New Year's Eve: Still Time for Reservations in NYC

December 26, 6:31 PMNY Ethnic Food ExaminerAimée Kligman

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Time Square on New Year's Eve

I'm not much into watching balls drop, even if it's in the City's most famous square. It's way too much togetherness with way too many people. I'd prefer something more cozy and intimate, with a little dance or music thrown in, preferably something Latin or Middle Eastern. There are still restaurants and dance venues that will accept your reservations, even this late in the game. 

Here are 10 to get you started: 

1. Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York: très French, and très cher ($$$$$), but if you want to have one last hurrah before tightening your belt, why not aim high? Price range for dinner $160 to $475. Located at Two East 55th Street. Tel: (212) 710-2277, check website .

2. Buddha Bar: Asian Fusion and very zen. You can view the New Year's Menu here . Not as steep as Alain Ducasse at $275/pp. I hear the music is "hypnotizing". Located at 25 Little West 12th Street in the Meatpacking District. Tel:(212) 647-7314, check website (it's hypnotizing as well).

3. Cuba: Don't need a passport to get to this Havana. View their New Year's Menu . A real steal at $125/pp together with mojitos, music and complementary cigars. Located at 222 Thompson Street in the Village. Tel: (212) 420-7878, check website.

4. Fig & Olive: because every dish is prepared with a special olive oil! Mediterranean with strong Middle Eastern tones. New Year's Menu will set you back $120/pp and includes Veuve Cliquot Champagne. The goat cheese gnocchi sounds divine. Located at 420 West 13th Street in the Meatpackign District. Tel: (212) 924-1200, check website.

5. Kittichai: for a change of pace and Thai tranquility from the orchid filled reflecting pool. New Year's Menu (you'll need a bit of patience to get to it) on their website. Four and Five Course tastings $125/pp. The atmosphere is very, very romantic. Located at 60 Thompson Street in Soho. Tel:(212) 219-2000.

6. Novecento New York: an Argentinian restaurant that merges Latin with French cuisines. New Year's Menu at $70/pp and couldn't see it on their website , though I did see several different types of menus. Dont' let the Spanish introduction make you nervous; it's English on the inside. Located at 343 West Broadway in Soho. Tel: (212) 925-4706. Novecento means 900.

7. Resto: they call the cuisine Belgian, but to me it tastes French. New Year's Eve Menu at $75-$80/pp including a "cochon de lait" which translates into a milk pig. Perhaps he was milk fed?. Of course the famous Belgian frites will be there. See the New Year's Eve Menu here . Located at 111 East 29th Street in the Gramercy area. Tel:(212) 685-5585.

8.Smorgas Chef West Village for a bit of Scandinavian fare. Late night seating with New Year's Menu is $79/pp (bonus: you get to watch the ball drop!) Check this Swedish meatball haven's website .Located at 283 West 12th Street in the West Village. Tel: (212) 243-7073.

9. Sotto Cinque: an Italian 3-course dinner for New Year's Eve at $45/pp that includes champagne. This is the regular dinner menu on their website.Located at 322 East 86th Street on the Upper East Side, Sotto Cinque means below Five. Tel:(212) 472-5563.

10. Wallsé: Austrian cuisine is very similar to German, I think. Early seating New Year's Dinner is $160/pp and late seating is $250/pp with wine. This is the late menu offering, and this is the early one . Located at 344 W. 11th St. in the West Village. Tel: (212) 352-2300.

Don't forget the doggie bag for your examiner!!