Jackson Free Press

Not sure what to do on New Year's Eve? Here's your guide to what many Jackson-area restaurants and nightspots are offering on the big night. If you're a venue and want to add your specials for the evening, just register and post it yourself under this story—or send the info to [e-mail missing], and we'll do it for you. Happy new year!

New Year's Eve means a night out on the town, dining, dancing, celebrating. What follows is a purely unscientific poll of what some restaurants in Jacktown have in store for you and yours—to help make your last evening 2004 delicious.

Starting with the front end of the alphabet, A. J.'s Seafood Grille, 900 E. County Line Rd., Ridgeland, 956-2588, will be open. Make your reservations now so that you won't miss out on fine dining as well as entertainment from The American Band, scheduled from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Their dinner menu includes appetizers, entrées, American beef and pasta, plus desserts. Naturally, with seafood in the restaurant's name, you won't be surprised to find among the entrées grouper, snapper, salmon, scallops, red fish, lobster tail and oysters. Their seafood arrives fresh, twice a day, so you know you're getting a treat.

Amerigo, 6592 Old Canton Rd., Ridgeland, 977-0563, is a perennial favorite with lovers of Italian cuisine. Their regular menu should prove sufficient to satisfy any cravings you might have for appetizers like calamari fritti or oven roasted artichoke cheese dip, or what about those salads? Try arugula with flamegrilled apples or the goat cheese and walnut salad. For the main course, you might try something roasted, seared or flamegrilled. The menu is loaded with dishes like the fish of the day, salmon, sea bass, filets, rib chops or pork loin chops, not to mention pizza and pasta galore. Amerigo's desserts are a great way to finish off your celebration.

Named after the Greek philosopher known as the father of gastronomy—the art or science of good eating—Archestratus Grill, 507 Springridge Rd., Clinton, 926-4422, takes quite seriously the connection between dining and their customers' well-being. In addition to the wide array of salads and appetizers, Archestratus also serves Creole, grill and pasta entrées. Creole dishes include lots of seafood, like red snapper, oysters, shrimp, crab, mahi-mahi, talapia and salmon as well as catfish and chicken. From the grill, you might select filet or ribeye, tenderloin medallions or New York strip. Prima Vera, Bayou Catch and Zydeco Pasta Patricia are the pasta entrées. Desserts are sinfully delicious homemade concoctions. New Year's Eve brings joe & Dustin Messina for your entertainment, starting at 7 p.m. You only have to make reservations if your party is eight or more.

Bon Ami, 1220 E. Northside Dr., 982-0405, plans two seatings, too, at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For $90 per person, you'll get an appetizer, soup and salad with sorbet before your entrée—either Colorado elk, Colorado lamb or New Jersey duck breast. Dessert is a traditional baked Alaska. The restaurant is taking reservations now and should have plenty of room since they've more than doubled their seating capacity with their recent renovations.

Bonefish Grill, 201 Colony Way, Madison, 607-3334, recently opened, offering fresh fish daily. On New Year's Eve, it'll be their regular menu until 11:30 p.m. There's appetizers and soups and salads as well as entrées that include grilled fish like salmon, trout, shrimp, scallops, swordfish, grouper, tuna, sea bass and lobster tails. Additional entrées included grilled and sautéed specialties. All entrées are served with a house or Caesar salad, fresh seasonal vegetables and an additional side item from the menu of "Awesome Sides."

"A Night to Remember" is what Bravo! Italian Restaurant and Bar, 4500 I-55 N, 982-8111, is calling their 10th New Year's Eve celebration. Two seatings are on the bill, 6:30 p.m., $65 each, and 9:30 p.m., $85 each. The price includes complimentary champagne, party favors and indoor fireworks. Entertainment features the jazzy Greg Robinson Trio. Libations are not included in the prix fixe price for dinner. Speaking of dinner, it starts with Consomme of Beef with Mustard-Chive Spaetzle, followed by several entrée choices—wild striped bass with a root vegetable-bean ragout and a sweet corn-smoked tomato sauce or a peppered six ounce filet of Angus beef with creamy gouda-chorizo cakes, charcoaled tomatoes, limed red onions and chipotle butter. There's also a crab and cucumber salad with mustard vinaigrette. As if all of this isn't enough, it's now time for "A Sweet, Sweet Finish" with a chocolate and hazlenut terrine with orange and mint crème. Now that you're salivating, get on the phone and make reservations—only 80 people per seating.

