New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Story by Dave Eckert

It’s almost that time of the year. The night we all get a little goofy, romantic, nostalgic, or perhaps even sad. Of course, I’m talking about New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve’s a time to reflect, project, and experience some wonderful cuisine and tasty adult beverages. I, unfortunately, am too old and too tired to ring in the new year at a lavish party laden with delectable culinary delights, drinks to die for, and a Champagne toast at midnight, but I still love looking at all of the wonderful options. I choose instead to dine on the early side and make it home well in time for bubbles in our glasses and the ball drop in Times Square on the big screen. And, oh my, are there ever some wonderful New Year’s Eve options in Kansas City to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026!

Photo Credit: Pilsen Photo Co-op

Let’s start up north in Parkville at the always sumptuous Acre. Here are some details of Acre’s offerings.

WHO: Acre Restaurant

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Dinner

WHEN: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

WHERE: 6325 Lewis St., Parkville, Missouri

COST: $155 + tax & gratuity per person. $85 optional wine pairings.

RSVP: https://www.exploretock.com/acrekc

FIRST COURSE: Acre Private Reserve Royal Osteria Caviar, Smoked Sturgeon Tart with Green Apple, Tarragon -Billecart Salmon Brut Rose 2015 Magnum -more-
SECOND COURSE: Chestnut Agnolotti, Black Truffle, Foie Gras Emulsion -Peay Vineyards West Coast Chardonnay 2023
THIRD COURSE: Roasted Sea Scallop, Roasted Crab and Sweet Potato Bisque, Roasted Savoy Cabbage, Black Truffle -Anjou Blanc Chenin Blanc 2023
FOURTH COURSE: Roasted Snake River Beef, Potato Gnocchi, Nantes Carrots, Pearl Onions, Truffle Jus -Château Vieux Pourret Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2019
FIFTH COURSE: Brown Butter Almond Financier, White Coffee Ice Cream, Black Truffle Toffee -Royal Tokaji Late Harvest, Hungary, 2017

Here are some thoughts about the fete from Acre’s chef-owner Andrew Longress. “It’s a celebration that feels natural to who we are. New Year’s Eve is about pulling out all the stops—for our guests and for our team,” Longress says. “It’s a chance to work with luxurious ingredients, execute at a very high level, and still have fun doing it!” I’ll say!

Photo Credit: Jenny McGill

Next, into the city and the Crossroads District for the equally marvelous Affäre, where Chef Martin Heuser will present a celebratory menu with wine pairings curated by Certified Sommelier wife/partner, Katrin Heuser.

WHO: Affäre

WHAT: New Year’s Eve 2025 Five-Course Dinner with Optional Wine Pairings

WHEN: Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Evening seatings

WHERE: Affäre | 1911 Main Street | Kansas City, Missouri 64108

COST: Dinner: $115 per guest + tax & gratuity | Optional Wine Pairing: $45

RSVP: https://www.exploretock.com/affarekc/

FIRST COURSE: Wild Mushroom Salad arugula, black truffle champagne vinaigrette, parmesan shavings Scheuermann Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Pfalz
SECOND COURSE: Seafood Velouté, red wine shallots, Savory Chardonnay, Chablis
THIRD COURSE: House-Made Pappardelle Pasta rabbit, lobster, leek, preserved apricots, Weingut Höpler Pinot Noir, Burgenland
FOURTH COURSE: Canadian Elk Chop spice ash, sour cherry sauce, crispy and creamy savoy cabbage, gratin potatoes Clémentin de Pape Clément Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Pessac-Léognan
FIFTH COURSE: Trio Chocolate Tower, saffron–orange ice cream Château du Mayne Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc, Sauternes

The Heusers say the regular dinner menu will also be available, but either way you go, it’s one fantastic way to ring in the new year! “For New Year’s Eve, we expand the menu in a way that reflects our philosophy in the kitchen,” said Chef Martin Heuser. “The courses are distinct yet connected, allowing guests to enjoy the full experience without feeling rushed.”

“This marks our 13th New Year’s Eve in the Crossroads, and it’s a tradition Martin and I truly value,” said Katrin Heuser. “It’s a night where longtime guests and first-time diners come together, and the wine pairings are selected to move seamlessly with the menu—enhancing the meal while allowing the food and the evening to unfold naturally.”

