Balloon drop madness! Ring in 2016 at Madonna Inn, where New Year’s Eve guests dining in the steakhouse enjoy an all-inclusive meal, with champagne, party favors, decorations, and an amazing midnight balloon drop (tickets are still available at Madonnainn.com) … Novo will host its annual bash from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with apps and champagne toast accompanied by tunes spun by DJs Manuel, Malik, Damian, and Carlos (for more information, got to novorestaurant.com) … Lido at Dolphin Bay is also hosting a shindig, complete with four course, prix fixe menu, live music from 8 p.m. to midnight, and two champagne toasts (for reservations, call 773-8900) … Paso Robles locals can hop on Artisan’s party train, which includes pheasant salad with frisée, hazelnuts and champagne vinaigrette, Nantucket Bay scallops and more mouth-watering treats than you can shake a noisemaker at (go to artisanpasorobles.com for reservations).

Delicious deals

Feed me, Seymour! Indulge in San Luis Obispo County Restaurant Month, starting Jan. 4! Participating restaurants will offer special prix-fixe menus of three courses at $30 to $40 per person. That’s not all, folks. Restaurant Month will also be celebrated at local Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo wineries with various Go Local Wine Deals. That means more wine, on the cheap. Who doesn’t like that? Check out all the participating eateries and wineries at visitsanluisobispocounty.com … Poppin’ bottles! Laetitia Vineyard and Winery is offering a sparkling two-pack deal just in time for the big countdown. The seasonal combo features a Brut Cuvee and a bottle of Laetitia XD for under $50 (go to laetitiawine.com for more details). Just be sure to share these delicious local bubblies with a few friends. Bubbles are meant to be shared!

You should know

There’s a new pizza place in town! Look for Gino’s Pizza at 1761 Monterey St. starting this January and get ready for a saucier, cheesier 2016 … Move over, FroYo District! Downtown SLO could soon become the “Acai Bowl Corridor.” Word on the street: A new business that aims to sell the frosty bowls will be popping up at 785 Marsh St. in downtown SLO (other local bowls can be found at nearby Bowl’d and Seeds Juice Bar, also slated to open this January) … FARMstead ED is hosting a ton of cool classes in the new year, including Making Marmalades and Jammin’ Jams, Getting Your Goat (now that one sounds interesting!), All About Olive Oil, and more. Get a sneak peek at farmsteaded.com and be sure to make a little room in your backyard for all of these crafty hands-on projects. I think I have enough room for a goat—maybe? 

Send cute goat names to hthomas@newtimesslo.com.