Char, 4500 I-55 N, 956-9562, will be open until 10:30 p.m. serving from their regular menu. So, if you're a fan of Beef Filet Henry the IV, Cowboy Stake, Breadloaf Tuna, Pecan Crusted Blackfish with Lump Crabmeat Dressing or Domestic Colorado Lamb Chops, Char is the place for you.

Chili's, 475 Briarwood Dr., 957-7090, will be open for business as usual. So will Crechale's, 3107 Highway 80 W, 355-1840. Those who've enjoyed eating at Crechale's realize that business as usual means spectacular dining in a funky old-style restaurant with great service.

Jackson's downtown Edison Walthall Hotel, 225 E. Capitol St., 948-6161, plans a New Year's Eve Dinner Buffet from 6-10 p.m. Accented by crystal chandeliers and live music, the 68-foot buffet features holiday favorites and signature Edison dishes like whole chilled salmon, house select soup, fresh salad dressings for crisp salads, fresh vegetables, prime rib and fresh seafood as well as the Edison's signature desserts. For $30 per person, you can take your pick of the delicious dishes and imbibe the complimentary champagne and wine. And get this, there's a special room rate of $69 (single or double occupancy) for any dinner guest wishing to spend the night. Can't beat that for a fun and safe evening.

Both El Potrillo Mexican Restaurant Grill & Cantina locations, 6036 I-55 N, 899-8819 and 210 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood, 992-9260, will be open until 8 p.m., serving their spicy combination dinners, especialidades de la casa, wine and beer.

Fenian's Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 948-0055, has Mike & Marty on tap for those 21+ who enjoy folk and rock music. They'll play from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Fenian's will be serving their usual deli-style food as well as traditional Irish dishes. Toast in the New Year with complimentary champagne.

Out in Byram, Flashbacks Espresso Café, 5620 I-55 S, 372-3220, will be open, complete with entertainment from Martin White, performing oldies and pop favorites. You can pick from their regular menu and nightly specials.

George Street Grocery, 416 George St., 969-7733, has their regular menu and some specials for New Year's eve—rack of ribs with black-eye peas, cinnamon apples, cabbage and cornbread for $15.95—loads of traditional New Year's good luck foods there. Or you might go for the eight-ounce filet topped with crawfish sauce, served with garden salad, roasted potatoes and black-eye peas for $19.95. The cover charge is $10, with music downstairs—Kool Filter Kings and Lynn Drury—starting at 7 p.m. and at 10:30 p.m. upstairs. Ring in the New Year with a complimentary champagne toast and The Taylor Grocery Band with special guest Cary Hudson.

Giovanni's Italian Restaurant, 1189 E. County Line Rd., Jackson, 956-9550, has a special steak dinner and champagne at midnight. They'll be open until 2 a.m. to celebrate the start of 2005.

Huntington's Grill, 1001 E. County Line Rd., Jackson, 957-1515, recommends you call for reservations for their four-course dinner, $75 each, $150 per couple. Included also: champagne for a midnight toast, party favors and dancing to the sounds of Edward St. Pe and Jim Robinson in Huntington's Grill and the Johnny Crocker Band with Debbie Buie in the adjoining Madison Hall.

Julep Restaurant and Bar, 1305 E. Northside Dr., 362-1411, tout's their New Year's Eve as "The Way It Was Mint To Be." There will be two seatings, 6 and 9 p.m. for their five-course, pre-fixed price menu; the cost is $60-$70 and includes a champagne toast, party favors and balloon drop at midnight.

Keegan's, 7049 Old Canton Rd., Ridgeland, 898-4554 will be open. Who wouldn't want a Keegan's Garbage Salad made with jumbo lump crabmeat, salami, vegetables, chopped iceberg lettuce and fried shrimp, tossed with vinaigrette or Kumback dressing. Of course, you might opt for another salad, an appetizer, a sandwich, some pasta or an entrée for your dining pleasure. Keifer's will be open just like any Friday night, serving from their regular diner menu until 11 p.m.

La Cazuela Mexican Grill, 1401 E. Fortification St., 353-3014, just might close a little earlier than their usual 10 p.m. Friday time, so if you're wanting a Mexican food fix, go early. Lager's World Grill, 6111 Ridgewood Rd., 956-3416, will be open from 4 p.m. until after ringing in the New Year. You can select from their extensive menu of appetizers, soups and salads, wood-grilled dishes, steaks, seafood, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and desserts. And don't forget the lager.

The Mayflower Café, 123 W. Capitol St., 355-4122, will be open, too, for the regulars who can't get enough of their favorite dishes.

