HOLIDAY DINING : Ringside Seats to Ring in New Year

Reservations definitely are in order--pronto!--if you plan to dine out on New Year’s Eve. Local restaurants are offering some diverse celebrations. Here are a few spots for ringing out/in:

Gustaf Anders in Santa Ana always pulls out all the stops with a literal circus of entertainment. In the past, there’ve been live animals, fire-eaters and a Lady Godiva riding through at midnight. Co-owner Bill Gustaf Magnuson promises that this year’s Neon Night will be just as full of surprises. For $100 per person, you’ll get a four-course dinner; that price also includes one bottle of champagne per couple; seating will start at 8:30. For a more quiet celebration without the entertainment, come between 6 and 8 for dinner and champagne only, for $65. 1651 Sunflower Ave. in the South Coast Plaza Village; (714) 668-1737.

Nearby (at 1611 Sunflower) at Antonello Ristorante, you can have your portrait sketched by a caricature artist, dance to the Top 40-style music of Jimmy Hopper and dine on five courses starting at 8:45. The entree choices: swordfish rolls stuffed with pine nuts, fontina and herbs; or veal stuffed with spinach and caciocavallo cheese. $79 per person. (714) 751-7153.

A special five-course dinner also will be served at Chanteclair in Irvine. The 5 p.m. seating will cost $45 per person; the 9 p.m. seating will include Moet Chandon White Star champagne and cost $93. Pianist Terry Conder will play during the early seating; later, there will be dancing to a trio, and party favors. 18912 MacArthur Blvd; (714) 756-8001.

There will be three seatings at Etienne’s in San Clemente, where the menu includes canard a l’orange, steak au poivre, fresh northern halibut and flambeed desserts. Come at 6, 8 or 10. There’ll be hats, horns and a champagne toast at midnight. Entree price range: $16 to $25. 215 S. El Camino Real; (714) 492-7263.

At the Studio Cafe in Corona del Mar, there will be seatings at 5, 7 and 9 for a dinner that will include appetizer, entree (Muscovy duck breast, grilled veal chops or lobster Thermidor), dessert and champagne. The cost will be $39.93; a 50% deposit per person is required. Live entertainment and dancing will begin at 9; from 9 on there’ll be a bar-only cover charge of $5. 3201 E. Coast Highway; (714) 675-7575.

Down the street at Oysters, the New Year’s Eve bash will include a wide offering of fresh shellfish and such entree choices as lamb osso bucco and coulbiac of salmon (a traditional Russian New Year’s dish) in addition to the regular menu. Entree prices will range from $10.95 to $24.95. Dinner will begin at 4 p.m., with live jazz from 7 till 1 a.m. 2515 E. Coast Highway; (714) 675-7411.

Doc Rutherford and the Pacific Jazz Orchestra will be playing at the Fullerton Hofbrau, where a four-course dinner will be served at 8; there’ll be party favors and a champagne toast. $75 per couple. (Before 7 p.m., service will be from the regular menu.) 323 N. State College Blvd.; (714) 870-7400.

At Prego in Irvine, a pop band will play Top 40 tunes and ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There will be no cover charge, and the regular menu of contemporary Italian cuisine will be served at regular prices. Dinner service will begin at 5. 18420 Von Karman Ave.; (714) 553-1333.

The $59.95 package at the Original Cattleman’s Wharf in Anaheim will include dinner in any of five theme rooms, a champagne toast and entertainment on two floors: Joe Tatter and his band will play in the Top of the Wharf lounge, and there will be dancing to the 20-piece Armand Blais Orchestra in the Camelot Ballroom. Seating will begin at 7. 1160 W. Ball Road; (714) 535-1622.

And for something completely different, the Bay View Room at the Newport Dunes resort in Newport Beach is offering fireworks, clam chowder, campfire sing-alongs and mugs of hot chocolate, starting at 7 p.m. The idea is to attract families who want to ring in the New Year early and avoid any late-night driving. $5 admission; the chowder and hot chocolate are a la carte. 1131 Back Bay Dr.; (714) 729-DUNE.

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IN THE HOTELS:

The Disneyland Hotel’s Countdown Spectacular will consist of four parties. Run for the Border will feature the Poncho Sanchez band and a country-Western group; the Untouchables and Stinger will play at Rock and Roll Park; there’ll be jazz, zydeco and ‘50s and ‘60s rhythm ‘n’ blues at the third party, and a disc jockey playing alternative dance music at the fourth. Each party will last from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and you may roam from one to another. $45 per person. Adults may drop off their children at a party with Disney characters, Disney movies, a light buffet, games and other activities. $35 per child. 1150 Cerritos Ave., Anaheim; (714) 956-6413.

Leslie Uggams will sing during a black-tie affair at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. For $250 per person (including tax and tips), there will be an open bar from 7 to 8, a five-course dinner at 8, wines, the Uggams show, dancing to the Syd James orchestra and champagne at midnight. 33533 Ritz-Carlton Drive; (714) 240-2000, Ext. 5008.

Champions in the Irvine Marriott will celebrate with an open bar from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., four-course dinners (at 7:30, 8, 8:30 and 9), a disc jockey, favors, a midnight balloon drop, overnight accommodations and a recovery breakfast buffet, all for $260 per couple. 18000 Von Karman Ave.; (714) 724-3640.

At the Crown Sterling Suites in Santa Ana, an open bar from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will be part of a $199 per couple package that also includes a buffet starting at 8, live entertainment and dancing in the ballroom, a champagne toast at midnight, a two-room suite and a cooked-to-order breakfast the next morning. Just the buffet, the dancing and entertainment and the champagne toast can be had for $65. 1325 E. Dyer Road; (714) 241-3800.

Papa Geppetto’s Italian Ristorante in the Hyatt Regency Alicante in Garden Grove will serve three-course dinners for $35 at 5:30 p.m., and five-course dinners for $55 starting at 9. There’ll be live entertainment till 1:30 a.m. Harbor Boulevard at Chapman Avenue; (714) 750-1234, ext. 6047.

Brandon’s in the Beverly Heritage Hotel, Costa Mesa, will serve five-course dinners for two with champagne throughout the meal; there will also be entertainment and dancing. Seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.. $95 per couple. 3350 Avenue of the Arts; (714) 751-5100 or (714) 751-1303.