Last Minute New Year’s Eve Dinner Recs

Dec 28, 2015

Still haven’t decided where to go for your last meal of the year? We’ve got a few delicious ideas to ring in 2016:

Celebrate the new year in lavish style at FIG & OLIVE Fashion Island. Guests will be invited to raise a champagne flute to 2016 at the elegant White & Gold Party, which will celebrate the year’s end with a four-course prix fixe fête ($150*) from 8:30 p.m. to close, along with a lively cocktail reception ($100*) from 9 p.m. to close. Throughout the evening, guests may entertain their taste buds with the event’s two holiday menus, inspired by owner/founder Laurent Halasz’s passion for seasonal cuisine from the French Riviera. The White & Gold Prix Fixe Dinner, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., will feature a table set with four courses of provincial, wintertime fare, including Butternut Squash & Chestnut Soup and Lamb Chops accompanied by goat cheese gnocchi and braised eggplant with honey. Other menu items include:

• Foie Gras– silky foie gras paired with a sweet fig chutney
• Seared Sea Scallops – crisply seared sea scallops served alongside braised endives and truffle dressing
• Filet Mignon – plump filet mignon accompanied by gratin Dauphinois and onion confit

Then from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the evening’s cocktail hour will take place by the fireside on the FIG & OLIVE’s outdoor patio, featuring a menu of beautifully crafted small bites, such as Mushroom Croquettes drizzled with white truffle oil as well as Salmon Crudo seasoned with citrus, dill, and scallion. Hors d’oeuvres will be circulated through the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2016. Additional tastes include:

• Miniature Fig & Gorgonzola Tartlet – fresh figs and crumbles of gorgonzola cheese baked atop a flaky disc of puff pastry
• Zucchini Carpaccio – thinly sliced fresh zucchini sprinkled with parmesan and pine nuts
• Truffle Risotto –Arborio rice thickened with parmesan, cremini mushroom, scallion, parsley, and white truffle oil

Looking to enjoy a relaxed New Year’s Eve dinner? Del Frisco’s Grille at Irvine Spectrum Center will offer a $42 Dry Aged Prime Rib special featuring a 16 oz. cut served alongside hand-mashed potatoes. The Grille’s complete menu of upscale comfort foods including Cheesesteak Eggrolls, Ahi Tuna Tacos and Truffle-Chive Deviled Eggs will also be available.

Or for a California-Italian meal to wind down your year, head to CUCINA enoteca at Irvine Spectrum Center for a special $68 four-course prix fixe menu with an optional wine pairing for an additional $38. The special New Year’s Eve menu starts with an antipasti of New Zealand honey mussels with Calabrian chili and lemon fennel brodo or a refreshing sea bass crudo with citrus and pomegranate. You’ll then segue to a chestnut agnolotti, followed by your choice of either veal piccata or seared scallop. To finish, there’s an almond torte with pear and orange creme. For guests who do not wish for a prix fixe menu, the menu that evening will also be offered a la carte and the restaurant’s regular full dinner menu will be available as well.

Celebrate the New Year all week at Fleming’s with a special Filet & Lobster pre-fixe dinner. The three-course menu starts with a roasted prosciutto-wrapped shrimp followed by choice of salad. For the main course, enjoy an 8-ounce filet mignon and 8-ounce Lobster Tail with cabernet sauce. JCB by Jean-Charles Brut Burgundy ($16) and Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne ($30) are available to pair with dinner.  Or indulge your sweet tooth with Fleming’s Belgian Chocolate Flourless Torte for $9.95.

$69.95 per person for the filet and lobster pre-fixe menu (excludes tax/gratuity).

455 Newport Center Dr, Fashion Island, Newport Beach 949.720.9633 www.Flemingssteakhouse.com

Say farewell to 2015 at TAPS Fish House and Brewery at The Market Place in Irvine. The New Year’s Eve celebration includes a special Chef’s pre-fixe menu, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. The three-course menu features selections such as Maine lobster, miso marinated Chilean sea bass, filet mignon, fresh oysters and a variety of decadent desserts. Wines by the glass, bottles of champagne and after dinner spirits and ports will also be available to pair with dinner.

Price of prix-fixe will be determined by choice of entrée; beverages priced per selection (excludes tax/gratuity). The lounge will be open at 3 p.m. and the dining room will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight.

13390 Jamboree Rd, Irvine Market Place 714.619.0404 www.tapsfishhouse.com