Monday, December 27, 2010

New Year's Eve in Boston: The What-to-Do Guide

By: Finance Foodie

Oy! Christmas is over, but don't fret yet -- the party continues to rock on as New Year's Eve approaches! NYE has always been one of those holidays I never intend to celebrate, but always get dragged into due to peer pressure (and my friends can be sooo persuasive!). This year I'll be in Texas with my family, so the celebration will most likely be a low key (but delicious, natch) dinner. Although it would be super cool to be in Boston celebrating at what look like a slew of awesome events, family comes first (plus who who wants to leave the 70 degree weather in Texas prematurely during wintertime? ;).


But for those of you in Boston and looking for things to do (and/or good meals to consume), may I present:

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Finance Foodie Guide to New Year's Eve: 
Boston Area Edition

Back Bay / Fenway (Boston)
MET Back Bay
279 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-267-0451

Dance the night away while you enjoy appetizers and indulge in a dessert buffet prepared by Executive Chef Todd Winer. Guests will receive festive party favors, an exclusive sneak peak at Townhouse, and of course, plenty of champagne and MET Punch to toast the New Year at midnight.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 9pm-2:00am

Cost: $100 per person. Guests who book a dinner reservation will enjoy the party for $50 per person.

Towne Stove and Spirits
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-247-0400

Located in the heart of Boston’s official First Night celebration, Towne Stove and Spirits will ring in their first New Year’s Eve this season. Co-Culinary Director Lydia Shire has specially created three dishes to be enjoyed while toasting your loved ones on this epic night.

Towne’s New Year’s Eve specials include the following:

Picasso’s Plate of “Estate” Osetra Caviar 1 oz. on Delicate Rice .. Hot Buttered .. Potato Tart .. w/ many garnishes: $65

Sole “Star” Raviolini w/ Fresh Pickled Florida Stone Crab .. Spoon of Crab Broth + Tangerine Oil: $30

Wood Roasted Long Bone Veal Chop w/ Chestnut Crepes .. Parmesan + Truffle Fonduta: $50

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – dinner service
Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill
1265 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-236-REMY

The dazzling and decadent 1920’s will roar into Boston this New Year’s Eve at Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grill, as the sports bar transforms into a prohibition-era speakeasy and casino for a night of rousing card playing, complimentary cocktails, delicious food, great prizes and entertainment. Try your hand at blackjack, craps, roulette, poker or the money wheel, with all gaming proceeds directly benefiting the Red Sox Foundation.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 7:00pm-1:00am

Cost: Tickets are $95 per person, and include entry, entertainment, passed hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold buffet dinner, complimentary cocktails, midnight champagne toast, $1,000 in gaming chips (with additional chips available for purchase).

Back Bay Social Club
867 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-247-3200

Experience the ambiance of a 1960s social club on one of Boston’s hottest streets with an exclusive menu created by Executive Chef Tim Raines.

FIRST: Chilled Shellfish Salad with Salsa Verde & Shaved Fennel, Poached Shrimp, Scallops & Calamari, Pickled Shallots, Herbs & Fennel

SECOND: Roasted Prime Rib with Truffle Delmonico Potatoes & Escarole; Sliced Whole Roasted Prime Rib with Creamed Potatoes Gratin with Truffle, Escarole Salad

THIRD: Chocolate Strawberry Candy Bar with Rice Crisp, Strawberry Divinity with White Chocolate Champagne Ganache, Strawberry Sauce

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 5:00pm-1:30am

Cost: $60 per person

Stanhope Grille at The Back Bay Hotel
350 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-532-3827

This New Year’s Eve, The Back Bay Hotel’s Stanhope Grille will dish out two exclusive customizable prix fixe menus for revelers of “First Night” in Boston. Offering an exclusively created three-course menu beginning at 5:30pm, Stanhope Grille allows you to toast the end of 2010 early before exploring the city’s legendary festivities. At 8:30pm, Stanhope Grille will begin offering their main event: a specially prepared five-course tasting menu, complete with matching flutes of bubbly. Selections from the menus include: Lobster Bisque; Pear and Beet Salad; Crispy “Cannelloni”; Maine Lobster; Signature Grass Fed Beef Rib Eye; Spice Dusted Free Range Chicken; Crème Brulee; Trio Sorbet with Almond Cookie.

