Get set for 2005 Get set for 2005 (December 24, 2004)

A local's guide to New Year's Eve

by Sue Dremann

Palo Altans looking to celebrate New Year's Eve closer to home will have plenty of options from casual bars to upscale restaurants.

Seventies music seems to be popular at many local venues, along with party favors, champagne toasts and prix-fixe meals.

But don't expect to ring in 2005 just anywhere. Some restaurants, like Blue Chalk Cafe, will conduct business as usual, with no special festivities planned. Other places, like Maddalena's and Compadres, will shut down that night. Still others, like Empire Tap Room, have been reserved entirely for private parties.

But many local venues have planned special events in honor of the New Year. If you're looking for posh surroundings, Spago is celebrating with a disco night-themed party. An early seating with a la carte menu will cost $95 per person. The later celebration dinner ($120 plus tax and gratuity) includes five to six courses and a champagne toast. A live '70s band will perform for costumed guests, with a prize for best costume. Spago hasn't settled on the prize yet, but it could be a trip to Las Vegas, according to public relations director Mischel LeDoux.

Zibibbo will also celebrate with live '70s cover band Sonic Strut, who will perform in the fully decorated restaurant. Prices range from $60 for an early, three-course seating to $95 (plus 18 percent gratuity) for a five-course meal, party favors, dancing and a champagne toast.

Got kids? Zibibbo will offer a special three-course meal for children ages 12 and under for $30.

Fanny and Alexander, which caters to the 20-something crowd, will offer the only balloon drop in town. Party favors, dancing to deejay music from the '70s to today and a champagne toast are planned. Prices are a modest $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Owner Jon Welch said he will also be tenting the patio.

Another affordable evening of entertainment is at St. Mark's Parish Hall in Palo Alto, where the Paul Price Society Orchestra will perform the music of Tin Pan Alley (1880s to 1930s). The event is presented by the Art Deco Society, which encourages party-goers to dress in vintage clothes.

Also on tap at St. Mark's: a concert by organist James Welch, who will ring in the new year with Bach organ favorites. A donation of $10 is requested.

Locals looking for a totally unpretentious New Year's Eve can stop by Antonio's Nut House, which will be offering a free champagne split at midnight -- and no cover charge. Ditto for Dan Brown's, a Midtown bar on El Camino Real that will also supply deejay music.

"The bar will supply a champagne toast, but I can't supply the loved one," to kiss at midnight, said Hugh Phillips, a self-described right-hand man at Dan Brown's.

Menlo Park institution the "BBC" -- British Banker's Club -- is going all-out for New Year's Eve, when the newly revamped bar/restaurant will offer a white linen, five-course sit-down dinner with entrees such as seared duck, lobster and filet mignon. Live entertainment with dance music from the '40s to the '80s will be performed by local six-piece band The Hummers. Reserve seating is $75 per person.

E-mail Staff Writer Sue Dremann at sdremann@paweekly.com.

Sidebar:
New Year's Eve Options Looking for a place to ring in the New Year? Here's a rundown of local spots offering celebrations:
Antonio's Nut House 321 California Ave., Palo Alto (650) 321-2550 Free champagne split at midnight. No cover charge.
British Banker's Club 1090 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650) 327-8487 Live music, dancing, five-course dinner, champagne toast, party favors. $75/person.
Dan Brown's 4141 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650) 493-9020 Deejay music, champagne toast. No cover charge.
Fanny and Alexander 412 Emerson St., Palo Alto (650) 326-7183 Deejay, dancing, tented patio, balloon drops, champagne toast, party favors. $20 in advance, $25 door.
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana 520 Cowper St. (650) 853-3888 "Extra-special" holiday menu, decorations, party favors, champagne at midnight. Prix fixe $50/person.
Nouveau Trattoria 541 Bryant St., Palo Alto (650) 327-0132 Live music with Paul Pong on piano, party favors, hats, full-course dinner, champagne, $40.
Paul Price Society Orchestra Presented by the Art Deco Society, the orchestra will perform the music of Tin Pan Alley from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at St. Mark's Parish Hall, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. Vintage dress is welcome. Tickets are $25. Call Cherie Oliver at (415) 982-DECO or Paul Price at (800) 647-0305 or visit www.art-deco.org.
Spago 265 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto (650) 833-1000 Live '70s band, disco-themed party, two seatings: 5-7 p.m., a la carte menu: $95, plus tax and gratuity; 8 p.m.-closing, 5-6 course dinner, live band, costume contest with a prize, champagne toast, decorations: $120, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are requested.
Trader Vic's 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650) 849-9800 Polynesian-inspired dinner, island-style dance troupe and decorations. Three-course prix fixe dinner. Early seating at 5:30 p.m. $65; late seating $85 and includes Tahitian and Polynesian dancers, fresh flower leis for female guests and champagne toast. Tax, gratuity extra. Reservations are requested.
Organist James Welch Welch will perform "Bach--By Popular Demand: A Recital of Bach Organ Favorites." The concert begins at 8 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. A donation of $10 is requested. For information please call (650) 326-3800 or (650) 856-9700.
Zibibbo 430 Kipling St., Palo Alto (650) 328-6722 Two seatings: Early seating, includes three-course dinner and appetizers, $60; Late seating, includes 5-course dinner and appetizers, party favors, champagne toast, dancing, live music, champagne toast, $95; Special children's menu ages 12 and under, 3-course meal, $30. 18 percent gratuity extra for all meals. Reservations are requested.

Editor's Note: Due to space limitations, "Goings On" and a story about "Chopshticks" will be published online this week. Please visit www.PaloAltoOnline.com for more information.

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