New Year's in Camarillo
Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

RING IN 2008- Vannessa Chavez, a bartender at Ric's Restaurant, 2500 Las Posas Road, says the Camarillo eatery is offering special menus for New Year's Eve. For reservations, call (805) 389-9919.

Whether it's a fancy champagne dinner over candlelight, or a family outing to play bingo, Camarillo has a variety of venues where residents can spend their New Year's Eve.

Below is a listing of a few hot spots across town where good food, music and fun will be easy to find. Included are family friendly activities for parents who are looking for someting to do with the kids.

Around Camarillo

Ric's Restaurant Bar and Grill will feature a special New Year's Eve menu and three dinner seating times: the 4 p.m. Sunset Dinner for $21.95; a 6 p.m. meal for $49.50 and the final serving at 8:15 for $59.50. Open from 11 a.m. until the last patron leaves. The restaurant will stop serving meals after 8:15 p.m. 2500 Las Posas Road, (805) 389-9919.

Although no celebration is planned for midnight, Ric's patrons will ring in the new year at 9 p.m. (East Coast time) with a disc jockey and noisemakers.

Outlaws Grill and Saloon plans to welcome 2008 at midnight with a live band, balloon drop and gifts and prizes. Open 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. 2167 Pickwick Drive. (805) 484-9524.

Chester's Asia Chinese Restaurant will be open New Year's Eve, serving up a delicious menu of Chinese delicacies, perfect for large groups who want to share good food. Chester's, located at 2216 Pickwick Drive, will be open until 9:30 p.m. For reservations, call (805) 482-6564.

Sheila's Place Wine Bar and Cafe will serve three separate dinner seatings for New Year's Eve at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The wine bar will feature a special wine list to compliment the restaurant's preset menu that will include a choice of rack of lamb, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon or corn-fed chicken breast. Sheila's is at 330 North Lantana. For reservations, call (805) 987-9800.

Live music and food and drink specials will be part of the New Year's celebration at the upscale eatery Safire American Bistro, 4850 Santa Rosa Road. The last seating is 11 p.m., and reservations may be made by calling (805) 389-1227.

Old Town restaurants

Enoteca Toscana Wine Bistro opens at 5 p.m. and closes when the last patron leaves. The eatery will feature appetizers until 7 p.m. and a five-course dinner with a champagne toast at midnight for $95. 2088 E. Ventura Blvd., (805) 445-1433.

JJ Brewsky's Restaurant and Bar will offer a special menu for New Year's Eve and toast the new year with champagne at midnight. The band Uncle Monkey will perform. JJ Brewsky's will be open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. 2433 Ventura Blvd., (805) 482-5249

Ottavio's Italian Restaurant will offer fish and pasta specials. The usual large crowd is expected, and reservations are advised. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner until 9 p.m. 1620 Ventura Blvd., (805) 482-3810.

Verona Trattoria will sport a special New Year's Eve menu that will include veal chops, lobster and filet mignon with large prawns. Open 5 p.m. to past midnight. 2485 Ventura Blvd., (805) 383-7576.

Family fun

Bingo at the Camarillo Community Center will start at noon instead of the usual 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. Bingo players will be offered appetizers and a nonalcoholic toast for the new year at noon. 1605 Burnley St., (805) 482-1996.

Family games and activities are scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. at Camarillo Community Church and will include the world premiere screening of "The Wager" starring Randy Travis. Movie to begin at 8 p.m. 1322 Las Posas, (805) 482-2657.