Money to Burn: More Special Dinner Packages By Anne Glusker Washingtonpost.com Staff Thursday, December 18, 1997

Goldoni: There are two seatings on New Year's. The first has an a la carte menu, from 5 to 7 p.m. Diners at the second seating, 8:30 to 10 p.m., will bring in 1998 with a jazz band, party decorations and treats. The fixed-price menu and celebration costs $95 per person.

701 Pennsylvania Ave.: Starting at 9 p.m. and lasting till whenever, a three-course dinner, five-piece jazz band and dancing fill the evening ($75 per person).

Galileo: First seating, with an a la carte menu is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The New Year's package begins with the second seating, 8:30 to 9 p.m., with a fixed-price menu and six courses (two choices for each course). Cost is $125 per person (not including alcohol, tax or tips). Credit card reservation is required for the second seating.

Georgia Brown's: They offer a special Low Country New Year's Eve feast (a la carte) – served in addition to the regular menu. They'll be open "as long as the guests keep trickling through the door," says managing partner Charles Grazioli.

Gerard's Place: Gerard's offers a five-course gala dinner (5:30 to 10 p.m.) with three choices for each course (one is vegetarian) at $90 per person. For $50 additional per person, you can have the chef's selected wines to accompany your dinner – four wines and one champagne.

Lespinasse: The first seating starts at 5:30 p.m., with a three-course menu for $75 per person. The second seating, commencing at 9 p.m., is a black-tie event featuring a five-course menu, live music and dancing, party favors, and champagne toast at midnight ($175 per person not including tax, beverage, gratuity). Prepayment is required when you make your reservation and is fully refundable until December 22.

Les Halles: A special night is planned, Gallic style. At 6 p.m. everyone in the restaurant will get a glass of champagne to celebrate New Year's in France. From 5 to 8 p.m., an accordionist will play and, according to one of the owners Michel Verdon, from 8 p.m. to "next year" a DJ will play oldies. A special fixed-price menu is sure to include oysters and foie gras. "This is always part of New Year's Eve," Verdon explains, adding that the regular menu will also be available, for those who want just a plain old New York sirloin.

Elysium, Morrison House, 116 S. Alfred St., Alexandria 703/ 838-8000: Elysium's special New Year's menu offers a three-course ($65), four-course ($75), or five-course ($85) dinner. Prices include tax, tip, and a flight of wine. The New Year's menu is chosen from the most popular ones of the past year (the restaurant's menus change weekly). Dancing and party favors are included, too.

Cesco Trattoria: There is open seating with a regular menu until 9 p.m. A special fixed-price menu with five courses is available after 9 for $60.