Best of Local The A.V. Club’s foodie guide to New Year’s Eve in Madison

Few nights come along in the typical year when it is perfectly rational to drop serious bank on a major evening out. If the Mayans are to be believed, 2012 might be a good year to make it rain every chance you get. But since most of us don’t see a crappy John Cusack movie as a prophetic view of the future, New Year’s Eve will remain one of the few times we party like it’s end times. If at all affordable, it’s worth it—the memory payback of sparkling wine, a sharp suit, a new pair of earrings, and a night on the town has the power to stimulate the soul through January, the Monday of every year. The A.V. Club scouted out some of this year’s more food-focused Madison events, paying attention to both the lavish and some more laidback affairs.

The food is so good at L’Etoile that a four-course menu is actually kind of a steal at $95 per person (but don’t worry, everything else on this list is cheaper). If you are going way upscale, this is it. So nab tickets before they sell out—L’Etoile is only taking NYE reservations by phone at 608-251-0500. The Admiralty Room at The Edgewater will fill with bon vivants who have the option to check into one of 89 guest rooms for an overnight after too much champagne, then wake up on New Year’s Day for even more drinking at the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar featuring a big TV with the Packers game.

There’s no cover charge at Sardine to boogie with the Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Sextet from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a champagne toast at midnight. Revelers interested in tamping down some of that booze with solid food might want to get reservations ahead of time for Sardine’s three-course menu with lobster bisque, crème fraîche, and caviar; hanger steak with fava beans and oil-cured olives; or chicken with prosciutto, leeks, black truffles, and potato purée.

Reasonable chow, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and a free shuttle to the Kohl Center for the UW’s Men’s Basketball Team hosting the Iowa Hawkeyes is what Bonfyre has to offer the South Side.

Party-goers out on the far West Side might like the down-home New Year’s Eve dinner at Club Tavern. Prime rib, chicken Marsala, top sirloin, grilled shrimp, and jambalaya are all on the menu, and each table gets a free bottle of champagne. Boo-ya! The Tavern also makes the cut based on its amenities: It’s open all night and management is providing little hats, little horns, and free rides home. Eno Vino will also be rocking with what looks to be a bitchin’ five-course meal. Seared scallops with butternut squash risotto and pancetta; salmon with chive blini; beef tenderloin with adobo crab bearnaise; and cinnamon cranberry coulis hold the promise of celebratory mental rejuvenation. In filling the body with good things, we honor ourselves.