Food at TusCA Ristorante in Monterey. Photo credit: TusCA web site
Only one day left to New Year’s Eve 2014-2015! If you’re planning to dine in Monterey or Carmel for the occasion, here are a few restaurants to consider.
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Restaurant 1833
This New Year’s Eve, Restaurant 1833 will host a special dinner highlighting a menu from Chef Levi Mezick that have made this downtown Monterey hot spot a not-to-be-missed dining destination over the past three years. As the team rings in 2015, new Executive Chef Jason Franey will roll out a new menu in January, and this New Year’s Eve celebration gives guests a final chance to savor favorites from Levi Mezick. The evening will consist of two seatings: the first from 6-7 p.m. and the second from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Guests at the first seating will enjoy a five-course meal for $95 per person with menu highlights including Hamachi with blood orange, cumin, avocado and pickled jalapeno; and Bacon Wrapped Sturgeon with black lentils, brown butter and spinach. Dessert is Mezick’s signature Booker’s Butter Bourbon Pudding with Satsuma mandarin and blood orange caramel. Guests at the second seating will enjoy a seven course meal for $125 per person with a menu offering all five courses served in the first seating plus additional offerings including Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast with salsify, basil and lemon butter and Pineapple Granita with coconut tapioca and passion fruit. Following dinner service, a DJ will spin tunes until 2 a.m. Dinner reservations are highly recommended and can be made with a credit card through Open Table or by calling 831.643.1833.
Alvarado Street Brewery / “Bubbles & Brews:” four-course dinner with Alvarado Street beer plus champagne from Caraccioli Cellars, $95 plus tax and gratuity, 7 p.m. / 426 Alvarado St., Monterey, 831-655-2337.
Dinner attendees will enjoy Brut Cuvée & Brut Rosé from Caraccioli Cellars, as well as two of Alvarado Street’s inaugural barrel aged beer releases: a passionfruit Lambic, and a Belgian Barley wine with tart red cherries. The brewery is also offering a 10 p.m. event ($25 cover); this includes drinks, DJ (DNA) and dancing. For dinner, advance ticket purchase is required at eventbrite.com.
Anton & Michel Restaurant / Dinner for Two prepared tableside — $140 for three courses; several specials available a la carte / Mission Street between Ocean & 7th., Carmel, 831-624-2406.
The tableside Dinner for Two includes Caesar salad, rack of lamb, and choice of flambée dessert. A la carte appetizers include Dungeness crab ravioli with sundried tomatoes and Meyer lemon cream sauce. entrees include Maple Leaf duck breast with sundried cherry sauce, grilled asparagus, roasted peppers, and sweet potato-green onion mash, and herb-seared Pacific salmon.
Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel / Two seatings: 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 8:30-9:30 p.m. / Monte Verde Street between Ocean & 7th., Carmel, 831-624-8578.
The 5:30-6:30 seatings offer a four-course menu, while the 8:30-9:30 seatings feature a six-course menu.
Pacific’s Edge Restaurant at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands / $150 plus tax and gratuity per person, four-course prix fixe dinner, seatings begin at 5:30 p.m. / 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, 831-622-5445.
First course options include roasted baby beets with goat cheese mousse, chives, brioche crumble, and black truffle dressing. Second course selections include olive oil-braised octopus with Spanish paprika and baby heirloom potatoes. Entrée choices include pan-fried filet mignon with Point Reyes blue cheese and roasted walnut butter and Cabernet sauvignon reduction. Desserts include maple crème brulee with honey oat granola and Chantilly cream.
Sardine Factory / $79 plus tax and gratuity per person, four-course prix fixe dinner, dinner from 5-11:30 p.m., open until 1 a.m. / 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775.
The cost includes dinner, a midnight balloon drop, party favors, and live entertainment. Dinner includes Maine Lobster bisque, Salinas Valley spinach salad, choice of entrée (options include Greater Omaha filet mignon with wild mushroom gratin, rainbow chard, blue cheese fondue and Pinot noir syrup drizzle, or pan-seared Diver scallops with lemon gastrique, bouillabaisse style polenta, pernod glazed asparagus, and candied lemon zest. Dessert is profiteroles with mango and chocolate sauce.
TusCA Ristorante / Dinner for Two, $60 per couple plus tax and gratuity, seatings from 5:30-10 p.m. / Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, 831-657-6675.
Guests receive one shared appetizer (choices include crab dip or sweet potato arancini), two entrees (choices include shrimp alfredo or mushroom butternut squash ravioli), a shared dessert (selections include tiramisu or gelato), one glass of wine, and one glass of champagne.
Will’s Fargo Steakhouse & Bar / Holiday specials, prices vary, seatings from 4:30-10 p.m. for food; bar stays open until 1 a.m. / 16 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, 831-659-2774.
New Year’s Eve specials will include appetizer smoked salmon, crème fraiche, red onions, capers, toast ($10.95) and entrees such as grilled bone-in 18-ounce rib eye, black truffle butter ($48.95) and baked Monterey Bay black cod, Satsuma mandarin ‘beurre blanc’ ($33.95). Each entrée includes soup or salad, and soup specials will include lobster bisque. One dessert special is Black Forest brandied cherries with whipped cream and chocolate mousse ($8.95).
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