Restaurants, wineries offer tasty ways to ring in the new year

By PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 11:08 PM PST ∞

Several local restaurants, wineries and casinos are offering dining options for celebrating the dawning of 2009. Here are some options:

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New Year's Eve events:

-- Arterra: The San Diego Marriott Del Mar's restaurant will offer a prix-fixe New Year's Eve dinner with two seatings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (four courses, $85) and from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (six courses, $115); wine and cocktail pairings are extra. 11966 El Camino Real, Del Mar; (858) 369-6032.

-- Bernard'O: The Rancho Bernardo French fine-dining restaurant will offer two New Year's Eve prix-fixe dinner seatings with live entertainment. Early seating from 5 to 6:30 p.m. features a four-course dinner (with optional cheese course) for $59.50; second seating from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. is a six-course dinner for $79.50 (includes party favors). 12457 Rancho Bernardo Road, San Diego; (858) 487-7171.

-- Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge: Downtown San Diego's newest restaurant owned by Wolfgang Puck protege David McIntyre of Carmel Valley will offer two dinner seatings on New Year's Eve. A prix-fixe four-course menu will be served at 6:30 p.m. ($90 or $125 with wine pairings) and at 9:30 p.m. ($125 or $160 with pairings and midnight champagne toast). 655 W. Broadway, San Diego; (619) 450-6450.

-- Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa: The resort will present a prix-fixe three-course New Year's Eve dinner menu (with glass of champagne) on Dec. 31 for $59 ($89 with wine pairings). A New Year's Day a la carte brunch menu will be offered from 6 to 11 a.m. in the Adobe El Restaurant. 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla; (858) 964-6500.

-- Frankie's Steak & Seafood: The Temecula steakhouse is offering a New Year's Eve a la carte early dinner menu from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Then a New Year's Eve champagne celebration, from 9:30 to 1 a.m., will include a three-course dinner, live Latin jazz, party favors and champagne is $95. 41789 Nicole Lane, Temecula; (951) 676-8040.

-- Four Seasons Resort Aviara: The Carlsbad resort hosts New Year's Eve dining options in four of its restaurants. Vivace and Argyle Steakhouse will host host four-course special menus with choices for $160 with live entertainment and party favors and seating reservations from 6 to 10 p.m The California Bistro will offer an a la carte menu and prix-fixe four-course menu from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. for $75 (a $15 children's buffet available for ages 5 to 12). And the Lobby Lounge will host a New Year's Eve party, featuring a three-course set menu at 9 p.m. for $110 (open to resort and club guests only) followed by live entertainment, dancing, party favors and a balloon drop (non-resort guests can join the party after 9 p.m. for $60); Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad; (760) 603-6000.

-- Grand Del Mar: The Carmel Valley luxury resort's upscale Addison offers a seven-course, prix-fixe Christmas menu from 5:30 to 10 p.m. New Year's Eve for $175 ($300 with wine pairings). Amaya Restaurant offers a four-course tasting menu from 6:30 to 10 p.m. both nights for $125 ($190 with pairings). A New Year's Eve Gala will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Manchester Salon, including dinner with wine pairings, champagne toast, dancing and live entertainment for $395. 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego; (858) 314-2000.

-- Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego: The harborside hotel will offer a limited a la carte New Year's Eve menu at Sally's Seafood on the Water and a New Year's Eve buffet in it's Lael's Restaurant ($65, adults; $30, children 4 to 12). Lael's will also offer a grand breakfast buffet on New Year's Day; 1 Market Place, San Diego; (800) 358-6744.

-- Pala Casino Spa & Resort: The casino is offering dinner, New Year's Eve party and room specials to ring in the new year. The Oak Room Steak & Seafood Restaurant offers a special holiday dinner and access to one of the parties in the Grand Cabaret or the Events Center for $109. Mama's Cucina Italiana will present a holiday dinner menu for $59. Terrace Buffet will offer a $29 menu with 140 items including steak and seafood. Parties with live music will get under way at 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Highway 76, Pala; palacasino.com.

-- Ponte Winery: The Temecula winery's Smokehouse Restaurant will offer a buffet dinner, full Ponte wine bar and live entertainment; 7 p.m. to midnight; $175 per person ($158 Wine Club). 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula; (951) 694-8855.

-- Savory Casual Fare: The Encinitas restaurant will offer a prix-fixe three-course New Year's Eve dinner with champagne toast will be offered at two seatings, from 5 to 6:45 p.m. ($62) and 7 to 9:30 p.m. ($82); 267 El Camino Real, Encinitas; (760) 634-5556.

-- Tango Restaurant & Wine Bar: The Escondido restaurant will offer a five-course New Year's Eve dinner with two seatings from 6 to 7 p.m. ($69) and from 9-10 p.m. ($79); 417 W. Grand Ave., Escondido; (760) 747-5000.

-- Thornton Winery: The Temecula winery's New Year's Eve Gala, which begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 31, will include a gourmet dinner, champagne toast and dancing to the King Bisquit Review, priced a $165. 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula; $(951) 699-0099.

-- Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse: The Carlsbad seaside restaurant will offer New Year's Eve three-course prix-fixe menus ranging from $70 to $90. 3878 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad; (760) 434-2580.

-- Vigilucci's Seafood, Steak and Chop House: The La Jolla restaurant will offer New Year's Eve three-course prix-fixe menus ranging from $70 to $90; 900 Prospect St., Suite 290, La Jolla; (858) 454-9664.

-- Vigilucci's Cucina: This Carlsbad Village restaurant will offer a New Year's Eve three-course prix-fixe menu for $85. 2943 State St., Carlsbad; (760) 434-2500.

-- Westgate Hotel: A New Year's Eve event includes a champagne reception at 7:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. (in either the upscale Le Fontainebleau or midpriced Le Grand Cafe) and dancing to live music in the ballroom 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; $99-$185 ($129-$225 with wine pairings and champagne toast). 1055 Second Ave., San Diego; (619) 557-3655.

-- Wilson Creek Winery: The New Year's Eve Extravaganza includes a sit-down dinner, wine and champagne, music and dancing, party favors for $180 per person; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.. 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula; (951) 699-9463.



New Year's Day menu:

-- Four Seasons Resort Aviara: The Carlsbad resort will serve New Year's Day menus in three of its restaurants. The California Bistro will offer a champagne brunch beginning at 10 a.m. priced at $85 for adults and $42.50 for children under 12. An a la carte dinner menu will be offered in the Bistro from 5 to 10 p.m. Vivace will present a New Year's Day breakfast buffet from 7 to 11 a.m. for $25 and regular dinner service from 6 to 9:30 p.m. And the Argyle Steahouse will serve its regular breakfast and lunch menus from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad; (760) 603-6000.

-- Grand Del Mar: The Carmel Valley luxury resort's Amaya Restaurant will offer a New Year's Day traditional breakfast buffet from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $28, adults, and $12 for children under 12. 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego; (858) 314-2000.