Local venues offer a wide range of New Year’s Eve celebrations
By Kim Devore/Staff Writer
Locals who want to save themselves the time and hassle of venturing out to the big city to ring in the New Year will find plenty of ways to party down without having to stray far from home.
Feelin’ lucky? Granita is doing a Vegas-style Rat Pack shindig. The chairmen, Dean, Sammy and Joey, will live on in spirit, as Wolfgang Puck’s awesome eatery is turned into a swinging hotspot complete with roulette, blackjack, craps and keno. The four-course spread features everything a cool cat or happening hipster could want including Oysters Rockafella’, Foie Gras “Rumaki,” Caviar with Crème Fraiche and Lobster Thermidor.
Greek to you? If your 2004 tastes lean toward the exotic, opah your way over to Taverna Tony’s where you can dig into massive platters of dolmathes, moussaka and pastitsio while checking out the traditional Greek musicians and beautiful belly dancers.
Traditionalists might want to experience the elegant evening planned at Beau Rivage which will feature a special menu prepared just for the occasion along with live music and dancing.
For all things Italian say, buon appetito at Allegria where those superb chefs will be serving up specialties including Timballo di Salmone e Aragosta, Pesce Pallino and Filetto con Granchio.
Ready to rock? If so, The Malibu Inn is the place to be. The New Year’s Eve festivities kick off at 8 p.m. with a soulful feast of barbecue ribs, Southern fried chicken and Cajun snapper. Rocker Lenny Goldsmith takes the stage at 9 p.m., and will be followed by actor Dennis Quaid and his sizzling hot band, The Sharks. You can also get down at Guido’s where the usual suspects will be cutting loose at the makeshift disco until champagne is served at the stroke of midnight. A deejay will also be spinning jazz and blues tunes by the surf at Moonshadows where the menu includes oh-so-nice bites like yellow fin tuna and filet mignon.
So no matter what kind of way you choose to celebrate the fun, there’s a hearty party for everyone.