Eat Out's drinking and dining picks

WED 31 BLIND TIGER’S NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA
Beer lovers looking to bend the elbow on New Year’s can ring it in at this hops haven. Thirty high-end microbrews—including Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout—are on tap during this five-hour open bar. Brew-friendly food will be served all night. Reservations are required. Blind Tiger Ale House, 281 Bleecker St at Jones St (212-462-4682). 9pm–2am, $120.

WED 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
An early-bird three-course or night-owl five-course menu includes Piedmontese dishes like baby-octopus–stuffed peppers. Aroma Kitchen & Winebar, 36 E 4th St between Bowery and Lafayette St (212-375-0100). 6–7pm; $60, wine pairings $35. 9:30–10:30pm; $100, wine pairings $65.

WED 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE AT BACK FORTY
At Back Forty, you can ring in New Year three different ways depending on your eating and drinking desires. For the noncommittal, dinner from 6 to 8pm is à la carte, including some dishes from a special New Year’s menu. At 8pm, the $60 prix-fixe menu becomes available (dishes include fluke crudo with pomegranate, and maple-glazed pork belly). And for those who are of the fly-by-the-seat sort, oysters on the half shell and sliders will be served all night at the bar. Back Forty, 190 Ave B between 11th and 12th Sts (backfortynyc.com, 212-388-1990). 6–8pm, prix fixe $60 (includes one cocktail).

WED 31 RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
Revelers have two tasting-menu options at pastry chef Pichet Ong’s sweet and savory eatery: a five-course cheese and dessert lineup (featuring chèvre cheesecake and a walnut croquette with yuzu curd, persimmon compote and mint oil), or a nine-course dinner menu (dishes include braised Wagyu beef short rib with parsnips, chestnuts and black truffles). Simply specify which one you want when making the reservation. P*ong, 150 W 10th St at Waverly Pl (212-929-0898). Dinner menu seatings 5–11:30pm; $78, wine pairings $35. Dessert menu seatings 5pm–midnight; $38, wine pairings $28.

WED 31 BYOB NEW YEAR’S EVE
Billyburg’s new Neapolitan pizzeria offers a thrifty way to ring in 2009: a BYO fete with a three-course prix-fixe menu. For a splurge, upgrade to one of three black-truffle pizzas ($15 extra). Motorino, 319 Graham Ave between Metropolitan Ave and Devoe St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-8899). Seatings at 7, 9 and 11pm; $30.

WED 31 DARK DINING
No one can see what’s coming in 2009, and at this blindfolded dinner you won’t be able to see your food—a mystery four-course dinner—either. Camaje, 85 MacDougal St between Bleecker and W Houston Sts (212-673-8184). 7pm, $135; 10pm, including champagne toast $145.

WED 31 SCARPETTA
The second seating of Scott Conant’s four-course Italian menu includes lentils, which in Italy means good financial luck. Scarpetta, 355 W 14th St at Ninth Ave (212-691-0555). 6:30pm, $85; 9:30pm, $125.

WED 31NEW YEARS AT DEATH & COMPANY
Death & Company is very much alive on NYE. A six-hour open bar is all the more enticing when manned by D&C’s barkeeps. They’ll offer more than 100 drinks—including a tequila-driven Dragonlily—along with food, like gooey mac and cheese. Reservations are required. Death & Company, 433 E 6th St between First Ave and Ave A (deathandcompany.com, 212-388-0882). 8pm–2am, $100.

WED 31 LUCKY BUBBLE
The Bubble Lounge wants you to get lucky New Year’s Eve, and its plan will leave you with no regrets in the morning (except for that extra glass of champagne). DJs, free lotto tickets, raffles and trivia abound, plus you can play Name That Tune for bonus bubbly. With all of these games, you’re bound to feel like some sort of winner before the night’s out, and that’s not a bad way to start the New Year. The Bubble Lounge, 228 Broadway at White St (bubblelounge.com, 212-431-3433). 9pm–4am; $30 (includes one drink); reserved table $25 per person (minimum three people).

WED 31 NYE AT THE VILLAGE POURHOUSE
It’s New Year’s Eve and you know the drill: Stay as far away from Times Square as you can manage. The East Village fits the bill, but don’t expect a low-key time: A seven-hour open bar (9pm–4am) will fuel guests of this high-octane bash. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the night to help neutralize all that champagne. Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Ave at 11th St (212-979-2337). 9pm–4am, $80.

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