Next, a look at the festivities at one of Affäre’s Crossroads neighbors, Tannin Wine Bar + Kitchen.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025

Four Course Dinner $95 Wine Pairing $50(half glass) $100 (full glass)

FIRST COURSE: Lobster Risotto Spicy Lobster Brodo, Lemon Zest or Braised Bacon with Black Eyed Peas Frizzled Onions
SECOND COURSE: Chestnut Cream Soup Truffle Drizzle Roasted Chestnuts or Poached Pear Salad Grilled Endive, Smoked Blue Cheese, Cider Vinaigrette, Braised Bacon with Black Eyed Peas Frizzled Onions
THIRD COURSE: Grille Petite Filet & Butter Poached Shrimp Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus, Rosemary Cream Sauce or Roasted Scallops & Arctic Char Sauteed Zucchini, Saffron Rice, Champagne Beurre Blanc
DESSERT: Crepes Suzette Clementine & Gran Marnier Sauce, Honey Whipped Mascarpone or Chocolate Raspberry Mousse, Chantilly Cream, Pizzelle

Reservations can be made at https://www.exploretock.com/tanninwinebar

Tannin’s General Manager and longtime friend, Barry Tunnel, says the evening will be accompanied by the music of Kansas City jazz artists Brant Jester and David Chael. Tunnel says the music will begin at 10:00PM and continue till 1:00AM! Tunnell promises a wonderful time.” New Year’s Eve at Tannin is a fun and festive night with celebratory food, beverages, and live music. At Tannin, guests can choose their own experience, whether indulging in the full New Year’s Prix-Fixe Menu with wine pairings or keeping it a little lighter with snacks and drinks (including non-alcoholic options). We always feature amazing live music (this year features Brant Jester and David Chael) plus a toast at Midnight!” Tunnel exclaimed!

A little less lavish, but every bit as delicious, will be the New Year’s Eve celebration at Tannin’s sister restaurant, Mineral Lounge, which can be found on Broadway across the street and just south of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Mineral is hosting a three-course dinner from 4:00PM till Midnight.

$55 Wine Pairing $25(half glass) $50 (full glass)

FIRST COURSE: Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower Watercress, Tahini Sauce, Toasted Pinenuts or Cana de Cabra en Croute Pomegranate Molasses, Candied Walnuts
SECOND COURSE: Sumac Roasted Lamb Kibbe Baba Ganoush, Feta, Grilled Fennel Salad or Pita Pan Roasted Black Tiger Prawns Ratatouille Tartlet, Greek Avgolemono Sauce
DESSERT: Poached Anjou Pear Panna Cotta Almond Phyllo Crisp, Cardamon Whipped Cream or Medjool Date Croissant Bread Pudding White Chocolate Creme

Reservations are also encouraged and can be at https://www.exploretock.com/mineral-lounge-kansas-city

Ping ponging to the east side of The Crossroads, let’s check in with Green Dirt on Oak, which is offering quite the fete.

“Join us this New Year’s Eve for an extraordinary evening of fine dining, live music, and festive celebration. Indulge in a thoughtfully crafted five-course menu featuring the season’s best ingredients, sourced from our farm and local producers. To enhance your experience, a selection of premium supplements will be available to elevate your meal,” Owner Sarah Hoffman enthusiastically stated. “Throughout the evening, enjoy the smooth sounds of live jazz from the Stanton Kessler Quartet, creating the perfect atmosphere to welcome the new year.”

Green Dirt’s dinner is priced at $165 per person and is expected to take between 2 and 2.5 hours. The restaurant accepts groups no larger than six, and additional options, such as wine pairings and supplements, will be selected at the dinner. Vegetarian options, along with considerations for allergies, will also be offered. Gratuity and tax will be determined upon check-out.

Hoffman says specific menu information will be available soon. To learn more, call the restaurant at (816) 386-2156 or email them at oak@greendirtfarm.com

Click HERE for reservations can be made from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM.

Finally, let’s hop over to Prairie Village, where Scratch Gourmet Kitchen is offering a sumptuous New Year’s Eve celebration.

From owner Tyler Morrison, “New Year’s Eve at Scratch: Four courses of your choosing. Chef Mitchell gives you options at every course—from crab cake to striploin to passion fruit tart. This is NYE dining where you’re in control.

Choose your seating: 4pm (dinner and the whole night ahead), 6pm (perfectly timed), or 8pm (ring in the new year with us).

This isn’t your typical NYE chaos. It’s elevated dining where you can actually enjoy your meal, hear your conversation, and celebrate without the noise!”.

FIRST COURSE: Crab Cake crab bisque, fennel and apple slaw – OR – Saffron Arancini basil aioli, pickled pepper relish
SECOND COURSE: Soup guanciale, black truffle – OR – Beet Salad blood orange, arugula, walnut, mascarpone, balsamic vinaigrette
THIRD COURSE: 7 oz Striploin black garlic jus, oyster mushrooms, pickled mustard seed – OR – Pan Roasted Salmon celeriac, harissa glazed rainbow carrots – OR – Sweet Potato Agnolotti brown butter, sage, chestnut
FOURTH COURSE: Passion fruit tart lime, vanilla bean cream, graham cracker – OR – Flourless Chocolate Cake strawberry gelato, pistachio

Pair all courses – Tasting Pours (2.5 oz) – $48

Champagne