By Rick Karlin

Contributing writer

It may be the first week of December and some of us are already trying to work off those potato pancakes from Hanukkah, but it’s not too early to start thinking about New Year’s Eve. In the December Go Guide, you’ll find information about special Christmas and New Year’s menus and restaurant packages, but that’s just the tip of the holiday dining iceberg. Here are a few more options to make your New Year’s Eve and Day memorable. Remember—resolutions don’t start until Jan. 2.

Spend New Year’s Eve under “The Bean” in Millennium Park. Park Grill is serving a special five-course tasting menu for $55 per person. Dinner seatings begin at 5 p.m. and continue every half hour until 11 p.m. There’s live music and Veuve Clicquot Champagne for $10 a glass. If you live within two miles of the restaurant you won’t need a designated driver the restaurant is offering free trolley rides home at 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Call (312) 521-7275 or check out the website at parkgrillchicago.com.

Carnivale, 702 West Fulton Market, salutes the “Mambo Kings” this New Year’s Eve! Step back in time and enjoy live music and performances by professional Latin ballroom dancers throughout the night. Just like in the old movies, they feature a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Cigar and cigarette girls travel throughout the venue offering candy versions of the nicotine treats, and the staff sports tuxedos and gowns. Reservations are available for seatings between 5-10 p.m. Call (312) 850-5005 or check carnivalechicago.com.

The Hyatt Regency at McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, has just undergone a massive makeover. Check it out with one of two New Year’s Eve packages.  Overnight accommodations for two, party favors, late checkout New Year’s Day and DJ entertainment from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. starts at $199.  The hotel’s new restaurant, Shor, has an appetizer menu and cash bar available.  If you’d prefer an entire meal, it can be to the package for $299. For reservations call (312) 567.1234. Pre-payment is required and is non-refundable at the time of booking for both packages.

If you’re looking for a romantic evening to sweep someone off their feet, Geja’s Café, 340 West Armitage, offers a romantic repast featuring a four-course fondue dinner (cheese fondue appetizer, salad, lobster, shrimp or beef entree and flaming chocolate dessert fondue) and champagne complete with classical/flamenco guitar music. Reservations are available for 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. The 5 p.m. seating is $75 per person and includes a glass of Gramona Gran Cuvee. The 7:30 p.m. seating is $95 per person and includes a glass of 2004 Domaine Carneros Brut. The 10 p.m. seating is $115 per person and includes a bottle of 2004 Domaine Carneros Brut per couple and party favors for the countdown to midnight. Call (773) 281-9101 for reservations.

If price is no object, check out the 10-course dinner at Avenues in the Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior. The dress is black-tie and the entrée combines lobster and Kobe beef, all for $285 or $380 with wine pairings. A three-course version of the meal is $95 a person. Call (312) 337-2888 or go to peninsula.com.

At Le Lan, 749 N. Clark, Executive Chef Bill Kim has created a special tasting menu inspired by his recent culinary tour of Asia. The first seating (reservations 5:30-6:45 p.m.), offers a six-course meal with choice of dessert for $95, and includes caviar and blood oranges, foie gras and wild mushroom dumpling soup among some of the exotic dishes. The second seating (8:30-10 p.m.) is priced at $130 for nine courses, with two dessert courses, and includes a flute of Dom Perignon champagne. Call (312) 280-9100 or go to lelanrestaurant.com for reservations.