Written By Sara Wright
Traditionally, New Year’s Eve is an opportunity for parties. But you may not want to go to the trouble and expense of playing host to a group of hungry, thirsty and potentially unruly people. You can outsource things. And Carroll County’s commercial establishments offer diverse opportunities for those who want to do something special to ring in the New Year. They range from world class dining to home-cooked-style meals and live entertainment. Here are some options:
For a New Year’s Eve that is focused on good food in a family setting, The Buttersburg Inn in Union Bridge is a perfect fit. The family restaurant prides itself on serving home-cooked food and award-winning desserts. The inn describes its food as Pennsylvania Dutch with an Italian flair.
Although it is usually closed on Wednesdays, The Buttersburg Inn will be open for New Year’ Eve. The family restaurant, decorated with historical memorabilia, plans to offer a special menu that will be brought “up a notch” according to co-proprietor Frank Tunzi, and will include items like prime rib and Chicken Chesapeake. To make a reservation or for more information, call 866-920-5608 or visit www.thebuttersburginn.com.
Belisimo’s Restaurant in Finksburg is planning a big party with live music by the local rock band, P.U.S.H. Belisimo’s food will be served in a buffet or hors d’oeuvres style and will be accompanied by a champagne toast at midnight. According to Belisimo’s catering manager, Anna Cannon, last year’s New Year’s Eve party brought in about 200 people. For more information, call (410) 833-5777 or visit www.belisimos.com.
For more live music on New Year’s Eve, visit The Stables at Westminster. Dean Crawford and the country-Southern rock group, Dunn’s River Band, will provide music. Live music, generous food portions and homemade desserts have been a tradition at The Stables in Westminster for more than 10 years and its New Year’s Eve party is a local favorite. For more information, call (410) 840-8181 or visit www.thestablesatwestminster.com.
The New Windsor Inn, on West Main Street in New Windsor, is off the beaten path but offers good food and music. The small town favorite, known for its American and seafood cuisines and train memorabilia dcor, has been serving home-cooked food in a home-like atmosphere for the past 15 years. New Year’s Eve attractions will include a DJ and reasonably priced specials. For more information, call (410) 875-0021.
Paradiso Italian Restaurant, located in the Old Sherwood Distillery in Westminster, will be open on New Year’s Eve to serve some of its best dishes. Paradiso describes its food as authentically Italian and made from the finest (and often imported) ingredients.
Although the dining room closes at 11 p.m., the restaurant’s bar will stay open until 1 a.m. and feature a champagne toast at midnight. For reservations or more information, call (410) 876-1421 or visit www.paradiso-westminster.com.
The Yellow Turtle Inn bed and brunch in New Windsor offers a quiet and personalized New Year’s Eve experience. As owner Joan Bradford describes it, there will not be any “big loud booms.” You can customize your celebration, whether you want to host a small party or share the night with a significant other. The food is catered by Paradiso, but you can choose your own caterer, bring your own food, and eat in your room, the tea room or the dining room.
The inn also offers unique la carte options such as roses, champagne, massages and a romantic puzzle treasure hunt. For reservations or more information, call (410) 635-3000 or visit www.yellowturtleinn.net.
Gourmet food and a romantic atmosphere are some of the benefits of celebrating New Year’s Eve at Baldwin’s Station in Sykesville. Housed in the town’s original 1883 railroad station and overlooking the Patapsco River, the restaurant will feature a special celebration on New Year’s Eve: a “party from top to bottom,” according to owner Stewart Dearie.
There will be swing and big band music for dancing. The menu at Baldwin’s Station typically includes New American cuisine and the menu for New Year’s Eve will include some of Executive Chef Eric Yeager’s favorite selections. New Year’s Eve at Baldwin’s Station is so popular that some people make reservations a year in advance. For reservations or more information, call (410) 795-1041 or visit www.baldwinsstation.com.
Acclaimed for its world class dining, romantic atmosphere, and luxurious accommodations, Antrim 1844 will host a New Year’s Eve party on its 24-acre estate in Taneytown.
In addition to premium food and wine, New Year’s Eve at the restaurant will include live music and dancing. With approximately 39 rooms on the estate, overnight accommodations will also be available by reservation. For reservations or more information, call (800) 858-1844 or visit www.antrim1844.com.
The party specialists, Martin’s Westminster, is ringing in the new year with a DJ, an open salad bar and buffet for $67.50 a person. Festivities open at 9:30 p.m. and last until 1:30 a.m. For more information, call (410) 876-1500 or visit www.martinscaterers.com.
If billiards, buffet-style dining and popular music are your style, visit Johansson’s Down Under on Main Street in in Westminster. The restaurant is planning a New Year’s Eve party featuring, for a small cover charge, a buffet dinner and champagne at midnight to toast the new year. Johansson’s Down Under will also have a DJ and will be open from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. No reservations are necessary. For more information, call (410) 876-0320 or visit www.myspace.com/johanssons.
For $80 a person, Rafael’s in Westminster will be offering a buffet showcasing American cuisine. Included will be an open bar, a champagne toast at midnight and music supplied by a DJ. For additional information, call (410) 840-1919 or visit www.rafaelsrestaurant.com.
Another place serving up good food and fun until late on New Year’s Eve is The Greene Turtle sports bar and restaurant in Mt. Airy. A DJ will be on hand and the Greene Turtle will extend its hours until 4 a.m. to accommodate celebrators. For a set price, the night will consist of dinner, two drinks of your choice, a champagne toast at midnight, and a continental breakfast at 3 a.m. The newest Greene Turtle in Maryland, located in Westminster, is also planning a special night. For more information about the parties, call Mt. Airy at (301) 829-9229 or Westminster at (410) 871-1524, or visit www.thegreeneturtle.com.
