There is something about a New Year that makes people think about living life to the fullest. Because this December 31 is the last time we are able to enjoy a spectacular meal in 2023, people seek out special menus or convivial places to enjoy with friends or loved ones. Forget January 1 for now, because as far as we’re concerned, that is the day we are supposed to be someone different, dictated by a resolution that with even the most resolute will maintain for a few weeks if not a month. So let’s enjoy the moment with places leading up to ringing in the New Year.
Margotto Hawaii
Hawaii’s truffle-centric restaurant that is also a Krug Ambassador seems befitting for any celebratory dinner, and New Year’s Eve is no different. Imagine foie gras, pastas, lamb chops, wagyu, and caviar, some with the shavings of winter truffles as your last meal for 2023, paired with fine European wines, or possibly some bubbly Champagne. Margotto Hawaii even offers an extended celebration with the inclusion of mochi-tsuki, a Japanese rice cake pounding tradition, in which patrons may participate by bringing down the hammer on glutinous rice. These pounded cakes are available as a la carte menu items via an ozoni (mochi soup) featuring charcoal-grilled rice cakes with daikon, carrot, and leaf vegetables in a delicate broth, or assorted mochi plate of four pounded rice cakes accompanied by chef’s selection of accoutrements–sauces or salts to accent the chewy delights, with even some truffle for an unorthodox experience. Mochi pounding takes places every night at 6:30 p.m. from Sunday, December 31, 2023, to Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
Margotto Hawaii
514 Piikoi Street, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 592-8500
Website: https://www.margotto-hawaii.
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine
Trained in Italy, Executive Chef Hiro Mimura crafts some of Hawaii’s finest Italian cuisine. And for the holidays, he created an uber-luxurious presentation worthy of being a hungry man’s last meal…for 2023, of course. From now until January 5, Taormina Sicilian Cuisine is offering a tender 6-ounce USDA Prime Beef filet with sauteed foie gras, truffle mashed potatoes, mushroom sauce, and shaved black winter truffles shaved tableside. This decadent dish may set you back $120 but every bite is pure heaven, and it will certainly be an Instagrammable presentation that will make your followers envious.
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine
227 Lewers Street, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 926-5050
Business hours: Sun-Sat, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Hilton Hawaiian Village, a completely encapsulated resort destination within Waikiki, is offering a special dinner and show on the Great Lawn on December 31.
“New Year’s Eve Under the Stars with Kimie Miner and Mana Music Strings” will feature a concert by Na Hoku Hanohano Award (also known as Hawaii’s version of the Grammy Awards) winner Kimie Miner, a local female singer and songwriter known for her serenading music.
Performing with her will be Mana Music Hawaii, a string quartet playing some jazz and R&B music.
Before the show, a 4-course dinner with some bubbly for a toast, and two glasses of wine is sure to get you into the dancing mood. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the party runs until 10:00 p.m. The dinner and show price for adults is $380, and $150 for children ages 4 to 11.
Hilton Hawaiian Village2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 949-4321
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
One of the hippest resorts in Waikiki, ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is planning Interstellar Futuristic Fantasy under the stars to welcome in 2024. At its outdoor Swell Pool & Bar deck, the party destination promises Champagne and futuristic fun for $175. Revelers ages 21 and over will groove to the sounds of National Touring DJ Evil One plus local Honolulu local talent DJ XL and DJ Compose who will join Flash from the radio station Star 99.1. The party starts at 8:00 p.m. on December 31 and ends at 12:30 a.m. on January 1. But don’t worry, because if you still want to party on, there is an after-party at the Lobby Bar from 12:30 to 2:00 a.m.! Tickets and VIP packages are available.
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 922-1233
Website: https://www.alohilaniresort.
Prince Waikiki
Maybe you want a staycation, or an escape from the usual? If you can squeeze in a getaway to the Prince Waikiki around the New Year, the resort is offering breathtaking ocean views and some poolside fun where Hawaii’s winter climate makes bikinis and shorts outdoors possible.
Prince Preferred Members will enjoy ocean rooms from $229 with waived resort fees, and 50% off self-parking for one vehicle. It costs you nothing to enroll, and you have all year to complete your stay, but act fast to book a room. If you make a room reservation between today and January 17 for travel between now and December 15, 2024, right before Christmas next year, you can take advantage of this amazing deal.
Ocean Front Suite – 1 Bedroom, 1 King
Prince Waikiki
100 Holomoana Street, Honolulu, HI
Phone: 1-855-277- 3123
Website: https://www.princewaikiki.com/
At the stroke of midnight, Waikiki will ring in the New Year with electrifying colors emanating from a fabulous fireworks display from a barge off the coast. Those around the Waikiki shoreline will be treated to a show put on by members of the Waikiki Improvement Association and Hawaii Explosives & Pyrotechnics Inc. The fast-paced performance will fill the skies with a collage of sparkling patterns, choreographed to a festive musical score, inaugurating another year of decadent delights, paused by a hopeful few weeks of workouts at the gym.
