The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

I can't remember any year in which people were as eager to ring out the old and ring in the new as they are this time. Lots of us just want 2008 to be over with, and we're prepared to stay up till midnight just to make damn sure the year doesn't linger a minute longer.

There is less agreement on the best way to celebrate: one last blow-out for old-times sake, or do we start the living next year's resolutions the night before - you know, living sustainably, and sensibly and within our means? In either case, there are lots of options.

Still haven't decided where to go for New Years Eve? Besides the usual suspects, and the places I wrote about last week in Part I the options range from free champagne and hors d'oeuvres at midnight at the new Driftwood Char Bar, three- and five-course options at First Course, and a seven-course gastronomic blowout at North Coast in Wayzata.

Most restaurant industry slaves refer to New Year's Eve as "Amateur Night". Having worked plenty of NYE's in past, I can't say that I'm eager to go out and cram myself into a bar with a bunch of sweaty, drunk people. Have fun.

I wouldn't mind tucking into a cozy booth at a favorite restaurant, but we always seem to have too many revelers in our pack and no one can make a decision as to the best location.

So it's my house for the fest. But what manner of fest shall we have?

Fancy Schmancy