New Year’s eats

Area restaurants set to celebrate New Year with parties, catering

With New Year’s Eve falling on a Sunday this year, many local folks are working on alternate plans that don’t include the traditional New Year’s Eve late night party.

Some will head out the night before and celebrate in advance. Others will invite friends over and stay at home for a less raucous celebration of the year passing and the one to come. Some die hard New Year’s Eve revelers will not be deterred and find the places that aren’t letting the holiday party opportunity go to waste.

No matter your plans, many Northwest Arkansas restaurants, retailers, clubs and businesses are ready to help you get your 20-18 on.

Laura Gheen, co owner of Ramo d’Olivo in Downtown Bentonville, is ready with her New Year’s resolution.

“Our New Year’s resolution is to spend more time with our family,” the restaurant and wine store owner said. “I’ll be drinking a sparkling Brute Rose’ from Raptor Ridge, an Oregon vineyard that we sell at the store and serve at Ramo. It’s a lovely wine.”

While Laura and husband, Tom, will stick close to family on the eve of the New Year, Saturday night is another story… and party.

“Saturday night the 30th we have a band called Junction 80,” Laura said. “That will be our New Year’s Eve party at Ramo. We will sell all kinds of sparkling wines and have champagne and sparkling specials.”

The party, she said, is always a success.

“It’s really fun and everyone dresses up,” she explained. “We have a party on Saturday night because we will be closed Sunday on New Year’s Eve.”

Laura said not to worry about making reservation for their pre New Year’s Eve celebration. They will be celebrating all day.

“We are more of a drop in kind of place,” she said of the three-year-old establishment. “We’ve always had very good success for early parties and for people on the way out for a later party.

While the menu specials for the night are still in the works, Laura said that there will be one thing that’s always ready to go.

“Our wine shop will be open,” she said. “People can get custom service and help picking out a nice bottle of bubbly, or white or red wine for their New Year’s Eve.”

Eat in

Many people around the area will insist on staying up late, partying until the hogs come home and sleeping in late on the first day of 2018. Many will be up early and slaving away in the kitchen prepping for game day guests to arrive.

Some, however, will take the easy way out and cater in their New Year’s Eve and Day snacks and meals.

Blake Umlauf, marketing director for the two Zaxby’s Chicken locations in Fayetteville, said the teams at the two Fayetteviille locations are ready to take care of your catering needs.

“We have so many options depending what you want to do,” Blake said. “You can get wings or chicken fingers or if you are having a party, maybe a fresh salad bar with fresh vegetables. We make it look really put together.”

For many the idea of a salad bar and football may not go together, but Blake disagrees.

“A lot of people will have us put together a salad bar,” he said. “Everything is separate. You just go through and order your own salad bar. Everything is fresh and prepared right before you pick it up. A lot of people aren’t even aware we do that.”

But, Blake said, “It’s hard to beat wings and football, but there are just a lot of different options.”

Open regular hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 10:30am until 9:30pm, Blake does advise pre ordering your catering to make sure everything goes smoothly and hungry football fans don’t have to wait for their wings.

“Depending on the size of the order we can do it in a couple of hours,” Blake advised. “If it’s a lot of people we appreciate some notice. It just depends on the size of the order. If it’s more than 20 people it’s nice to have 24 hours, but for 15 friends we can have it ready in a few hours. We can get it done just call the local store in advance.”

NYE Party TIPS

With New Year’s Eve falling on a Sunday this year many local restaurants and retailers are adjusting their weekend and New Year’s Day operating hours. Always call in advance to make sure you won’t have your party plans foiled.

Here are just a few suggestions on how to make your New Year’s Eve or New year’s Day party a success.

Go to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art web site for events and holiday hours for Eleven, the museum’s signature restaurant. Farrell’s Lounge, Bar and Grill is a great spot to eat, drink and make merry. Give them a call to see what the Dickson Street staple has in the works for the New Year’s weekend Haven 55 in Pineville, Mo. prepares American regional rustic dishes. It would be worth it to check into their New Year’s plans. Schlotzsky’s Café and Bakery has locations in Fayetteville, Springdale and Rogers. Sandwiches, soups and any of their menu iems will be a welcome

addition to New Year’s party catering. Order online or call ahead.

Southern Food Company is known for a hearty breakfast and stick to your ribs meals any time of day. Check out Southern Food Company’s New Year’s plans.

When I think Village Inn, I think of pie. Many others do too. But, if you don’t want to slave away in the kitchen

the three area locations in Fayetteville, Bentonville and Ft. Smith are open for regular hours Sunday and Monday to serve their loyal customers. Try the pie.

Penguin Ed’s Bar-B-Que is known for their catering and everyone loves some bar-B-que, especially from Ed’s. With three area locations we’re sure they can take care of your catering needs. Give them a call. Ozark Natural Foods is a local favorite for organic and natural products. Make your New Year’s resolution to make a visit to Ozark Natural Foods to start 2018 off right.

Feel like a steak on New Years Eve? Head on over to Richard’s Country Meat Market and wow the family with a T-Bone on New Year’s Eve or New Years Day.

Feel like celebrating a little early? Beat the crowds and enjoy a night of Italian cuisine at De Marko’s Italian Dining and Pizza. Sure to have a bottle of sparkling wine on hand, De Marko’s will be the perfect place for a pre New Year’s Eve celebration.

Fratellie’s Italian Grill in Springdale is a great place to celebrate any occasion. Maybe welcoming in 2018 a little early and beating the crowds is more your style. Search Fratellie’s Italian on Facebook for some last minute dining ideas.

Mediterranean food more your style?

Emelia’s Kitchen is a great spot to get your holiday going. Why wait until the holiday check out Emelia’s any time. Try a Sunday brunch. You won’t be disappointed.

Acapulco in Springdale is a great place for Mexican fare. Enjoy traditional Mexican favorites. It doesn’t have to be a holiday. Maybe this year try black beans and fajitas instead on black-eyed peas on New Year Day. Taqueria Guanajuato in Springdale serves late on the weekends. So, if you find your self out late on the weekend stop in for a rational taqueria meal and a beverage. It doesn’t disappoint.

Gabriela’s Mexican Grill has been feeding Northwest Arkansans since 2003. Search them online to find out what classic Mexican dishes are the daily lunch special.

Check out our dining directory on pages 44 and 45 for these restaurant and business’ hours of operation, phone numbers and addresses. Make sure to give them a call because many will offer New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day specials.

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