What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? Northwest restaurants and hotels welcome 2012

"Maybe it's much too early in the game

But I thought I'd ask you just the same

What are you doing New Year's

New Year's Eve?"

Those are the opening lyrics to the popular holiday song, What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, written by Frank Loesser in 1947. Sung by a diverse group of vocalists including Barry Manilow, Donny Osmond and Nancy Wilson (the latter is my favorite), it gets right to the point.

My in-box is jammed with New Year's Eve suggestions, from Portland to Vancouver Island. OpenTable is a good place to start, giving you a list of all available restaurants in your city that are OpenTable members. Simply make an online reservation, and that's it ... plus you'll receive dining points that may be traded in for $20 Dining Cheques.

And if you're a last minute non-planner and decide to book a room for New Year's Eve, HotelTonight is a free, same-day hotel booking app that offers up to 70% off personally vetted hotels. On Dec. 31, 2011 rooms will be offered for $39-$99 for New Year's Eve, with reservations available from noon to 3 PM (it's also now available on the Kindle Fire). And don't forget the countdown to 2012 from the Space Needle, with fireworks going off at midnight. Here are other special New Year's Eve events and packages in the Northwest: 

• Seattle: The Maxwell Hotel's Big Easy New Year's Eve package includes overnight accommodations, guest parking, chilled bottle of bubbly, three-course prix fixe dinner for two at Toulouse Petit, shuttle service to and from the restaurant and late check-out. Rates start at $399 for two. Full package details here; book online at www.staypineapple.com (use promo code NEW YEAR) or call 866.866.7977. For more information and a slideshow, see my previous Examiner post.
• Seattle: Hotel Andra's Be Merry Package includes overnight acommodations, valet parking, Champagne upon arrival, $40 dining credit at Lola (located off the hotel lobby). Rates start at $299 for two, book online at www.hotelandra.com.
• Seattle: With enough red wine and bubbly, you might just think you're in Paris. Le Pichet is celebrating New Year's Eve from 5 PM-midnight. In addition to the regular menu, daily specials that feature "foods that the French love to eat" on New Year's Eve will be offered. Think lobster, foie gras and festive desserts. The evening includes party hats and favors, confetti and noisemakers and a Champagne toast at midnight. Dinner music provided by Eli Rosenblatt and his combo starting at 9:30 PM.
• Seattle: No surprise that Thierry Rautureau, The Chef in the Hat, is ringing in 2012 in an elegant way. I enjoyed lunch at Rover's, serving lunch on Fridays only, and felt like I was dining at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. Wonderful ambience, cuisine and service. Rover's is doing five and six-course menus in two seatings on New Year's Eve, priced at $120 and $150. At his neighboring sister restaurant Luc, named after his father, enjoy a "dressed-up" three course menu for $40 on Dec. 30 and 31, 2011. 
• Seattle: Little Water Cantina, a Mexican restaurant on Eastlake with a view of the Space Needle, is teaming up with the Georgetown Brewing Company and El Mayor Tequila for a special New Year's celebration. The evening begins at 5 PM with drink specials, $8 flights of El Mayor Tequila, and Manny pouring pints for $3. Mangalitsa Carnitas Tacos is the featured item on the menu, and dinner guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champange. No cover charge, reservations recommended.
• SeaTac: Cedarbrook Lodge is offering a New Year's Eve to Remember package. The culinary-inspired package includes overnight accommodations; valet parking; charcuterie amenity with artisinal cheese, cured meats and house Merlot; and a seven-course tasting menu in the Copperleaf Restaurant with wine pairings. The dinner is accompanied by live entertainment, party favors and a Champagne toast. Rates start at $429 for two.
• Tacoma: I recently stayed at the classy and glassy Hotel Murano, and the lobby is all aglow with sparkly holiday decor. They're offering two special New Year's Eve packages: Deluxe It Up (from $229) includes accommodations in a king or double room; valet parking; three-course dinner in Bite Restaurant; Champagne toast two; $20 breakfast voucher. The Keep It Simple package (from $139) includes accommodations, complimentary self-parking and a Champagne toast for two. Live jazz in the lobby bar by Tri-Polar.
