Some of my favourite New Year celebrations have been spent eating great food, drinking great wine, and sharing stories of the past year with friends in a restaurant. To some bright young things it might seem a tad staid, but it's a great way to see in the New Year, and you at least have a fleeting chance of remembering what you did. Which is why many people will choose to see spend their New Years Eve in Oxford restaurants.

There is loads going on in clubs and bars but the restaurants don't look to shabby either and some are putting on entertainment as well as a great menu. So, even though spending New Years Eve in Oxford restaurants looks like it's expensive, it's actually quite savvy. And you'll be sticking to your mother's golden rule of having a big meal before a wild night out.

One of the great parties for New Years Eve in Oxford restaurants is at Branca.  They're doing a special three-course menu for £40 and there'll be a band playing funk and jazz. Another great place to spend New Years Eve in Oxford restaurants is Gees which is putting on a four-course meal for £45. There's no entertainment, just a classy environment and great food. Blanc Brasserie have also decided to opt for a classy new year and there'll be no entertainment on during service but they have put together a four-course meal for £40.

But if you fancy a blow-out and you don't want to get settled in a restaurant only to leave a few hours later to find a bar that isn't rammed but isn't dead either then go to the Living Room. They have put together a fantastic New Year package with a four-course menu for £55, followed by entertainment in the bar from The Stupidity and then a DJ who'll be on duty until they close, which could be as late as 4am.

Another venue which is putting on a great New Year is Jongleurs at Bar Risa. You won't feel as is you're spending New Years Eve in Oxford restaurants because the club has a bit more of a lively feel. They are however putting on  a scrumptious three-course menu as well as having some brilliant stand-up acts to help you giggle at 2008. It's £40 each, which can't be bad.