Noshing Around

Nochevieja

In Spain, "Nochevieja" means "the old night," when people gather to welcome in the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, everyone eats 12 grapes, one with each chime. Casa Vicente will host a similar event on Sunday, Dec. 28; the regular menu and special dinner will be available from 4 to 10:30 p.m. at 375 S. Stone Ave; 884-5253.


Open New Year's Day

Hung over? Xoom Juice has a special elixir called "the overhang," made with prickly-pear extract and a extra helping of an herbal blend of white willow bark (natural aspirin), chamomile, ginkgo, ginseng and, of course, vitamins and antioxidants in the fruit. Be healthy, be hydrated at 2739 E. Speedway Blvd.; 321-9666; open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the morning-after cure, go to Ghini's French Caffe, where breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can never go wrong with their eggs provencale at 1803 E. Prince Road; 326-9095.

Frankie's South Philly Cheesesteaks is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. serving Philly-style pepper-and-egg sandwiches and homemade bean soup in addition to the regular menu at 2574 N. Campbell Ave.; 795-2665.

Start by eating healthy at Govinda's with an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet for $13.95 from noon to 8 p.m. Call 792-0630; 711 E. Blacklidge Drive; govindasoftucson.com.

Try Takamatsu for sushi, teppan-style fare, Korean eats and Japanese food from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 5532 E. Speedway Blvd.; 512-0800. Check out the menu at takatucson.net.


Coming in January: Slow Food Film Festival

Slow Food Tucson announces its fourth annual food and film festival, to be held from Jan. 8-11. Classic food films, delicious meals and international food film screenings will be featured. Four participating restaurants--Primo, VinTabla, Cuvée and Acacia at St. Philip's--will each select a charity to receive a portion of the proceeds. Featured movies--Dinner Rush, Ratatouille and Bottle Shock--nine independent short animations, features and documentaries will be screened. Visit the Festival Web site for screening times and places, prices and packages. There is an early-bird package available if purchased by Dec. 31.