Let's hope you've got your holidays pretty well scheduled by now. But, if you just haven't been able to commit or decide, we have a list of some remaining, foodie-friendly possibilities you should consider booking for New Year's Eve. Like now.
Luxurious hotel restaurants like Ame, where the cuisines are Japan and Italy come together in always interesting ways, are a good bet for high holiday energy. And you should note that the restaurant just hired a new executive chef -- former excutive sous chef Michael Morrison, who since previously working at Ame spent some time with chef Loretta Keller at Coco500 and the Moss Room. See the New Year's prix fixe menu here, and note that the earlier seating is $150 and the second seating is $175 per person and includes a glass of champagne. Tables are still available for the second seating.
One of our favorite, always consistently great neighborhood spots, over on the Bernal/Mission border, is Blue Plate. With their excellent wine list and solid menu, this is a great bet for a cozy New Year's date that will impress without being over-the-top. Plenty of tables still open here.
The newest, Britsh-pub-inspired restaurant from the Marlowe/Park Tavern team is a bustling, high-energy spot to begin with, and should be a festive spot to ring in the last day of the year. Some great food, cocktails, and sparkling offerings can only help. See the menus here, and check out their open tables here.
The acclaimed, Bauer-approved, formal experience from chef David Bazirgan and team is going away in mid-January, so fans of the restaurant should consider having a last hurrah there before 2014. They'll be doing two seatings for New Year's, with a five-course menu for $150 at the earlier seating, and a seven-courser for $175 for the second seating. See both menus here. There are still tables available here.
You'll be perfectly situated to jaunt down the Embarcadero to watch some New Year's midnight fireworks if you snag a late table at Fog City. Chef Bruce Hill has put together a comforting, flavorful, easy-to-love menu for the revamp of the former Fog City Diner, and the cocktails are killer too. Make a res here.
Chef Jake DesVoignes' quaint and romantic little Mission eatery is another reliable and mellow pick, especially for a date night. Excellent seafood and wine offerings will put you in just the right place to ring in midnight, once it rolls around. See the open tables here.
Waiheke Island Yacht Club
The New Zealand-owned and -inspired pop-up, which opened in time for the America's Cup this past summer, is closing after December 31, and they're throwing an epic party to say goodbye (for now) to San Francisco. Admission to the celebration is $150 and tickets are available here, and that includes open bar with cocktails, wine, and beer (they have to "drink the place dry" by the end of the night), lots of passed hors d'oeuvres, and one of the best views of the fireworks you'll have, from Pier 27. This is a great option especially if you don't want to commit to a whole sit-down before you start partying.
Need more options? Click here to see our comprehensive list of special New Year's Eve dinners.