New Year's Eve at Mikhail's Northgate Restaurant, 4330 N. State St., 982-3838, is billed as a party, 9 p.m. until. For $25 per person, partake of hors d'oeuvres, party favorites and a midnight champagne toast.

Monte's Steak & Seafood, 1855 Lakeland Dr., 362-8182, will be serving their regular menu.

Nagoya Japanese Restaurant, 6351 I-55 N., 977-8881, will be open New Year's Eve 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and from 5-10:30 p.m. Although there are no specials planned, the regular menu has plenty to satisfy your taste buds.

Stix Restaurant, 109 Market Place Ln., 420-4058, will be open for a regular Friday night. That means an extensive sushi menu, a choice of eight dinners served with onion soup, ginger salad, shrimp appetizer, grilled fresh vegetables and fried rice, or any one of 14 combination dinners, served with the same sides.

Thai House, 2665 I-55 S., 373-8154, is also open for your dining convenience with dinner served from 5-9:30 p.m. If your New Year's Resolutions include widening your dining horizons, this is the place for you with numerous dishes. Most popular among the entrees are Tom Kha, Red Curry, Panaeng and Paht Thai. If you don't know Thai food, the menu contains complete explanations of every dish. There's even a pepper-rating system so you can decide between mild, medium, hot or Thai hot.

At Walker's Drive-In, 3016 N. State St., 982-2633, it's reservations only for a four-course meal—your choice of five to six appetizers, three salads, six entrées and three desserts.
So, whether you're hankering for seafood or steak, American or international, Jackson's restaurants are all set to make your New Year's Eve spectacular.

Editor's Note: Restaurants that did not respond by press time are welcome to post their New Year's Eve specials at jacksonfreepress.com under this story. Readers, please watch the site for updates.

Previous Comments

ID

84317

Comment

The Fairview Inn & Restaurant, 734 Fairview Street, Jackson, 948-3429. One of Jacksonís newest and most spectacular restaurants offers a respite from the usual New Yearís Eve fanfareÖno funny hats, no noisemakersÖjust magnificent food, good friends and quiet romance. Chef Todd McClellan offers a 4-course menu starting with a choice of Lemon Fettuccini or Shrimp Cocktail followed by Lobster Bisque with Crabmeat or a Greek Salad with Feta Cheese. Entree selections are American Kobe Beef Prime Rib, Filet of Beef Tenderloin Bordelaise or Roasted Grouper with Tomato Basil Sauce. A Trio Dessert features some of Fairviewís most requested desserts. The cost is $65/person. Dinner guests interested in an overnight stay in one of Fairview Innís guestrooms may call 948-3429 for reservations.

Author

Susan

Date

2004-12-28T15:00:41-06:00

ID

84318

Comment

Olga's Restaurant is offering a special New Year's Eve dinner. They have two seatings, one at 6 p.m., another at 8:30 p.m. with 44 seats each time. Olga says she is offering a four-course meal including appetizer, soup or salad, choice of several different entrees, dessert and party favors. $45 per person. Please make reservations at 992-1092. Olga's is at 1679 Old Fannin Road, 992-1092, in front of Winners Circle Park, one-fourth mile north of Dogwood Festival. Read Lynette's Nov. 17 review of Olga's

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2004-12-28T17:34:59-06:00

ID

84319

Comment

Update about Bravo's reservations just came from Jeff Good: Only a few reservations left for the early seating... still have a dozen seats available for the late seating... if you have been putting off your plans, please consider calling NOW!† 982-8111 Better hurry, all, if you want reservations for the big night!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2004-12-28T17:37:07-06:00

ID

84320

Comment

A bit more about Mikhail's New Year's plans came today: Friday December 31, 2004 9pm until Hors d' oeuvres, Party favors, Midnight Champagne Toast $25 per person Advanced tickets available at Mikhail's, 4330 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39206. For More information, call (601) 982-3838 Also, remember to pick up a copy of Jackie Bell's new CD at 930 Blues Cafe! It's hot, of course.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2004-12-28T19:27:13-06:00

ID

84321

Comment

C-LECTA'S FIRST NEW YEAR'S EVE CARIBBEAN PARTY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2004 AT SEVEN ALL ARTS CAFE 147 MILLSAPS STREET (OFF MILL STREET) 8:00 PM - UNTIL.... INTERNATIONAL SOUNDS OF REGGAE, DANCEHALL, SOCA, AND MORE FEATURING MR. C-LECTA OF WMPR 90.1 FM IT'S A BYOB AFFAIR FOR MORE INFORMATION 371-0358 SPONSORED BY GODFREY'S TAKE AWAY

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2004-12-31T11:33:09-06:00