Ringing in 2022, again: Sanford planning a New Year’s Eve do-over
With COVID-19 derailing New Year’s Eve plans, people might be longing for a do-over. And that’s exactly what the fine-dining restaurant Sanford is planning.
The restaurant, at 1547 N. Jackson St., is throwing what it’s alternately calling Next Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve Do-Over on Jan. 29.
It will have the same five-course menu that it had Dec. 31 — more or less, depending on ingredient availability.
The event is illustrative of the challenges restaurants are confronting in the pandemic and the creativity with which they’ve been responding.
Chef-owner Justin Aprahamian said the restaurant had reservations for about 100 people logged for Dec. 31.
“New Year’s is our busiest night of the year. People will inherently take a later reservation,” he said, because they plan to be up at midnight to ring in the new year.
It would be busy from open to close, a big boost before the doldrums of January and February (save for Feb. 14) set in.
Aprahamian and his crew had already been preparing components for those 100 dinners when the cancellations began rolling in.
Some reported a member of their party wasn’t feeling well, Aprahamian said, or had a close contact with a positive case; others were uncomfortable going out as COVID cases spiked.
Sanford usually charges a nominal fee for late cancellations but waived it.
“Better canceling than bringing something in,” Aprahamian said.
Ultimately, about 30% of diners canceled their reservations — the restaurant served about 70 people that night.
“I appreciate that they’re responsible enough” to call off dinner, Aprahamian said. He acknowledged, though, that “the time and effort and energy that goes into 100 meals and not come to fruition is a little heartbreaking.”
So Sanford will throw another party and give its customers another chance to get dressed up, hire a babysitter and go out on the town. Reservations are by phone, (414) 276-9608.
The five-course dinner is $125; optional wine pairings are $55.