Wining and dining this New Year's Eve

By Meredith Deliso

The choice of what to do for New Year’s Eve can be agonizing. For those looking to eat, we’ve narrowed it down a bit for you. To follow, some highlights of restaurant specials in Brooklyn to ring out ’09, depending on what you might be in the mood for.

Big Helpings
Patricia’s Pizza and Pasta of Williamsburg only opened in the past couple months, but is winning fans for their authentic Italian cuisine. Go it family style at the homey spot and share among the restaurants pasta, chicken and fish offerings. Or get a full dinner for $50 a person, from wine to dessert. Located at 35 Broadway. Call 718-218-9272 for reservations (recommended).

Down in Bay Ridge, Goodfella's is making it a party this New Year’s Eve with a five-course dinner and open bar for $65 a person, complete with party favors, DJ and karaoke. Better get working on “Auld Lang Syne.” Goodfella's is located at 9606 Third Ave. For more information, call 718-833-6200.

For pizza, head to Motorino in Williamsburg. The Neapolitan pizzeria will be providing a $35 prix-fixe menu, including a pie with black truffle and taleggio cheese. For a toast, bottles of prosecco will be available for $30 a bottle, or $8 by the glass. Located at 319 Graham Ave. Call 718-599-8899 for more.

Tres…Dos…Uno…
Celebrate Spanish style at Casa Pepe, which will be serving their regular menu, plus some specials, this New Year’s Eve. The Bay Ridge restaurant offers Spanish and Mexican cuisine, so bring your friends and order a bunch of tapas for the table. And make sure to get the paella. Located at 114 Bay Ridge Ave. Reservations suggested for larger groups. Party rooms are also available. Call 718-833-8865 for more.

Little D went the way of the dodo this year, making room for Fonda, with contemporary, urban Mexican fare that seemed to fill a void in Park Slope’s dining scene. For New Year’s, the little spot will be have a special prix fixe menu with three seatings – 6 p.m. ($45), and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. (both $65). Tables can share the salad and guacamole family style, and choose among the entrees and desserts. Chef Roberto Santibañez recommends the oxtail mole de olla, and for the vegetarians, roasted polbans with spinach and goat cheese. And for dessert, you can’t go wrong with a citrus tres leches. Located at 434 Seventh Ave. Call 718-369-3144 for reservations (required).

Another newish addition to Brooklyn, Bay Ridge hot spot Trace should be a party, as they serve their regular menu of modern Mexican fare (until 11 p.m.). A DJ will be on hand to provide the sounds, so after eating, continue to enjoy the atmosphere at the bar. Located at 8814 Third Ave. Call 718-921-9500 for more.

Bar Food
With a name like Beer Table, you wouldn’t expect much beyond beer enthusiasm. But the Park Slope spot also has a keen palate, and on New Year’s Eve, you can imbibe, as well as indulge. Their three-course menu includes a spicy black eyed pea salad, Bamberg onion (stuffed with pork and topped with bacon) and potatoes, and Bayley Hazen Blue with honey and hazelnuts. Seatings are at 8 p.m. ($45) and 10 p.m. ($55). Call 718-965-1196 or e-mail info@beertable.com to make a reservation. Located at 427 Seventh Ave.

New to ’09, The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights has won fans for its sophisticated pub grub. On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will be offering a four-course prix fixe for $68, with an optional wine pairing for $40. The restaurant is located at 570 Vanderbilt. Reservations for the back room, while the front bar room will be accepting walk-ins. Call 718-623-0570 for more.

For the Foodies
Buttermilk Channel has big plans New Year’s Eve. The Carroll Gardens bistro will run its regular menu along with “some decadent, extra-fancy additions,” including a whole-roasted chicken with foie gras and a lobster pot pie, as well as a stout cake made with Otis Stout from Brooklyn’s Six Point Brewery for dessert. For the toast, sip on sparkling Blanc de Blancs from Schramsburg. Located at 524 Court St. Call 718-852-8490 for more.

Grrrr...
Ring in the Year of White Tiger at Moim, a Korean spot in Park Slope that will be offering a prix fixe three-course dinner for $20.10 (ha), as well as live jazz from the Seung-Hee Trio, playing standard and pop arrangements. Located at 206 Garfield Pl. Call 718-499-8072 to make a reservation (recommended).

Seafood
Christmas Eve is a big fish night for some, but for a new tradition, head to The Pearl Room for some gourmet seafood offerings. The Bay Ridge spot will be providing a four-course meal, including an open bar, for $128 a person. Located at 8203 Third Ave. Call 718-833-6664 for reservations.

Classic Cuisine
For a wide array for choices for all the different tastebuds in your group, these Bay Ridge places can’t be beat. For a restaurant with a view, head to Restaurant 101, which overlooks the Verrazano Bridge. The spot will be serving their full menu all night, with a champagne toast at midnight. Located at 10018 Fourth Ave. Call 718-833-1313 for reservations.

The Greenhouse Café is ready to celebrate New Year’s all night, with multiple seatings from 4 pm. on. For you late birds, enjoy a complete dinner and open bar for $85 per person with their 9:30 and 10 p.m. seatings. Located at 7717 Third Ave. Call 718-833-8200 for reservations.

And, for the meat lovers, the Bay Ridge Manor breaks out their choice cuts for New Year’s Eve, with their full carvings on the menu. Dinner is $95 per person and includes an open bar and unlimited bubbly. Located at 476 76 St. Call 718-748-8855 for reservations.