02:22 PM CST on Thursday, December 29, 2005

From 11 News Staff Reports

The Houston Grand Plaza Hotel presents the Return to Elegance: A New Year's Eve Big Band Celebration offering a night full of fun, including one night accommodations, four-course meal with wine service, complimentary cocktails and champagne toast, balloon drop, Sunday morning jazz breakfast and discounted rates on special services. For more information or to make reservations call (888) 627-6461.

The Houstonian Hotel presents The Green Onions and The Grooves. Held in the elegant Houstonian Grande Ballroom guests will enjoy a delectable dinner with live music, a champagne toast, party favors, a midnight breakfast buffet, and one night accommodations in a deluxe guest room. Also available is an overnight party for children ages 5-12. For more information or to make reservations call (713) 735-2795 or visit www.thehoustonian.com.

Celebrate in style at the Four Seasons New Year's Eve Gala Dinner Dance. Quattro's special Gala Dinner Dance features a seven course menu with champagne toast at midnight, live music and dancing. Welcome the New Year by waking up in a luxurious Four Seasons room or suite. Special New Year's Eve package offered with discounted room rates. For more information or to make reservations call (713) 650-1300 or visit www.fourseasons.com.

The Hyatt Regency Houston's New Year's Eve Celebration offers the only hotel party of its kind in the city. Spanning four floors, it includes food, live music, dancing, and the now-famous 30,000 balloon drop. Live music will be performed by Accent and Doppelganger. Several New Year's hotel packages are available. For more information or to make reservations call (713) 654-1234 or visit www.hyattregencyhouston.com.

The Alden Hotel offers the unique So 2006 package. It includes overnight accommodations with a champagne amenity and a fabulous seven-course dinner for two in *17. For more information or to make reservations call 832-200-8800 or visit www.aldenhotels.com.

Ring in the New Year with style with one of Hotel Derek's New Year's Eve packages, The Remarkable Room, The Bubbles Package and The Bed, Bubbles and Bath Package. Packages include deluxe accommodations, bottle of champagne and dinner at bistro moderne. For more information or to make reservations call (713) 961-3000 or visit www.hotelderek.com.

The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center doubles your pleasure on New Year's Eve with two celebrations, The Cotton Club and The Glass Menagerie. The Woodlands Resort revives the Cotton Club in impeccable style with music provided by Password and dancing, cocktails and a lavish plated dinner, inspired by an icon that lured the famed and infamous of a gilded generation. Or ring in the New Year in an intimate setting overlooking Lake Harrison. The Glass Menagerie Package includes dinner, champagne toast, party favors and live music by Daniel Blanchard & The Majestics.

For reservations to the Cotton Club or The Glass Menagerie call 281-364-6323 or visit www.woodlandsresort.com.

"Midnight in the Gardens" A Moody Gardens' tradition is returning to the island. The Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center will host its annual New Year's Eve gala touting a first-class black tie extravaganza. The package features non-stop entertainment, lavish food set-ups, a host of premium bars including champagne stations and cocktails and one night accommodations in the luxurious Moody Garden Hotel. For more information or to make reservations call (888) 388-8484.

Award-winning Hugo's offers a unique setting to celebrate the New Year. There will be live music by Viento, a full bar, award-winning wine list and extensive margarita menu. Opened for brunch on New Year's Day with live music. To make reservations call (713) 524-7744 or visit www.cordua.com.

Enjoy award-winning food and award-winning performances at Sambuca . Opened on New Year's Eve with a special four course dinner, champagne toast and balloon drop. Live jazz with singer Norma Zenteno. To make reservations call (713) 224-5299 or visit www.sambucarestaurant.com.

17's Executive Chef, Ryan Pera invites guests to enjoy a prix fixed seven-course dinner at the #1 voted restaurant in Texas. After dinner there will be the Party on the Veranda featuring Houston's premiere dj- DJ Sun, with dancing and an early morning breakfast. To make reservations call (832) 200-8888 or visit www.aldenhotels.com.

