Chances are the house is decorated with red and blue lights, the tree is festooned with collectible ornaments, all the bespoke presents are wrapped and family plans for the Christmas weekend are already in place.
But what about New Year’s Eve? It’s only a week away, and could be the biggest social opportunity of either 2022 or 2023. Here are some local options that may still be available to celebrate the season, and ring in the New Year.
What follows is a list of restaurants with special menus or plans for the year-ending holiday. Most other area restaurants will be open their regular hours; one may call them to verify and make reservations.
Barndiva (231 Center St.): Lukka Feltman and company will present “an exquisite a la carté seasonal winter menu, with special NYE bells & whistles,” including caviar, white truffle tarte flambee, Scott Beattie cocktails and the like, with Isabel Hales at the piano. No special admission, menu prices.
Barndiva Studio B (237 Center St.): Chef Erik Anderson’s multi-course tasting menu draws on classic French technique to create “a vibrant and fresh vision of modern French fine dining.” Thirteen courses, comprising all food groups, with optional beverage pairing. $300 per person, $250 for beverages.
Coyote Sonoma (44 Mill St.): One may rock in 2023 with tribute band Hey Jude, 7:30-10:30pm, with a New Year’s Eve ball drop at 9pm (midnight in New York). Dinner sold out, show-only tickets $30.
Cyrus (275 Highway 128, Geyserville): Sonoma County’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant finds Chef Douglas Keane up to his old tricks after 10 years of planning. New Year’s Eve experience includes champagne or martini and canapes in the Bubble Lounge, chef’s visit in the Kitchen Table, truffle-topped personal table service, celebratory glass of Krug Grande Cuveé and a gift from the Chocolate Room. $798 plus taxes and gratuities.
Dry Creek Kitchen (317 Healdsburg Ave.): DCK’s culinary team will offer a festive five-course menu of seasonally inspired Wine Country fare, from 5-9 pm. $185 per person, $95 supplemental wine pairing. drycreekkitchen.com.
Elephant in the Room (177A Healdsburg Ave): On a slightly different scale, John Courage brings the Elephant crowd into the New Year with a four-set show, starting at 9pm and lasting until 2023. Cover $20.
Little Saint (25 North St.): The 100% vegan restaurant serves a festive prixe-fixe menu on New Year’s Eve. Bookings are $95 per person, with an optional $75 beverage pairing. Festive dress is encouraged. One may email [email protected] or call 707-433-8207.
The Matheson (106 Matheson St): A Chef’s Special six-course Tasting Menu will be served in the main dining room, an elevated version of The Matheson’s regular tasting menu. Priced at $175 for six courses, not including optional wine pairings, additional beverages or gratuity. The Matheson dinner service will conclude at 10pm; guests are encouraged to ring in the New Year upstairs at the Roof 106 cocktail lounge.
SingleThread (131 North St.): Two celebration dinners will be featured on New Year’s Eve. One may get an early start to celebrating the New Year as Chef Kyle Connaughton and his culinary team create a 10-course tasting menu inspired by the season. Limited reservations available at 3pm, $525 per person. They also plan a New Year’s Eve-Midnight Celebration that includes an 11-course tasting menu plus a midnight toast. $650 per person, prepaid with reservations.
Spoonbar (219 Healdsburg Ave.): A three-course dinner will be held by candlelight, featuring festive dishes and desserts, with a live band playing an eclectic mix of jazz ballads, soul and pop. $110 per person, plus tax and gratuities; menu at https://spoonbar.com/events/?id=40.
Valette (344 Center St.): Chef Dustin Valette’s signature restaurant will offer a special six-course Chef’s Tasting Menu for New Year’s Eve, plus optional caviar course and wine pairings. Tasting menu is $150 per person, caviar course $95, wine pairing $95; prices do not include tax and gratuity. A la carte options from the tasting menu will be served at the bar on a first come, first served basis. Reservations from 5 to 9:45pm. Valettehealdsburg.com.
