The Countdown is On at 53 By The Sea

53 By The Sea hosts a New Year’s Countdown Party on New Year’s Eve featuring island tapas-style fare, cocktails, live entertainment and a spectacular view of fireworks off Waikiki.

New Year or not, dining at the new restaurant, located at 53 Ahui St. (site of the former John Dominis Restaurant), is sure to be an experience to remember. Following renovations in excess of $16 million, the fine-dining regional cuisine restaurant opened in September and provides a luxurious setting from the moment you pull into the courtyard.

As you enter through the large palace-like double wooden doors, it’s like you’ve stepped into another world. A grand staircase leads to the second floor of private rooms that can be reserved for parties of 10 to 60 people (or you can rent the entire floor fitting up to 100 people). The establishment presents majestic white limestone flooring throughout, a full bar and lounge area with an exquisite Italian-made Fazioli grand piano, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing stunning views of Waikiki and Diamond Head, including an up-close look at surfers at the popular surf break Point Panic. Among the dishes offered on New Year’s Eve are Mahi Mahi served with a lemon butter sauce, Okinawan potato puree and a dollop of tomato sauce on top; New York Strip Steak with fresh steamed vegetables; King Crab Meat on frisee salad with chives, ikura and lilikoi puree; and an assortment of seafood — Maine lobster, ahi poke, kampachi sashimi with grapefruit and seared scallops.

Open for lunch and dinner daily, the New Year’s Countdown Party will take place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Individual tickets cost $250, and VIP tables for six guests is priced at $2,500. There also are VIP private rooms ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, and an Ultra VIP room at $30,000.

53 By The Sea

53 Ahui St., Honolulu
536.5353
Daily, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) 5-10 p.m. (dinner)
53ByTheSea.com
reservation@53ByTheSea.com