Taste


Where to Dine this New Year’s Eve

BY December 24, 2019
Photo by Craig Hildebrand

Looking for things to do on New Year’s Eve? We know, it’s hard to live up to the expectations for a rockin’ night. There are few things worse than ending up at a ho-hum party or all dressed up and nowhere to go. But you won’t have to worry about any of that when you book one of these dinners at some of the best restaurants across Southwest Florida. From a Latin-infused, four-course dinner with the lauded Asif Syed at 21 Spices to a dinner cruise along the Caloosahatchee, these NYE soirees won’t disappoint.

New Year’s Eve at 21 Spices: Chef Asif Syed—who just cooked at the James Beard House in New York this fall—prepares an elaborate spread filled with the Indian-spiced favorites diners have come to expect (tandoori salmon, grilled prawns with pickling spices, sweet samosas)—plus live Latin music by FloDivinas with singer Maritza Cedeño. $75 per person; call 239-919-8830 for reservations.

New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance Cruise: Ring in the new decade on a cruise along the Caloosahatchee River with a buffet dinner, dancing, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. $70 per person; visit jccrusies.com to book. 

DeRomo’s New Year’s Comedy Dinner:  Italian-American comedian Frank Del Pizzo entertains the crowd during the DeRomo’s Banquet Room Dining, Comedy & Dancing Welcome 2020 dinner party. $150 per person; visit deromos.com for reservations.

Fireworks at CJ’s on the Bay: CJ’s serves its usual fare of oysters, crispy calamari and local stone crab, but with one enticing, occasion-specific exception: The restaurant’s expansive deck will offer views of the fireworks at the Naples Pier. Call 239-389-4511 for more information.

New Year’s Eve 2020 on Skybar: Catch a four-course dinner by exec chef James Pryor and a premium seat for the Downtown Ball Drop in Downtown Fort Myers from the rooftop bar at The Firestone Grille, Martini Bar & Sky Bar. 

New Year’s Eve Sunset Dolphin Cruise: Start the celebrations with a sunset cruise along Captiva and Sanibel Islands. It’s BYOB, but the cruise provides the Champagne strawberry cupcakes. $39 per person; call 239-472-8443 for reservations. 

NYE at Fathoms—Roaring 20s Style: End the year with a surf-and-turf special that includes lobster cakes, poached sugar cane shrimp skewers, braised beef short ribs and a special dessert from Norman Love. $80 per person; call (239) 542-0123 for reservations.

 New Year’s Eve at Rocco’s Tacos: Toast to 2020 with a $75 bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a sizzling heap of tacos at one of Naples’ favorite new restaurants. Call 239- 500-8226 for more information.

 

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