New Year’s Eve Dining in OC
Still weighing options on where to ring in the New Year on Monday night? Here are some top local options for low key celebrations to a Funky Disco Party with a rainbow balloon drop, live music, disco ball, party favors, and a midnight celebration.
Old Vine Cafe. Celebrate the turn of the year with a four-course dinner at Costa Mesa's Old Vine Cafe. Known for its intimate environment, the restaurant will offer three separate tasting menus with wine pairings for $125/person. Guests can select from the Original Tasting Menu (options like seared scallops and Prime filet mignon), the Vegetarian (with dishes like the housemade fried polenta and mini pecan pie tartlets), or the Vegan Tasting Menu (featuring hen of the woods, shiitake, and beech mushrooms and housemade sorbet). Reservations are required and can be made by calling 714.545.1411.
Ways & Means Oyster House. Ring in the New Year at Ways & Means Oyster House with a Masquerade Bash! Guests will enjoy the fill dinner menu along with various special menu items, receive a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and prizes for best mask. There will also be specialty masks, tiaras, and necklaces for sale all night at the restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 714.960.4300.
Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse. Celebrate the start of 2019 with a decadent four-course prix-fixe meal at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse. Begin the experience with Maine Lobster Bisque; followed by A5 Wagyu Tartare with Quail Egg, Truffle Vin, and Yuca Chips; a Center Cut Filet Mignon, with Hand-Rolled Kale Gnocchi, Gorgonzola, and Barolo as the entree; and Mini Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cremeux, Raspberries, and Salted Caramel Gelato for dessert. The prix-fixe menu is available for $85 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), and reservations are encouraged - call 949.477.4819.
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen. End 2018 with a fiesta at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea and Irvine! Ring in the New Year with live Latin Music, a special three-course menu, limited-time-offering El Palomar Margaritas, $20 AsomBroso Tequila Flights, and of course a countdown at midnight! The three-course prix-fixe menu is available for $45 per person, and guests can select from a variety of appetizers including the Manilla Clams (fresh clams, Spanish chorizo, fresh herbs, white wine, and a touch of butter) and Empanadas (fresh ground corn masa, picadillo of ground beef, smokey ancho salsa, and crema fresca). Entree selections include the Crab & Shrimp Enchiladas (Crab & shrimp sautéed with garlic, white wine, served with creamy habanero pesto sauce, black beans, and salsa rice) and Lobster Tacos (maseca dusted crisp lobster tails on grilled flour tortillas with chipotle cabbage slaw, heirloom pico de gallo, jalapeno crema, avocado, and served with black beans and salsa rice. For dessert, two guests can select one option to share, with highlights including the Chocolate Decadent Brownie (served warm with white chocolate horchata sauce, fresh strawberries, and vanilla ice cream) and Flan Cha Cha’s (baked with vanilla bean and served with a homemade coconut shortbread cookie and fresh whipped cream).
Brunos Italian Kitchen. To celebrate the New Year, Brunos Italian Kitchen will offer a special three-course prix fixe menu. For $65 per person, guests will select from many options to start such as the Arancini (risotto balls with porcini, smoked mozzarella, fresh herbs, and marinara sauce) and PEI Mussels (steamed with garlic, fresh herbs, prosecco, preserved lemons, and a touch of chili flakes). For the entree, guests can choose from many dishes including the Prime Flat Iron Steak (grilled and served with roasted Yukon gold potatoes, and cipollini onions) or the Pappardelle Bruno (with braised short ribs, roasted mushrooms, and homemade pappardelle). To complete the meal, two guests can select one dessert to share with options like the Fennel and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta (honey-grappa apples, pomegranate, and crushed ameretti cookies) and the Roasted Pumpkin Bread Pudding (served with spiced Vanilla Custard, amarena cherries, and fresh whipped cream).
Slater’s 50/50, the full-service restaurant known for its over-the-top and ‘slaterized’ menu, is ringing in the new year with a Midnight Beer Toast at its newly reopened Huntington Beach location (17071 Beach Blvd). No cover, no prix fixe, no fussy specials - just a complimentary glass of craft beer to cheers to 2019. Enjoy your brew with one of Slater’s infamous 50/50 burgers made with 50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon, or other equally indulgent options like loaded flatbreads, hearty salads, and amped-up milkshakes and cocktails. For more information, visit www.slaters5050.com and follow @Slaters5050 on social media.
The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar. Celebrate the beginning of 2019 in style at The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar! The restaurant is hosting a Studio 54 themed (disco, anyone?) party on Monday, December 31. Guests will enjoy food & drink specials, a live DJ, complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and more! RSVP recommended by calling 949.888.0072.
Angelina's. Ring in the New Year at Angelina's own Funky Disco Party! The event includes a champagne toast, small bites plus take part in the rainbow balloon drop, live music, disco ball, party favors and of course the midnight celebration at its Irvine location. The tickets are sold via Eventbrite and are $50, Dec 31st 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
