Retail Therapy: Post-holiday places to be
Room for more: If you’re chomping at the bit to snag some post-holiday deals, head over to Room & Board at South Coast Plaza Village, 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, for its annual clearance from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Score floor samples for up to 50% off, as well as loads of home accessories for a song. Information: roomandboard.com.
Ring in the new year
If you plan to make New Year’s Eve the night to end all nights, there are many local ways to celebrate like you’re in L.A., minus the drive.
Boats against the current: The new Watertable at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach will celebrate with a Gatsby-style roaring 2000s New Year’s Eve party that includes a five-course menu, champagne, party favors, live music and dancing. Selections like pan-roasted branzino and applewood-grilled rock lobster tail will energize you to do the Charleston all night long. The menu is $175 per person, and dinner seatings will be offered from 8 to 10 p.m. Information: (714) 845-4885.
Table service: Red Bar and Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, will celebrate from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., offering booth reservations for up to six people, including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a bottle of Ketel One, for $250. For up to 12 people, a booth reservation will cost $500. Information and reservations: (888) 230-4452.
One-stop shop: If you don’t have a large group, Aqua Lounge at the Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, might be a better fit. Its party starts at 8 p.m. and has a $100-per-person cover charge. Enjoy a tapas-style menu, handcrafted cocktails and a midnight Veuve Clicquot champagne toast. DJ D-Dub will spin. Room packages also are available.
If you want to have dinner beforehand at the hotel, the Oak Grill will offer a prix-fixe feast including a cocktail or glass of champagne. Seating options are 6 to 7 p.m. for $100 per person and 9 to 10 p.m. for $150 per person.
The menu will include a shared seafood platter; potato leek soup or baby field greens salad; Wagyu braised short beef, pain-seared Chilean sea bass, or roasted duck breast; and a dessert of pink champagne cake. The next morning, Oak Grill will serve a plated New Year’s Day brunch. Information: (949) 760-4920.
Budget luxe: The new Eats Kitchen & Bar in Irvine will serve a four-course prix-fixe feast and glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve, with a 7:30 p.m. seating ($60 per person) and a 9:30 p.m. seating ($75 per person). The menu includes smoked salmon bruschetta; a Waldorf salad or lobster bisque; squid ink pasta or braised beef cheeks; dry-aged rib eye or Baja brown grouper; and pink champagne. Information: (949) 225-6780.
Get social: SOCIAL Costa Mesa, 512 W. 19th St., will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an $85 five-course prix-fixe tasting menu, with selections like white truffle raviolo, a 48-hour short rib and a chocolate tasting. A bottle of champagne is included with each reservation. The restaurant opens at 7 p.m.; dinner seating is at 8 p.m., and live entertainment will be performed all evening. Reservations: (949) 642-2425.
Hair of the dog: When you roll out of bed on New Year’s Day and seek a gradual return to normalcy, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar locations (including 13290 Jamboree Road., Irvine) will be offering $5 bloody Mary drinks, mimosas and sangria, along with a full brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., live football screenings and a dog-friendly patio. Information: lazydogrestaurants.com.
Have a hot sale tip, or know about a new local business that you think deserves a little attention? Contact Candice Baker at candicebaker@gmail.com.