New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and there’s no better way to end 2015 than with a memorable and delectable meal. We’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants in the city to toast at with menus so tasty you’ll want to eat here every night of 2016. Make your reservation before it’s too late!
SAN FRANCISCO
Known for her Michelin starred restaurant Frances, Chef Melissa Perello is offering a special four-course prix fixe feast at Frances and its younger sibling Octavia. Each course will feature a seasonal flair to its already defined flavors. Frances' recently appointed Chef de Cuisine Michaela Rahorst will be serving up a celebratory nod to Frances esteemed home cooking menu concept. Tickets are $90 per person with an optional wine pairing for $50 courtesy of Wine Director Paul Einbund. // 3870 17th St, San Francisco (Frances), frances-sf.com; 1701 Octavia St, San Francisco (Octavia), octavia-sf.com
Aatxe
Inspired by the Spanish New Year’s tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight in sequence with each bell strike, Aatxe is creating a special menu of 12 offerings featuring grapes. Guests will be greeted by an introduction bite, followed by a set of three pintxos, five tapas such as Cana de Cabra with sultana membrillo, persimmon, ‘grape-nuts, Grape Lees Cured Salmon with arbequina, celery root, kale, and Ajo Blanco Raw Scallops with pickled green grapes, jalapeño, and a plated entree before finishing with a palate cleaner and individual dessert. // $95, 2174 Market St, San Francisco; aatxesf.com
Refined and affordable eatery Sous Beurre Kitchen has been cooking up classic Southern cuisine since their opening last February. In celebration of a new year they will be offering a special and brand new Chef’s Counter Tasting Menu, with dishes such as Savory Onion Tart with Sweetbreads & Celeriac Custard and Poached Goose Breast. Dinner is $85 per person; an optional $40 beverage pairing of wine and vermouth-based cocktails courtesy of Bar Manager Brandon Presbury will also be available. // 2704 24th St, San Francisco, sousbeurrekitchen.com
Castro's charming Spanish tapas bar Canela is offering a five-course prix fixe meal with Spanish favorites such as the Gambas al Ajillo, a dish of seared shrimp with garlic, lemon, olive oil and parsley. Add either a pitcher of Sangria or a few glasses of Cava, their internationally acclaimed sparkling Spanish wine. Dinner is $85 per person. // 2272 Market St, San Francisco; canelasf.com
Oro
Chef Jason Fox will be offering a family style 5-course tasting menu for $100 per person (with a wine pairing for an extra $75 per person). Guests will receive an assortment of snacks upon arrive followed by Dungeness Crab with nasturtium, caviar, whipped buttermilk, and sudachi and Foie Gras Terrine with chestnut and apple chutney, nut and seed cracker. Other menu highlights include Scallops with vadouvan butter, Brussel sprouts, fennel and sea urchin, Monkfish with potato and squid in jus, Pork Belly and Loin, and Chocolate Mousse with hazelnut, and chocolate dipped tangerine. // 8 Mint Plaza, San Francisco; orosf.com.
