New Year’s Eve Dinner Specials Around San Diego
Looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special dinner with friends before (or instead of) heading out to the parties? Look no further than the list of New Year’s Eve dinner specials offered by San Diego’s top chefs!
Roaring 20’s Party at Herb & Wood
Herb & Wood is welcoming 2020 with an ode to the 1920s. The restaurant will turn into a Gatsby-worthy affair for the evening, boasting decor, drinks, and music from the elusive era. The evening will feature a three-course pre-fixe meal, champagne toast, and a la carte options at the bar.
Reservations between 5:30pm and 6:30pm are priced at $95 per person, while reservations after 6:30pm cost $115 per person. Menu highlights include Veal Loin & Tuna carpaccio with Tonnato Sauce, Pickled Tomato, Calabrian Chili, Caper, and Wild Arugula, Quail with roasted Quince Barbeque, Black Eyed Peas, Swiss Chard, Buttermilk, and Mustard Seed, and Pink Peppercorn Crusted Filet with Whipped Potato, Mushroom Demi, Chanterelles, and Mustard Frill.
NYE Opulence at Animae
Spend New Year’s Eve indulging in opulence at San Diego’s newest hot-spot, Animae. One of the latest openings from the Puffer Malarkey Collective, Animae will be offering a four-course pre-fixe menu to ensure a delicious start to your new year.
Featured menu items include Misty Point Oysters with Uni, Elderberry and Yuzu, Butter Dumplings with Escargot, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Lemon, and Cabbage, and Chili Garlic Lobster, Black Garlic Udon, Choy Sum, Bisque, and Espelette. The evening will include two seatings, with a price of $95 and $115 for the first and second seatings respectively.
Reservations for the first seating begin between 5:30pm and 6:45pm, and the second seating kicks off at 8:00pm and continues until close. The second seating includes a midnight toast. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made here.
Trust Restaurant
Neighborhood favorite Trust will welcome 2020 with a selection of new dishes including Smoked Carrots + Baby Beets with grains, aged manchego, red onion, smoky yogurt, tarragon and pistachio; Icelandic Cod with parsnip puree, pickled turnips, dandelion greens, beech mushrooms, carrot and acorn squash; and Pork and Beef Dumplings with shiitake tempura, pickled shrimp and green onion. The signature special is a 45-day house dry-aged Tomahawk.
Keep the celebration going on New Year’s Day at a boozy brunch in collaboration with Cutwater Spirits from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. where you can enjoy a hair of the dog cocktail special and New Year’s brunch dishes.
NYE Dinner and Drinks at Madison on Park
Serving upscale Mediterranean and Southern California inspired cuisine, this University Heights hot-spot will be serving a New Year’s Eve three-course pre-fixe menu. The menu will highlight dishes like the Tuna Tartare, Madison’s famous double-cut sesame Crusted Pork Chop, Filet Mignon, and gluten-free Vegan Ravioli. The dinner will be $65 and include a complimentary champagne toast at midnight; wine and cocktail pairings are an additional $19. Desserts include Raspberry Mascarpone Cake and Chocolate Marquise Cake.
Reservations can be made via their website or OpenTable, first seating from 5pm-7pm and second seating from 8pm-11pm.
Rare Society
San Diego’s newest steakhouse will ring in the New Year with retro steakhouse fare including champagne-friendly starters such as Oysters Rockefeller with bechamel, spinach and arugula, fennel, bread crumbs and wood-fired steaks like the 16-ounce Prime Bullseye Ribeye with a choice of sauces, or the shareable Executive and Associate platters featuring selections of chef-determined cuts and accouterments of the night. New Year’s specials include a 45-day house dry-aged Tomahawk and a 45-day house dry-aged Porterhouse.
