Party Time

Fine dining, burlesque and masquerade balls: What to do in Dallas for New Year'sEve

Have dinner at Dragonfly before joining ZaZa’s NYE Celebration at 9 pm.
The Omni Dallas goes big again this New Year's Eve with the DFW Soiree Countdown2013.
So Matt McCallister is doing some big things with FT33. On NYE, he's offeringfour- and five-course meals.
Photo by Kevin Marple
Get down at Plush's masquerade ball with DJs Pollux and Seth Lowery for a truenightclub experience on New Year's Eve.
Fair Park is doing a three-day fest with performances by artists like Diplo andTexas native Crizzly.

Forget the When Harry Met Sally crap that Hollywood tries to push on us and know this: It’s all about the kind of attitude you have on New Year’s Eve. Go in with high expectations and you’re bound to be disappointed.

Still, most people want to do a little more than sitting at home alone singing “Auld Lang Syne” with their pets. We’ve looked around town for what we think are some worthwhile parties to usher in 2013. Just keep your hopes realistic: You’re not part of a crappy ensemble RomCom that a lot of people considered the worst movie of 2011.

Big D NYE
Last year, more than 35,000 people celebrated New Year’s Eve in Victory Park in what is claimed to be the largest NYE celebration in the Central Time Zone. Gather at this free, family-friendly event from 7 pm-12:30 am. Enjoy bites from a plethora of food trucks, listen to plenty of live music and watch the fireworks show at midnight.

FT33
Matt McCallister is hosting a four- or five-course meal for guests in one of our picks for hottest restaurant openings of 2012. The four-course menu is the first seating of the night, at 6, 6:30 or 7 pm for $75 per person, plus $40 for wine pairings. Later diners will be seated at 8, 8:30 or 9 pm for a five-course meal that includes a Champagne toast for $90 per person, plus $50 for wine pairings.

Hayes Carll's Burlesque Circus and Sideshow Freakout at House of Blues
Hayes Carll returns to HOB for a costume party with prizes for the freakiest, sexiest and classiest costumes. Tickets start at $30 for general admission. Doors open at 8 pm, and opening acts Corb Lund Band and Craig Kinsey of the Sideshow Tramps start at 9.

Bash NYE
The seventh annual event is going down at Dallas Market Hall from 9:30 pm-2 am. This all-inclusive party starts at $84.36 (yeah, we don’t know) before jumping to $104 on December 15. You’ll get top-shelf liquor, beer and wine with the ticket as well as a Champagne toast at midnight. In addition to small bites, breakfast tacos make an appearance at 12:30 am. DJ Quinc and DJ Fuzzy Dunlap spin all night.

Five Sixty
Wolfgang Puck is hosting a five-course dinner courtesy of chef Patton Robertson. For $175 plus tax and gratuity and an optional $50 for wine pairings, guests can taste Nantucket Bay scallops, duck “won ton” soup, whole Maine lobster, a duo of local Wagyu and a Champagne toast. For reservations call 214-741-5560 or visit Open Table.

That’s not the only thing going on in Reunion Tower, however. Five Sixty is also hosting a party in its private event space with more bites by chef Robertson and all-inclusive cocktails. The party includes a DJ and Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $150 ahead of time or $175 at the door; guests eating dinner beforehand can purchase party tickets for $75. Same number as above for reservations.

Plush
If you’re in the mood for a nightclub atmosphere, Plush is throwing “50 Shades of Plush: Masquerade Ball” from 9 pm-2 am. Explore four floors with DJs Pollux and Seth Lowery playing the main floor and DJ Aiden downstairs. Advance tickets are $30. It’s 21 and up for guys; 18 and up for gals.

The Gin Mill
The Gin Mill is hosting a masquerade ball starting at 9 pm. The $10 cover includes party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. DJ Kwasar of Chocolate Groove spins in the main room while DJ Schwa takes over the Speakeasy Lounge. You can also get over your hangover with brunch the next morning beginning at 11 am with mimosa and Bloody Mary specials.

The Grape
The Grape is doing a three-course prix fixe course for $65, with a $20 wine pairing option. Seatings start at 5 pm, and the last seating gets a glass of Champagne and party favors to ring in 2013. Reserve your table online or call 214-828-1981.

