Happy New Year! (Well, almost.) Cincinnati's restaurant community is offering a lot of great options for New Year's Eve dining and libations. Here are nine of the most intriguing (and delicious).
Boca: Pull out all of the stops with Boca's New Year's Eve dinner. Currently, the only seats available are in the dining room, where you will receive four courses of Boca's Italian-inspired dishes. Seatings are available starting at 4 p.m. and range from $95-$125 per person, service charge and tax not included. Make reservations on Boca’s website. 114 E. Sixth St., Downtown. bocacincinnati.com
Jag's Steak & Seafood: Jag's has a unique take on New Year's Eve this year: Travel around the world (or really, Jag's dining rooms and private dining rooms). Diners will get to sample cuisine from eight different cities, including dishes such as escargot Bourgogne (Paris), takoyaki (Tokyo), kangaroo roast (Sydney) and beef Wellington (London). Two all-inclusive "passports" are available: silver ($100), which includes call liquor, wines and beer, or gold ($125), which includes top-shelf liquor, premium wines and beer. 5980 West Chester Road, West Chester. jags.com
Orchids at Palm Court: Enjoy a four- ($90) or six-course ($110) prix fixe tasting menu in Orchids' beautiful dining room while listening to jazz from the band in the Bar at Palm Court. If you would like something a little more casual, the bar will serve a more relaxed menu (as well as cocktails, wine and beer) all evening. And if you need to recover from NYE revelry, Orchids will serve New Year’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., with prime rib, pork belly, a raw bar, desserts and brunch favorites. Brunch is $42.72 for adults, $30.95 for seniors and $16.95 for children; kids under age 4 are free. Call 513-421-9100 for reservations. 35 W. Fifth St., inside the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Downtown. www.orchidsatpalmcourt.com
Maribelle’s Eat + Drink: Ring in the new year eating local, delicious food on Maribelle's $65 prix fixe menu. Choose selections for three courses, including options for vegetarians (faux French onion soup with a mushroom base and squash ravioli), adventurous omnivores (rabbit and pork cheek terrine) and everyone in between. Call 513-321-9111 for reservations or email josh@maribelleseatdrink.com. 3235 Madison Road, Oakley. www.maribellestavern.com
Taft's Ale House: Taft's New Year's Eve bash features multiple levels. For $40 per person, receive standing-room only admission, including two drinks. (Appetizers can be purchased at the bar.) For $100 per person, reserve a table and get two drinks and a four-course meal. Tables can be reserved for two, four, six, eight or 10 people. Taft’s also will tap a new beer at midnight. It’s a fun, casual option for beer lovers. Click here for reservations. 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. taftsalehouse.com
Brown Dog Cafe: Enjoy New Year's Eve in the beautiful setting of Summit Park with Brown Dog Cafe's four-course meal for $67.95 per person (plus 20 percent gratuity). Brown Dog will serve favorites such as Caffeinated Pig (espresso-rubbed wild boar) and luxurious entrees such as lobster with boursin potatoes or a vegetable Wellington, as well as rabbit ravioli and kumquat bruschetta. Call 513-794-1610 for reservations. 4335 Glendale-Milford Road, Blue Ash. www.browndogcafe.com
The Mercer OTR: Do some people watching during your New Year's Eve dinner at the Mercer OTR. Its $85 prix fixe menu features a host of sumptuous choices, such as foie gras terrine, oysters, tortellini cacio e pepe with truffles, beef tenderloin and a selection of sweets. Make reservations on the Mercer’s website. 1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. themercerotr.com
The Madison Event Center: Self Diploma is hosting one of the biggest, best New Year’s Eve parties at the Madison Event Center in Covington. For $99, get a buffet dinner, beer, wine and spirits, two levels of entertainment and a Champagne toast. For $149, revelers get access to top-shelf spirits, an upscale dinner buffet, VIP bars and a midnight snack. Six DJs will provide the entertainment. Get your tickets online. 700 Madison Ave., Covington. thecovingtonmadison.com
Prime Cincinnati: Get a 9 p.m. reservation and ring in the new year surrounded by a private art collection at Prime Cincinnati. The $100 minimum spend per person includes a Champagne toast, entertainment, party favors and other traditional New Year's Eve fun, all in a posh setting. A credit card reservation is required; call 513-579-0720 for reservations. 580 Walnut St., Downtown. primecincy.com
What are you doing for New Year's Eve, staying in or going out? Tweet me at @winemedineme!
