For some people, New Year’s Eve is the biggest party night of the year. Time to go all out and shake loose the dust of the old year while reveling in the anticipation of the year to come.
Some of us, however, will be working.
If you’re one of those party people, you’ve probably had your celebration planned months ago, but in case you haven’t, here’s a quartet of suggestions for you.
Of course, it helps if you have a bit of spare cash left over from Christmas.
Mill Creek Cattle Co. in Mentone
In Diamond Jim’s Opera House, they’re serving up a “bigger than ever” all-you-can-eat grand buffet. Cost is $60 per person.
Items on the buffet include: hand-carved prime rib, King crab legs, barbecue baby back ribs, tournedos of beef, chicken Cordon Bleu, jumbo shrimp on ice and a baked potato bar.
Along with the buffet, you get live entertainment by On the Roxx, dancing, party favors and a midnight Champagne toast.
Also, in the dining room, they’re offering steak Oscar, halibut, chicken Cordon Bleu, prime rib, rib eye steak, New York steak and tri-tip, beginning at $19.95.
The party begins at 7 p.m.
Mill Creek Cattle Co. is at 1874 Mentone Blvd. Call 909-389-0706 for reservations.
Sevilla of Riverside
The Inland Empire Sevilla location, 3252 Mission Inn Ave., is having several seatings on New Year’s Eve. If you want to celebrate the New Year Spanish-style, this is the place!
In their main dining room, they’re offering two seatings. Beginning at 6 p.m., they’re offering a five-course dinner and Flamenco dance performance. Cost is $69 per guest, plus tax, beverages and an 18% gratuity.
Beginning at 8:30 p.m., they’re offering a five-course dinner and Flamenco show, along with a midnight celebration with party favors and a Champagne toast and access to Club Sevilla after midnight. Cost is $99 per guest, plus tax, beverages and an 18% gratuity.
They’ve also got two seatings in their tapas bar. Starting at 7:30, they’ve got a five-course dinner & Flamenco show. Cost is $69 per guest, plus tax, beverages and an 18% gratuity.
Beginning at 9:30 p.m., they’ve got a five-course dinner and live entertainment package. You also get a midnight celebration with party favors, a Champagne toast and dancing and access to Club Sevilla after midnight. Cost is $99 per guest, plus tax, beverages and an 18% gratuity.
They also have one seating in Club Sevilla beginning at 7 p.m. It’s a five-course dinner with Tango show and includes club cover and the midnight celebration with party favors and a Champagne toast. Cost is $79 per guest, plus tax, beverages and an 18% gratuity.
Here’s their dinner menu for the evening (available here as a .pdf):
Entremes
- Duet of Mushroom Ravioli and Salmon Cake with Port Balsamic Reduction and Citrus Dill Dressing
Second Course Choices
- Seafood Bisque with King crab meat and Manchego puff pastry
- Ensalada Toledo: Mesclun and Endive salad with poached pear, caramelized almonds and warm Cabrales Blue Cheese dressing
Mandarin Sorbet
Entre Choices
- Sevilla Paella: Traditional saffron rice casserole with mussels, clams, calamari,
shrimp, scallops, Chorizo sausage and roasted chicken, topped with a
broiled cold water Lobster tail - Mar y Tierra Duet: Filet of Prime Tenderloin with a Sherry cream sauce with Morel mushrooms and Sauted Marinated Shrimp with a Blood Orange Sauce with a hint of Saffron
Dessert
- Chocolate Bavarian Symphony with Moscatel English cream
For reservations, call 951-778-0166.
Thornton Winery in Temecula
If you don’t feel like celebrating an Iberian New Year’s, how about something a little more retro?
Thornton Winery, 32575 Rancho California Road, welcomes 2010 with a “Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve Gala” beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Guests can select to come in costume or evening wear. They’ll greet the new year with a Champagne toast and dance to the live sounds of Faultline. Ticket holders will enjoy a signature multi-course dinner by Executive Chef Steve Pickell.
The evening’s dinner menu includes:
Tray-passed Hors d’ Oeuvres paired with Thornton 1999 Brut Reserve Vintage Methode Champenoise
First Course
Lobster Napoleon with Saffron Vanilla Sauce paired with Thornton 2007 Viognier
Entre
Tournedos of Beef Filet with Potatoes Anna, Roasted Asparagus with Cognac Sauce paired with Thornton 2006 Cabernet Merlot
Dessert
Chocolate Decadence Torte with Espresso Cream paired with Thornton 2006 Late Harvest Zinfandel
Price is $125 per person, plus tax & gratuity.
Reservations available by phone at 951-699-0099 or online at www.thorntonwine.com,
by clicking the “Purchase Tickets/Special Events” link.
The Castaway in San Bernardino
Want to ring in 2010 enjoying a fabulous and elegant dinner buffet, dancing to a live band, and toasting friends and family with Champagne while overlooking the twinkling lights of the San Bernardino valley?
Then head to the Castaway, 670 Kendall Dr., for New Year’s Eve!
The celebration begins at 7 p.m. The price is $150 per couple or $170 per couple for VIP seating.
General Manager Robert Solgan says partygoers should be prepared for an elegant evening with a delicious menu featuring an array of delectable foods from traditional favorites to the delights created by the Castaway’s Executive Chef Francisco Roman and his culinary team.
Buffet highlights include a prime rib carving station, Shrimp Scampi and Shrimp Diablo pasta stations, tenderloin medallions with sauce Barnaise, fresh baked seafood medley in a lemon beurre blanc, grilled chicken with an artichoke-mushroom white wine cream sauce; and tantalizing desserts all prepared just for the occasion.
Yum!
And if you want a preview of the New Year’s buffet, you’ve got one last chance (December 30) to take advantage of their holiday lunch buffet, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Price is $14.95.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 909-881-1502 or visit www.castawayrestaurant.com.