• Woodinville: For fabulous food in a spectacular setting, go for the big year-end splurge at The Herbfarm's New Year's Eva Gala. It's part of the restaurant's Moon and Stars dinners, Dec. 28-31. The festivities begin at 8 PM and include a six-course dinner with rare "old and new-world wines," three different Champagnes and party hats. Entertainment is provided by opera stars Erick Parce (baritone) and his wife, mezzo-soprano Jenny Knapp. $365 per person.
• Langley: Prima Bistro is hosting its traditional New Year's Eve bash that includes the regular dinner menu and some "extra special" specials. Dinner served until 10 PM (make reservations after 9 PM if you want to stay through midnight), music by Duo Nouveau with vocalista Eleanor Fye. Although Langley's iconic Dog House Tavern is sitting empty, Mo's Pub & Eatery offers a variety of British pub comfort food and libations. Special New Year's Eve planned from 9:30 PM into the wee hours of 2012 with dinner, dancing and music by the Western Heroes. Chef Matt Costello of The Inn at Langley is preparing a special seven-course New Year's Eve dinner at his award-winning restaurant, with one seating at 9 PM ($135). Afterwards, Langley locals and visitors are invited to a special New Year's Eve countdown in the courtyard, complete with an outdoor fire and countdown clock. The revelry begins at 11:45 PM. 
• Coupeville: One of my favorite Pacific Northwest restaurants is The Oystercatcher on Whidbey Island. They're serving a special New Year's Eve menu from 5-9:30 PM that features five Whidbey courses, with items sourced locally: Whidbey Roots, Whidbey Grains, Whidbey Sea, Whidbey Meat and Whidbey Sweets. $75 per person, seatings every half hour. Call 360.678.0683 for reservations. Dine at The Captain Whidbey Inn on New Year's Eve and receive a 20% discount off the standard room rate. The restaurant will be serving its full dinner menu along with a complimentary glass of Champagne. 
• Lake Chelan: Campbell's Resort in Chelan has two New Year's Eve packages. The one-night package includes a night's lodging in a lakeside guest room, two tickets to the New Year's Eve Bash, gift basket with a bottle of bubbly and two glasses, $20 breakfast voucher for New Year's Day. $130 per person. The two-night package includes two nights' lodging in a lakeside guest room plus all of the above. $178 per person. Call 800.553.8225 for reservations.
• Portland: Hotel Fifty's Ultimate New Year's Eve package includes overnight accommodations, a bottle of bubbly or sparkling cider, handcrafted chocolates, $80 credit for dinner at H50 bistro & bar (party favors + Champagne toast), breakfast in bed or at H50 Bistro, late check-out at 2 PM. Rates start at $289; dinner reservations encouraged. Click on to see a slideshow what I previously posted on Examiner.
• Portland: Hotel Lucia is celebrating with a New Year's Eve package that includes accommodations, bottle of Champage, $30 for evening beverages or breakfast the next morning, complimentary valet parking and late check-out on New Year's Day. From $249.
• Vancouver BC: Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver's New Year's Eve package includes a luxury room, sparkling wine, breakfast for two at Diva at the Met and complimentary parking. Packages start at $220 per night. For reservations, visit the hotel's website or call 800.667.2300.
• Vancouver BC: Wedgewood Hotel and Spa's New Year's Eve package includes overnight accommodations, a bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne upon arrival, and a four-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings in Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge (live entertainment). There's also a late check-out of 2 PM. Rates start at $493 CAD for two, additional nights at $158 CAD. Room only rates for New Year's Eve start at $238 CAD. For reservations, email reservations@wedgewoodhotel.com or call 604.689.7777.
• Vancouver Island: Sooke Harbour House is offering a festive multi-course dinner followed by music, desserts and a midnight toast for $125 CAD per person. The Garden Room will also be open for overnight guests who wish to join in the countdown, with sparkling wine and desserts ($35 per person). A New Year's Weekend package includes two nights of accommodations plus the New Year's Eve dinner.