Modern and relaxed tavern The Keystone is offering a New Years Day brunch to ring in 2016. Snag a spot at their communal table and enjoy a full menu of Southern Fried Chicken Benedict and Shortrib & Potato Hash. Make sure to pair these southern classics with their $25 bottomless mimosa deal or their signature Oprah’s Favorite Thing, a cocktail of Ketel orange, chai spice, aloo vodka, and lemon. // 68 4th Street, San Francisco; thekeystonesf.com
For those procrastinators who waited too long to snag a restaurant reservation, 1760 is here to help. Foregoing complicated and overpriced tasting menus, 1760 will be opening its doors New Years Eve to feature a menu of globally influenced and modern cuisine, courtesy of their brand new Executive Chef Carl Foronda. In addition, Christopher Longoria will be mixing together some seasonal libations from his brand new cocktail list. Enjoy a dish of Pork Sisig while sipping on a cocktail of Fig and Strawberry with Cynar, Disaronno, Bourbon, Dark Lager, Lime and Clove. // 1760 Polk St, San Francisco; 1760sf.com
Foreign Cinema
This New Year’s Eve, Foreign Cinema announces their Belle Époque themed celebration with a champagne toast and a “Golden Age” a la carte dinner menu (priced at $120.00 per guest) from the 20th Century American Brasserie movement. Period attire is welcome, but not essential. Festivities begin at 5:30pm. // 2534 Mission St, San Francisco; foreigncinema.com
This New Years Eve, Bluestem will be offering a special #TBT prix fixe menu, featuring a coursed menu inspired by chefs, dishes, and restaurants that have influenced Executive Chef Jeff Banker's cooking style over the years. This five-course meal will pair perfectly with one their award-winning Karl the Fog, a cocktail of brandy, Benedictine, Frangelico, coffee liqueur, brewed coffee, and toasted marshmallow meringue. New Years Day, they will also be offering a special brunch featuring Chicken & Bacon waffles and their Bluestem Brunch Burger from 10am-3pm. Cure that hangover with their Hair of the Dog cocktail, a blend of scotch, honey, and cream. // One Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco; bluestembrasserie.com
Neighborhood favorite Precita Park Cafe will welcome 2016 with a New Years Eve dinner and New Years Day brunch. Their dinner menu will feature a selection of diners' favorite dishes such as their handcrafted pizza, Devil's Gulch Pork Chop, and delectable Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding for dessert. For brunch, the cafe will take on Southern cuisine with Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits & Sausage gravy while also featuring sophisticated fare such as Smoked Mozzarella Frittata. It'll go perfectly with a bottle of Prosecco an OJ for the table. // 500 Precita Ave, San Francisco; precitaparkcafe.com
The Twitter building's restaurant and lounge will be throwing a New Year's Masquerade themed celebration. The night will feature hors d'oeuvres created by Chef Fissel, beats spun by DJ Brigidope, and hand-selected cocktail, beer, and wine. Tickets are $100; VIP and bottle service must be purchased separately. Grab your tickets here. // 1355 Market St, San Francisco; dirtywatersf.com
Critically acclaimed French restaurant Nico will be offering guests a special six-course meal in light of the upcoming new year. Optional wine ($65), premium wine ($85), and champagne ($85) pairings will also be available. Dinner is $85 per person. // 3228 Sacramento St., San Francisco; nicosf.com
Dosa
At DOSA Fillmore, the talented kitchen team will be serving a four-course menu ($75 per person, plus optional wine pairings for $40) while DJ Jimmy Love will be playing live Bollywood & Bhangra beats. At DOSA Valencia, enjoy a delicious a la carte menu including Six-Lentil Sprouted Salad, South Indian Seafood “Cioppino,” Shredded Duck Vindaloo, Sweet Potato Dosa, Winter Uttapam, Chettinad-style Goat, Grilled Lamb Chops with Cranberry Chutney, annd more delicious South Indian dishes. The celebration includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. // 995 Valencia St, San Francisco (Mission) and 1700 Fillmore St, San Francisco (Pac Heights); dosasf.com
Literary themed bar Novela will be decked out à la James Bond this New Years Eve for a very special evening. Guests will be able to dance to a selection of throwbacks from DJ Walt Liquor while sipping on their special martinis, reserve whiskeys, and other cocktails. Tickets include two drinks and the attire is Bond-approved, so make sure to come in your black tie best. Watch the ball drop as you toast to 2016. Tickets start at $40; make sure to get yours here. // 662 Mission St, San Francisco; novelasf.com
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard’s Executive Chef Jason Raffin will be easing bleary-eyed guests into 2016 with a special Pancake Brunch featuring his new Salted Carmel Pancakes ($9) with a bacon topping add-on ($1). In addition, Jason’s full menu of classic brunch standards will be available in all of its glory from 10:30am-3pm on January 1—guaranteed to satisfy your hunger and completely kill your holiday hangover. // 3232 Scott St., San Francisco; scotlandyardsf.com
