Jewel New Year’s offerings: from elegant to hilarious

Revelers will be ringing out the old and ringing in the new in style once again next weekend with a plethora of lavish New Year’s celebrations throughout the Jewel.

Perhaps the grandest year’s-end party of them all, billed as “Times Square West,” is a Jazz Spectacular, San Diego’s New Year’s Eve Party and Countdown at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive. The event returns this year with a line up of smooth jazz performances by Euge Groove, Peter White, Richard Elliot and Oli Silk in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

“This is our 12th year of doing the jazz New Year’s event in La Jolla,” said Scott Pedersen, event producer for Hyatt Regency La Jolla. “This year the event is very similar to last year, except the entire event will be held indoors at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. It’s what our customers have asked for: A more intimate and refined event.”

The venue can accommodate about 800 guests. Tickets range from $135 for admission only up to $249 for reserved table seating including a buffet dinner. For more information call (858) 552-6000 or visit www.jazzspectacular.com.

But New Year’s events don’t have to be big or bold or rowdy to be pleasing. For those desiring a quiet, more intimate atmosphere, there are plenty of smaller venues in La Jolla, such as La Jolla Brew House at 7536 Fay Ave. and Tapenade Restaurant & Fine Catering at 7612 Fay Ave., willing to provide just that kind of an experience.

La Jolla Brew House has teamed with The Comedy Store at 916 Pearl St. and a charitable organization, San Diego River Parks Foundation, to provide its guests with an unforgettable, festive New Year’s evening.

“What we’re doing is some dinner packages,” said Brew House owner Claudette Mannix. “We’re calling it a green new year, working with San Diego River Parks Foundation, a wonderful organization that cleans up the San Diego River. We have fliers out calling it people, water and wildlife.”

The Brew House has two dinner seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first seating, at 6 p.m., is being done early to allow guests an opportunity to enjoy a show at The Comedy Store up the street before returning for the 2008 countdown. “The Comedy Store has put a package together with us,” Mannix said, “where you can come in and have dinner with us then go over to the Comedy Club for their show at 8 p.m. before coming back to the Brew House for party favors and a midnight toast. We’re trying to keep people in the Village.”

Brew House dinner packages are available for $59.95 per couple for sponsors, $69.95 for non-sponsors. For reservations e-mail claudette@beachhousebrew.com or call (858) 456-6279.

Sylvie Diot, director of special events at Tapenade Restaurant & Fine Catering, said the establishment has an equally impressive New Year’s package for guests with two seatings for dinner. Live entertainment to be furnished will also be memorable.

“We have a music trio, Shadow Light Jazz, and a very famous violinist, Jamie Kim who’ll be playing with a bassist and a keyboardist,” Said Diot.

The restaurant’s early-bird seating starts at 5:30 p.m. to accommodate guests wishing to have dinner then go elsewhere for parties or other functions. “Then we have the later seating for guests who just want to stay with us and listen to some beautiful cabaret-style music,” said Diot.

For more information call the Tapenade at (858) 551-7500.

There are other high-profile venues in La Jolla hosting New Year’s bashes sure to impress guests such as The Marine Room in La Jolla Shores at 2000 Spindrift Drive, and Jack’s at 7863 Girard Ave. in the Village.The Marine Room, recently voted “Best Dining with a View” by the readers of “San Diego Magazine,”offers two options for a memorable New Year’s Eve menu created by executive chef Bernard Guillas, and chef de cuisine Ron Oliver.

The first seating starting at 5:30 p.m. consists of a three-course menu for $95 per person. The second seating is available after 8:30 p.m. and consists of a five-course Gala Dinner for $165 per person. Guests of the Gala Dinner are treated to live entertainment by the Bruce Cameron Quartet from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., a champagne toast at midnight, and party favors.

The Marine Room offers diners global cuisine rooted in the French classics. Its spectacular views, exemplary service and outstanding wine list make it one of San Diego’s premier dining destinations. For more information call (858) 459-7222 or visit www.marineroom.com.

For a truly diverse New Year’s experience try Jack’s with its three different restaurant venues under one roof at 7863 Girard Ave.

Jack’s Grille provides a more casual atmosphere to ring in the New Year. Early diners may make reservations between 5:30 and 7 p.m. with second-seating reservations from 7:15 to 10 p.m. A special three-course menu will be featured with choices of appetizers, main courses and desserts. Cost for the early seating is $95 per person. Archi and the Archtones will perform until 10 p.m. with a DJ beginning at 10:30 p.m.

Jack’s Ocean Room brings New Year’s Eve revelers lots of choices for celebrating. First seating reservations will be taken between 5:30 and 7 p.m.. A special three-course menu will be featured with choices of appetizers, main courses and desserts. Cost for the early seating is $95 per person. For more information call (858) 456-4411.