Date/Time/Cost:
Friday December 31st
5:30pm – 8:30pm: 3-course prix fixe ($55 per person; includes glass of champagne)
8:30pm – close: 5-course prix fixe ($95 per person; includes two glasses of champagne)
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
217 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-292-0808

In addition to serving their signature a la carte menu, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will offer three exclusive specials available on December 30th, December 31st and January 1st. Fleming’s three-night extended New Year’s celebration specials include the following: Filet Mignon & Crab-Stuffed Shrimp (Filet mignon with Madeira sauce, two giant black tiger shrimp stuffed with crab and topped with crisp bacon, lemon garlic butter sauce, served with a butter poached Portobello mushroom - $79.95); North Atlantic Lobster Tail (Colossal one-pound lobster tail with lemon vanilla butter, served with lobster mac & cheese - $59.95); and, New York Strip & Giant Shrimp (Petite New York prime steak wrapped in bacon, two giant black tiger shrimp broiled in the shell with chimichurri herb pesto - $69.95). Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will also be toasting with Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label available for $25 per glass.

Date/Time: Thursday December 30th, Friday, December 31st, Saturday January 1st – 5:00pm-11:00pm

Pairings at The Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
50 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-262-3473

Pairings in The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers will ring in the New Year with a three-course customizable prix fixe menu, in addition to serving their regular menu. Pairings’ exclusive menu includes the following: Trio of Appetizers; Pan Fried Salmon; Grilled Boned Cornish Hen; Ricotta Gnocchil Warm Callebaut Chocolate Cake; and, Candied Ginger Crème Brulee with Hazelnut Biscotti.

Date/Time: Friday December 31st - 5:00pm – close

Cost: 3-course prix fixe menu ($58 per person)

Financial District (Boston)
Strega Waterfront at Fan Pier
One Marina Park Drive
Boston, MA 02110
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1088424507

Strega Waterfront owner, Nick Varano and special guest “The Big Shamroq” Shaquille O’Neal, will host Strega Waterfront’s New Year’s Eve “Party on the Harbor.” The extravaganza will take place on the13th floor of Fan Pier, setting the stage for spectacular views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor fireworks at midnight. With dancing and performances by Maxine Nightingale, The Deney Terrio Dance Party and legendary DJ JJ Wright, the admission price includes the following: complimentary valet parking, an extravagant dinner featuring Strega’s classic Italian cuisine, an endless champagne bar, and a continental breakfast when the clock strikes twelve. In typical Varano and O’Neal style, expect there to be lots of surprises!

Date/Time/Cost:
Friday, December 31st - 7:00pm - 2:00am: New Year’s Eve Party ($279 per person; 21+)
Umbria
295 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-338-1000

This New Year’s Eve, Umbria is hosting their 20th year anniversary party. Enjoy three floors of festivities in Umbria’s state-of-the-art nightclub. The evening will feature an open bar, two DJs, party favors, and a traditional Champagne toast.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 10:00pm-2:00am

Cost: $125 per person

Aura at the Seaport Hotel
One Seaport Lane
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-385-4300

Featuring a spectacular exclusive menu designed by Executive Chef Rachel Klein, Aura will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a four-course customizable prix fixe featuring the following: Asian Pear Salad; Lobster Bisque; Duet of Oysters; Thai Seafood Bouillabaisse; Pan Roasted George’s Bank Scallop; Scottish Salmon; Steak & Eggs; Braised Short Rib; Rack of Lamb; Trio of Dessert; Vanilla Crème Brulee; and, Flourless Chocolate Cake. Whether or not you opt to accompany the prix fixe experience with selected wine pairings, Aura will also be serving up a complimentary glass of champagne to guests at midnight. Aura will also feature their traditional menu on New Year’s Eve.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 8:00pm seating