Mia Bella is ready to ring in 2006 offering a live jazz band, a balloon drop at midnight, party favors and champagne. They will offer two rounds of seating. To make reservations call (713) 237-0505.

Add a little mystery to your New Year's at Magic Island. The New Year's Eve package includes a three course dinner, Las Vegas Style Magic & Comedy Show- with award winning Oscar Munoz Strolling Magicians, live music by Gail Best and LJ in the Den of Osiris, count down at midnight with Scott Hollingsworth, champagne Toast and Party Favors. To make reservations call (713) 526-2442 or visit www.themagicisland.com.

Trevisio is one of Houston's most unique restaurants, located in the heart of the world-renown Texas Medical Center and offering stunning view of the area. Opened on New Year's Day, live Jazz with singer Mickey Mosely accompanied by an ensemble. To make reservations call (713) 749-0400 or visit www.trevisiorestaurant.com.

Arcodoro features Chef de Cuisine Giancarlo Ferrara's favorite dishes of 2005 with highlights of what is to come in 2006. A live DJ will be spinning the latest sounds of Europe and Latin America. Party favors will be provided. Full menu of champagne or sparkling wines can be pre-ordered for your midnight toast. To make reservations call (713) 621-6888 or visit www.arcodoro.com.

The Armadillo Palace offers live music from Jesse Dayton to ring in the New Year. To make reservations call (713)526-9700.

The Hard Rock Café will be rocking all night long with an all-night dance party including complimentary champagne at midnight and party favors. To make reservations call (713) 227-1392 or visit www.hardrock.com.

The Omni Hotel's Black Swan New Year's Eve Celebration including party favors, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a midnight toast with Moet Chandon White Star Champagne. There will also be a New Year's Day brunch. To make reservations call (713) 871-8181 or visit www.omnihotels.com.

El Centro will be cooking up some fun on New Year's Eve with a special pre-fixe dinner for two including a champagne toast. To make reservations call (713) 225-1200 or visit www.elcentro.cc.

Indulge in the Rainbow Lodge's delectable cuisine before a balloon drop at midnight with complimentary champagne. They offer three rounds of seating. To make reservations call (713) 861-8666 or visit www.rainbow-lodge.com.

Morton's Steakhouse is offering four seatings on New Year's Eve. Party favors will be passed out at midnight. To make reservations call (713) 629-1946 or visit www.mortons.com.

Pappasito's is sizzling on New Year's Eve. Feast on their New Year's Eve Plato Festivo for two featuring lobster tail, brochette-style shrimp, beef & chicken fajitas, rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole & fresh flour tortillas. To make reservations visit www.pappasitos.com.

The Great Caruso, Houston's only dinner theater, lets you wine and dine while listening to a live musical performance. There are three shows on New Year's Eve each offering a three course meal. To make reservations call (713) 780-4900 or visit www.hosutondinnertheater.com.

Houston's The Main Event! is hosting the hottest party in the city! Dress to the nines, drink champagne and dance to live music with 10,000-15,000 party-goers at The Big Apple Ball in Downtown Houston. For more information visit www.deda.org.

Gamble it all away at Grasshopper's Las Vegas Style celebration this New Year's Eve. All inclusive packages available. For more information call (713) 222-1442 or visit www.grasshopperhouston.com.

Join M Bar for the definitive New Years party on Main Street. Three levels, three DJ's, champagne toast at midnight with a balloon drop. For more information call (713) 222-1022.

A night of old school funk and soul is sure to guarantee a New Year's Eve you'll never forget. The Old School Lover's Concert at Reliant Park will be set the stage for soul and R & B icons Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley and special guests The Whispers. Purchase tickets by phone at (713) 629-3700 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Houston Children's Museum presents New Year's Noon, Houston's longest-running New Year's celebration for children, is back for a special end-of-year bash complete with indoor kids' parade, New Year's countdown and sparkling ball drop at the stroke of noon. Kids are encouraged to come early to make decorations, floats and party favors, such as noisemakers, wacky sack hats and pretend firework sparklers. For more information call (713) 522-1138 or visit www.cmhouston.org.