Richland County has celebration ideas to help you honor the Auld Lang Syne
The Scottish translation of Auld Lang Syne is literally interpreted in English as “old long since” or “days gone by” or “old times.” This is the day, we say adieu to the old and herald in a brand new year, and beginning. A day like this deserves a celebration. Mansfield has some venues and events for you to gather with friends, reminisce about the “old times”, and ring in 2013.
A celebratory dinner with family or friends in honor of the New Year is a traditional treat for many people. A number of unique and charming restaurants in the area are serving dinner on New Year’s Eve.
Ed Pickens Cafe on Main located in the historic Reed’s building in downtown Mansfield, is hosting a phenomenal feast called the New Year’s Eve Grand buffet. A variety of meat, poultry and seafood dishes await your sampling as well as Ed’s delicious salads and sides. A dessert bar loaded with everything you will swear off of on January 1st, is the perfect finale to an extraordinary meal. The cost is reasonable $28 per person, not including sales tax, gratuity, and alcoholic beverages, but a full cash bar is available for your celebrating pleasure. Reservations are required and can be arranged by calling 419-522-7699.
Skyway East is reminiscent of an elegant, upscale Hollywood Supper Club and will be providing fine dining from a limited menu with their regular pricing for New Year’s Eve. With cloth linens, fresh flowers, low lighting, and a huge wine list, this is a great place for couples to get dressed up and practice the art of the dine. Skyway will be offering several reservations only seatings. The first one, at 4:15 p.m. for those with later plans and the last one at 10:00 p.m. closer to the magical hour for those who prefer to make their dining experience the focus of the their New Year celebration. To ensure your spot at one of the seatings, call 419-589-9929 soon for reservations.
Oak Park Tavern & Restaurant creates a warm, relaxed, and retro atmosphere for dinner. Known for their signature salad caddy, French Onion soup, and fabulous ice cream drinks, they’ll be featuring their famous Lake Erie yellow perch and hand-cut steaks on New Year’s Eve. Reservations are still available, so call soon at 419-589-2637.
Sand Wedge Grill at Deer Ridge continues to offer a casual dinner option with wonderful food. The night showcases Prime Rib and also crab cakes. Enjoy the beautiful timberframe log cabin-style restaurant. Reservations at 419-886-7090.
Malabar Farm Restaurant is also decked out for the season and the ambiance of the historic building trimmed in holiday finery, makes for a classy and memorable New Year’s Eve dinner. Open from 5-9 p.m. they’re serving their renowned taste of traditional, French country cooking. With a commitment to keep their food sources as local as possible, the food is incredibly fresh; guaranteed to make an impression on all of your friends too. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list to pick a special bottle for good luck in the New Year. Go ahead and splurge on their tiramisu. It’s New Year’s!
After dinner there are several options for continuing the celebration and watching the ball drop with friends old and new. For those individuals with a little party still stirring in their soul on this special night, there are a number of choices for a dressy or more casual transition into the evening and the New Year.
The Happy Grape in Lexington is hosting an evening of timeless sophistication and welcomes you to an immersion of New Years Eves’ of days past. Semi-formal attire is required for the evening and a reservation includes four drink tickets per person, a midnight toast, unlimited hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by Bob Cox and friends. Tickets are limited so hurry and call 419-884-9463 to make reservations.
A more casual entry into the New Year can be found at Snow Trails at the Snowflake Loft, where the party begins at 8 p.m. complete with a $500 Snow Bucks Gift Card drawing, party favors, and live entertainment. Taking the stage at 9 p.m. is Acoustic Mayhem. It’s sure to be a night of the best kind of mayhem as you ring in the New Year with live entertainment and friends. For details and directions, check out their website at http://www.snowtrails.com
Also opening their doors this year to New Year celebration is Clear Fork Resort. Go ahead and rock out into the New Year with the band Marshall Law. Clear Fork recently re-opened to the public and has tons of exciting events going on throughout the year. I’m convinced a night of New Year’s Eve celebration here will not disappoint. For more information on them and their events, their web address is http://www.clearforkski.com
Raise a glass….Here’s to the days gone by…. And, CHEERS to the days to come! For more ideas, visit www.MansfieldTourism.com .