| Dining Out on New Year's Eve |
| Written by Laurie Lyons | |
 Whether you want to start your long night of parties and clubs with a nice meal, or the nice meal is the precursor to a quiet evening at home, some of Austin's finest dining establishments welcome you for a New Year's Eve experience that you won't forget. Dinner, Dancing, and Drinking at The Highball At The Highball, not only does your evening include an amazing menu by their top chefs, it also includes a pre-dinner cocktail, a five course meal with matching wine and cocktails, live jazz music by the Matt Raines Duo during the dinner, funny hats, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and dancing with music by DJ Resinthol until 2AM. Tickets for the party are $120 per person and include 15% gratuity. There is no dress code, but everyone is encouraged to dress to the nines. Reservations can be made by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling (512) 383-8309. Pre-dinner cocktails begin at 8:00 PM and dinner starts at 8:45 PM. Opening cocktail: The Blue Moon, made with gin, lemon juice, creme de violet and maraschino liqueur, will be served at the beginning of the meal. Amuse Bouche: Chilled Cauliflower Soup with Caviar First Course: Seared Diver Scallop on Escarole with Beet Confit, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Orange Blossom Honey Vinaigrette Second Course: Black Eyed Peas, Cider Braised Pork Belly, Jalapeno Herb Jelly Third Course: Dried Porcini Seared New York Strip Steak, Sweet Potato Gratin, Asparagus with Hollandaise Dessert: Hazelnut Creme Brulee, Orange Marmalade, Biscotti The Highball is located at 1142 South Lamar Blvd The "New" Cedar Door Welcomes You for New year's Eve The Cedar Door invites you to welcome 2010 in a hassle-free, relaxed setting. Table reservations range from $20 to $100 depending on the number in your party, and includes a bottle of champagne, appetizer sampler platter and party kit with horns and hats to ring in the New Year. There will also be a standing room option without a cover price. The kitchen will be serving up favorites from their Southwestern grill menu such as grilled fish and shrimp tacos, tortilla soup and hand-cut French fries along with Cedar Door’s famous Mexican Martinis. A DJ will be spinning beats throughout the evening leading up to the countdown and champagne toast at midnight and long after. The evening starts at 6pm and goes all night. Cedar Door is located at 201 Brazos St Lakeway Resort gives you a Fancy Dinner without a Fancy Price To welcome in 2010, Travis Restaurant at Lakeway Resort & Spa will host an elegant three-course dinner on New Years Eve. The night will also feature plenty of music and dancing at Josey’s Bar and Grill, with tunes by No Show Ponies and a special midnight celebration. No Show Ponies are an Americana band based in Austin who released their debut The End of Feel Good in April 2009. Lakeway’s exquisite New Years Eve menu begins with a traditional Caesar salad and includes the choice of potato and boursin stuffed chicken served with bacon fat greens and red wine sauce; or braised center cut veal shanks served with saffron-lemon risotto and sautéed pea shoots. The dinner also includes a dessert sampler plate consisting of a chocolate Godiva and cherry shooter, an almond and cream profiterole with raspberry sauce, and peach bread pudding. The three-course dinner is $35.00 per person. To make dinner reservations, call 512.261.2323. More information about Lakeway’s New Years Eve celebration can also be found at www.dolce-lakeway-hotel.com. Special New Years Eve room rate priced at $109 before tax and $15 resort fee with promo code: NYE. Rate valid December 30th through January 2nd. Check out our review of the resort at http://www.austin.com/content/view/2069/363/. Lakeway Resort and Spa is located at 101 Lakeway Dr A New Year's Eve Wine and Dine Adventure at Hill Country Pasta Enjoy their Ala Carte Menu offerings: Filet Mignon, Sea Bass, Coconut Breaded Tilapia, Rack of Lamb, or have a Tolosa Wine 4-course Dinner and so much more, as well as their classic pastas and wood fired pizzas, and 3x3 Wine Flights available all night long. Call Laura or Passiano for reservations 266-9445. Hill Country Pasta is located at 3519 RR 620 North |