The (Other) New Year’s Eve Hot Spots
The
law of supply and demand applies even on New Year’s Eve. That’s why
it’s expensive to attend a big bash on the special night, especially in
cities that draw the most year-end revelers. So what do you do if your
party budget is large but not unlimited? You celebrate in these
alternative cities. — Joseph Guinto | The Big Spender Will Go to: New York You’ll Go to: Philadelphia
Independence square is not times square, of course. But it is on the East Coast, it is in the middle of a dense city center filled with shops and restaurants, and it will be brightly lit when the glitter City gala — an 1,800-attendee event at the national Constitution Center — stages a midnight fireworks show over the liberty Bell. Prices start at $120 a person.
The Big Spender Will Go to: Paris You’ll Go to: Montreal
The most Parisian party in Montreal takes place in the most Parisian of the city’s neighborhoods, charming old Montreal. there, the Place d’armes Hotel and suites offers continental breakfasts, wine and cheese, cocktails, and entry to the hotel’s Moonlight serenade Party. Ring in the new year with dinner, dancing, Champagne, and an open bar. Packages start at around $860 and include accommodations.
The Big Spender Will Go to: Somewhere on a big yacht, in international waters You’ll Go to: Long Beach, California
If Donald trump invites you to ring in the new year on his yacht, by all means accept. If he doesn’t, board the Queen Mary, where you can party with thousands of people in more than half a dozen themed venues, watch some fireworks, and eventually go to bed in a room of your own. oh, and no need to worry about seasickness: the Queen Mary won’t be moving. a package for two, with party admission, overnight stay, dinner, and a bottle of Champagne, is $745.
The Big Spender Will Go to: Rio de Janeiro You’ll Go to: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Rio’s famously popular new year’s Eve party takes place all along the Copacabana. likewise, the party in the Dominican Republic’s capital proceeds along El Malecón, a beachside strip packed tight with dance clubs, bars, and restaurants. Package deals? ah, who needs them when you can dance to the merengue songs of numerous musicians while bar-hopping the year away?
The Big Spender Will Go to: Sydney You’ll Go to: San Francisco
Yes, there’s a new year’s Eve fireworks show in a beautiful bay with a stunning work of architecture in the background, but, no, this isn’t australia. this is the san Francisco Bay, the work of architecture is the Bay Bridge, and you’re on the deck of the California Hornblower. Inside, indulge yourself with a four-course dinner and an open bar. then dance off the excess and wish your shipmates a good day. Package price is $249 per person. — J.g. |
HOW TO THROW AN ANTIPARTY
Not a fan of the big-bash idea but want to do something? Follow these five rules for holding your own nonevent and you’ll be set. — J.G.
1. KEEP IT SMALL.
If New Year’s Eve is amateur night — a time for people who don’t normally get out to go wild — an antiparty is its antithesis. It should feel like an almost accidental gathering. This means no themes, no more than a dozen people, and no elaborate planning. Invite people just a few days beforehand.
2. KEEP IT SAFE.
Antiparty pros do not drink and drive. Don’t make your guests have to worry about their intake. Call cabs, nominate a single designated driver, pull out the futon, or invite only the neighbors.
3. DRINK DIFFERENT.
Real Champagne is for New Year’s Eve parties. Antiparties are fueled by the less-expensive Prosecco, an Italian bubbly.
4. DO SOMETHING BESIDES DRINK.
Playing games will “keep everyone’s energy up until midnight,” says Eva Ingvarson, trend expert and editor for Evite.com. Poker, board games, and a Wii tennis match will all work. Halo 3, however, is a bad idea.
5. NO KOOL & THE GANG.
Music is good, but leave the TV off until just before midnight. Watch the ball drop, and then shut the TV off again. Dancing to “Celebration” is for people who paid for that, um, privilege.
