Ringing in the New Year With Pizza, Chowder and Samosas

Ready for another holiday? There are celebrations planned for New Year’s Eve at many area restaurants. Among the more interesting:

The Pizza Co. in Fullerton is offering an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, chicken, spaghetti, salad, dessert and more. The restaurant, which does not have a liquor license, is making its pitch to families and others who will appreciate an alcohol-free evening. On a big-screen TV, late diners can watch the ball drop in New York’s Times Square (the restaurant is open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve). The price is $6.99 for adults and $2.99 for children under 10.

601 N. Placentia Ave. (714) 732-8768.

Trattoria Spiga will donate 10% of sales on New Year’s Eve to the Orange County chapter of the Red Cross, to benefit victims of the recent Southern California fires. Its four-course dinner includes calamari, chicken breast with mascarpone cheese and porcini mushroom sauce, and whole wheat linguine with seafood. The cost is $27 per person.

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. (714) 540-3365.

Newport Dunes is showing movies on the beach with campfires, fireworks, hot chocolate and clam chowder. Events begin at 7 p.m. and are family-oriented. There is a $5 parking fee, and the chowder is $3.75 per bowl. Guests should meet at the Village Center.

1131 Backbay Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 729-3863.

The Ritz is planning a “Putting on the Ritz” evening with dancing, party hats and noisemakers. Two seatings are offered--5 to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 9. The festivities begin during the second seating. A special menu includes Sevruga caviar, rack of Colorado lamb, goose with lingonberry sauce, and raspberries Chambord with white chocolate ice cream. A free glass of champagne is served with dessert. The price is $65 per person, plus tax and tip.

880 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 720-1800.

Gandhi Indian Cuisine is offering two special menus, one for vegetarians. The vegetarian menu includes vegetable samosa, garlic naan, pulau rice and mango ice cream. On the non-vegetarian side, swordfish and chicken tikka are offered. From 5:30 to 8, dinner is $24.95 per person; after 9:30, music and dancing will begin and the price is $39.95. Prices do not include tax or tip. Music is by the Good Guys, a duo that plays Top 40 pop and oldies.

1621-D Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 556-7273.

DaVinci Ristorante will pour Moet & Chandon champagne at midnight, and the $125 dinner price per person includes an overnight stay at the adjoining Bluebird Inn and a continental breakfast. The dinner is nine courses. Without the room, the price is $85 per person. Tax and tip are extra.

2222 East 1st St., Santa Ana. (714) 285-1130.

El Torito Grill locations in Orange County are including a “party kit” of favors and hats with each dinner. For $19.94, plus tip, diners receive a four-course meal including blue corn nachos with steak and lobster, filet mignon with tequila bordelaise and wild mushrooms, and mesquite grilled swordfish. A bottle of champagne per couple is included in the dinner price, and the restaurants have hired disc jockeys to entertain. And, of course, there is the party kit. Reservation times are 9, 9:30, 10 and 10:30.

951 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 640-2875.

1910 Main St., Irvine. (714) 975-1220.

633 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 662-2672.