Schroeder's
Schroeder’s is the premier downtown spot to bring the whole family (including the kids) to enjoyan la carte menu before the NYE fireworks display, just steps away, with live coverage of the ball drop and party favors at midnight! // 240 Front St, San Francisco, schroederssf.com
Nostra
On New Year’s Eve, Nostra is the perfect option for those not looking for an expensive prix fixe menu and will feature the full menu in addition to glasses of champagne available for $2 after 11pm and the NYC ball drop on the screens in Bar Mia to ring in the New Year! // 280 Valencia St, San Francisco; nostrasf.com
Commissary
The Presidio’s Commissary will have live music alongside their NYE five-course tasting menu for $105 per person with complimentary glass of cava + wine pairings for $45 per person. // 101 Montgomery Street, San Francsico; thecommissarysf.com
EAST BAY
Livermore Valley's Wente Vineyards is offering a New Years Eve four-course prix fixe menu with hearty favorites such as their Ricotta Gnochi and 38 North Chicken Breast. Enjoy a delicious meal while toasting to a new year, all while taking in sweeping vineyard views. Dinner is $95 per person; an additional $40 wine pairing is also available. // 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore; wentevineyards.com
Jack London Square's plank will be celebrating New Years Eve with plenty of fun for friends and families. They'll be kicking off afternoon festivities with plenty of games and fun perfect for the kids. Once the sitter has arrived and they're tucked into bed, head back over to Jack London Square where plank will be hosting an exclusive NYE party all night. Guests will be able to enjoy a $20 game card, two premium drink tickets, DJs, and more. The party will come to an end with a champagne toast as the ball drops. Afternoon tickets are $30 per person in advance; the exclusive NYE party is $65 per person or $115 per couple in advance. Grab your tickets here. // 98 Broadway, Oakland; plankoakland.com
Comal
This New Year’s Eve, Comal will once again usher in the new year by clearing out the tables, turning up the volume and transforming into a funky dance hall. Doors will open at 9pm and longtime Bay Area DJ Jose Ruiz (KPFA, KPOO) will spin his infectious mix of Latin and funk into the wee hours. The first 300 guests to arrive will be presented with an authentic, unique “lucha libre” wrestling mask, making for a festive scene on the dance floor. Chef Matt Gandin and his team will keep a steady stream of antojitos flowing throughout the night and Bar manager Matthew Campbell will be twisting up an original NYE cocktail for the occasion. // $45, 2020 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley; comalberkeley.com
Hog's Apothecary
Use Hog’s Apothecary as the cure to your massive NYE hangover. Housemade bacon, a plethora of egg dishes, amazing veggies, sausages, and of course, 25 of the best local draft offerings as well as ciders, wines, Roast Co coffee, and freshly squeezed OJ will help you start 2016 in fine fashion. New Year’s Brunch will be served 10am to 2:30pm on January 1. // 375 40th St., Oakland; hogsapothecary.com
Hopscotch
Chef-owner Kyle Itani has created a special 5-course menu ($80 per guest, with a $38 optional beverage pairings) to round out your NYE festivities. The menu will feature an Osechi-themed Amuse plate (which is a sampling of traditional New Year's foods from Japan) in addition to Kuromame (black beans), Dashimaki (Rolled egg omelet, and simmered Konbu with Bonito powder), and other Japanese-inspired dishes. The Osechi plate comes with three savory courses and dessert. This year the menu focuses on Foie Gras. // 1915 San Pablo Ave, Oakland; hopscotchoakland.com
WINE COUNTRY
Innovative restaurant and wine bar 1313 Main is hosting the ultimate New Years evening. Featuring a five piece band with music from the 20's, 40's, 60's, and live covers in the style of Sinatra, Ellington, Fitzgerald, and more, guests will be able to bop to the music will enjoying a six-course vintage tasting menu. Each meal is accompanied by a expertly selected wine pairing. After, there will be final New Years Eve party equipped with an open bar, selection of sweets, and Lightworks photo booth. Ticket prices vary based on the event. Tickets are $350 for an all inclusive night with 1313 Main, including the Big Band, Vintage Dinner, and Big Band New Years Eve Party. For ticket prices and reservations click here. // 1313 Main St, Napa; 1313main.com
Wine Country's spoonbar is hosting a Hollywood Glam New Year's Eve Party featuring an extravagant nine-course menu along with a selection of Hollywood themed activities. Guests will begin the meal with a Caviar Tart and then go on to dishes such as Braised Marble Potatoes, Slowly Braised Beef, and Champagne Granite to finish off the meal. After dinner, guests can dance the night away to a live DJ, pose for the paparazzi wall, and enjoy a photo booth. Tickets are $155 and can be made through spoonbar's website here. // 219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg; spoonbar.com