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Move Over, Plastics (and Metals) — There’s a New Kid in Town
Suddenly ubiquitous, ceramic technology is upgrading our home-product repertoire. With a surface (almost) as hard as diamond but as smooth as silk, ceramic
lasts longer than plastic and metal and achieves unprecedented results: Instruments made with ceramic won’t rust or corrode, and ceramic knives won’t
leave a metallic taste on food. Even better, the blades rarely need sharpening — they maintain their edge for months, even years. Ceramic hair products act
like Tefl on, emitting refl ectives, which smooth and shine hair. Ceramic also withstands high temperatures and ensures that products don’t burn out before their
time. And when used in an innovative design, such as for the ball of a fountain pen, ceramic introduces a new standard for age-old objects. — Becca Hensley
 Divertimenti Ceramic Peeler, $33,
www.divertimenti.co.uk
T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer, $200, www.t3micro.com
Staub Ceramic Set of Two
Round Black Mini Cocottes,
$30, www.chefsresource.com
Black Diamond Ceramic Blade Knives by Uri Eagle, from $68,
store.urieagle.biz
Kyocera Wide Barrel
Executive Pen, $25,
www.kyoceraadvanced
ceramics.com
Joyce Chen Suribachi Grater Set, $18, www.amazon.com
Ceramic Double Boiler Set
by All-Clad Stainless, $180,
www.chefsresource.com
Kyocera 3-inch Industrial
Ceramic Scissors, $144,
www.metrokitchen.com
Conair ceramic curling irons
and straighteners, $20 to
$60, www.conair-store.com
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 A Holiday Feast
After searching near and far to find the best dining delights of this merry season, we’ve come up with the following seven restaurants that are, in our opinion, nothing short of spectacular … and they’re open on December 25. — Susan Gallacher
Maze by Gordon Ramsay at the London, New York City
At his first American restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, the French-trained chef with the fiery temperament, presents a five-course Christmas Day menu, which includes items such as lobster ravioli with celeriac cream and shellfish vinaigrette. $125, 151 West 54th Street, (212) 468-8889, www.gordonramsay.com/ mazeatthelondonnyc
Osteria di Tramonto, the Westin Chicago North Shore; Wheeling, Illinois
Enjoy Italian wood-fire mussels, pizza margherita, roasted Berkshire pork loin, and apple crostata at this restaurant’s Christmas Day buffet. Adults, $50, and children 12 and under, $13; 601 North Milwaukee Avenue; (847) 777-6570; www.cenitare.com
La Tour d’Argent, Paris
This Paris institution might be known for its duck, but come December 25, saddle of lamb wrapped in a pastry crust and served with wild mushrooms and bok choy will be the order of the day. $95 for prix-fixe lunch; 15–17 quai de la Tournelle, 5e; 011-33-1-43-54-23-31; www.latourdargent.com
Tragaluz, Barcelona
Housed in a three-story building with a dramatic glass roof, Tragaluz offers traditional fare with an avant-garde twist, such as suckling pig with quinces, meatball stew with truffles, and warm chocolate tarts. About $86, Pasaje de la Concepción 5, 011-34-93-487-06-21, www.grupotragaluz.com/tragaluz
California Modern, George’s at the Cove; La Jolla, California
Chef Trey Foshee knows how to make California cuisine dazzle — and his holiday fare is no exception. Case in point: aged Niman Ranch strip steak served with smoked potato puree, and a pear-orange tart made with chocolate sorbet, Port-roasted pear, and toasted almonds. Entrées, $26 to $44, 1250 Prospect Street, (858) 454-4244, www.georgesatthecove.com
Meritage, Boston Harbor Hotel; Boston
Sure, historic harbor views and chef Daniel Bruce’s unique foodand- wine pairings are good. But Meritage’s five-course prix-fixe Christmas menu, which includes prosciutto-wrapped venison loin, is even better. Don’t miss the candy-cane-tinis, made with light cream and white crème de menthe. Adults, $115, and children 12 and under, $50; 70 Rowes Wharf; (617) 439-3995; www.bhh.com/bhh_meritage.htm
The Conservatory at the Lanesborough, London
Black leg turkey with cranberry chutney and Christmas spices, whole roasted filet of Buccleuch beef, and Lanesbourough Christmas pudding are not your grandmother’s holiday dinner. Need we say more? Four-course dinner and entertainment, $130; Hyde Park Corner; 011-44-20- 7259-5599; www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis
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Gifts that Keep on Giving
Strange, the holidays. They seem to be all about giving — you’re shopping for gifts, right? — but sometimes the warm fuzzies of bestowing get swallowed up by consumeristic fervor. Remedy: Choose gifts that not only show your loved ones that you love them, but that benefi t the less fortunate too. After all, you have to buy something for Aunt Agatha, so why not make it something with a conscience? These are our favorites. — Tracy Staton
Specialty Roast Coffee donates $2 per pound purchased to your favorite charity. Order for your clients and customers, and you’ll get organic fair-trade coffee specially packaged with a personalized label highlighting your donation. About $19, including shipping. www.specialtyroast.com
Philosophy is offering a selection of charitable gifts this year. Message in a Bottle shower gel — mineral-enriched and with a fragrance reminiscent of rainwater and the sea — benefi ts the Rainforest Foundation. Peony- scented Joyful Heart benefi ts the Joyful Heart Foundation, which helps sexual-assault victims. And Inner Grace benefi ts the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. $20 each for 16 ounces. www.philosophy.com
Humanitas gives 20 percent of your wine’s purchase price to a charity you choose from the company’s approved list, which includes Habitat for Humanity. Wines start at $18 per bottle. www.humanitaswines.com
Emporio Armani hands over 40 percent of its profi ts from the unisex (Product) Red digital watch to the Global Fund to provide HIV/AIDS relief in developing countries. $225. www.emporioarmani.com
Organic Bouquet gives 5 percent of the $60 retail price of its yellowrose bouquet to the Humane Society. Other bouquets benefi t charities such as Amnesty International and the Nature Conservancy. www.organicbouquet.com
Kenneth Cole boasts a selection of clever issues-oriented T-shirts for $35, and $10 from each sale goes to the designer’s Awearness Fund to fi ght AIDS and help the homeless. We like the “I Have Issues” one. www.kennethcole.com
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care gives 25 percent of the proceeds from the sale of specially packaged product kits — our choice is the Aromatherapy Bath Kit — to Heifer International. $16. www.drhauschka.com
100 Percent of the Proceeds … So your family’s not drawing names this year but giving to a charity instead. Make the donations seem more like real presents by choosing one of the new gift packages being offered by some charities. Here are a few ideas.
