A disorienting tidal wave of fixed price menus and rip-off parties washes over San Francisco every New Year's Eve. It's so daunting and annoying, many have written the night off in favor of house parties or just decided intsead to rage on the 30th, when you can actually get a drink and a taxi. Here, we've selected a handful of fairly priced NYE events we deem worthy of braving the streets.
1) Scott Baird and Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants are throwing a real party -- disco-theme, afros, 6-foot-tall unicorn ice luge -- at The Burritt Room in The Crescent Hotel. But fear not, they've promised to cut off ticket sales at a reasonable number so you can actually work your Saturday Night Fever back catch on the d-floor. Tickets ($85) include four signature drinks, midnight toast, hor d’oeuvres from Trick Dog’s forthcoming chef Chester Watson, Go-Go dancers and "legendary" SF disco DJ Bus Station John. Sweetening the deal, The Crescent Hotel is offering special room packages: $250 for two tickets and a hotel room, $300 includes a suite.
2) Nombe will celebrate with authentic Japanese flair from 10:30 p.m. onwards. The $45 price tag includes a welcome glass of sake, all-night buffet, takoyaki, toshikoskhi soba to symbollically say goodbye to 2010, a New Year sake cask cracking, chicken mochi soup to welcome 2011 and a Japanese band. Price goes up to $55 after December 24th. Reservations here.
3) Of course Smugglers Cove is throwing a tiki party starting at 9 p.m. Two drinks, party favors, a champagne toast and late-night bites are all included in the $45 ticket price, but you must buy in groups of four. Black tie, cocktail or tiki attire, suggested. Tickets here.
4) Bar Agricole plans to break out a traditional New Year's Eve goose as part of a 5-course menu offered for $60. Live classic French cabaret performed on a barell organ shall set the stage. Reservations here.
5) La Ciccia has decided to offer a Sardinian multi-course family-style meal in one seating at 7:30 p.m. The restaurant will be set up into three long tables. Courses range from Sardinian fregola with cauliflower and bottarga to braised lamb with mushrooms and juniper berries and more. $130 includes food and wine pairings. Reserve by calling the restaurant.
Chandelier at the Burritt Room.
