New Years can’t come soon enough for most of us, a time to close the door on the past and toast to new beginnings. It’s also a perfect time to say, what the hell to another thousand calories or so while sipping champagne and eating all the indulgently wonderful stuff you absolutely promise not to ever touch again come midnight. Or at least until January 2.
So put on your stretchy pants and wine and dine yourself into 2018 with some of our favorite spots to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.
Zazu Kitchen and Farm: Three or four-course fixed price includes Hog Island oysters, goat cheese fondue, roasted bone marrow with balsamic, Dungeness crab with Meyer lemon browned butter, fried quail, duck and crispy pork belly lettuce cups, bourbon gelato baked Alaska. $79 or $89 per person. 6770 McKinley St., #150, Sebastopol, 707-523-4814, zazukitchen.com.
Spinster Sisters and the Astro Motel: A longtime SOFA favorite offers a three-course meal for $65 with the added attraction of a nearby spot to sleep — the luxe mid-century Astro Motel (starting at $250 per night). Dishes include beef tartare, seared day boat scallops, tomato braised lamb shank, butternut squash gnocchi, Meyer lemon curd puffs with huckleberry sauce. 401 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com.
Wishbone: Bon Vivant New Year with oysters, champagne, truffles, foams, caviar, and cocktails, plus a fantastic ice luge for your imbibing enjoyment. $80 per person, 841 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, 707-763-2663, wishbonepetaluma.com.
Spoonbar: Six-course dinner includes golden caviar, Morrocan spiced prawns, black tea smoked squab, Angus filet and champagne with strawberry cheesecake, $125pp. Just wanna grab a couple drinks, dessert, and a dance? $55pp gets you into the late night dance party rolling until 12:30 a.m. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-7222, spoonbar.com.
Epicenter: Dinner buffet for the family, champagne toast and all night play for kids at this Santa Rosa recreational spot that includes play structures, video games, trampolines and more. $35 to $60 per person. 3215 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, visitepicenter.com.
Palooza Gastropub: Bites all night, drink tickets, champagne toast, and taps flowing. Full menu until 10 p.m., $40 pp, 8910 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood, 707
John Ash & Co.: One of the most luxe NYE face-stuffing events includes a three-course menu including beef tartare, cauliflower and truffle soup, venison terrine, chanterelle and porcini strudel, stuffed pheasant breast, passion fruit pavlova and an array of ports, brandy, and scotch. $110pp, 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 800-421-2584, vintnersinn.com.
Valette: Six-course chefs tasting menu from one of Sonoma County’s top toques pulls out all the stops: Tsar Nicoli caviar, foie gras with persimmon coulis, black and white truffle gnocchi, Maine lobster, wagyu beef and dark chocolate pave. Additional wine pairings available. $125 pp, 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealsburg.com.
Dec 29
Tequila dinner at Mateo’s: Six course meal with tequila pairings. Reservations required: Mateo’s Cocina Latina, 214 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 707-433-1520.
New Year’s Day: Grab your jammies and enjoy brunch all day at Fork Roadhouse’s “Jammin in Your Jammers” event from 10a.m. to 7p.m. Live music and more commemorates the restaurant’s third anniversary. Wear your pjs and get a free mimosa. 9890 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol, (707) 634-7575.