New Year’s Eve 2010: Where to Celebrate

Still searching for a fun spot to ring in the New Year?

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite New Year’s Eve events to make it a little easier!

Amaro Pizzeria and Vino Lounge

For New Years Eve, owners Tagan Dering and Frank Vairo along with Chef Jon Spahr are flexing their culinary abilities by crafting a special three-course meal featuring popular Italian specialties including Duck Confit Risotto Croquette with mushroom panna cotta, smoked pecans, Lobster  Papardelle with olive oil/garlic marinated lobster tail, basil papardelle,red pepper/butter, parmesan asparagus and Veal Saltimbocca proscuitto/sage rolled scaloppini, buffalo mozzarella, brown butter/garlic sauce, sweet potato bread budding, saba jus just to name a few. The $49 per person price fixe menu includes choice of starter, entrée and dessert and a champagne toast.

Guests are invited to stay in the Vino Lounge and celebrate the New Year with a live broadcast of the NYC Time Square ball drop with additional champagne and cocktail specials throughout the evening. Reservations begin at 5pm! Visit amaroaz.com for contact information.

Hotel Valley Ho

Swing in the New Year at Hotel Valley Ho! Get dressed to the nines Rat Pack-style, shake up the cocktails, join the bash and groove to the crooning tunes. Dig a four-course dinner with drink pairings by event sponsors Veuve Clicquot, Moet & Chandon and Belvedere Vodka. Both seatings are limited, so make your reservations early!

• 6:30pm for $95 per person
• 9:30pm for $125 per person

After dinner, celebrate and enjoy the festivities including: Dancing on ZuZu Patio, DJ P-Body mixing today’s vibe with 50s hits, and a rooftop champagne toast at midnight. For more information, visit hotelvalleyho.com.

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak

Experience one of the Valley’s only family-friendly New Year’s Eve parties. Families are invited to ring in the New Year at the Yote the Coyote’s New Year’s Eve Party! Join the celebration at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak resort with dinner at Hole-in-the-Wall and lots of activities including games, arts & crafts, s’mores making and watching the ball drop at 10pm at the famous Coyote Camp with a sparkling cider toast.

Dinner reservations begin at 6 pm. An all-inclusive package is $199 per room, and includes suite accommodations, dinner for a family of 4, and all activities listed above.

Request group code NEWYRS when making your reservation at 1-800-876-4683 or pointehilton.com.

Taberna Mexicana

Toast 2011 with festive champagne margaritas made from scratch and Taberna’s signature dishes including the Filet Mignon & Grilled Prawns with Roasted Potatoes, Sea Urchin Crema & Roasted Chipotle Sauce and the Seafood Ranchero which includes a Half Maine Lobster, Mussles, Clams in a Spicy Seafood Broth. Taberna’s sophisticated, yet relaxed surroundings offer a festive atmosphere that focuses on exceptional food and drink offerings.

Taberna Mexicana is offering a 5-course New Year’s Eve prix-fixe menu featuring modern Latin dishes for $65 per person. Dinner service brings at 5pm. Reservations are requested for New Year’s Eve and can be made by calling Taberna Mexicana at 480-607-6707.

The House at Secret Garden

The House at Secret Garden has created a five-course meal to enlighten guest’s palates with local and organic ingredients this New Year. From Organic Sage and Butternut Squash Soup to Marinated Beef Loin with Queen Creek Aged Balsamic, this meal will not be a secret you can keep to yourselves. The 5-course meal runs at $65 per person. A wine pairing option will also be available. The view the menu, follow this link. Seatings will be as follows:

• Early Dining Seating at 5pm
• Second Seating at 7:30pm

To make a reservation, call:  602-243-8539.

The Wigwam

The Wigwam will ring in the New Year with an event including a four-course dinner, dancing and live entertainment at The Grill. Guests will enjoy a decadent menu featuring local products from Double Check Ranch, Crows Dairy and Queen Creek Olive Mill. The meal begins with an appetizer of savory diver scallops or braised duck. The main course features a choice of filet of beef with lobster gnocchi or brown butter seared bronzini.  Lastly, savor lavender panna cotta and chocolate rum cake for dessert. Dinner Seatings are as follows:

• 7pm
• 9:30 pm

$85 per person includes dinner, party favors and a bottle of champagne for each couple. Guests interested in just dancing and live entertainment can enjoy the celebration for $15 per person in the bar area.

For reservations, visit wigwamresort.com or call 623-935-3811.

Z’Tejas

Z’Tejas will be releasing a special 3-course New Year’s menu available December 31st-January 2nd. The 3-course menu ranges from $34.99 – $41.99 per person depending on your selection of entrée.

• 1st course offers the Baja Shrimp Cocktail (Individual serving of grilled shrimp, crab and avocados, combined with pico de gallo, served with house-made chips).
• 2nd course features your choice of salad or soup.
• 3rd course choices are Prime Rib (Slow roasted with southwestern seasonings and ancho pepper paste and fresh herbs. Served with potato cake and fresh grilled asparagus) or Fresh Chilean Sea Bass En Papillote (Fresh sea bass baked with poblano peppers, salsa fresca, tomatillo sauce, white wine and herb butter, served with potato cake and fresh grilled asparagus).

Additionally, Z’Tejas is offering a split of Mionetto Prosecco for $7.99. For more information, visit ztejas.com

Happy New Year!