This year has been wild, and I bet I’m not the only one ready to ring in a brand new year. Let’s remember the BEST of 2020, and let’s end this year by celebrating with a delicious dinner and a bottle of bubbly.
Like our Thanksgiving holiday this year, local restaurants have stepped up to offer New Year’s Eve specials — and golly, are they special. I toast to good food, fancy drinks, and our great C-U. Cheers to you, and cheers to 2021.
Editor’s note: this is an updating article, and we’ll add more specials if / when they are revealed.
Photo from Black Dog’s website.
Black Dog
Surf and turf are on the menu for this New Year’s Eve at Black Dog. Get your household a tri tip roast that has been cooked to tender and juicy perfection for $29.95 and an order of the NYE shrimp cocktail which features six smoked shrimp and cocktail sauce for $9.95. The rest of the menu is available as well including burnt ends sandwich, pulled pork platter, and of course, their ribs.
Order your Black Dog NYE dinner here.
Photo from Collective Pour’s Facebook page.
Collective Pour
If you’re looking for a really boozy NYE, Collective Pour has you covered with their Happy New Year package. It inlcudes two Lamarca prosecco mini bottles, a red wine, a bottle of Bardstown bourbon, and your choice of a 32 ounce crowler of beer from the many they have on top at Collective Pour.
Orders must be picked up by December 30th. Put your order in online here.
Photo by Hamilton Walker’s Facebook page.
Hamilton Walker’s
Hamilton Walker’s will have a dining dome experience on New Year’s Eve with a four course pre-fixe dinner developed by Chef Zach. Dinners will be $85 per guest and reservations are required. You can reserve a dining dome for your party for 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. at Hamilton Walker’s. The menu includes four courses: a choice from three appetizers, a second course of salad, a salmon and beef tenderloin course with mashed potato and green beans, and a dessert of warm chocolate cake with a strawberry dark chocolate sauce. This offer is available only for those dining on site. Make your reservation here.
Photo from Michael’s Catering’s website.
Michael’s Catering
A totally customizable dinner option is available from Michael’s for pick up or delivery. The dishes come cold, and some may require heating. The hors d’oeuvres choices sound pretty good like the chorizo stuffed bacon-wrapped dates ($3). The menu has several dessert options including sparkly New Year’s pretzel sticks ($2) and four bottles of wine available as well. Place your order by calling 217-351-2500.
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
There’s a New Year’s Eve Cheese Party pack ($45) available which includes a jar of olive-oil-marinated feta, a wheel of wheel of snow fog, round of snowy woodland cheese, a jar of either house-made jam, and a box of Potter’s caramelized onion crisps. You can also add a bottle of wine for $20
This exclusive cheese and accompaniments kit will be only be available for farm pick up on Thursday, December 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Order online here.
Photo from NAYA’s Facebook page.
NAYA
NAYA is offering a free range whole chicken dinner special for this New Years’ Eve. The chickens are sourced from Triple S Farms, and the dinner includes a dijon gravy, arugula salad, pureed potatoes, carrots, and dessert. Place your order here.
Photo from Sakanaya’s Facebook page.
Sakanaya
Sakanaya is taking orders for a special Omakase dinner which features miso soup with shrimp dumplings, yasai, toro tartare, sashimi (botan ebi, giant clam, fresh scallop, akami), nigiri (king salmon, toro, kanpachi, anago, saba, madai), and maki. Dinner is $95 each. Orders must be placed by December 26th. Order yours here.
The Wheelhouse
The Wheelhouse is selling an elegant seven-course dinner (and four bottles of wine) for two that you can enjoy together with others over zoom. The dinner includes potato blini with roasted beets and caviar, butternut squash soup, sweet potato ravioli, butter-poached lobster with bacon, beef short rib “Wellington,” plus two desserts: a champagne cake with brown butter ice cream and also chocolate tart.
The dinner is $190 per couple. You can reserve your dinner by calling 217-469-6252.
New Years Day
Photo from Esquire’s Facebook page.
Esquire Lounge
Get your first meal of 2021 planned out with the New Year special from Esquire Lounge. There’s options for whole bird ($22) or a half a chicken ($16) which includes collard greens with black eyed pears, honey jalapeno slaw, and two rolls. You can add chocolate chip cookies for $3 or adult beverages to go for $5.25. Call 217-398-5858 to order.
Photo from Watson’s Facebook page.
Watson’s Shack & Rail
Watson’s will have a burger pop-up on New Year’s Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for carryout only with a limited special menu. Served with waffle fries, the ghost burger includes two beef patties, American cheese, burger relish, and a house burger sauce on a brioche bun. There’s a few other burger options including a kids’ burger and two different smothered fries choices. Check out the menu here. Place your order by calling 217-607-0168.