Omni Dallas
The Omni goes big again this year with the DFW Soiree Countdown 2013 complete with red carpet, DJs, Vegas-style casino lounge, silent auction, buffet and Champagne toast at midnight. Get a view of downtown to celebrate the new year and then keep dancing the night away. Tickets start at $99 per person.

Canary By Gorji
The Mediterranean eatery is doing a four-course dinner for $59 per person plus tax and gratuity and a Champagne toast at midnight. Choose options such as grilled chilled avocado with poached shrimp and pomodoro, Canary wedge with prosciutto and grilled jalapeño, lamb T-bone and grilled quail with tzatziki served over tabbouleh, or four berry sorbet. Call 972-503-7080 for reservations.

Lights All Night
This electronic music party actually kicks off December 29 at Fair Park, but you can get your fill of artists like Ghostland Observatory and Diplo on Monday across four different stages on the grounds. Single day tickets begin at $89.

Fearing’s Restaurant
Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton is hosting a four-course dinner beginning at 5 pm, with a final seating at 10:30 pm. Tickets are $175 per person. RSVP at 214-922-4848.

Dragonfly and Hotel ZaZa
Dragonfly is hosting two seatings, at 5:30 to 6:45 pm, with a three-course prix fixe at $75. From 7-11 pm, the four-course prix fixe is $150. Before you go and think that’s a big jump for one course, the second seating includes admission to ZaZa’s NYE Celebration. This fete goes for $75 by itself. From 9 pm-2 am, enjoy live entertainment, small bites, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. Dress to impress. Call Dragonfly for dinner at 214-550-9500 and guest services to reserve tickets for the party at 214-468-8399.

InterContinental and Emerald City
The InterContinental Dallas is teaming up with Emerald City for its “Rock the ’13” party. You can choose between the Club City Party ticket for $70, which gets you into the party; the Dinner and Dance Package for $145, which includes dinner for two and one drink ticket in addition to the concert/party; or the All Access Unlimited Package for $449, which includes everything above plus a hotel room for two and the chance to meet Emerald City. For groups of 10 you can get the Sit Together Dinner Package for $1,750 with a four-course dinner. Visit ecnye.com for reservations and more info.

Village Marquee’s “Red Hot” NYE
Village Marquee is ringing in 2013 with dinner beginning at 5 pm. Pick from the full menu or try the $95 five-course tasting dinner. Then, at 9:30 pm, DJ S.O.U.L.Jah comes on for a night of dancing. Tickets are $20. Call 214-522-6035 for reservations or tickets.

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Wine News

New Vinifera Wine Lounge and Bistro debuts on Flower Mound’s Riverwalk

Vinifera

Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro

A new wine bar and bistro has opened in Flower Mound. Called Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, it's at 4120 River Walk Dr., in a space formerly occupied by a short-lived pizzeria, joining a string of bars overlooking the Riverwalk.

Vinifera is from Jamie Creevy, a British native who moved to Dallas in 2007, and who has worked at concepts such as Henderson Tap House and Peppersmash Concepts. At Vinifera, he's partnered with Chris Kummer, a former US Marine with experience in nightclubs and restaurants, including Chill in Grapevine.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Justin Samsill, who has worked at a wide range of high-end places including Knife, Town Hearth, The Mitchell, Smoke, and Hide. The menu has a big selection of seafood such as mussels, shrimp cocktail, squid pasta, and scallops, as well as steak au poivre, pasta bolognese, and trendy items such as steak frites and a smash burger, with entrees ranging from $19 to $35.

Vegetarian options include an unusual rendition of ratatouille, in which vegetables such as eggplant and tomato are cut into slices and arranged like a pinwheel. There are also salads and harissa carrots with Greek yogurt.

They describe the wine list as being "from all over the world", with 38 offerings by the glass. There are also cocktails.

Between the indoor dining room and outdoor space, the restaurant seats about 130 people. It shares a private event room with next door neighbor Whiskey & Smoke.

Riverwalk is the 158-acre mixed used development developed in 2017 and designed as a destination resembling the Riverwalk in San Antonio, with live music, events, and a range of eatery options including Whiskey & Smoke, Pennywise Pub, and Underdogs Burgers & Brews.

“We are looking to be creative and pivot to keep the area fresh," Creevy says. “People are looking for live music, value, free events, we want to entertain the residents and the community at an inexpensive rate."

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