new years eve

Photos from Abramovich's $5 Million New Year's Bash

The kids at Gawker got their hands on pix from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's lavish New Year's Eve bash in St. Bart's which my colleague Deirdre Woollard first reported on. Abramovich is said to have spent about $5 million on the bash for 250 of the chosen, including Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr.

Despite some bad weather, the party proceeded as planned at the 70-acre $89 million estate Abramovich purchased on the posh island back in September, with loads of fancy food, an ocean of champagne, fireworks fired off from one of his superyachts and musical performances by Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, and Prince. Click here to see the photos.

Tags: celebrity, Gwen Stefani, GwenStefani, Lindsay Lohan, LindsayLohan, New Years Eve, NewYearsEve, parties, Roman Abramovich, RomanAbramovich, St. Barts, St.Barts

Roaring in 2010 at New York's Soho House

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events

Just two miles from the packed-in-like-sardines masses in Times Square, a different sort of New Year's Eve party was taking place at the exclusive Soho House New York. With a 1920's theme, brass band, DJ and cabaret performers, members and their guests filled the sixth floor dining room, bar and drawing room donning era-appropriate flapper dresses, bowler hats and tuxedos.

The private club is an offshoot of the original Soho House in London. In New York the club's name is a bit of a misnomer since it's set in the trendy nightlife hub of the Meatpacking District. Famous for its 15 minutes in a "Sex and the City" episode where Samantha gets kicked out of the rooftop pool because she's not a member, the club today is a mix of 30-something financiers and creatives. (One financier shared that he had to play up his hobby of dealing art in order to gain membership, since the club prefers to foster members in the creative industries.)

On New Year's Eve, two dinner seatings filled the crystal-chandelier topped dining room where guests nibbled on appetizers such as chestnut soup with truffles; lobster salad; and foie gras with spiced pear chutney. The perfectly cooked beef tenderloin and red-wine-glazed root vegetables was the standout entree with the other choices, braised fluke and cannelloni, distant seconds. During the leisurely dinner magicians entertained dinners and the band played jazz and ragtime.

After dinner guests retired to the drawing room where tables were reserved for bottle service (magnums of Champagne being the favored bottle). The party took a livelier spin when a DJ, dressed in wiseguy attire, began spinning pop tunes. The party reached a crescendo just as midnight struck. After the new year, more friends-of-members filled the rooms putting a squeeze on capacity. Some enjoyed the small smoking room (a rarity in Manhattan) where a burlesque performer entertained from a cage.

In a city hard hit by the economy in 2009, the Soho House channeled the zeitgeist of Manhattan with it's '20s theme. The party your cares away, 2010 has got to be better was the reining toast of the night.

Gallery: New Year's Eve 2009 at Soho House New York

Tags: new years eve, new york, NewYearsEve, NewYork, soho house, SohoHouse

Can You Get Wild Caspian Sea Caviar for New Year's Eve?

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Luxist has been following the availability of wild Caspian Sea caviar for years. Caviar aficionados remember the first ban on Beluga caviar that went into effect in September 2005 that made it illegal to import the delicacy to the United States until it was lifted by the United Nations in 2007. Since the removal of the ban, coveted wild Caspian Sea caviar has been available but the prices have been astronomical and both the availability and quality spotty.

According to David Rosengarten, a food and wine writer, cook book author and former host of an award wining Food Network television show, it may not be possible to buy anything other than farm raised caviar for New Year's Eve. He reports in Tasting's, his ezine, that Petrossian, winner of the Luxist Reader's Choice Award, will not be selling anything but farm-raised caviar and none of it from the Caspian Sea. He also states that we shouldn't despair as their are so many delicious alternatives to the original Beluga caviar. Among his favorites is Petrossian's Avelrta President caviar which is farmed in northern California from white sturgeon.

A discreet phone call to Petrossian revealed that it is in fact accurate that they have recently sold out of their supply of high grade wild caviar which was retailing for a whopping $20,000 a kilo. Assurances were made that the supply is fluid and that there will be more available. You may have to win the lottery as the price of the wild caviar is in the category of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it". That being said, Petrossian is committed to retaining wild caviar for their VIP customers. For the rest of us, they provide an incredible selection of varieties of farmed caviar.

The silver lining to the shortage of the wild Caspian Sea caviar is that it gives us all a good excuse to break free from the traditional definitions of what is the "best" caviar. Let your taste buds decide which variety and style of farm raised eggs you like the most.

