Saturday, Dec. 31

Get ready for New Year’s festivities at Esquin Wine Merchants, where revelers can get an early glass of bubbly to start the evening off right. 1–4 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave., 206-682-7374, www.esquin.com. SODO

The à la carte New Year’s Eve menu at Szmania’s includes rack of lamb, grilled tenderloin with foie gras, roast pheasant, and other dishes. Appetizers include Maine lobster chowder, salads, and various desserts. And in case you’re planning on celebrating the big moment at the restaurant, Szmania offers a prix-fixe four-course midnight dinner and champagne toast. Prices vary for the early dinner; it’s $22/child for a three-course meal (seating from 5:30–8:30 p.m.). The late dinner costs $59 without champagne, $65 with champagne (seating at 9 p.m.). 3321 W. McGraw St., 206-284-7305, www.szmanias.com. MAGNOLIA

Both locations of Purple Cafe & Wine Bar will be open on New Year’s Eve, offering their usual full menu plus a special prix-fixe menu (with optional wine pairing). 323 Park Place, 425-828-3773, KIRKLAND; 14459 Woodinville-Redmond Rd., 425-483-7129, WOODINVILLE. www.thepurplecafe.com.

Celebrate the New Year at 26brix with the opening of their new, larger bar! They’ll serve a special five-course dinner with (of course) a champagne toast at midnight. 207 W. Main St., 509-526-4075. WALLA WALLA

Ring in the New Year at Teatro ZinZanni with entertainment by Kevin Kent (better known these days as Miss Mabel Dean), El Vez, blues singer Francine Reed, and a five-course feast designed by chef Tom Douglas. A champagne toast, midnight buffet, and dancing will carry the festivities late into the night. $250. 7:30 p.m. 2301 Sixth Ave., 206-802-0015, www.zinzanni.org. BELLTOWN

The New Year gets the high-end treatment at Canlis Restaurant, with an early seating option at 5 p.m. that offers a five-course prix-fixe menu ($95) for those with other midnight plans. Late seating runs from 8:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes an elegant eight-course prix-fixe menu ($150). 2576 Aurora Ave. N., 206-283-3313, www.canlis.com. QUEEN ANNE

Le Pichet‘s party features the usual dinner menu (5–10 p.m.), along with specials inspired by traditional French New Year’s celebrations. At 11 p.m., the countdown to 2006 begins, with live music, desserts, and a selection of champagnes and sparkling wines by the bottle or glass. No cover. Dinner: 5–10 p.m. Party: 11 p.m.–2 a.m. 1933 First Ave., 206-256-1499, www.lepichetseattle.com. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Come to a New Year’s celebration at Kaspar’s Special Events & Catering and spend the last hours of 2005 savoring a five-course meal, dancing to The Steve Olson Jazz Ensemble, and enjoying a champagne toast. $80. Seating at 7 p.m. 19 W. Harrison St., 206-298-0123, www.kaspars.com. LOWER QUEEN ANNE

The Pink Door is the place to be on New Year’s Eve with jazz music from Casey Mac Gill and The Blue Four Trio. Enjoy one-night-only items on the menu like rack of lamb, oysters with caviar, and risotto with truffles (usual menu items will also be available), and not having to pay a cover is always a cause for celebration! 1919 Post Alley, 206-443-3241, www.thepinkdoor.net. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Cafe Juanita offers dinner on New Year’s Eve from 5–10:30 p.m. with a six-course tasting menu that includes loin of veal with crisp veal sweetbread, house-made hand-cut tajarin with sage butter, Pralus chocolate truffle cake, and much more. $95. 9702 N.E. 120th Pl., 425-823-1505, www.cafejuanita.com. KIRKLAND

Sakura Japanese Bistro offers a New Year’s Eve celebration with a prix-fixe menu including a main dish of whitefish/shrimp or roast beef, in addition to soups, salads, pasta, desserts, and more. $30. Seating from 4:30–10 p.m., open until midnight. 8014 15th Ave. N.E., 206-524-4296. MAPLE LEAF

At Flying Fish, their selection of small plates (appetizer size, but a couple make a meal) will include fennel-cured salmon with Yukon potato cake and caviar ($13.95) and Kobe-style beef tartar with scallions and ginger oil ($12.75). Entrée-size plates offer grilled Mexican spiny lobster ($26.95), grilled rack of lamb ($28.95), and other festive treats. 5 p.m.–1 a.m. 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595, www.flyingfishseattle.com. BELLTOWN

XO Bistro hosts a four-course New Year’s dinner ($54) with wine pairing and champagne. Entrees include lobster bisque with a caviar crème fraîche, seared filet mignon, and other delicious dishes. You can also order items, like escargot, à la carte. 2359 10th Ave. E., 206-328-6444, www.xobistro.com. CAPITOL HILL

Sazerac presents a special “One-Night Stand” dinner menu by executive chef Jason McClure, bypassing their usual offerings to include ice-cold oysters on the half shell, garlic chile shrimp salad, butternut squash risotto, and pan-roasted veal chop. Prices vary according to item. Dinner served until 11:30 p.m. 1101 Fourth Ave. at Spring St., 206-624-7755, www.sazeracrestaurant.com. DOWNTOWN

Experience a Polynesian-style New Year’s Eve at Palisade, where executive chef Kraig Hansen will be serving up a unique menu of Ono and Onaga entrees until late into the night (dinner seatings are taken up to 11 p.m.). And, of course, there will be a champagne toast at midnight! Elliott Bay Marina, 2601 West Marina Place, 206-285-1000, www.palisaderestaurant.com. MAGNOLIA

Campagne Restaurant presents Reveillon on New Year’s Eve, which includes a special dinner menu from executive chef Daisley Gordon. Petit items include lobster and avocado salad with butter lettuce and tarragon vinaigrette ($25), and caviar oyster stew in leek cream topped with golden whitefish caviar ($25). Entrée specials include pan-roasted rib eye dinner for two with pomme frites ($64), and boeuf bourgignon ($25). Dinner service starts at 5 p.m. 86 Pine St., 206-728-2800, www.campagnerestaurant.com. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Cafe Campagne also offers some New Year’s fun with its own Reveillon with a special small plate of duck liver terrine served with duck gizzards and watercress salad ($12), and a special entrée of slowly roasted spice-rubbed half duck ($30). 1600 Post Alley, 206-728-2233, www.campagnerestaurant.com. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Tango (1100 Pike St., 206-583-0382, CAPITOL HILL) and Bandoleone (703 N. 34th St., 206-329-7559, FREMONT) are hosting celebrations for New Year’s, with Bandoleone’s chef Christopher Hartfield serving a winter menu that includes Latin crab cakes in an ancho cream with yucca hash browns and tomatillo-pineapple salsa, and grilled treviso, along with midnight champagne and a view of the fireworks from the patio. Tango also has a view of the fireworks, along with a menu offering ensalada con pato (warm salad with duck confit), fallen Valdeon blue cheese soufflé, Cornish game hen, and much more.

Sunday, Jan. 1

The best way to start a new year is with a delicious brunch, which is why Tango offers a New Year’s Day brunch with morning cocktails, games, and a warm atmosphere. 1100 Pike St., 206-583-0382, www.bandoleone.net. CAPITOL HILL

After a rough night of partying, nothing is better than the “Hangover Breakfast” at the 5 Spot. The most mouthwatering deal includes hash browns topped with sausage gravy and two eggs, along with a Bloody Mary, for only $9.50. 1502 Queen Anne Ave., N., 206-285-7768. QUEEN ANNE