I'm mostly a stay close to home person on New Year's Eve, but every decade or so my hubby and I get the urge to dress up and go out on the town. For us, that means Seattle, or even Vancouver BC. One year we went to see The Lion King in Seattle, following a lovely dinner at Campagne restaurant (now Marche). My hubby wore his tux and I my matching black, and we wined and dined and had a wonderful time. We topped it off by an after theater party at a friend's apartment on First Hill, where we had a perfect view of the Space Needle's fireworks show.
Several years ago, we again donned our finest apparel and headed into the city. This time, it was dinner in the cozy Fireside Room of The Sorrento Hotel with music by Overton Berry, followed by a wonderful New Year's Eve concert at nearby St. James Cathedral (within walking distance). Or you can dine in the The Sorrento Hotel's Hunt Club, The First Hill hotel will still be decked out in its holiday finery, featuring music by The Missionary Position on New Year's Eve. The local band plays a mix of "dark, dirty blues-rock" and are often compared to The Doors, P.J. Harvey and Morphine. They'll be playing from 9:30 to 12:30 PM. A check on OpenTable showed dinner reservations at The Hunt Club available at 5:30, 8:30 and 9:00 PM -- there's also a menu available in the Fireside Room.
For something more sedate music wise, St. James Cathedral presents its 30th annual New Year's Eve Gala this evening. As Seattle's oldest classical new Year's Eve celebration, this year's program is Mozart for the New Year. Starting at 11 PM, it features the Cathdral Cantorei, a professional choral ensemble; the Cathedral Soloists; and the Cathedral Chamber Orchesta. The program includes Mozart's Kyrie for 5 Sopranos (K. 89); Regina Coeli (K. 276); "Domine Deus" from Mass in C Minor (K. 427); and Vesperae Solennes (K. 339). There will also be chanted vesper antiphons, congregational singing and the usual midnight surprise. Tickets are $30 (suggested donation), and pay-as-able passes are available. Parking at O'Dea High School and the Cabrini Tower garage, both accessible from Marion, between Boren and Terry Avenues. St. James Cathedral. 804 9th Avenue. 206.382.4874.
NEW YEAR'S EVE RESTAURANT AVAILABILITY
I checked both OpenTable and Urban Spoon reservation booking sites on Monday afternoon, and there were plenty of openings at Seattle area restaurants for New Year's Eve dinner. Some of my favorites on OpenTable include Al Boccalino, BOKA, The Coterie Room, Mistral, RN74, Seastar and Volterra. Urban Spoon restos with openings include Steelhead Diner, Etta's Seafood, Volunteer Park Cafe, Lecosho, and Blueacre Seafood.
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