Tags: caspian, caspian sea, CaspianSea, caviar, New Years Eve, NewYearsEve, Petrossian

Want New Boobs For The New Year?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

If you want to start the new year with something a little different check out the New Year's Eve package from New York plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Greenberg. For $100,000 he's offering a New Year's Eve package that includes round-trip airfare from New York to Miami, accommodations at luxury hotel penthouse suites for a month and a New Year's Eve celebration that includes three parties including the Lady Gaga show at the Fontainebleau, the John Legend/Kid Cudi show at the W South Beach and the Brody Jenner party at the Gansevoort. Of course you also get an expert breast augmentation with nursing treatment and spa services. Get in now before a proposed plastic surgery tax adds to the price.

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Tags: breast augmentation, BreastAugmentation, dr stephen greenberg, DrStephenGreenberg, new years eve, NewYearsEve, plastic surgery, PlasticSurgery

Roman Abramovich's Lavish New Year's Eve Plans

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich must be feeling optimistic about the new year. The London Times reports that he and his girlfriend Daria Zhukova are planning a lavish celebration on St Barts for New Year's Eve. The beach party for 250 people will reportedly include a performance by Prince, a treat that Abramovich is said to have paid £500,000 for. Abramovich recently bought a home on the island for $89 million. He plans to use the entire Governor Bay area as a party space bringing luxury yachts in and launching fireworks off of one of his own massive boats.

The outdoor party will also include the swimming pool and the outdoor cinema. Abramovich is believed to be spending £3 million on the affair. The guest list is a secret but it has been speculated that Jude Law and Simon Cowell received invites. It's all a far cry from last year when Abramovich canceled his Aspen New Year's Eve bash.

Tags: new years eve, NewYearsEve, roman abramovich, RomanAbramovich, st barts, StBarts

Bid on a Piece of New York History, Tavern On The Green Auction Planned

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Auctions

Famed Central Park restaurant Tavern on the Green, with its six elaborate dining rooms and 10 miles of white Christmas lights wrapping trees out front, will sadly twinkle no longer. The restaurant is closing its doors for good on Dec. 31, when its operating license expires. That New Year's Eve party will be one for the ages, but hopefully revelers won't be too destructive - the restaurant's ornate decorative objects are being auctioned off a few weeks later.

Tavern on the Green is a Central Park landmark dating back to 1934, when Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia opened it. In 1974 it was reopened after a $10 million renovation by the colorful LeRoy family, who still own it today. The LeRoys filed for bankruptcy after the city didn't renew their operating license.

Current manager, Jennifer Oz LeRoy, is named in honor of her showman grandfather, Mervyn LeRoy, who was a producer of The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps as a way to seal the restaurant in history, Jennifer, along with Kay LeRoy, have written a 300-page book about the restaurant's history, including recipes.

Guernsey's Auction House is handling the sale, which includes decorative items from the 25,000-square-foot restaurant. Previews take place Wednesday, Jan. 6 through Tuesday, Jan. 12, noon to 8 p.m. each day. The public auction is Jan. 13-14 with 1 p.m. afternoon sessions and 6 p.m. evening sessions each day. The auction will take place in the Tavern's Crystal Room at 67th Street and Central Park West.

Some of the items being auctioned include:

Antique Tiffany stained-glass lamp shades
large, art nouveau mirrors, etched glass and Venetian glass
Baccarat crystal chandeliers
copper weathervanes
stone sculpture
garden furniture
Japanese lanterns
china place settings, silverware, glassware and linens
canvas murals from the walls
holiday decorations
outdoor topiaries

Gallery: The Tavern on the Green

The Rafters Room decorated for the holidays.

The Park Room's murals will be part of the auction.

Tags: guernseys auction house, new years eve, new years eve new york, New Years Eve parties, new york city, new york city restaurants, tavern on the green, tavern on the green closure

Annie Havlicek Roxie Dress

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

With a recent winter storm hitting the US East Coast and temperatures ranging from the teens to thirties, it seems strange to feature a sleeveless silk dress. But as we are only days away from Christmas, it's hard not to think of the festivities for New Year's Eve - especially dressing up. When we came across this gorgeous dress by Annie Havelicek, our minds jumped from holiday shopping to partying the year 2009 away. Made of silk with beautifully arranged embellishments in all the right places, this flapper inspired dress is a show stopper. Price: $460.

