $25 cover charge for bar and lounge walk-ins. Early diners pay no cover charge unless they move to bar and lounge afterward. Celebration diners pay $40 per person (not including food and beverage), but their table is theirs for the evening.
Petit Louis -- The Roland Park restaurant is offering a fixed-price multi-course menu with accompnying wines, with party hats and favors for all guests. Reservations are highly recommended. $59, or $89 with wine.
Porters -- The regular menu will be available in addition to a special New Year's Eve menu. Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries at midnight. Federal Hill is very close by for watching fireworks.. Porters will also be passing out a glass of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to all.
The Prime Rib -- There may be a few openings left for the 5 p.m. seating, but the two later seatings were fully booked when I last checked.
RA Sushi -- A sparkling sake toast at midnight and "a great view of the Inner Harbor fireworks show." No cover charge. The early evening features, in addition to happy hour food and drink specials (5 to 7 p.m), a "Chang Sake Bomb and Viva Las Vegas Roll combo special for $10 (5 to 11 p.m.). The kitchen is open until 1 a.m.
Rusty Scupper -- New Years Eve Extravaganza from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. includes a four-course meal, live band and "the best view of the Harbor Fireworks." $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are also being taken up until 6:30 p.m. for regular dining.
Sascha's 527 -- Serving from the regular menu, with some "fabulous specials." Sascha's adds, "folks can come and immerse themselves in a recession-friendly Sascha's repast or be extravagant with some lobster. Either burger or lobster can be washed down with some fabulous bubbly or divine martinis."
Sullivan's Steakhouse -- The "Swinging at Sully's" party features a fixed price menu and and live dancing.
The Wine Market -- The Locust Point restaurant is offering a multi-course tasting menu. Free onsite parking is a plus here, as are views of the fireworks. Reservations are necessary, and space is limited. $55 per person, or $85 with wine pairings.
Baltimore Sun photo/Gene Sweeney Jr.