A few barstools at Buvette (Paris)
Small deviation from the establishment’s normal etiquette: Buvette has kept its barstools at the counter for those who are waking up at the last minute for the celebrations…Chic, chic, chic! The diabolical little dishes of our Fooding Guide 2014 crush will be punctuated by “réveillonesque” touches for the New Year (truffles, foie gras…). Carte €20-30.
28, rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris, 01 44 63 41 71.
First to arrive, first to be served at Taverne de Zhao (Paris)
In this Chinese place that is much better than most, December 31st is a night like any other: the tables are given out according to when people arrive and the menu looks like the one from December 30th or January 5th (sesame chicken salad, little breads stuffed with meat, vermicelle soup and vegetable fricassee…). Carte €10-20.
49, rue des Vinaigriers, 75010 Paris, 01 40 37 16 21.
Happy oysters at Comptoir Saint Kerber (Tours)
Nothing’s better than half a dozen oysters and a little glass of white wine to kick off the festivities; which works out nicely since that’s what this oyster-harvesting family’s place is offering from their hideaway in the Tours covered market. Slurp them back on site or take them to go, six oysters from €6.60 to €10.50.
Halles de Tours, place Gaston-Pailhou, 37000 Tours, 02 47 38 38 78.
Check things out at Eclectic (Paris)
To celebrate the year’s end in a modern affair, a new bloom facing the Seine, go to the Eclectic, at the heart of the new Beaugrenelle mall. Decorated by Tom Dixon and heated up by Philippe Amzalak’s cuisine (Bon, Ma Cocotte), this big pop brasserie with 170 place settings should have a little space for you tonight. No special menu for the occasion…Carte €40-60.
7, rue Linois, 75015 Paris, 01 77 36 70 00.
Blingold at Café Français (Paris)
Thierry Costes’ flagship blingold spot (Chez Julien, Thoumieux, Hôtel Amour…) will celebrate 2014 with a festive menu (roasted foie gras cooked in a terrine, langoustine carpaccio, roasted lobster, Rossini beef fillet, brie de Meaux with truffles…) followed by an evening orchestrated by Emmanuel d’Orazio (DJs and shows). Menu €130. Reservations seriously recommended but onion soup served all night…
3, place de la Bastille, 75004 Paris, 01 40 29 04 02.
Two chances to pop open the bottle at Le Carreau (Reims)
The Swiss army knife space opened last July in the Boulingrin covered markets is getting animated in two stages the night of the 31st: festive dinner on the ground floor, followed by an open bar party underground, irrigated naturally by Duntze champagne, the family brand relaunched by the boss’s little brother…Menu €60, open bar party €80.
Halles du Boulingrin, 16, rue du Temple, 51100 Reims, 09 67 36 18 66.
Julie Gerbet
Photo © J.G.