For New Year’s Eve, it’s all about making a night out on the town the best it can be. For some, it’s a party with hundreds of people. For others, a happy New Year is a home-cooked meal on the couch with your loved ones. For us? Well, it’s a fantastic dinner, with cocktails, wine, champagne and dessert! Here are our picks for where to dine on NYE.
The Dutch
Andrew Carmellini’s ever-popular restaurant is serving a prix-fixe dinner starting at 9 p.m. The four-course menu features oysters, scallops, sturgeon caviar, seared foie gras, homemade gnocchi with white truffle from Alba ($65 extra), lobster and Colorado lamb chops. $125 per person. 131 Sullivan St., thedutchnyc.com, 212-677-6200Louro
One of the most accessible yet refined restaurants in the city, this gem of a spot puts an emphasis on quality ingredients, with a side of food science (chef Dave Santos ferments and pickles all sorts of things). There are two seatings on NYE, the first is $55 and dishes include octopus bolognese, kimchi prawn hot pot and a dessert romantically called “A Walk in the Woods,” which is pine needle and porcini ice creams with maple “dirt” preserved maine blueberries. The second seating is $125 with a champagne toast and dishes include a hamachi crudo and dry aged beef. 42 West 10th St., louronyc.com, 212.206.0606Red Rooster
Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s adventurous Harlem restaurant is serving a $75 three-course prix-frixe dinner, in addition to the regular menu. Dishes include chicken liver crostini, smoked trout with quail egg and beef duo with NY Strip, short rib and tongue. 310 Lenox Ave., redroosterharlem.com, 212-792-9001Rouge Tomate
This Michelin-starred spot was one of the first to focus on seasonal cuisine, and places a premium on healthy, yet fine, food. On NYE there will be two seatings: $95 per person for three-courses from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and $150 per person for five courses and a midnight champagne toast. Highlights include celeriac and roasted chestnut soup with Hudson Valley foie gras and Branzino a la plancha. 10 E. 60th St., rougetomatenyc.com, 646-237-8977BLT Steak
Hit up the flagship BLT venue for a $60 4-course prix-fixe and special menu dinner. Menu items include grilled Alaskan king crab, champagne poached lobster with broccolini and lamb shank. 106 E. 57th St., bltsteak.com, 212-752-7470Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn
The iconic restaurant just expanded into Brooklyn (of course?), and the new location is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with special entrees and champagne when 2013 comes to a close. Oyster Pan Roast, anyone?! 256 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, oysterbarbrooklyn.com, 347-294-0596Rye
This gorgeous and homey restaurant is a local favorite for Williamsburg-ites, and deserves a visit from those outside the neighborhood, too. A 3-course prix-fixe is being offered on NYE for $85 per person, and dishes include black truffle vichyssoise, duck ragout and gnocchi, lobster cioppino and cassoulet with three meats. 247 S. 1st St., Williamsburg, ryerestaurant.com, 718-218-8047 Toro
This tapas spot opened merely months ago, and is the second location, after Boston. Yes, you heard that correctly. And it’s a hit! Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette host a “Holiday in Barcelona” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with passed tapas, a live dj, sangria bar, spanish wines, and cocktails for $125. A prix-fixe dinner will be available at 5 p.m. for $85 or 7 p.m. for $100. 85 Tenth Ave.,toro-nyc.com, 212-691-2360