Prohibition
Toast to 2020 with a Supper Club dinner at Prohibition, the Gaslamp Quarter’s underground speakeasy. The five-course cocktail pairing dinner, available for $150 per person, will include ceviche tostadas paired with GBOD Single Barrel Dobel Añejo Tequila; seasonal soup paired with a GBOD Single Barrel Elijah Craig Bourbon cocktail; shrimp an ouzo saganaki, jumbo shrimp pan-seared with garlic, tomatoes, green onions and feta cheese flambéed with ouzo served with freshly made pita served with GBOD imported ouzo; surf and turf entrée course, featuring steak and scallops, paired with a GBOD Single Barrel WhistlePig 10 Year Rye Whiskey cocktail; and wild berry rum cheesecake paired with GBOD Single Barrel The Real McCoy Rum.
Mezé Greek Fusion
Mezé Greek Fusion will welcome the New Year with a four-course dinner pairing available for $129 per couple. Celebrate with dishes including cheese saganaki, pan-seared Kasseri cheese flambéed with brandy served with freshly made pita surf and turf, steak fillet served with
shrimp, vegetables and rice; among others.
Havana 1920
Ring in the New Year with a four-course prix fixe dinner alongside that special someone at Havana 1920. The holiday menu, priced at $129 per couple, will begin with a choice of red, white or sparkling wine, and continue with Cuban favorites including a trio of empanadas, beef with raisins, green olives, cumin, tomato sauce and garlic; vegetarian filled with portobello mushroom, spinach and cheese; and jamón y queso, ham and cheese. Skirt steak with shrimp al Ajillo, shrimp sautéed in white wine, garlic and fresh lemon juice, served with rice and black beans will be served as the entrée; among other selections.
Bleu Bohème
Say “bonno année!” to Bleu Boheme’s celebratory dinner and specialty cocktail. The three-course menu, priced at $75 per person, will feature favorites including steak tartare, smoked New York steak with saffron aioli, Dijon mustard, capers, cornichons, shallots and Kennebec potato chips; saumon “Oscar,” fresh King salmon sautéed with crab, asparagus, tomato salad, herb-roasted Yukon potatoes and sauce Béarnaise; filet mignon au poivre with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and haricots verts in cognac sauce; and more. Keep the celebration going with The Clean Slate Martini, made with Kahlúa, Armagnac, Frangelico, cream and Aztec chocolate bitters.
Primavera Ristorante
Welcome 2020 with an Italian ‘celebrazione’ at Primavera Ristorante. Guests will enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner available for $85 per person including Italian favorites such as capesante con risotto al agli asparagi, pan-seared wild scallops, sautéed fennel and asparagus risotto with butter thyme sauce; costolette di agnello in crosta di parmigiano, pistachio-crusted lamb chops and root vegetable purée in a balsamic reduction; and more. The celebration will continue with a specialty cocktail, The Countdown, a combination of Ketel One vodka, Chambord, simple syrup and champagne, priced at $14.
NYE Dinner and Drinks at Blade 1936
For those looking to keep the celebration in North County, Oceanside’s newest dining destination, Blade 1936, is ringing in the New Year with dinner, drinks, and dancing. The restaurant, which is named for the historic Oceanside Blade-Tribune which occupied the space from 1936 to the 1960’s, will transform for the evening with a four course pre-fixe menu, DJ, and a champagne toast.
The evening will include three seatings, beginning at 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 9:00pm, each with a cost of $69 for adults and $50 for children 10 and under, and the DJ will begin spinning at 7:00pm. In addition to the traditional pre-fixe menu, a vegan menu is also available upon request. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through OpenTable.
International Smoke
Say goodbye to 2019 with International Smoke’s four-course tasting menu. Diners will be spoiled for choice with delicious dishes such as Charred Potato Leek Soup, Poached Wild Mexican Shrimp, Seabass Crudo, Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Grilled Broccolini. Guests can then satisfy their sweet tooth with Charred Milk Panna Cotta or Chocolate Molten Cake. The New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu will be available from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price: $95 per person.
Zinqué
Don your most festive holiday dresses and getups and head out for a night of New Year’s festivities in Little Italy. For a bite to eat before the ball drops, try Zinqué, the city’s newest French bistro, café, and wine bar. Cozy up by the fire and pop a bottle of Heidsieck Monopole Brut Champagne or toast to the new decade with Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label.
