>> Short-lived: Hale Ohuna, Lee Anne Wong and Kevin Hanney’s Hawaiian noodle bar that opened Sept. 4 on Waialae Avenue announced its closure Monday. Hanney cited the stiff competition in the bar scene as one of the reasons for the closure.

>> Italian dinner: Isabella Zambon and her children Jessica and Filippo Coro, owners of the Osteria Oliva Nera eatery in Venice, Italy, are returning to Hawaii, and Vino is holding a dinner in their honor. Chef Keith Endo is whipping up a wine-pairing dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The menu includes antipasti served family style, garlic shrimp, roasted beef braciole, and roasted banana and chocolate tiramisu. Cost is $82 ($56 without wine). Reservations required. Call 524-8466. Vino is at 500 Ala Moana Blvd. in Restaurant Row.

>> Discovering Kenzo Estate Winery: Enjoy the holiday season at the Halekulani’s “Holiday Wine Discoveries” through Jan. 31. Diners at Orchids can enjoy vino created by Heidi Barrett from the winery in the hilltops of Napa. Selections include Asatsuyu (sauvignon blanc), Yui (bordeaux rose), Murasaki (cabernet sauvignon/merlot barrel selections) and Ai (cabernet sauvignon barrel selection). House Without a Key will serve Yui. Halekulani is at 2199 Kalia Road. Call 923-2311.

New Year’s specials

>> Halekulani: Diners who partake in the New Year’s Eve dinners at La Mer or Orchids will be able to “Swing Under the Stars” from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on the hotel’s Kawehewehe Lawn. La Mer’s menu ($450) includes duck foie gras; shrimp and lemon consomme with squid ink sausage; lobster; wagyu; lemon sorbet with shochu; white chocolate and grapefruit mousse on a graham cracker crust; and tiny sweets. Orchids ($350) offers Corn & Caviar, salmon, Maine lobster, beef striploin, milk chocolate mousse and petits fours. Beverages are not included with either meal.

At House Without a Key, a diner buffet ($88 adults and $44 children ages 5 to 12) includes entertainment from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and guests 21 and older can mingle poolside from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Finally, the Lewers Lounge offers a special menu with a drink for $25. Maggie Herron will perform contemporary jazz from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Noel Okimoto Quartet will play Latin jazz from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Reservations are recommended for the evening events. Reserve at 923-2311.

>> Hawaii Prince Hotel: Hakone offers a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. Both buffets include assorted sashimi, snow crab legs, a prime rib carving station and more, but New Year’s Day diners can also partake in the traditional ozoni soup and osechi dishes. Eve prices: $60 adults, $30 children ages 11 to 14 and $20 children ages 6 to 10. Day prices: $78 adults, $39 children ages 11 to 14 and $26 children ages 6 to 10.

At the Prince Court, the New Year’s Eve dinner buffet includes lobster bisque, sushi and rack-of-lamb stations. Cost: $76 adults, $38 children ages 6 to 10. On New Year’s Day enjoy a brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Includes waffle, omelet and dim sum stations, plus more. Cost: $65 adults, $32.50 keiki ages 6 to 10. The hotel is at 100 Holomoana St. Reserve at 944-4494.

>> Hilton Hawaiian Village: There are many choices for New Year’s Eve at the Hilton, 205 Kalia Road. All require reservations by calling 949-4321 and asking for the appropriate extension.

Bali Steak & Seafood is offering a four-course meal with a choice of entree: filet mignon, snow crab “Oscar,” 12-ounce prime New York strip, snapper or lobster thermidor. Cost: $199 adults, $75 children ages 12 and younger. Seatings are at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Ext. 43.

From 5:30 to 9 p.m. the Rainbow Lanai offers a buffet with crab, salmon, a prime rib carving station and more. Cost: $68 adults, $36 children ages 12 and younger. Ext. 48.

At Tropics Bar & Grill a three-course meal will be available in addition to the regular menu. Choice of entree for the special is blue marlin, New York steak and shrimp, petit filet mignon and lobster ravioli, or baked chicken breast. Nohelani Cypriano will entertain from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and at Beach 3 from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Seatings are from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: $49 adults, $25 children ages 12 and younger. Ext. 42.

In the Coral Ballroom, enjoy a dinner and show from 7 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. The meal consists of four courses featuring filet mignon and lobster tail. Entertainment includes Maunalua, Japanese comedian Corokke and surf-rock band Dukes of Surf. Cost: $285 adults, $255 children ages 4 to 11. Price also includes half a bottle of Champagne and one beverage. Ext. 77954.

Finally, close the year with a Waikiki Starlight Luau, 5:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn fronting the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Doors open at 5 p.m. Golden Circle prices: $140 adults, $70 children ages 4 to 11. General seating prices: $125 adults, $62.50 children ages 4 to 11. Ext. 75828.

>> Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa: Japengo executive chef Sven Ullrich’s four-course New Year’s Eve meal consists of Dungeness crab salad and hibachi prawns, catch of the day, filet mignon with Kona lobster, and a Waialua Estate flowerless chocolate bar and coconut creme brulee. There is also a vegetarian menu available. Cost: $145. Complimentary parking. Japengo is at 2424 Kalakaua Ave., on the third floor of the Ewa Tower. Reserve at 237-6166 or online at opentable.com.

