DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB AND RESTAURANT

What better place to greet 2008 than at the swingin' Dakota? Sign on for the 8 p.m. meal -- a four-course spread by chef Jack Riebel, with music by Moore by Four -- or go with 10:30 cocktails and music by Nachito Herrera with guests J.D. Steele and Fred Steele.

1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010, www.dakotacooks.com

FUGAISE

Ring in the new year in chef/owner Don Saunders' intimate dining room, with five courses ($100, with wine pairings for $65) that include lobster salad, scallops with a red cabbage foam, squab with a foie gras emulsion, veal with black truffles and a chocolate-chestnut cake.

308 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-436-0777, www.fugaise.com

HEARTLAND

Chef/co-owner Lenny Russo isn't content to serve one fixed-price, multi-course New Year's Eve meal; he and his crew are preparing three options: meat, fish and vegetarian. $75 per person.

1806 St. Clair Av., St. Paul, 651-699-3536, www.heartlandrestaurant.com

SPILL THE WINE

Keep it casual and go with this wine bar/restaurant hybrid, which is featuring three courses ($49), each with a wine pairing. The fare includes an arugula-fennel salad, a choice of rack of lamb, bacon-wrapped filet mignon or potato-crusted halibut and finishes with raspberry cheesecake.

1101 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-339-3388, www.spillthewinerestaurant.com

SPOONRIVER

Locavores can close out the final hours of the year with a multi-course tribute to Minnesota-raised duck: consomme, warm duck egg salad, pan-seared duck breast and braised greens ($40). Dessert? One of pastry chef Carrie Summer's "Urban S'mores."

750 W. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-436-2236, www.spoonriver.com

RICK NELSON