Open for their regular hours from 7 a.m. – 12 a.m. on December 31 and January 1, this is the perfect spot to start your night out or visit the next day for a celebratory New Year’s Day brunch. Brunch is available every day starting at 10 a.m., where you can find specialties like the Zucchini Egg-White Frittata Plate with avocado, arugula, parmesan, and pesto and Brioche French Toast.
Watercolors at Carté Hotel
Celebrate the new year at Little Italy’s newest hotel, Carté, at their sea-to-table restaurant, Watercolors. Diners can start their new year’s countdown early with a delicious four-course tasting menu of holiday favorites and delicious desserts. Guests also have a choice of two canned drinks from You and Yours Distillery and will receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco at the hotel’s bar Above Ash Social during the midnight countdown. Price: $120 per person. Carté Hotel are also offering 15% off their best available rate for guests staying New Year’s Eve.
Tahona’s New Year’s Eve Dinner!
Join Tahona to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the heart of Old Town! Tahona, a San Diego mezcal bar that has drawn the attention of foodies throughout San Diego and beyond since opening in November 2018, invites partygoers to ring in the New Year with a fantastic four-course meal crafted by Executive Chef Adrian Villarreal. Guests will take a culinary journey on this last night of 2019 with four special courses designed to transport guests to the four corners of Mexico – and of course, dinner includes a Champagne toast so everyone 21+ can cheers to the arrival of 2020.
During this evening, guests can also purchase on-trend Valle de Guadalupe wines and artisanal mezcal flights—from the tasting room’s collection of 140 types of mezcal—to complement the dinner experience. Tahona’s talented bartenders will be ready to serve favorite cocktails from this past year, from the pink-hued Whaley House Punch to the slightly spicy Campo Santo.
Reservations are highly encouraged, with two seating times available: 6:30 to 9PM, and 9PM to midnight. New Year’s Eve dinner at Tahona is priced at $85/pp.
Vistal San Diego
Look forward to 2020 as you look out to bay views during this New Year’s celebration complete with an indulgent 3- or 5-course dinner, party favors and festive live music by Taryn Donath. Early seating is a 5:00-6:00pm arrival (must depart by 8:30pm) and 3-course prix fixe dinner for $70. Late seating is 8:30-9:30pm arrival and 5-course prix fixe dinner for $120 with optional $60 wine pairing. Dishes include a yellowtail crudo, juniper-brined duck breast, seared scallops with caviar butter, wagyu rib eye cap, and other decadent flavors of the season.
Slide into a seat at Fort Oak
On New Year’s Eve, slide into a seat at Fort Oak’s chef’s counter for one of two seatings where you’ll watch executive chef Brad Wise and his culinary team slicing and dicing, grilling meats and composing perfect plates right in front of your eyes. The crackling of the embers and warm glow of the wood-burning fire combined with a fast-paced kitchen action create an exciting backdrop from which you’ll watch the show and enjoy resulting dishes in one delicious experience for sights and senses.
The first meeting is at 6 p.m. and features a five-course tasting menu. Only 10 seats are available. The second seating is at 8:30 p.m. and features a seven-course tasting menu. Only 10 seats are available.
In the main dining room diners can enjoy a 45-day house dry-aged Tomahawk plus Fort Oak’s regular menu of hearth-fired flare including Garlicky Hearth Grilled Prawns with namasu pickles, lime and kimchi aioli; Charred Caulilini with fermented chili aioli, shallot vinaigrette, smoked almonds, currants and herbs; or Baja Striped Bass with brussel sprouts, roasted pear, charcoal turnip, preserved orange and scallop beurre blanc.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day, Fort Oak will host a dog-friendly New Year’s Day brunch in collaboration with Tito’s Vodka. Bring your pups to celebrate 2020 on the patio with brunch specials, celebratory cocktails, dog-friendly
treats, and games.
