Reviews
Table Talk: December 24–31
This week: New Year's Eve parties and recipes, Guy Fieri on the Branson Landing, Morning Day Cafe’s dinner digs, Everyday Thai’s new location and more foodie news.
By Claire Porter
Dec 24 2019 at 10 a.m.
Photo By Brandon AlmsWhether you're popping the bubbles at home or out on the town, we've rounded up all the ways to celebrate the start of a new decade.
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The Roaring 2020s
Please don’t let the first thing you taste in the new decade be some gross store-bought jarred salsa on a sad, stale chip. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, be the night’s MVP with a few couldn’t-be-easier champagne coctkails and dip recipes.
Ring It In
If a house party just isn’t enough of an audience for your bangin’ new outfit—I get it—slide into one of the myriad New Years Eve parties happening in town.
Parties
Drinks, dancing and tunes by The Mixtapes take over the Gillioz Theatre for the night.
Four-course menus at The Order and live music make this open-to-all party a real bash.
Oasis Hotel & Convention Center
Kick off 2020 with a blown mind. REZA performs at the Oasis NYE bash along with live music and drink specials.
Celebrate the 2020s in 1920s style at Pythian’s Prohibition-themed NYE party with dinner by Van Gogh’s.
For an upscale night, join in the Savoy’s masquerade ball with a prize-filled balloon drop at midnight.
The tap room becomes party central at Mother’s Boogie & Ball Drop with a DJ and boozy slushies.
Dance the night away at GG’s Freaky Tiki Blastoff to 2020 NYE party.
Indulge in a little sushi before you break it down to dueling DJs at Ocean Zen’s bash.
Glow into the new year at Whiskey Tango’s Glow Crazy glow-in-the-dark extravaganza.
In Joplin, celebrate the new year with a DJ, food, drinks and door prizes.
Nixa’s Main Event Center is rolling with the ’20s theme at its Farewell to Prohibition New Year’s Eve Gala.
Live music by Chris May plus a champagne toast mark this event at the Southern-style eatery.
Dinners
Enjoy a three-course meal plus a midnight surprise at Chateau on the Lake’s celebration.
Go into the new year on a full stomach with B+B Boulangerie’s Date Night Dinner.
No prix-fixe here. Piccolo has a special NYE menu and live music for the evening.
Progress’s NYE dinner includes a special menu, amuse bouche and champagne toast.
Vino Cellars’ four-course meals come with wine pairings and, of course, something bubbly for dessert.
Indulge on your last night of the decade with a four-course dinner at The Finley featuring lobster, lamb, scallops and chocolate.
Kid-Friendly
Glitz and glam not really your thing? Explore Fritz’s at this kid-friendly NYE celebration with music, food, drinks, games and more.
The lights are still aglow at SDC, but hop aboard the Showboat Branson Belle for some NYE magic.
The Good Stuff
As exciting as NYE is, I couldn’t possibly wait another week to share all the restaurant happenings that have been bubbling up in the past few weeks. Here’ what’s opening, closing, moving and more:
Opening:
The Springfield location of Sugarfire Smoke House has officially opened for business. The St. Louis–based barbecue chain opened ahead of schedule on Sunday in the Southgate Shopping Center in a space featuring artwork by local muralist Emily Million.
Moving:
One of Yelp’s favorite places, Everyday Thai, is moving across the street to the former Newk’s building. Everyday Thai is closed tomorrow through January 1 while it moves into the lightly renovated space, and it will reopen in the new location.
Closing:
Two weeks ago, we told you about Jax & Gabe’s closing along with the Springfield location of Pie Five. Now, BYOPizza is also leaving the Springfield pizza scene, making room for the downtown location of its sister restaurant, Aviary Café, to relocate to the space. BYOPizza’s last day is December 31.
Transitioning:
Downtown Mexican eatery Yoselin’s Mexican Cuisine has closed its doors in preparation for its rebranding. Tequila & Mezcal, owned by Sofia Pavon-Wilson, the daughter of Yoselin’s founders, is opening in the same location in early January after light renovations. The menu is shifting to offer more upscale dishes and expanded cocktail options.
Expanding:
Nixa’s Morning Day Cafe is looking to take over your nights, too, with its soon-to-open dinner concept, Night Bites. Night Bites occupies the space adjoining Morning Day Cafe with a refurbished bar and extended seating. The menu includes savory fine-dining options plus creative craft cocktails (including smoked cocktails) by mixologist Michael Bradley. Owner Miranda Barchers is launching dinner service January 3. While you wait, join MDC for its first birthday pajama party on January 1.
Coming Next Year:
Paula Deen isn’t the only Food Network celeb to be smitten with the Branson Landing. Coming spring 2020, everyone’s favorite spiky-haired flame-wearing (Halloween costume–inspiring) chef Guy Fieri is bringing Guy Fieri’s Branson Kitchen + Bar to the lakeside strip, adject to Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline. The offerings so far are typical Fieri excess, with signature Trash Can Nachos, burgers, wings and tacos on the menu.
