While some people dread the hype surrounding New Years Eve, I think any opportunity to consume mass amounts of champagne and splurge on luxe dinner with friends and family calls for a celebration. Since New Years is the least desirable night to partake in the Miami club scene (think $5,000 minumum bar tabs, $500/person cover, etc.), I’ve rounded up a list of restaurants sure to put you in the celebratory mood without ransacking your bank accounts. These spots offer both early seatings for those who prefer to be back in the comfort of their own home before the clock strikes midnight, and late seatings for the party animals. Each menu features its own version of extravagant ingredients like Osetra caviar and foie gras, freeflowing champagne, and indulgent desserts, encouraging diners to ring in 2016 in style.
Apeiro Kitchen & Bar: On New Year’s Eve, the newly-opened Mediterranean restaurant in Midtown Miami invites guests to celebrate the holidays with a delightful prix-fixe menu. In addition to the $65 per person dinner menu, guests can enjoy half-priced drinks at the bar with the purchase of any entrée. Complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight for any and all guests present. The five-course New Year’s Eve menu includes a Champagne Toast & Amuse Bouche, Grilled King Crab, Pistachio Crusted Halibut, and Strawberry Pavlova.
Cantina La Veinte: Chef Santiago will welcome each guest with a classic margarita this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy entrees such as Alaskan King Crab and Prime Tenderloin with three-chili butter make up a sampling of the delicious menu items. Cantina La Veinte is also offering unlimited wine during dinner and a glass of Dom Perignon to end the year. This four-course meal, which also features live music, costs $475 per person, and shouldn’t be missed!
GK Bistronomie: Countdown to 2016 at GK Bistronomie with a a six-course menu priced at $150 per person. Guests will enjoy a complimentary Wynwood Sahumerio with Absolut Elyx upon arrival and will toast to the new year with a glass of Champagne. The menu will include dishes like a Stone Crab and Corvina Roll, Fanny Bay Oysters, Tina & Foie Gras Ceviche, Spiny Lobster, Black Angus Striploin and Nutella Mousse. A la carte menu will also be available that evening.
Bazi: One of Miami Beach’s newest dining destinations, Bazi, will be offering Chef’s Feast, a one-night-only New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner menu along with bubbly specials from 9:30PM to 11PM, following regular dinner service. Guests will be able to enjoy the live music of DJ Tom Laroc while toasting to the New Year with champagne specials by the bottle including Perrier Jouet NV Brut ($90), Henri Giraud Esprit De Giraud Rose ($125), Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois 1999 ($200) and Perrier Jouet Belle Epouque 2012 ($250). Priced at $120 per person, the party goes until 2AM and the city fireworks will be visible from the patio. Guests can indulge in a champagne toast at midnight after a four-course feast. In addition to the Chef’s Feast, Bazi is also offering an Open Bar from 10PM-1AM for those that just want to enjoy the party. Priced at $55 per person, there will be light bites passed in the bar during this time.
Macchialina: Inarguably one of Miami Beach’s most beloved restaurants, the rustic Italian eatery owned by Chef Michael Pirolo and partner/hospitality veteran Jen Chaefsky, will be offering several luxurious additions to their regular dinner menu to ring in the New Year. Known as a must-try for locals, visitors in the know and critics near and far, holiday menu highlights will include whole fish, osso bucco and a complimentary prosecco toast at midnight.
Ortanique on the Mile: This New Year’s Eve join Ortanique on the Mile for a savory a la carte menu including signature dishes like Hawaiian Tuna Tartare, Root Beer Braised Pork Belly and Jerked Chicken Penne Pasta, just to name a few. To top it off, the “Ortanique Martini” with Grey Goose L’Orange, Sorrel Flower and Passion Fruit Juice is the drink of the night.
The Dutch: South Beach’s popular American roots-inspired dining destination will offer a special menu for New Year’s. The New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner menu with two seating options, Early Seating from 7PM – 7:45PM ($165 per person) and Late Seating from 8:30PM – 10:30PM($250 per person); excluding gratuity, includes dishes like a Kusshi Oyster amuse, Foie Gras & Duck Terrine, Florida Stone Crab Claws, Bone-in Manhattan Steak & Red Wine Short Rib and Passionfruit & Dulce De Leche.
Quattro Gastronomia Italiana: Miami Beach’s go-to dining destination for authentic Northern Italian cuisine, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, will offer special a la carte dishes in addition to the regular lunch and dinner menus. Antipasti selections include Carpaccio di Polipo e Agrumi – Octopus carpaccio with citrus salad ($20) and Polenta Cotto, Porcini e Tartufo – stuffed polenta with porcini, prosciutto cotto and fontina cheese, with 2 grams of fresh white truffle shavings ($40). Mainplate options include Bisctecca Alla Fiorentina – 22-ounce grilled T-Bone steak with Lyonnaise potatoes, asparagus and porcini sauce ($100); Cotechino con Lenticchie al Rosmarino – traditional Italian sausage with black lentils ($29); and Risotto Astice and Champagne – risotto with Maine lobster and champagne ($65). Regular menu will also be available.
Beaker & Gray: Wynwood’s newly opened hotspot will be offering a one-night-only New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner menu along with a bubbly toast featuring the guest’s choice of champagne or cocktail. Priced at $85 per person, diners are invited to celebrate the holiday with a five-course feast of Poached Lobster Salad, Seared Halibut with Serrano Ham, Wagyu Short Rib, and more.
Thompson Miami Beach: At TALDE Miami Beach, Chef/Restaurateur Dale Talde’s newest culinary venture will be offering a five-course dinner priced at $125 per person (exclusive of service charge and tax) with seatings beginning at 8PM and 10PM. At Seagrape, Chef Michelle Bernstein will offer two seatings – a special four-course meal priced at $125 per person (exclusive of service charge and tax) at 6:30PM; and a five-course meal for $150 per person (exclusive of service charge and tax) at 9PM. Delectable menu items include shaved Kona Kampachi with Osetra caviar; squid ink spaghettini with uni butter; Grilled Wreckfish with saffron broth and lardo; Jackman Ranch New York Strip with buttermilk pommes puree, savoy spinach, and bordelaise sauce; and Butter-Poached Maine Lobster with scallop mousse, roasted gem lettuce, and vermouth butter.
