Haute 5 Places in San Francisco to Bring in the New Year: It’s Time to Put on Your Party Pants

There are certainly quite a few in the country who are more than ready to bid adieu to the volatility that was 2009. It was a trying year for many; a year that separated the true luxury connoisseurs from those who were fortunate enough to pose as such for a few short years. Business folded and billion-dollar industries took a hit. But in a glass-is-half-full mentality, we recognize that the events of 2009 only served a greater purpose in helping us to redefine the essence of luxury, which is always about impeccable service, over-the-top quality, and beautiful craftsmanship. Whether you are cursing or blessing the events of 2009, the inevitable fact remains that it is on its way out, so here are a few of our hautest suggestions on where you might bid the year a fond farewell.

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

It’s not just the legend behind the name that led us to choose the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco as one of our haute choices for New Year’s Eve; it is the consistency of the masterpieces that come out of Chef Ron Siegel’s kitchen that are making our taste buds salivate. Of course his creations excite our palates any time of the year, but for this particular New Year’s Eve event, he is going above and beyond what we would expect on any other Thursday night by offering a seven-course tasting menu. While it is not a new format for The Dining Room, considering that they offered something quite similar in years past, the reappearance of the recognizable only validates its succulent success.

New Year’s Eve at The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is $500 per adult, inclusive of wine pairing, tax, and gratuity, and enjoyment of a live band and dancing.

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is located at 600 Stockton St., 415.773.6198

RN74

Well, naturally another one of our favorite restaurants throughout the year would present a menu impressive enough for a New Year’s Eve bash. I mean, would you really expect anything less from the culinary geniuses helping propel the Michael Mina corporation into the history books? This year, the creative kitchen forces, which include executive chef Jason Berthold and wine director Rajat Parr, are commanding foodies to “Make your last epicurean experience of 2009 one to remember!” There will be two seatings on December 31, at RN74: one for the early birds that starts at 5:30 p.m. and the preferred second seating beginning at 8 p.m. If slow-roasted beets, Dungeness crab salad, hamachi sashimi, herb-roasted sturgeon, or frozen chocolate soufflé tickle your taste buds, then the time to make your reservation was weeks ago. And in true infomercial fashion we must declare, “but wait, that’s not all folks.” Guests looking for a festive après dining New Year’s fête will find that RN74 does not disappoint by hosting a “French Style Champagne Soiree” in the Millennium Tower atrium next to the restaurant at 301 Mission St. (at Beale). The evening kicks off at 10:30 p.m. with DJ Vin Sol and a Champagne bar courtesy of Perrier Jouet. Early seating with wine pairing is $110, and the second seating with the wine pairing is $150

RN74 is located on the ground floor of the new Millennium Tower at 301 Mission St., 415.543.7474

Bardessono

If those two haute choices don’t spark your fancy, then maybe what you really need is a change of scenery. While Napa Valley can’t really be considered part of San Francisco, it can certainly be considered an upscale region in which to ring in a new year. To wave goodbye to 2009, executive chef Sean O’Toole is presenting guests with a six-course tasting menu from his kitchen at the 62-room resort, which just so happens to be located on six acres of the 80-year-old Bardessono estate in Yountville. We know our San Francisco readers are redefining what it means to be “haute” with upscale sustainable living practices, which is why Bardessono is an ideal fit because of the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices, including an Earth Tub for composting kitchen waste, as well as edible flower expert and culinary gardener Noel Lopreore who provides fresh, organic ingredients for the demonstration kitchen. Executive chef O’Toole’s six-course tasting menu is $145 per person with the wine pairing and runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bardessono is located at 6526 Yount St., Yountville, 707.204.6030

Masquerade Ball with the San Francisco Symphony

So when you have treated your belly to delights much better than bowls full of jelly, we suggest hitting the streets to paint the town red. And where better to take on such a task than at the San Francisco Symphony’s Masquerade Ball?  As they themselves have instructed, “we’ll supply the music, the masks, the bubbly,” so all that is left for you to do is show up in your most enviable designer fashions. Operettas, waltzes with costumed dancers, and thrilling visual displays await the guests who choose this venue to welcome 2010. And normally we would not recommend anything that includes descriptions such as “cheery waltzes and polkas,” but knowing the brains behind the idea allows us the to go against our innate haute instincts, particularly when it comes courtesy of Bramwell Tovey, principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A list of “who’s who” in the world of musical entertainment ensue.

The San Francisco Symphony Masquerade Ball at Davies Symphony Hall is located at 201 Van Ness Ave., 415.864.6000

Hotel Vitale and Americano

And finally what would a New Year’s Eve party be without some fireworks to spark off some prosperous New Year’s cheer? While anyone can go to Hotel Vitale for the general admission party, we would never dream of sending our readers to something so nonexclusive. For this party, we would only recommend the VIP area of the rooftop patio. Our VIPs can make themselves comfy at several places throughout the venue, including the seventh and eighth floors and the private, heated, rooftop balcony. Special treats include hors d’oeurves by American restaurant and desserts by Top Chef master Huber Keller (owner of Fleur de Lys and Burger Bar). House music will come courtesy of three different DJs, and naturally bottle service is available from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. And in an offer of true hospitality, hotel room rates are offered at a discount rate of $299.

Hotel Vitale and Americano Restaurant and Bar are located at 8 Mission St. at Embarcadero