Kick off New Year’s Eve at Monza of Old Town Manassas, Va. on Tues., Dec. 31 at 10:15 p.m. with the James Dean or Wayne Newton New Year’s Eve Package. The James Dean Package is $10 per person made before Dec. 31 and $15 for reservations made on Dec. 31, which includes party favors, midnight toast, music with disc jockey and a closing cup of Monza’ chicken noodle soup. While the Wayne Newton Package is $36 per person (with a four person minimum) and includes a reserved table, party favors, music with disc jockey, some beverages and a closing cup of Monza chicken noodle soup. Monza’s pizza menu will available for dining with both packages. Guests will also have the option of a la carte dining from Monza’s regular menu, available only from noon to 9 p.m. For more information and reservations, go to www.eatmonza.com.

Carmello’s of Old Town Manassas, Va. is offering a Christmas Eve dinner on Tues, Dec. 24 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and children, 12 and younger can eat free from Carmello’s children’s menu. A two-pound lobster, stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp and scallops will be offered for $48, and diners can also choose items from the new winter menu, which includes favorites like Wild Boar Ragout, Veal Agnolotti and Mar E Terra.  For more reservations, go to www.carmellos.com.

 “Carmello’s is a family-run restaurant, so we appreciate the importance of gathering the family around to enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner, which is why we like to offer our youngest patrons the opportunity to eat free,” said Miguel Pires, general manager of Carmello’s and Monza of Old Town Manassas, Va.

Paula Cano was recently named head chef of Carmello’s in Old Town Manassas. Hired by Carmello’s more than two years, Cano’s artistic passion for beauty and creativity showed through in the finest details of her dishes, which is how she claimed her spot as head chef of Carmello’s. A Colombian-native, Cano began with a love for art before she knew food was her real passion. As a graduate of Art Institute of Washington, D.C., she merged her two loves of food and art. Cano is currently designing Carmello’s winter menu. For more information, go to www.carmellos.com.