We are not going to let you sit at home on New Year's Eve and watch Ryan Seacrest in Times Square. Here are some more great dinners and places to ring in 2008.

1. New Year's Eve at Hush. Rest-assured that hush Executive Chef Ashley Ewart has created a beautiful prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve. The menus differ slightly from the first seating at 5:30 p.m. ($95) and the second seating at 8:30 p.m. ($145), but some of the mouth-watering items include amuse bouche (coppa wrapped grilled Chilean peach, port reduction), Australian rack of lamb (grilled marinated treviso, roasted pepper and goat cheese gratin and nicoise olive demi), Muscovy duck "two ways" (roasted breat, creamy chestnut risotto, crisp confit ravioli, roasted pear chutney), and chocolate profiteroles. Providing live entertainment for the evening will be guitarist John Heussenstamm and his band. 949.497.3616. Hush is at 858 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, CA 92651). www.hushrestaurant.com

2. New Year’s Eve at the St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach. Get out your gold chains. This fun New Year's Eve bash features Boogie Knights, the ultimate 70s disco revival! Diners will enjoy a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception, lavish four-course dinner, espresso bar, unlimited cocktails throughout the evening, champagne toast at midnight and party favors, for $250 per person. If you like to stay at the hotel, you can indulge for three nights in a luxurious guest room, plus gain entrance for two to the New Year's Eve Bash. The package starts at $2008. Rates vary based on room type. St. Regis Monarch Beach is at One Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. 949.234.3773. www.stregis.com/monarchbeach

3. New Year's Eve at the Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar. Partner and Executive Chef Yvon Goetz has prepared an incredible four-course menu (including a glass of bubbly, of course). You can view the New Year's Eve menu on-line at www.TheWineryRestaurant.net. The cost per person is $89 (from the 5 to 8 p.m. seating) and $139 (for the second seating that begins at 9 p.m.). The second seating features live entertainment by Family Style, an Orange County favorite best known for its unique blend of rhythm and blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar is at The District in Tustin, 2647 Park Avenue. 714.258.7600.

4. New Year's Eve on Alamitos Bay. Celebrate New Year's Eve in an exotic waterfront setting on beautiful Alamitos Bay in Long Beach at Tantalum! A hidden jewel in Marina Pacifica, Tantalum is offering an eclectic menu featuring contemporary California and Pan Pacific-inspired dishes. Ring in the New Year with live entertainment and panoramic bay views. Tantalum is located at the Marina Pacifica in Long Beach 6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway. (562) 431.1414. www.tantalumrestaurant.com.

5. New Year’s Even at Fury Rok & Rol Sushi Lounge. Fury Rok & Rol Sushi, known for its eclectic menu that combines sushi and Pan-Asian cuisine with European influences, is throwing a New Year’s Eve bash featuring the DJ group, Mix Armada. Pre-sale tickets are $60. Fury Rok & Rol Sushi Lounge is at 4221 Dolphin Striker Way in Newport Beach. 949.756.8800. www.furyoc.com

6. New Year’s Eve at Roy's. Roy's has a fabulous prix fixe New Year’s Eve menu and will be serving dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. The price is determined by the entrée you choose. Among the menu items that caught our eye are the Hawaiian-style Misoyaki butterfish "hand roll" for an appetizer; the rock shrimp and asparagus corn chowder for our soup; the bacon wrapped and "dynamite" baked ono for the main course; and for dessert, chocolate Kona coffee flan. Roy's, Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine is at Fashion Island, 453 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. 949-640-7697. www.roysrestaurant.com

www.hushrestaurant.com

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