The Russian Tea Room Hosts Alexander Markov On NYE

A great New Year's Eve needs a rollicking soundtrack to set the mood as you countdown to midnight. So this Saturday, December 31st, restaurants are offering an array of live music sets so that you can ring in the 2012 on the right note. The Russian Tea Room (150 West 57th Street, 212-581-7100, russiantearoomnyc.com) is hosting an once-in-a-lifetime performance by a renowned, rock-influenced violinist and Smoke Jazz and Supper Club-Lounge (2751 Broadway 212-864-6662, www.smokejazz.com) is offering live jazz played by veteran musicians who have worked with everyone from Ray Charles to Lionel Hampton.

The Russian Tea Room isn't skipping a beat as it counts down to midnight, with tasting menus that are fit for Russian royalty and a rare, private concert by internationally-acclaimed violinist Alexander Markov. The virtuoso will perform a 40-minute classical music set during a special VIP Dinner at 8:30pm and then appear at the restaurant's open-bar After Party at 11:00pm, performing his signature set, The Rock Concerto, and dazzling the crowd with his custom-made gold-plated, six-string electric violin and illuminated bow. This thrilling composition is like Beethoven meets The Beatles, as it blends bluesy rhythms and soulful melodies with complex classical arrangements. Markov won't be performing in New York again until his engagement at Carnegie Hall in October 2012 so this is an extraordinary opportunity to see the violinist in an intimate setting.

But if jazz is more you're style, check out Smoke Jazz and Supper Club-Lounge's Countdown to 2012 featuring Eric Alexander & Harold Mabern Quartet. Alexander is one of the top tenor saxophonists of our era, while Mabern is one of jazz's most respected pianists. No wonder these musicians have shared the stage with legends like Lionel Hampton and Ray Charles! Also hitting the stage is longtime Smoke performer Gregory Porter, a Grammy-nominated jazz singer who has belted out his seductive, baritone vocals all over the world. His undeniably catchy original songs, which incorporate jazz, blues, soul and gospel influences, make a perfect soundtrack for Smoke's special three-course menu. The evening's First Seating, which includes the prix fixe dinner and the live music, starts at 6:30 pm, while the Second Seating, which includes the prix fixe dinner, two live shows and a New Year's toast, starts at 9:45 pm.

New Year's Eve - Just The Facts

The Russian Tea Room
VIP DINNER WITH PRIVATE CONCERT
8:30pm on 4th floor
$475

AFTER PARTY WITH PRIVATE CONCERT
11pm to 1:30am on the second floor
$175 per person (for guests who didn't attend the VIP dinner)
Full premium open bar

Smoke Jazz & Supper Club Lounge
New Year's Eve Menu - 6:30pm seating:
at Bar: $95 p/p + tax & tip
at tables $145 p/p + tax & tip
***includes open bar*** (wine & beer)
Prix-Fixe Dinner & 1 show

New Year's Eve Menu - 9:45pm seating:
at Bar: $195 p/p + tax & tip
at tables $245 p/p + tax & tip
***includes open bar*** (wine & beer)
Prix-Fixe Dinner, 2 shows & New Year's Toast