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Tags: Annie Havlicek, AnnieHavlicek, new years eve, NewYearsEve, Roxie Dress, RoxieDress, silk

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Celebrate New Year's Eve in New York

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events, Holiday Guides

Granted Times Square is the epicenter of New Years Eve activity, but the freezing temperatures, packed-in crowds and lack of bathroom facilities keep most of us as far away as possible. But don't rule New York out completely - it's one of the the most festive places to ring in the New Year. You just need to know where to go.

Here's a list of five of the best of New York's New Year's Eve 2010 parties - held inside (and one on a boat). Cheers!

Tags: cipriani wall street, new years eve, New Years Eve party, new york, new york city, soho house, tavern on the green, temptress yacht

Continue reading “Celebrate New Year's Eve in New York”

Rent Out The Curtis Hotel For New Year's Eve

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

It's not even Halloween yet but one hotel is hoping that you are already casting your eye toward New Year's Eve. The Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado has set up a special website, Won Night Only, to tempt bidders to take part in an eBay auction for take over the 330-room hotel for New Year's Eve 2010. The winning bidder gets food and drinks for everyone (up to 600 guests) including a cocktail reception, dinner, open bar, a late night munchie bar and a champagne brunch. A photographer will be available to document the event and the evening will include live music and a DJ. The hotel's design team will decorate the hotel for the event. Bidding on eBay is over $50,000 so far and the auction ends on Sunday.

[via The Globe and Mail]

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Tags: colorado, curtis hotel, CurtisHotel, denver, new years eve, NewYearsEve

Scottish Castles: Recession Proof?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Almost all sectors of the luxury market have been adversely affected by the global financial crisis, but castle rentals in Scotland seem to be immune. Harriet Filewood, managing partner of Scotts Castle Holidays, which represents more than 100 castles and country houses across Scotland, tells the London Guardian that business has never been better. "We thought all the talk about a recession would impact on demand for luxury properties this year," Filewood says, "but so far we have seen a 36% increase in sales. All our castles are fully booked for this New Year's Eve and we are even taking bookings for December 2009. Our average spend for a castle that sleeps around 10 people is £2,500 [about $3,600] a week and as far as we can see the demand for those is increasing."

Sue Bourne, manager of CKD Galbraith's Cottages and Castles rental agency, which has more than 500 Scottish properties on its books, concurs. "This year is just as strong, if not stronger, than any other year," she tells the paper. "We have not seen any decrease in demand and we have not had to discount any properties. This New Year's Eve, out of 50 castles, we only have one at the standard £3,000 to £4,000 a week [about $4,400 - $5,800] left, but we're still getting inquiries and may still let it. Compared with last year we are renting more properties. Some people are even booking now for 2010." Perhaps its simply a matter of solidity; what could be more comforting than a castle in these troubled times?

Tags: Castle, Castles, New Years Eve, NewYearsEve, Scotland

Abramovich Cancels Aspen New Year's Bash

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Russian oligarch (and former Luxist mascot) Roman Abramovich, who has lost a whopping $20 billion in the global financial crisis, has reportedly canceled a lavish New Year's Eve party he'd planned to host in Aspen next month. Abramovich (above, with hot young girlfriend Dasha Zhukova) had booked the event at the resort's luxe Piñons restaurant, but it's now been called off, the Aspen Times reports. "Nobody really knew about it, and it wasn't supposed to get out," the restaurant's maitre d' told the paper. "We're fine, we've got our regular New Year's reservations." As my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported, Abramovich purchased the amazing Wildcat Ridge estate in Aspen for $36 million last spring. The modern 11 bedroom mansion is perched at an elevation of 9,200 feet with incredible mountain views.

Tags: Aspen, New Years Eve, NewYearsEve, roman abramovich, RomanAbramovich, russian billionaires, RussianBillionaires

New Year's Eve Hotel Packages Around The World

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to say goodbye to 2008. Now it's time to contemplate how to send it out in style. I have a weakness for hotel New Year's Eve packages for one reason" I'm lazy. Finding a hotel in a city means I don't have to worry about driving to and fro, I don't have to clean up the next day, and I can hide from the world a little and slowly ease into the next year.

In London you can check out the fireworks over the city as Big Ben rings in 2009. The Rubens hotel has a three-night package that includes a bottle of house Champagne on arrival, six-course New Year's Eve meal for two, camera, late checkout and full English breakfast. Check out the gallery below for some options in other cities including Singapore, Las Vegas and Berlin.

Gallery: Welcoming in 2009

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Tags: hotels, new years eve, NewYearsEve, travel

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