Time to Party: New Year’s Eve

Happy holidays, everyone!

What’s on your agenda for Christmas and New Year’s Eve? I’m super excited for a nice long weekend ahead, with nothing on the agenda except tucking away my computer, reading, snuggling up and relaxing at home. That sounds pretty darn a-ok to me! Then for New Year’s, I’ve decided to do the whole “staying in” thing this time around where we’ll be enjoying some time with friends. But that’s not to say, there isn’t some good stuff happening out there.

If you’re looking to get dressed up and hit the town, here are a few hot spots to hit up!

Pix Patisserie – Midnight Chocolate Buffet!

If you’re in the mood for something that’s as pretty as it is sweet, Pix is open, serving wine, beer, cider, and cocktails alongside some dazzlingly decorated desserts from 2 p.m. to midnight. Plus they’ve got a chocolate buffet complete with chocolate Mousse, chocolate cake, chocolate meringue, chocolate ice cream, chocolate beer and more!

Cost: Buffet is FREE with any beverage purchase

Pip’s Original – Moth-Style Storytelling Dinner Party

Pip’s is stepping outside the donut bubble and creating amazing and fun dinners. For New Year’s, they’ll be hosting a Moth-style story slam dinner party where guests will (voluntarily!) partake in a storytelling contest based on the theme “Great Expectations.” The five-minute stories must be true and about a time when you had great expectations for a significant event in your life. Were your expectations met or terribly disappointed? It could be anything from childhood or adulthood, funny or serious. It will be a highly entertaining, brainy night of food, wine and great storytelling in Pip’s new cozy community space. They’ll be featuring wines from Oregon’s Cana’s Feast Winery, signature cocktails, appetizers, a four-course dinner and bubbly toast at midnight.

Cost: $80/person

Oso Market – Eat, Drink and Dance!

If you’re looking for a more low-key but still super fun version of clubbing on New Year’s, head to my favorite wine bar Oso Market. They’ll be moving out the tables and setting up a dance floor with DJ L-Train spinning jams from 9pm till 1am. Food and drink specials will be served up all night!

Cost: $10 for entry and a glass of bubbles at midnight

Farm Spirit – 15-course Extravagant Vegan Dinner

Farm Spirit’s beautiful multi-course vegan dinner was one of my favorite meals of 2015 and what a treat that would be to ring in the New Year’s there. Chef Aaron Adams and his team are offering a 15-course New Year’s Day dinner built around seasonal items harvested the week of. The space seats only 14, and once the last course is served, Farm Spirits is taking a brief hiatus, so book now!

Cost: $98/person

Levant – Get it while it lasts!

It crushes me that Levant is closing at the end of the year. There are only a few weeks left to dine at this cozy Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant. So you know they’ll go all out. I’m guessing you’ll see their staples like the incredible wood-fire pita and housemade hummus, fried halloumi drizzled with honey, and hearth roasted lamb.

Coquine – 5-Course Dinner

I still haven’t made it over to one of the most well-acclaimed new restaurants located near Mt Tabor, but boy do I want to and I even pitched that as an idea for NYE. Staying in won out for us, but you should still consider it! Coquine will be serving a special five-course prix-fixe menu for New Year’s Eve with three seatings offered. The dinner menu will showcase their beautiful yet playful, seasonal-inspired cuisine. They ask that guests inform them at the time of making the reservation if they require a vegetarian menu (which they will gladly offer). Seatings are being offered between 5pm and 6pm, 7:30pm to 8:30pm, and 10pm to 10:30pm. Reservations required.

Cost: $85/person plus $50 optional wine pairing

Muselet – 4-Course Dinner + Champagne Party

Looking for a swankier evening? Check out the South Waterfront’s new Muselet for a four-course, prix-fixe dinner with extra special wine and champagne pairing options. The menu has incredible sounding dishes like winter greens with buffalo mozzarella and Oregon truffles; and Caramel poached apples with a madeleine cake and vanilla ice cream. Dietary restrictions happily accommodated with notice. Reservations required.

After dinner, continue the party at 11pm and for an additional $20 per person you can enjoy free-flowing bubbles! Already have dinner plans but want to join Muselet for the 11pm party? No problem! Stop by and enjoy savory snacks and free-flowing bubbles including Veuve Cliquot, Taittinger, Moutard, Baron Fuente, Andre Clouet, Billecart-Salmon, Argyle and more.

Cost: $68/person plus optional wine pairings ($45 All Oregon wines, $55 Around the World wines, $75 Champagne); $40/person or $60/couple for party ($20 if you also attended dinner)