Think bigger than lackluster hor d?oeuvres and dry hunks of roast beef baking under red lamps to dine in style tonight. New Year?s Eve revelers have many options for getting in the last calories of 2007. Ring in 2008 at a few Examiner favorites listed below.
» Corks wants to wine and dine Baltimore foodies with a four-course meal for $79 per person designed by Chef Jerry Pellegrino. Service begins at 5 p.m. Final reservations will be seated at 10:30 p.m., just less than two hours before the complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Reservations are necessary. Corks is at 1026 S. Charles St. in Baltimore?s historic Federal Hill. Contact Corks at 410-752-3810.
» Early birds get the New Year?s Eve worm … err crab dip at Coho Grill, open until 9 p.m. on the big night. Hidden from the bustle of downtown Columbia, Coho is at 11130 Willow Bottom Road on the grounds of the Hobbit?s Glenn Golf Course. Outstanding dishes at Coho include the crab and artichoke dip, served with pita chips seasoned with Old Bay for $10.95, and the pork tenderloin, glazed in honey and finished with a prickly pear tequila barbecue sauce with smashed sweet potatoes for $17.95. For more information, call 410-740-2096.
» Little Italy?s charming and consistent La Tavola, open from noon to 10 p.m. today, will offer a three- or four-course fixed menu, featuring among other dishes the calamari alla griglia con polenta (whole calamari rubbed with a fresh herb and mustard seed marinade, charbroiled and served with grilled polenta then finished with a balsamic glaze); tortelloni alla melanzane (homemade, hand-twisted pasta stuffed with roasted eggplant, garlic and buffalo mozzarella and tossed with a fresh tomato concasse sauce); and scottata d?agnello, (thinly sliced leg of lamb seasoned with rosemary and garlic, grilled and served over baby arugula, finished with sliced parmesan reggiano). The three-course option is $45 per person; four courses are $60 per person. For more information, call 410-685-1859.
» The night of all nights deserves the meal of all meals ? a jumbo lump crab cake from Timbuktu Restaurant & Lounge in Hanover on Dorsey Road. Timbuktu serves two of Maryland?s arguably best crab cakes for $24.99 or one crab cake for $15.99. Reservations are recommended. Last diners are seated at 10:30 p.m.For more information, call 410-796-0733.
» Clyde?s of Columbia proves chain restaurants can offer a personal touch. On New Year?s Eve, the cozy, couples-favorite spot will serve its regular menu with a few extraordinary dinner and dessert specials, still in the works as of Friday. Dinner will be available from 4 to 11 p.m., when a late-night menu is offered until midnight. Grab an after-dinner drink after the ball falls at Clyde?s bar, open until 2 a.m.
