Culinary Calendar: Where to dine in Bradenton, Sarasota on New Year's

culinary calendar: Dec. 30

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New Year's Eve: Blu Mangrove, 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto, is hosting a New Year's Eve two-tier, four-course dinner featuring a Champagne toast at midnight and live music by Time Trax 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The menu includes shrimp cocktail, salad and dessert and your choice of entree -- prime rib, lobster tail (one or two), grilled swordfish, Chilean sea bass, roasted half duck, Alaskan king crab legs or filet au poivre. Cost is $75 or $95 per person. Reservations are required to 941-479-7827.

Riverhouse Reef & Grill hosts annual bash: Ring in New Year's 2016 on the Manatee River waterfront at Riverhouse Reef & Grill's annual New Year's Eve Bash. All attendees will enjoy the Riverhouse's award-winning buffet, party favors and a live DJ. At midnight, a complimentary Champagne toast and balloon drop will be held. The doors to this year's event will open at 7 p.m. The price for admission is $75 for adults and $15 for all kids ages 12 and younger. Reservations can be made at the hostess stand of the Riverhouse Reef & Grill, 995 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, or by calling 941-729-0616.

Beach House New Year's Eve Party and fireworks show: The Beach House Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach will host a New Year's Eve Party on Dec. 31. Tables under the covered pavilion are available for $125 each for seating for up to six guests. The reserved tables will be ready at 9 p.m. The reservation also includes complimentary valet parking, holiday linens, party favors, a Champagne toast prior to midnight and a view of the world-class fireworks show which will be launched from the restaurant's south beach (weather permitting). Music and entertainment will be provided by DJ Chuck Caudill from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Guests may order from the regular restaurant menus. Seating elsewhere on the deck and inside the dining room will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drinks are not included in the reservation. For more information or to purchase a table, call (941) 779-2222. Reserved tables are limited.

New Year's at Pier 22: Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, will host a New Year's Eve Party featuring buffet feasts, bubbling Champagne fountains, a colorful masquerade ball, DJs spinning favorite tunes, a photo booth and more. The evening includes a buffet feast featuring sushi, gourmet cheese and fruit, crab cakes, coconut shrimp, spinach and artichoke crostinis, antipasto, 1976 salad, tortellini prosciutto, prime rib, grouper Oscar, bruschetta chicken and more. The cost is $79.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. (A cash bar is separate.) For those who envision a more formal ambience, Pier 22 is opening its elegant ballroom for an all-inclusive VIP celebration featuring an open bar, a buffet feast and dessert bar, a Party Pro DJ spinning favorite tunes and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost: $119.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: pier22dining.com or call 941-748-8087. The full party menu can be found at www.pier22dining.com. Complimentary valet will be available on New Year's Eve.

Seafood Shack Marina Bar & Grill 'Best Shuckin' NYE Party Ever': The Seafood Shack Marina Bar & Grill, 4110 127th St. W. Cortez, is throwing a New Year's Eve Party featuring The Billy Rice Band. Guests are invited to welcome the New Year with food, drinks, music in the second-floor Neptune Room. A variety of tickets, which include dining, dancing and VIP options, are available to be purchased online. The dining tickets are $59.95 per person (plus 20 percent gratuities plus tax) if purchased in advance and $69.95 per person (plus 20 percent gratuities plus tax) on the night of the event, and provide guests with general admission access to The Neptune Room from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests who choose the dining option will be treated to a reception oyster bar serving freshly-shucked Gulf oysters on the half-shell with all the accustomed accompaniments. A gourmet buffet will feature a prime-rib carving station and bountiful selection of dishes including blackened local catch with lemon-caper beurre blanc, chicken with maple pecan butter and barbecue pulled pork and sides and salads. Also built-in are all the party perks, including fun party favors, a Champagne midnight toast and late night fare. The Neptune Room will also be offering VIP tables for four, eight or 12 people for the New Years Eve celebration. VIP ticket-holders will enjoy all of the dining ticket inclusions, plus reserved parking privileges, designated beverage server and a reserved table with bottles of Champagne. Cash bars will be available as well as a complimentary photo area. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Space is limited so there is no guarantee that tickets will be available at the door. Tickets can be purchased at http://bestshuckingnyepartyever.simpletix.com/Event/24974/Cortez-Seafood-Shack/ (or this shorter url: http://bit.ly/1N0PkKR) For more information, call 941-794-1235.

Polo Grill New Year's Eve: On Dec. 31 join Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch offers two options to celebrate:

Polo Grill's New Year's Eve Dinner includes a four-course prix fixe dinner, complimentary glass of champagne, music and dancing. Tickets are $65 and does not include tax, 20 percent gratuity or beverages.

Polo Grill's New Year's Eve Dinner & Funktastic Soul Extravaganza includes a four-course prix fixe dinner at Polo Grill with complimentary glass of Champagne, ticket to the Funktastic Soul Extravaganza in the Fête Ballroom, drink ticket for a complimentary drink or glass of Champagne at the ballroom party, music and dancing by the fabulous Funktastic Soul, and a late night bites concession. Tickets are $95 and does not include tax, 20 percent gratuity or beverages.

View the menu at pologrillandbar.com. Reservations: 941-782-0899, ext. 2.

Ortygia New Year's Eve Candlelight Dinner: Ortygia Restaurant, 1418 13th St. W., Bradenton, is holding a New Year's Eve Candlelight Dinner with two seatings. Live entertainment by Skip. The prix fixe menu includes a starter, and choices for appetizer, salad, main course and dessert. Cost: $50 per person, excluding tax and tip. Reservations: 941-741-8646. View the menu at ortygiarestaurant.com.

New Year's Eve Speakeasy Soiree: The Powell Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, Bradenton, will host a New Year's Eve party featuring a five-course dinner, secret card games, dancing under the stars and midnight Champagne toast. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Cost $125 per person and includes the after party. After party starts at 9 p.m. and costs $38 per person. Poker, blackjack and craps in the secret card rooms; DJ dancing under the stars, sweet treats, cuppa joes and Champagne toast for the countdown. Cash bar. Prepaid reservations: at crosleysupperclub.com or 941-312-0000.

New Year's Eve: The Table, 5365 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, will be offering a special seafood tasting, bison tasting and rib-eye Oscar menus for $69.95 each, in addition to the regular dinner menu, 4-10 p.m. Dec. 31. Reservations: 941-921-9465.

ON THE MENU

Beach House Evolution beer dinner: The Beach House and Darwin Brewing Co. are holding a four-course beer pairing dinner at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Beach House, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Cost: $60 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations: 941-779-2222. View the menu at groupersandwich.com/news.

Jazz brunch: The Sandbar's Sunday Jazz Brunch features nationally recognized, top local jazz musicians. The menu, served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes items made with farm-to-fork produce along with fresh gulf seafood, breads made on site and drinks made with fresh fruits. Lunch menu is also available. The restaurant is at 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0444.

COOKING CLASSES

Apron's classes: Apron's Cooking School at Publix At University Walk, 2875 University Parkway; students may register for all classes online at www.publix.com or by calling 941-358-7829.

Culinary Calendar: Email information to calendar@bradenton.com.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Culinary Calendar: Where to dine in Bradenton, Sarasota on New Year's ."