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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this week in gluttony

Celeb chef dinner tops 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Lion's Den Dallas/Instagram

Chef Michael White and friends will host a dinner party in Dallas this week.

A powerhouse Michelin-starred chef will stop over for an evening at his Dallas "den" to collab with executive-chef colleagues on an exclusive multi-course dinner. Throughout the week, a popular dry goods food truck will pop up around town to launch the latest in his sauce collection. A tantalizing Halloween-inspired afternoon tea tempts fans of the tradition with tiny sandwiches, scones, and sweet pastries, and a number of frightfully fun food events fill out the rest of the week and weekend.

Wednesday, October 7

Momofuku Goods “Drizzle-and-Drip” Food Truck Pop-Up
Momofuku Goods, the popular line of pantry staples developed by chef David Chang and the Momofuku Culinary Lab, is taking its new sauce collection on the road with the multi-city food truck tour in partnership with prebiotic soda brand OLIPOP. Fans can get a first taste of OLIPOP’s Caramel Apple soda, sample dishes at the drizzle bar, and grab exclusive giveaways. The truck will be at SMU at The Graduate by Hilton from 11 am-5 pm, followed by stops Thursday through Sunday in Fort Worth (TCU), Arlington (UTA), and Lower Greenville. All stops will be from 11 am-5 pm. Exact location details will be shared on Momofuku Goods’ Instagram page.

GAJA x Chef Michael White Wine Dinner at Lion’s Den
For the first time, celebrity chef, Michelin-starred Michael White will bring together chefs from across his acclaimed portfolio of restaurants including Santi (NYC), Levant (Puerto Rico), Paranza (Atlantis Bahamas), and Mika (Miami), for an exclusive multi-course tasting menu at Lion’s Den inside the Stoneleigh. A dish from each represented restaurant will be paired with wines from the legendary Piedmont winery, GAJA. Guests will have opportunity to meet White and interact with guest chefs. Dinner is $850 and begins at 6 pm.

Pumpkins and Pints at Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will host five evenings of fall-themed sip-and-stroll events, each within the venue’s Pumpkin Village and kicking off with BBQ & Beer on Wednesday (rescheduled from Friday, October 7). Menu items for purchase include smoked brisket, sausage, beer, and wine. Remaining theme nights will take place on Fridays this month. This Friday’s Texas Trail supper includes everything from street tacos and Gulf shrimp skewers to grilled peaches with warm biscuits and honey, plus a chance to pose with a beer burro or Highland cow while there. Tickets are $40 ($36 for members) and $20 for children ($18 for members' children). The event will run from 6-9 pm.

Saturday, October 10

The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Spook-tacular Afternoon Tea at Hotel Crescent Court
Get into the spooky spirit with a bewitching afternoon tea experience, launching this weekend at Hotel Crescent Court. Sip assorted tea flavors and savor a selection of Halloween Town-inspired bites including Sandy Claws’ tea sandwiches; Zero’s Bakery scones; and frightfully festive sweets such as Sally’s cranberry cheesecake, The Pumpkin King’s coffee éclair, and This is Halloween dark chocolate macarons. Tickets are $95 for adults ($135 for bottomless bubbly) and $40 for children. Seating times are 11 am, noon, and 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays through October.

Chef's Dinner: Barolo Night at Eataly Dallas
Sit and watch Eataly’s scuola chef prepare a multi-course meal during this dine-and-demo class featuring Barolo wines paired with every recipe. Learn as you eat about the history, culture, and traditions of the dishes: Sausage with truffle and mushrooms, ribeye with Barolo wine reduction and roasted broccolini, and strawberry pannacotta. Tickets are $160, and the dinner begins at 6 pm.

Monday, October 12

Banfi Family Tuscan Wine Dinner at Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill
The Plano seafood destination will host a six-course wine pairing dinner featuring Italian winemaker Banfi Family Wines. Menu highlights include smoked sea scallop with roasted cauliflower, lemon beurre blanc, and toasted hazelnuts; Italian herb-crusted swordfish with lentil medley; eggplant herb porchetta; and vanilla bean panna cotta. Dinner is $130 and begins at 6 pm.

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