HOTEL MURANO NYE

It's time to make your New Year's Eve plans. Consider the BITE restaurant in the Hotel Murano (1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma). Dinner will include a holiday menu featuring winter panzanella salad, fries and gravy served with sautéed mushrooms and gorgonzola, wild mushroom ravioli, prime rib and more. Bonus: if you're looking to have a safe evening and avoid the rookies on the road, Hotel Murano has a dinner package that includes luxury overnight accommodations to close out 2014 and start anew in 2015. Call to make a reservation: 253.238.8000.

BRIX 25 NYE

Brix 25 (7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor) makes holiday shopping all the more simple with gift cards available for purchase online. They are also accepting New Year's Eve dinner reservations, which will feature an extensive a la carte menu and decadent prix fix menu with wine pairing. Check them out at www.brix25.com.  

TAKE-HOME HOLIDAY

If you're feeling as though your culinary prowess is lacking you can opt to get sides to go. It's OK to cheat. If you are that bad your family will appreciate it. Toscanos Italian Grill (437 29th St. NE, Puyallup) offers an array of tasty sides to complement any holiday meal - such as honey mashed potatoes, lobster mac and cheese, beet and bleu salad and cheesecakes for dessert - all in handy take home containers with a 48 hour notice required at 253.864.8600. So plan ahead, don't dirty the dishes and wow your family with some side dishes.

BRATS AND BREWS

No need to morn the loss of Oktoberfest; Harmon Brewery (1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) offers "Brats and Brews" every Tuesday. Grab a $6 brat on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut and housemade beer mustard then wash them down with $3 pints. It's on from 3 p.m. to close.