>> The Kahala Hotel & Resort: “The Kahala Countdown,” an oceanfront New Year’s Eve party, features entertainment by HonuGruv, a DJ and dance floor, a buffet and a midnight fireworks show. Highlights of the menu include baked oysters with foie gras, prime rib and noodle stations, and a dessert bar. Beer, wine and Champagne are also included. The party begins at 9 p.m. and ends at 12:30 a.m. in the Maile Ballroom and pool area. Cost: $150 adults ($100 hotel guests) and $80 children ages 4 to 9. Diners scheduled for second seatings (8:30 to 10 p.m.) at the hotel’s Plumeria Beach House special buffet dinner ($190) and Hoku’s special five-course pre fixe dinner ($250) will be allowed to attend the party, too.

Stay away from the crowd in a private cabana, available for $500 with a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a dessert sampler and assorted cheeses and fruits.

The hotel is at 5000 Kahala Ave. Reserve at 739-8760 or email restaurants@kahalaresort.com.

>> Longhi’s Ala Moana: Dine on a five-course dinner from 9 to 11 p.m. and enjoy entertainment by the Funk-A-Holics from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday. Menu includes Argentinean red shrimp ceviche; caprese soup; endive antipasto salad; choice of rack of lamb, seafood risotto, ahi or chicken; and a dessert trio. Cost: $90. Longhi’s will be serving its classic menu from 5 to 8 p.m. There’s a $15 cover for the party only. Reserve at 947-9899 or go to longhis.com.

>> Moana Surfrider: VIPs at the Moana’s “Pre-resolution Party” can get a Hawaiian buffet from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Menu highlights include assorted sushi, short rib, Kona lobster and more. Cost: $1,000 (includes seats for up to four people at a reserved beachfront table, 8:15 p.m. entry to the party, buffet, one bottle Champagne) or $2,000 (includes all of the above, but seats up to six people in a beachfront cabana or balcony and an additional bottle of premium liquor with bottle service). Call Masako McCarter at 924-4778 or email masako.mccarter@westin.com.

For non-VIPs the party begins at 9 p.m. with entertainment by Jeremy Cheng, local artisans, fireknife performers and DJ Jimmy Taco. Presale tickets available Monday from noon to 8 p.m. in the hotel lobby for $75 adults and $35 children ages 6 to 12. Day-of tickets will also be on sale in the lobby beginning at noon. Cost: $100 adults, $50 keiki ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are free. General admission does not guarantee a seat or table. An a la carte menu will be available. Call Mason Waugh at 923-2811 or email mason.waugh@westin.com. The hotel is at 2365 Kalakaua Ave.

>> The Royal Hawaiian: Azure Restaurant offers a four-course dinner and entrance to “The Pink Party Presents a Royal Masquerade,” which will close with fireworks. First seating is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and costs $250 per person. Second seating begins at 9 p.m. and costs $275 per person.

Cabanas will be available for rental. Call 921-4600 or go to royal-hawaiian.com. The hotel is at 2259 Kalakaua Ave.

>> Sheraton Waikiki: The highlight of the Kai Market New Year’s Eve buffet are carving stations of pork laulau, prime rib, roast pork with bao buns, Chinese-style onaga and Alaska king crab legs. Cost: $95, first seating from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; $150, second seating from 9 to 9:45 p.m.; and $195, second seating on the patio. Guests 21 or older who dine during the second seatings will be allowed to attend the hotel’s “Night Circus New Year’s Eve Party.” Sheraton Waikiki is at 2255 Kalakaua Ave. Reserve at 922-4422.

>> Turtle Bay Resort: Three choices are available at the North Shore resort. Visit turtlebayresort.com or call 293-6000.

“Masquerade New Year’s Eve Party” features a meal of smoked salmon, Thai beef nicoise salad, Kona Maine lobster chowder, prime rib and veggies at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), followed by a performance by Nesian N.I.N.E. from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cost: $109.48. VIP prices available that include bottle(s) of liquor. Show-only tickets: $35. Cocktail attire requested.

At Surfer, the Bar, enjoy heavy pupu from 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) and a glass of Champagne at midnight for $85. Entertainment provided by Garrett “G. Love” Dutton from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Must be 21 or older.

And at Pa‘akai, dine on a four-course Eve dinner of scallop, macadamia nut-crusted goat cheese salad, wagyu striploin with lobster and mushroom risotto, and the restaurant’s Classic Mont Blanc Pistachio dessert. Cost: $95 ($125 with wine pairings). Seatings available from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

>> Vino: Champagne tasting, 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The restaurant at Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., will feature J. Lasalle “Brut Preference,” Pierre Paillard Brut “Grand Cru,” Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blans “Premier Cru,” A Margaine Blanc de Blancs “Special Club” 2008 and four “grower” Champagnes. Cost is $39.

If food is more appealing, check out the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve $56 special menu, which includes smoked salmon tartare, cured kampachi crudo, white wine-poached oysters, duck confit tortellini with foie gras demi-glace and chocolate strawberry “shortcake.” Wine pairings are available for an additional $15.95.

To reserve for either event, call 524-8466 or email Ann at ataketa@dkrestaurants.com.

>> Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa: Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar offers the following dishes, in addition to its regular menu, on New Year’s Eve and Day: yuzu and yukari waffle cone ($10), firecracker roll ($18.95), ozoni ($7.95), pork dumplings ($9.95), prosciutto-wrapped opah ($27.95) and sous vide Hudson Valley duck breast ($27.95). At d.k Steak House, New Year’s Eve specials include scallops with foie gras ($19), burrata and prosciutto flatbread ($15), lamb chops ($35), rib eye ($45) and snapper ($33). The resort is at 2552 Kalakaua Ave. To reserve call 931-6286, Sansei; or 931-6280, d.k Steak House.

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Send restaurant news — restaurant opening and closings, new chefs, mixologists and menu changes — at least two weeks in advance to mramos@staradvertiser.com.