When most people think about their New Year’s Eve festivities, details generally center around noisemakers and confetti, maybe a glass of champagne.

But for us foodies, a New Year’s Eve celebration begins with a fine meal at a good restaurant…followed by noisemaking and champagne. (Not so much confetti, please, it tends to fall into the champagne glass.

If you’re looking to start 2012 with a lovely meal, I’ve got some dandy choices for you. For particular details, click on the name of each restaurant to visit its website. Reservations are pretty much necessary, and please remember to call the restaurant if your plans change.

The Venetian Room at the Caribe Royale is offering a grand dinner to see in the new year, and if it’s half as grand as the recent Supper Club we had there, it’s definitely going to be special (more on that soon). Price is $250 per couple and includes a four course dinner with a bottle of champagne or house wine. Or for noncouples, $125 per person price includes four course dinner with two glasses of champagne or house wine

Prices do not include tax and gratuity.  Extra courses and alcoholic beverages not included in the price. Seatings are 6-10 p.m. All Venetian Room guests are invited to enjoy the live entertainment in the lounge, as well, with jazz from 6 to 10 p.m. and dueling pianos from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

But you can make it a really memorable evening by taking advantage of a special offer: the four-course dinner with champagne, entertainment and overnight accommodations at the Caribe Royale in a one-bedroom suite for just $300 per couple. That price includes tax but not gratuity. The rack rate for this deal is $500, so this really is a special offer.

Make reservations by calling 407-238-8020.

The folks over at Lago at Baldwin Park are offering a special menu including “Tuna Tower” with black caviar, “Surf-N-Turf” and “Chilean Sea Bass” among others. A prix fixe option is availaboe for $160 per couple and includes appetizers, pasta course, entrees, two glasses Champagne, desserts and 1 Bottle of wine. Pretty good deal. Call 407-741-3295.

At Downtown Disney, Portobello, Fulton’s Crab House and Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe are all offering specials.

Both area Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar locations are offering special menus and extending the offer to the 29th and 30th of December, as well. (Maybe that should be pre-extending.)

The Loews gang is throwing a party on the Harbor Piazza in front of the Portonfino Bay hotel at Universal. The celebration features all-you-care-to-eat gourmet food samples from Mama Della’s Ristorante, Trattoria del Porto, Sal’s Market Deli, Splendido’s Bar & Grill and Gelateria. Plus, enjoy a selection of more than a dozen wines and sparkling wines, as well as live jazz music and opera from the balconies. Cost is $125 per person.

Know of some other special New Year’s Eve dining options? Or do you have a traditional NYErestaurant you go to celebrate every year? Tell us in the comments below.

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