It won’t be long after Santa’s sleigh departs on Christmas Eve before your thoughts must turn to New Year’s Eve options.
Some locally-owned restaurants are already planning special menus and sparkling wine toasts.
Here’s just a small sample of food-related activities going on around town.
Rivertown New Year’s Eve Ball: Hosted by the Mr. and Mrs. Club of Columbus Hooray for Hollywood starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 in the main ballroom at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center at 801 Front Avenue. A buffet dinner will be served, followed by dancing to the Edd Jones Orchestra and a continental breakfast at the end of the evening. A champagne toast, dance demonstrations, balloon drop and door prizes will be featured. Tickets cost $67.50 per person. A cash bar will be available. Semiformal or formal attire is recommended and a red carpet will be available for photos. For tickets, visit rivertownball.com or call Mary Stewart, 706-569-7788.
Bavarian House: 2528 Weems Road, 706-257-1775.The German-style restaurant will be open until at least 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. A disc jockey will entertain and special dinners are planned. Reservations are recommended, especially for large groups.
Downstairs at the Loft: 1032 Broadway, 706-596-8141. A roaring 20s party will be going on, with music by Big Woody and the Splinters performing upstairs at the Loft. There will be a midnight champagne toast and breakfast buffet after the toast.
Meritage Cafe: 1350 13th St., 706-327-0707. Owner Faye Simmons will offer a special Four Course Prix Fixe Dinner with a bottle of champagne. Seatings are at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Menu details are being finalized. Cost will be $150 per couple plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
Carriage & Horses: 607 Butts Mill Road, Pine Mountain, 706-663-4777. The restaurant’s New Year’s Eve Bash features dinners that include appetizer, salad, filet and lobster. Entertainment and dancing begin about 6 p.m. and continue past midnight. Fireworks are set for midnight. Cost is $60 per person. Reservations required. 706-663-4777.
Mario’s Restaurant & Pub: 1010 Broadway, 706-571-9830. Owner Sylvia Saad said the regular menu will be available from 5-1 p.m. Free champagne will be served with dinners.
Cafe le Rue: 2523 Airport Thruway, 706-507-5851. This restaurant, which specializes in New Orleans-style cuisine, doesn’t take reservations so walk-ins are welcome. It will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. New dishes including Spicy Cajun Shrimp Boil, Sauteed Shrimp Etoufee and a Cajun Pasta Bowl will make their debuts.
The Market: 1039 First Ave., 706-320-9733. Dinner seatings begin at 5 p.m. with special menu options that will feature fresh fish. Champagne will be available.
The Black Cow: 115A 12th St., 706-321-2020. Dinner seatings begin at 5 p.m. Specials are planned.
Mark’s City Grill: 7160 moon road, 706-507-3221. The restaurant will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Specials are planned.
Shogun Japanese Steak House: 5520 Whittlesey Road, 706-323-0402 and 1808 Manchester Expressway, 706-327-4856. These two restaurants will stay open until at least 10 p.m. The regular menu will be available. Reservations are recommended, but not required.
Aspen’s Mountain Grill: 5300 Ga. 354, Pine Mountain, 706-663-2001. Dinner seatings will start at 5 p.m. Specials planned. Reservations recommended.
Hunter’s Pub & Steakhouse: 11260 Ga. 219, Hamilton, 706-628-5992. Dinner seating will be from 5-10:30 p.m. Specials planned. Reservations recommended.
