New Year’s Eve menus
By Eleanor Hill
Some call it “Amateur Night,” while others consider it a special evening to dine with family and friends. Whichever way you look at it, New Year’s Eve is an occasion for exceptional culinary delights and unique dining choices. The Miami Valley has plenty to offer for this traditional holiday event.
L’Auberge (Kettering)
This elegant and sophisticated French restaurant will offer dinner at $125/person ++, in the formal dining room starting at 8 p.m. December 31. Reservations are required and fill up fast. Call (937) 299-5536.
Here is a preview of what you can look forward to:
Roulade of Petrossian Scottish Smoked Salmon with Jumbo Crabmeats and Pears
Oysters “Escoffier” topped with Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Caviar
Hearts of Celery Salad with truffle Vinaigrette
Medallions of European Turbot with Lobster and Champagne Sauce
Classic Beef Wellington (carved tableside) with Bordelaise
Chef’s Surprise 2011 Dessert
Pralines and Truffles
Meadowlark (Dayton Mall)
Chef Wiley puts it modestly when she describes her menu as being “cooked simply, but imaginative with lively, bright tasting flavors.” New Year’s Eve will be no disappointment on her festive twist to the regular menu at $50/person ++. Seatings will be at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. with reservations only. Call (937) 434-4750.
One can look forward to:
Warm Cheese Profiterole
Fried Oysters with Warm garlic Collard Slaw
Beet Flan with Pistachios, Butter Sauce and Balsamic Glaze
Grilled Portabella “Steak” with Polenta, Spinach and Squash Pan-roast, Fried Artichokes and Herb Hollandaise or
Florida Grouper with Tangerine-Mustard Citronette and Fennel-Potato Gratin or
Colorado Prime Strip Steak with Sautéed Rapini, local mushrooms and Horseradish Whipped Potatoes
Warm Chocolate Brownie with Dolcessa Cardamom Gelato and Honey Walnuts or
Goat Cheese Cream Cake with Toasted Almond Sable and Fig-Sesame Spoon Fruit
El Meson (West Carrolton)
This family-owned Hispanic restaurant will roll out the red carpet for early diners as well as diners looking for an evening of food and salsa dancing. Reservations are required for early sitting at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and will include a buffet, dessert and flute of sparkling wine for $29/person ++. The late seating will begin around 8:30 p.m. for tapas, followed by the salad course and a Cuban-themed buffet with a served dessert. A bottle of wine will be offered per couple along with a course of Champagne and grapes to welcome the New Year for $75/person ++. Call (937) 859-8229.
Some of the wonderful selections you will find on the Tasting Table include:
Pollo de Los Andes (Grilled chicken prepared with artichokes and sundried tomatoes)
Ropa Vieja (shredded skirt steak with onions, red and green peppers and tomatoes)
Poached Whole Sides of Salmon glazed with mango-mustard sauce
Moros Y Cristianos (Cuban style white rice, black beans, cilantro, tomatoes and onions)
Maduros Fritos (sweet plantains), Yuca con Mojo and Caribbean Cole Slaw
Flan (Spanish Caramel Custard) or Marbella (Vanilla Ice Cream with caramel and berries)
Seasons Bistro and Grille
Season’s Bistro (Springfield)
This unique family-owned restaurant prides itself on the ongoing changing menu, according to seasons. When possible, menu items highlight the freshest foods and are locally grown and purchased. There will be open seating on New Year’s Eve. Call (937) 521-1200.
The regular menu will be offered along with the following special attractions:
Cheese Platter with Blue Jacket Dairy Cheese & White Mountain Comb Honey
Chicken Wellington with Red Wine Demi Glaze
Slow Roasted Prime Rib with Horseradish Cream Sauce and Au Jus
Cedar Planked Smoked Salmon with Lemon Dill Cream Sauce
Dauphinoise Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables
NY Style Crustless Cheesecake with a Mixed Berry Sauce
Rue Dumaine (Centerville)
A return to the Miami Valley by Chef Anne Kearney and Tom Sand is proven fortunate by the Americanized version of classically styled French-Provincial fare that is found here. Ingredients are bought locally and seasonally used. For New Year’s Eve, there will be one seating at $125/person ++ at 7:00 p.m. Call (937) 610-1061.
Menu will be comprised of:
Venison Daube Glace with Pickled Carrot Relish, Lobster Sausage with fresh Herb Salad and Smoked Paprika or Cured Duck Breast wrapped around a tasty Kumquat Compote & a Toasted Hazelnut
Foie Gras-squab Terrine with Quince, Sultana & Apricot Compote, Red Shallot Marmalade and warm Pumpernickel Croutons
Olive Oil Poached Fresh Hearts of Palm, Langoustine, Watercress, Smoked Almonds and Tarragon Emulsion
Pan-seared Jumbo Sea Scallops atop Crispy, Golden Potato Galette, wilted Pea Tendrils, Nicoise Olive relish and Saffron Vinaigrette
Madeira-Thyme slow roasted Veal Shoulder, Veal Sweetbreads, Wild Mushrooms and Jerusalem Artichokes
Caramelized pear Fer (“20 hour” pear quenelle, Brandy Caramel Sauce, Chantilly Cream and Seckel pear Crisp)
Chocolate Mignardises (chocolate macaroons with Bittersweet Ganache Filling)
There are plenty of other choices around town. Many restaurants, including Amber Rose, C’est Tout Bistro, Jays, CoCo’s Bistro and Savona’s will offer holiday menus. Whatever venue you choose for your New Year’s Eve celebration, we hope it is safe, enjoyable and delicious. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(++ – plus tax and gratuity)
Reach DCP freelance writer Eleanor Hill at contactus@daytoncitypaper.com.
