Happy New Year!
One of my husbands (I’d have to check the Rolodex to determine which one it was) used to insist that New Year’s Eve was Amateur Night and he resolutely refused to go anywhere. But I never felt that way—I used to love the big parties people would have, or a great dinner out, our block parties here on Douglas Drive, the year we went to Eleuthera to ring in the millennium.
Here are a few options for this year, right here in our neck of the woods.
Deck 84 will have an exclusive New Year’s Eve menu offering a number of new entrees from executive chef Jon Greening as well as half price drinks at the bar with food purchase all night long. Children eat free from 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a special guest DJ and you can’t beat that waterfront vibe. 561/665-8484,deck84.com.
The Sundy House with its new star power executive chef Lindsay Autry (a Top Chef finalist) is offering a special New Year’s Eve menu and two seatings. The first is a four-course chef tasting menu, $75 plus tax and gratuity; the second is a five-course chef tasting menu for $165 plus tax and gratuity. Naturally, both seatings include a champagne toast, party hats and other silliness. The First Choice Band will entertain. 561/272-5678, sundyhouse.com.
Il Bacio is hosting a Mardi Gras-themed New Year’s Eve event with stilt-walkers, live entertainment, and music by resident DJ Brett Sylvia. VIP guests will have a selection of party packages, starting from “Canal Street” to the “French Quarter” to the high rollers with “Bourbon Street.”(VIP tables for 10-12 guest range between $1,000 and $1,500). Think wild party, confetti, balloons, champagne—the works. Specific party packages and prices on request. 561/865-7785, ilbacioofdelray.com
SoLita Italian Restaurant & The Parlor is getting HYSTERICAL this New Year’s Eve, with two prix fixe dinner options (seatings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.) followed by a rocking New Year’s Eve 1920s-style party. Gatsby-inspired costumes and party wear is encouraged. 561/899-0888.
For families with kids there is always Delray’s First Night celebration with visual and performing arts in non-alcoholic venues at various locations downtown. Festivities begin at 4:00 pm on New Year’s in downtown Delray Beach and continue through midnight. First Night buttons, which serve as admittance to all First Night activities and venues, can be purchased for $10 in advance and $15 New Year’s Eve at the Christmas tree, and the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. For more, visit delraybeach.com.
