Are you hoping to welcome 2023 with a nice dinner and cocktails? Local restaurant owners provided some tips on how to get a last-minute reservation.
“Ask if you can get on the wait list at a restaurant if they are totally booked, or be very flexible with the time of your reservation,” said Richard Strub owner of Eden.
He said Eden has been booked up since Monday of this week for New Year’s Eve. The holiday falls on a Saturday this year, making it even more difficult to find reservations.
Eden has a drink menu that includes local wine and spirits and cocktails made with local ingredients.
Danielle Mercuri, owner of Loded, Rise-n-Shine, Lala Lu and Lobster Babe, also said that flexibility can help you get a reservation.
“[You can call] the restaurant because most of the online services show that they are booked, but sometimes they have wiggle room. Most of the time it's going to be about coming very early or really late, though,” said Mercuri.
Lala Lu, which opened earlier this month, takes reservations through Open Table. For New Year’s Eve, they will have live music, a five-course meal, complimentary bottle of wine and a champagne toast.
Le Mélange currently has 140 filled reservations for New Year’s Eve, said co-owner Lynsey Rifle. They extended their regular dining hours from 10 p.m. to midnight to accommodate more reservations, and there are still times available.
“I would tell people think outside of the box and look outside of your normal restaurants that you go to because there's so many great places that are having specials or bands that even if it's not a traditional spot you would visit, they're still going to have great festivities,” said Rifle. “Don't turn a blind eye to somewhere that you might not have been before because they probably have great offerings for New Year's Eve.”
Rifle said they will have some champagne and appetizer specials for the holiday.