Cost: 4-course prix fixe ($95 per person; $130 per person with wine pairings)

Spirit of Boston (Entertainment Cruise)
200 Seaport Boulevard
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 866-310-2469

Spend your New Year’s Eve at sea aboard the Spirit of Boston or the Odyssey to be part of two of the best parties in the city. Board the Spirit of Boston to cruise, dine and dance the night away in the holiday spirit! Beginning at 8:00pm, guests will enjoy a five-hour party including a rockin’ DJ for dancing the night away, a delicious dinner buffet, festive decorations, a midnight champagne toast, breathtaking skylines, and, of course, the best seats in town for Boston’s First Night Fireworks.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st - Board at 8:00pm; Cruise from 9:00pm-1:00am

Cost: $129.90 per person

Beacon Hill (Boston)
Scampo
215 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-536-2100

Scampo will be open on New Year’s Eve with their regular menu, regular hours, regular seating and some amazing specials by Chef Lydia Shire, including a Pizza of Fresh King Crab with Blood Orange Hollandaise & Baby Osaka Greens; a Long Bone Veal Chop Agnolotti 'del plein' Folded in Chestnut Flour with Robiola & Fresh Currants; Whole Grilled Branzino With Meyer Lemon and Fennel…Fried 'Head-on' Prawns and Pancetta

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 5:30-11 p.m.

Cambridge, MA
Noir at the Charles Hotel
One Bennett Square
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-864-1200

Let the experts at Noir at The Charles Hotel take you back in time to the Roaring 20’s at their speakeasy-themed soiree this New Year’s Eve! Enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres from 9-11 p.m. as well as a decadent dessert buffet from 11 p.m. to close (2 a.m.) Zoot suits for the gangsters and boas and pearls for the flappers are encouraged, as the best dressed couple will win a notable prize. Reserve a table for up to 6 people ($200) and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne. Reserve a table or RSVP to rsvp@charleshotel.com.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – 9:00pm-2:00am

Cost: $200 for 6 people, other pricing plans available

Bambara Restaurant at The Hotel Marlowe
25 Land Blvd
Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: 617-868-4444

Join Chef Jay Silva of Bambara Cambridge for a four-course feast preparing you for the New Year ahead! Served alongside the regular dinner menu, the Chef’s menu is paired with luxurious wines and champagne

MENU:
Escargot Pot Pie
Parsley puree, pearl onions, bacon, toasted garlic, traditional vegetables
Château Bonnett, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France, 08
Moët & Chandon, Imperial, Champagne, NV

Beef Carpaccio
Thinly sliced Wagyu beef, foie gras stuffed “French toast,” aged sherry vinegar, Murray River sea salt
Riesling, Hogue, Columbia Valley, CA, 07
Ruinart, Blanc de Blanc Brut, Champagne, NV

Veal Oscar
Local crab, asparagus, hollandaise
Veuve Cliquot, Yellow Label Brut, Champagne, NV
Pinot Noir, Montinore, Willamette Valley, OR, 08

Warm Doughnuts
Chocolate sauce, sea salt caramel, malted chocolate ice cream
Gloria Ferrer “Kimpton Cuvee” Sonoma, CA, NV
Moët & Chandon, Rose, Champagne, NV

Date/Time: Friday December 31st 7:00PM

Cost: Four-course dinner, $65; With wine pairings, $85; With champagne, $105

Somerville, MA
Gargoyles on the Square
219 Elm Street
Somerville, MA 02114
Phone: 617-776-5300

Enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner at Gargoyles on the Square where Chef Jason Santos will prepare a celebratory three-course prix-fixe menu for three seating times. Indulge in dishes including Butter Basted Grilled Lobster Tail or “Signature” Honey & Hoisin Glazed Duck Confit. There will be a traditional champagne toast and party favors during the final seating.

Date/Time: Friday, December 31st – The three seatings will be at : 5-5:30pm, 7-7:30pm and 9-9:30 pm

Cost: First seating is $50 per person, the second seating is $60 per person, and the third seating is $70 per person.

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