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Altoona's two fine dining restaurants are usually closed on Sundays -- but this New Year's Eve, they will be open.
"New Year's Eve is our biggest night of the year. We are usually closed on Sundays, but we are open for special occasions and New Year's Eve is a special occasion. We will be open New Year's Eve from 5 to 9 p.m.," said owner Frank Finelli of Finelli's Italian Villa.
"New Year's Eve is New Year's Eve no matter how you look at it. We will be open from 4 to 8 p.m.," said owner Dan Taddei of The Allegro Restaurant, who has been hosting New Year's Eve for 45 years. "We have so many people I didn't want to disappoint."
Both expect to be very busy.
"In my heyday, we would serve about 500 people. There won't be near that many this year, but we will have a nice number. We always have as many as we can handle. We have a waiting list," Taddei said. There are numerous factors to consider, such as how many staff will be available and the weather forecast. "We want to be sure we can handle things and do it well," he said.
"I highly recommend reservations. We are filling up very quickly. I expect a full house. ... We will probably serve about 125 people," Finelli said. "It's also been a great Christmas season; people are back out traveling and spending."
Both Taddei and Finelli said they will be closed New Year's Day and Tuesday to recover.
The Altoona Grand Hotel also will be busy on New Year's Eve.
"For dining, we are currently taking reservations in the Laurel Room and Grouse's Nest, and are offering a crab cake special," said Matt Hetrick.
The hotel will also host a New Year's Eve Party featuring Felix and the Hurricanes in the ballroom and DJ M-Rod in the Grouse's Nest.
A hot dog and sauerkraut buffet will be held at midnight.
Hetrick said he expects an increased turnout this year.
"This is typical to what we've experienced all year, especially recently with Christmas parties, as it seems our area has totally rebounded from any hesitations of socializing in the current post-COVID era," Hetrick said.
The U.S. Hotel Tavern in Hollidaysburg will serve a Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but as usual will be closed on Sunday evening.
"We have had solid turnouts over the years, but the amount of people who dine out on New Year's Eve has slowly gone down over the years. We are taking the opportunity to allow our employees to be with family and friends since it is a Sunday evening," said co-owner/general manager Dustin Delozier.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.