8 New Year's Eve Dinner Ideas at Intimate Restaurants

New Year’s Eve in New York Photo: cate_89/Shutterstock.com

If you like to send off the old year and ring in the new in an intimate restaurant setting, here are some great options for dinner on New Year’s Eve, reported by Jennifer Hedley along with a few of our favorite options (HL), to check out. Whether your tastes run to modern Japanese or sophisticated French, an Upper East Side or Tribeca locale, read on.

The Bar Room at The Gander (15 West 18th Street)

Head to Gramercy for a four-course prix fixe dinner at chef Jesse Schenker’s Bar Room (Schenker is known for his win on Iron Chef America). Menu highlights include poached lobster, lamb loin, and rose custard. The prix fixe meal also includes supplemental caviar, truffles and sommelier wine pairings. Cost per person: $85 for reservations made from 5:30-8:45PM and $150 for tables booked 9:00PM or later. For more information: thegandernyc.com; (212) 229-9500.

Cherche Midi (282 Bowery)

Keith McNally’s popular French bistro, Cherche Midi, will have a $135 prix fixe menu highlighted by dishes like white truffle risotto, sherry-poached lobster, and New Zealand venison (items can also be ordered a la carte from both the prix fixe and regular menu). For reservations: 212-226-3055. (HL)

Cosme (35 East 21st St)

There will be a la carte favorites from star chef Enrique Olvera like the scallops, avocado aioli, kohlrabi appetizer and such entrees as duck carnitas, and short ribs with scallion and avocado, along with special dishes for New Year’s Eve. For reservations: 212-913-9659. (HL)

EN Japanese Brasserie (435 Hudson Street)

The New Year’s Eve menu ($180 per person) includes poached lobster with cauliflower in a mushroom sauce, grilled (medium rare) Washugyu Black Angus beef, and ceme fraiche ice cream with truffled honey and berry panna cotta. For reservations closer to midnight, the restaurant will crack open a sake barrel and offer complimentary drinks. For reservations: enjb.com; 212-647-9196

Erminia Restaurant (250 East 83rd Street)

The prix fixe menu for New Year’s ($100 per person) at this stylish Upper East Side Italian restaurant includes tuna tartare, pan-seared scallops, lobster risotto, potato gnocchi with truffle cream for starters and first courses. Entrees include filet mignon with Barolo wine sauce and veal scaloppine with porcini mushrooms and black truffles, along with other dishes. For reservations: erminiarestaurant.com; 212) 879-4284.

Nerai (55 E. 54th Street)

This contemporary Greek restaurant offers a five course prix fix menu with items like poached langoustine or striped bass with a sweet Samos sabayan. Nerai’s first seating from 5:30pm-7:30PM is $95 per person; the second seating at 8:30PM is $125 per person and includes a champagne toast at midnight. For reservations: nerainyc.com; 212-759-5554.

The Sutton Inn (347 East 54th Street)

A Sutton area favorite located in a small brownstone draws neighborhood regulars for handsomely plated contemporary, seasonal cuisine. The New Year’s Eve menu ($85) includes first courses like wild mushroom risotto and kabocha squash soup and such entrees as prime ribeye and Long Island duck breast, among other options. For reservations: 646) 370-3045. (HL)

Bagatelle (1 Little West 12th Street)

Toast the New Year with a lavish French inspired $240 price-fixe dinner. Entrees include filet mignon served with black trumpet mushrooms or scallop and black truffle chicken ballotine, which pair easily with any of the bubblies on the Champagne menu. For reservations, bagatellenyc.com or email nyreservations@bistrotbagatelle.com.