My wife and I are in much the same situation. I think our plan is to stay at home, cook ourselves a nice dinner, and watch the fireworks at midnight. So not much help there either I fear.

For an easy make-at-home fancy dinner, steam or boil a couple of lobsters (I don't know how they do it, but they seem to grow with rubber bands around their claws). Serve with some nice French bread and maybe a Caesar salad. You can make the chocolate mousse for dessert a day ahead of time.

As usual, I like Hal's suggestion, but I would add a black-eyed pea salad. I make mine with a good vinaigrette, some fresh lemon juice, diced red and green peppers, sliced scallions or shallots, snipped parsley and salt and pepper to taste. This is supposed to bring good luck in the New Year.

I thought the black-eyed peas were supposed to be eaten on New Years Day? That's when I have them (generally in the form of Hoppin' John).

I'm going to have them tonight, just to cover my good luck bases.

At first I was going to suggest the Hobbit Grille in the Shire, because only in a dream world could you find a good place on New Years Eve that isn't crowded. But I'm vowing to be nicer this year.

Any decent place will be fully booked and many are overbooked. Three days before NYE is really late for a regular restaurant. I happened to be at Amicci's last night and asked them if they were fully booked. I was shocked to hear that of their 250 seats they leave 80 open for walk-ins. It's a good place and is not expensive.

They have a very nice bar if you have to wait for your table. If you want to buy me a drink, I'll be in the corner wearing a green fedora and a tartan ascot.

For early diners, a low key dinner
or just interested in something different this year...
3 Donna's are offering special menus.
(Cross Keys, Charles Village and Columbia)
Soups and appetizers, special salads entrees and desserts. All priced so you can a have festive dinner for around 50. (or just choose a la carte.) see website
www.donnas.com for more details.

I talked to a few restauranteurs in Little Italy and they said that New Year's Eve business has fallen off significantly since about 2000. It may have something to do with DUI roadblocks and enforcement.

In any case it may be possible to get that uncrowded dinner after all. I stopped by Velleggia's and they had only 100 reservations, which is way below their seating capacity. I just discovered Rocco's Capriccio and their dining rooms are intimate and the food is great. They still have seating.