Theatre Box®️
Theatre Box®️, San Diego’s luxury theatre, dining and entertainment complex, will celebrate the holiday with drinks, dinner and a New Year’s Eve party on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
BANKERS HILL BAR + Restaurant
Make it a New Year’s Eve to remember with a celebratory four-course dinner at BANKERS HILL BAR + Restaurant available for $65 per person with wine pairings priced at $32. A sampling of items on prix fixe menu include: ahi tuna tostadas with chipotle vinaigrette, lime crema, pickled onion and cilantro; filet mignon served with twice-baked potato and roasted baby carrots with truffle Béarnaise; pan-seared scallops with crispy pork belly, cauliflower puree, Romanesco and sherry gastrique; brownie sundae with coffee ice cream, pretzel crunch and salted caramel; and more.
Monello
Make your last meal of 2019 a cheesy one. Serving up over 1,000 lbs of pasta per week and specializing in a rotating pasta cheese wheel, Monello is the perfect place to splurge and wind down 2019.
From fresh pasta to pizzas, there are no wrong decisions here. Choose an indulgent pasta such as the Spaghetti di Zafferano Con Gamberi, with saffron spaghetti, shrimp, prosecco cream sauce or indulge in the Tartufo, made with cheese sauce, black truffle, and cremini mushrooms. Check out Monello’s Instagram @lovemonello for an update on the New Year’s cheese wheel pasta special. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (619) 501-0030 or at
www.lovemonello.com.
East Coast New Year’s at Herb & Sea
The Puffer Malarkey Collective’s newest addition, Herb & Sea, emanates East Coast meets West Coast, and with that in mind, the Encinitas restaurant will be celebrating NYE with an East Coast Ball Drop. Perfect for those who prefer to be tucked in bed by midnight, the festivities will kick off at 5:30pm and wrap up with a celebration at 9:00pm as the ball drops on the East Coast.
In addition to the accelerated festivities, Herb & Sea will be serving a two course pre-fixe menu, which includes favorites like Octopus & Artichokes with Lemon, Chili, Saffron Aioli, Endive, Tomato, and Herbs, and Mushroom and Truffle Gemelli with Foraged Mushrooms, Bloomsdale Spinach, ParmBrodo, and Truffle Pesto. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through here.
Little Italy’s Bencotto
Savor the delicious Milanese tastes of Little Italy’s Bencotto while ringing in a new decade with that special someone. Indulge in one of their signatures like the Tortino Al Tartufo with black truffle, ricotta, and parmesan cheese soufflé, and porcini mushroom creamy sauce or try the
Tagliatelle Al Nero di Seppia, a hand-cut black squid ink fettuccine in a spicy pink sauce with shrimp. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (619) 450-4786 or here.
Albert’s Mildly Wild New Years Eve Dinner
Join us to celebrate another fantastic year at the San Diego Zoo, and enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by Executive Chef Carissa Giacalone and Albert’s Chef Grant Toraason. Cost is $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Wine pairing is available for an additional $15.
Nye’20 Dinner At Lionfish
Ring I this NYE’20 with Lionfish by enjoying a special dinner curated by Chef Jojo Ruiz.
New Years Eve Feast at Jaynes
Come celebrate the New Year and a New Decade with a feast at Jaynes! 3 course prix fixe plus amuse bouche. Reservations are available between 6 and 10pm. $85 per person plus beverage, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available here.
New Years Eve at Kettner Exchange
You are cordially invited to ring in the New Year at Kettner Exchange! Start the night off with a 5-course prix fixe menu + optional wine pairing while listening to live Jazz by of our favorite musician, Erika Davis. After dinner, make your way to the dance floor for more live music and Dj’s + a special champagne toast. Please make reservations here.
New Year’s Eve Movie on the Beach
Watch Aladdin in a theater under the stars on Del Beach. Cuddle up around a private bonfire with s’mores while lounging in a daybed or enjoy seating in Del Beach sand chairs. Then, make sure to stick around for the live New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop at 9pm PST, followed by beach fireworks lighting up the sky.
Happy New Year!
See you there!
