The big day is nearly upon us, and now there are less than two weeks to go until New Year’s Eve. But with the big build up comes the potential for an aggravating evening – hopping between bars or parties, trying to find somewhere that will suit everyone, while waiting in the inevitable long lines.

Which is why a lot of people instead prefer to enjoy a long meal in a fantastic restaurant. Imagine – spending the evening in comfort with friends and loved ones, or just one special someone, enjoying multiple courses of sumptuous dishes.

In Café Dupont, you can do just that. The seven course prix fixe menu is a foray into the kind of cuisine specialized in at Café Dupont, with extra special touches for the big night.

Instead of racing around the city, you’ll be cozying up in the same spot, sampling some of the best food in town. And when you’re finished, you can pop into Bar Dupont to ring in the New Year.  

You’ll start things off with Hamachi on cucumber, with a yuzu foam, before moving onto an apple and celery root soup, served with a truffle emulsion.

To start, there is a choice of tricolor baby beets, with honey goat cheese and candied hazelnuts, Choptank sweet oysters, or Hudson Valley Foie Gras. After a cleansing sorbet of Veuve Cliquot and Chambord, you have a choice of some delicious entrees…

Shenandoah Valley Venison
Beetroot Puree, Candied Brussel Sprouts, Chestnut Jus

Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast
Braised Red Cabbage, Caramelized Apples, Blackberry Gastric

Wild Alaskan Halibut
Braised Salsify, Mousseline, Jerusalem Artichokes

Maine Scallops
Smoked Cauliflower, Asian Pear Chutney, Grape Salad 

Butternut Squash Gnocchi
Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Sage Butter

To finish things off, you can choose between a gin and tonic cheesecake, served with a cucumber sorbet, a chocolate fondant with hazelnut cream, or an apple tart tartin with Calvados flambé.

You can also add the paired wines for the evening, chosen by the sommelier to compliment each course.

Afterwards, the party will be in full swing in Bar Dupont, but if you don’t want to wander too far from a bed, book a room in The Dupont Circle and you can sink into a cloud like bed just a few steps away. The New Year’s Package starts at $249 and includes…

• Overnight accommodation in a beautifully appointed room
• Two glasses of champagne (or a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice)
• $50 credit to enjoy in-room dining or for New Year’s Day brunch at Café Dupont
• Late check-out until 1pm 

The New Year’s Eve dinner is available to book now, and costs $70pp (or $100pp with wine parings) – see more on the website here.