|  | Mercy Corps, a worldwide relief group, offers Mercy Kits with personalized gift announcements. Outfi t a family in the developing world with beehives, a goat, a pig, a garden, or a camel. Or give a child school supplies, soccer equipment, or food. $20 to $250. www.mercycorps.org/mercykits
Make your nephew proud by adopting a Douc monkey (or one of dozens of other endangered animals) from the World Wildlife Fund. The $50 kit includes a plush version of the adoptee, a photo, and an adoption certifi cate. www.worldwildlife.org, go to the adoption center
Plan USA offers a gift catalog that includes water wells ($50), child immunizations ($20), and school textbooks ($35). www.planusa.org
Not sure which organization you’d like to support? Visit Changing the Present; its selection of gifts benefi ts a variety of causes, including education, the environment, health, and disaster relief. www.changingthepresent.org
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 Live the High Life
Ever stayed at a nice hotel and had a concierge who managed to get you ungettable tickets to the latest show, garner last-minute reservations at the hottest restaurant, or miraculously acquire a suit in your size when all the stores were closed? Imagine having that kind of access and hands-on attention every day.
A new lifestyle company based in New York is providing just that. Called Four Hundred, after the secret list of New York elite that was kept by socialite Caroline Astor in the late 1800s, it is the brainchild of 27-year-old entrepreneur Tony Abrams. He launched the members-only club in February with partners Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm, who co-own Tenjune, one of New York City’s most exclusive nightclubs.
For $7,500 a year, Four Hundred members have access to “an army of lifestylists” who can assist them with everything from finding a gift for their spouse to catering a client dinner to getting invites to the hottest parties and events, says Abrams. Members also have access to a “guild of experts” — specialists in the fields of fine cars, fashion, interior design, nutrition, golf, real estate, and the like.
“Our clients can afford membership,” says Abrams. “What they can’t afford is time.” There is no minimum financial requirement to join, but potential clients must be approved by the company’s 12- person review board.
“We have to know what kind of people they are,” Abrams says. “If someone doesn’t act appropriately in a restaurant we got them into, it can ruin our reputation with that restaurant.” Of the “high-net individuals” who do pass muster, most work in the financial world, but some work in professional sports, the entertainment business, or another high-profile profession.
So just what is that “it” factor that makes Four Hundred different from other concierge companies? “Other firms don’t offer the same personal attention we do,” says Abrams. “We’re not only reactive but proactive. For instance, if we have a client who’s really into contemporary art and we know about a cool new exhibit, then we’ll call him or her about it.”
Another mantra at Four Hundred is discretion. Abrams not only won’t name a single client, he also adds, “We handle different things that a client may not even want their personal assistant knowing about.” Like setting up an appointment with Four Hundred’s plastic-surgery expert, perhaps? — Jaye Revell
The Fab Four
Four Hundred’s clients are used to the finer things in life, and you, too, can live like a rock star — or real estate mogul or celebutante or high-powered CEO — by following these tips from Four Hundred founder Tony Abrams. |
| 1. At nice restaurants, never tip before sitting down. The move is to shake the hand of the maître d’ or the manager when you’re leaving. They’ll be more likely to remember you that way. |
| 2. When planning a hotel stay, have your assistant book and confirm your reservation. This tells the hotel that you’re important, and a priority. |
| 3. If it’s your first time going to a new nightclub or you’re in a new city, call in advance and make a table reservation. The money you spend that first time will set you up for a longterm relationship and will pay off in the end. |
| 4. First and foremost, give back. Always get the give back. Always get the contact information for the manager, receptionist, maître d’, or any other person who helped you. If you want to return to that establishment, send a thank-you note the next day either by e-mail or snail mail. |
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