This is for all the procrastinators (including me). Here’s a list of some ideas for New Year’s Eve, from free all the way up to $80.
There’s no cover at Adesso between 6 and 9pm, and after that it’s only $20. DJ Odiaka will be spinning, and there will also be a complimentary prosecco toast at midnight, and don’t forget about the spread of free food during the late night happy hour.
4395 Piedmont Ave, Oakland
510-601-0305
Fri, 12/31, 6pm
free or $20 cover
Chop Bar is serving a New Year’s family style menu (including pigs’ trotters, matzo ball soup, braciole and sticky toffee fig pudding with rum sauce). There will be music, drink specials and a champagne toast at midnight.
247 4th Street, Oakland
510-834-2467
Fri, 12/31, 9pm
$25
Grand Tavern is hosting a 4 course dinner, which features a half an organic chicken cooked under a brick served with sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Bottomless glasses of champagne will be served from 11pm – 1am.
3601 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-444-4644
Fri, 12/31, 8pm
$45
Italian Colors is offering their regular menu, plus a 5 course prix fixe dinner including an entree of Angus New York Steak, chili honey glazed carrots and haricot vert.
2220 Mountain Blvd, Oakland
510-482-8094
Fri, 12/31, 5 – 11pm
$55 (including a glass of sparkling wine)
Bellanico’s menu also looks good. It’s a 5 course prix fixe. A few months ago, I tried the sformato, which must must be mean “cheesy goodness” in Italian. In late summer, the silky warm custard was served with peaches and tomatoes. This time you can taste it with celery root, beet greens, brown butter and sage.
4238 Park, Oakland
510-336-1180
Fri, 12/31,
$60, plus $25 wine pairing
photo: Christina Mitchell
Gather’s vegan friendly prix fixe is 4 courses, and these are the three entree choices: Blue Hokito Squash “Steaks” with Sangiovese braised pardina lentils and sunchoke bay leaf salsa; Braised Beef Cheeks with Yellowfin potatoes, celery root, Savoy cabbage, horseradish and creme fraiche; or Whole Roasted local Fish with winter citrus, fennel and fresh pressed olive oil.
2200 Oxford St, Berkeley
510-859-9180
Fri, 12/31, 5 – 10pm
$65
Ozumo is serving a 6 course prix fixe dinner, featuring Yakiniku (pan seared ribeye with bone marrow and hacco miso demi glace sauce). DJ Ed will be spinning.
2251 Broadway, Oakland
510-286-9866
Fri, 12/31, 5:30 – 11pm
$65 (includes celebratory toast)
Zut! on Fourth is offering a choice of entree (filet mignon, shelfish risotto or vegetarian ravioli) as a part of their 4 course prix fixe.
1820 Fourth St, Berkeley
510-644-0444
Fri, 12/31, 6:30-7:30 and 9:30 – 10:30pm
$70 early seating, $90 late seating (includes a glass of Moscato d’Asti)
Christopher and Veronica Laramie are the chef and pastry chef of eVe, and also the owners. The husband and wife team will prepare a 4 course meal featuring foods to bring luck in the new year: Kumamoto Oysters, Yuzu, Scallions, Lemon, Crackers (Amuse), Scallop, Buddha’s Hand, Black Garlic, Picholine Olives (First Course), Quail, Black Eyed Peas, Persimmon, Pumpernickle (Second Course), Beef, Curds & Whey, Chanterelles (Main Course), Dark Chocolate, Black Truffle, Parsnip, Banana (Dessert)
1960 University Ave, Berkeley
510-868-0735
Fri, 12/31, 5, 7:30 and 10pm
$70, includes a glass of Champagne
photo: Christina Mitchell
Lake Chalet’s 3 course menu is part of a “Murder of the Decade” Murder Mystery Dinner.
1520 Lakeside Dr, Oakland
510-653-8282, ext 7030
Fri, 12/31, 9pm – midnight
$75 (includes a glass of sparkling wine)
Camino is serving a 4 course prix fixe with an optional wine pairing. Rikki Garcia (formerly of The Village Pub, the Lark Creek Inn, and Brick) is the new pastry chef, according to Grub Street, so it sounds like a good time to check out her new dessert menu.
3917 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-547-5035
Oliveto’s new chef, Jonah Rhodehamel, will prepare his first special menu in the restaurant. It’s a 4 course prix fixe, with the late seating getting an additional course. You can choose between Spit-roasted strip loin of Magruder grass-fed beef with Red Flint corn polenta and Lacinato kale or Pan-roasted Quinault River steelhead with parsnips, fennel, and steelhead caviar. The Cafe downstairs will also be open, but reservations aren’t available. The regular menu will be served, with a few special dishes like Wild mushroom cannelloni, Braised pork with Floriani Red Flint corn polenta and Black Truffle pizza.
5655 College Ave, Oakland
510-547-5356
Fri, 12/31
$80 early seating, $95 late seating
photo: Oliveto
And here are some restaurants that will be open for brunch on New Years Day. Most are serving their regular menu with a few special additions. Hopefully, you’ll find something to treat that hangover.
Chop Bar
247 4th Street, Oakland
510-834-2467
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2534 Mandela Parkway, Oakland
510-839-7685
Camino
3917 Grand Ave, Oakland
510-547-5035
Aunt Mary’s Cafe
4307 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
510-601-9227
Mama’s Royal Cafe
4012 Broadway, Oakland
510-547-7600
Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland
510-208-5253
Spenger’s
1919 Fourth St, Berkeley
510-845-7771
The Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo Ave, Crockett
510-787-3323
Christina Mitchell
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