THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412200153
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 8 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On the Town
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
It's time to decide what to do this New Year's Eve.
Some area restaurants and nightclubs, such as the Bienville Grill, Magnolia and Legends, will have special dinner and dance packages.
Or, you might want to consider the options available at local hotels, including overnight packages aimed at reducing the early morning traffic.
Perhaps the most enticing for parents is one of the packages offered at the Norfolk Airport Hilton, which is providing child care in a parlor suite, from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m., at $7 a child for those who participate in one of the many dinner packages.
The ``Ballroom Bash'' is a $95 per person package, featuring ``The Regular Guys'' (formerly ``Savannah''), and includes accommodations for two with a complimentary bottle of champagne, an open bar from 7 to 1 a.m., champagne at midnight, and followed by coffee and a full breakfast buffet the next morning. The ballroom package includes hors d'oeuvres between 7 and 8 p.m., your choice of filet or grilled salmon, with salad and a dessert tray.
The three Airport Hilton restaurants also will participate. Antiquities will host two settings, offering a six-course meal with a choice of six entrees. The 6 p.m. seating is $36.95 per person, and the 8:45 seating costs $46.95 per person.
Pasta Grande will serve from 6 to 11 p.m., offering an all-inclusive four-course meal for $24.95 per person, and Le Promenade will offer a $19.95 per person dinner between 5 and 10 p.m.
The Orient Express nightclub will feature karaoke, and the $10 cover charge will be overlooked for those who have dined in any of the hotel's restaurants. Call 466-8000 for information.
Consider the Omni Waterside's four-course, sit-down dinner of filet mignon Perigourdine or Canadian lobster tail with lobster and shrimp stuffing. The Omni package costs $159 per couple and includes an open bar till 1 a.m., all taxes and tip. The meal is preceded by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. and followed by an evening of dancing to the sounds of the popular band ``Big Fun'' (formerly ``The Jailtones''), a champagne toast and coffee and pastries.
Add a room overlooking the river, and the cost is $259. For the city-side view the tab is $239 for the evening. Call 622-6664 for reservations.
The Ramada Norfolk Hotel (corner of Granby and Freemason), in conjunction with Tandom's Madison Grill, will offer dinner and a room for two at $119 per couple, all-inclusive. Party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and dancing to a deejay in the ballroom is included in the package.
Dinner entrees, which you should specify with your reservation, will include a choice of prime rib, glazed salmon, chicken cordon bleu or jumbo stuffed shrimp, served with all the amenities. After midnight a Viennese dessert table will make the rounds with coffees, cordials and desserts ($8 additional per person). The theme is ``funky, formal black tie.'' Call 622-6682.
The Howard Johnson's across from Scope (once The Golden Triangle) is offering a dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room for $19.95 per person. For the Comedy Club Gala hosted by the Comedy Spotlight Theater and the following dance, it's $29.95 per person. An overnight stay will be $49.95 per couple. The Comedy Gala will feature party favors and a champagne toast at midnight, followed by breakfast. For reservations, call 627-5555 and ask for the sales department. For information on the Comedy Club Gala, call 459-8989.
The Chrysler Museum will host a ``Carnival in Brazil'' party featuring 15 international guest artists who will perform a night of music, dance and samba. The $75 per person ticket - if you are a member of For Art's Sake ($90 for non-members) - includes an open bar, champagne and ``party food,'' and the party will begin at 9 p.m. Black tie or ``creative Brazilian'' dress is suggested. Call 622-1211 for information.
As I said earlier, there also will be a number of parties at area restaurants. I would suggest you call your favorite spot to find out if there will be anything special going on. Happy New Year, and drive safely, or better yet, take a cab. by CNB