72 HOURS

1. Get a head start on the parties. A pre-New Year’s Eve dinner dance

will be held at 7 tonight at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol

St. Live music will be played from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $39.50 or $45.

(714) 540-7000.

2. Dance your way into the new year. Tale of the Whale, a restaurant

in the Balboa Pavilion, will offer a complete buffet Sunday, featuring

ham, roast beef and turkey carved by the chef. Live music, a cash bar and

2,800 multicolored balloons will complete the scene, which will begin at

7 p.m. $49.50. The restaurant is at 400 Main St., Newport Beach. (949)

673-4633.

3. A toast to 2001. The Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in Costa

Mesa will offer a five-course dinner with wines from around the world for

a black-tie event beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. The menu will include

poached Maine lobster with tuxedo orzo, lobster emulsion, foie gras

ravioli and rack of lamb. $150. The Center is at 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa

Mesa. (714) 979-4510.