We took a survey of restaurants in the greater Rye area and found that there is still time to make that last minute reservation. Here's a sampling. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Rye Grill & Bar, 1 Station Plaza, Rye 914-967-0332

After partners Jim Sullivan and Jan Fabry completed work on the multi-level McMansion that is the new Rye Grill & Bar, the place filled up almost immediately, even though they had increased their seating capacity to 280 seats with a huge bar/lounge area. Old and new patrons flocked here for the restaurant's reasonably-priced American tavern menu that has always been a notch above other like establishments. Popular specialties include: Lump Crab Cakes, Cape Cod Chopped Salad; mussels and clams served in a variety of styles; great sliders; big burgers; Pot Chicken and Scottish Salmon. The regular a la carte menu with enhanced specialties will be served New Year's Eve. You can also opt for their Bar Bash from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. for $60 plus tax and gratuity that includes a four-hour open bar and assorted appetizers along with a champagne toast at midnight. Open New Year's Day for brunch and dinner starting at 11:30 a.m. Normally open 7 days a week. Free and municipal parking. Valet available. www.ryegrill.com

La Panetiere, 530 Milton Road, Rye 914-967-8140

Proprietor and consummate host Jacques Lupiac has been operating his highly-regarded bastian of French cuisine for more than 25 years. The restaurant is impeccably dressed for the holidays inside and out and remains one of the prettiest dining venues around. As for the cuisine, it is haute French with contemporary accents and a titillating adventure for your palate. Via Chef Lupiac, Jacques' nephew, special New Year's Eve prix fixe menus are being served: 1st. seating starting between 5 and 6 p.m., $110. per person; $158. with wine pairing. Second seating between 9 and 10 p.m.: $145. per person; $182. with wine pairing. Specialties will includes such signature specialties as: Carpaccio of White Tuna; Champagne Risotto of Sea Scallops and Perigord Truffles, with a lobster sauce emulsion; Contrast of Filet and Short Rib of Beef Vermicelli, with braised heart of palm, Mikado of celery, salsify, chestnusts, carrots; and a decadent sampler of 'This Year's Most Popular Desserts," along with a celebratory champagne toast. Closed New Year's Day. www.lapanetiere.com

Emilio Restaurant, 1 Colonial Place, Harrison 914-835-3100

The Brasesco family, with second generation chef and exuberant host Sergio Brasesco at the helm, have been celebrating their 31st year in this vintage century old colonial house serving what many Italian food aficionados praise as the best regional Italian cooking in the area. An arresting colorful antipasti table beckons; Mama Lidia's fresh house made pastas, and a dynamic seasonal menu to boot. Check out such changing house specialties as: Pappardelle al Pesto; decadent Fettuccine with White Truffle shavings; Arrosto di Pollo, roasted half chicken; and Scottaditta alla Toscana, a trio of pork medallions, breast of chicken and filet mignon marinated with wine and herbs, flash grilled with fresh rosemary, whole garlic and a drizzle of Tuscan BBQ sauce. Full bar and extensive wine list. An early bird New Year's four-course dinner will be served from 5 p.m to 6:30 p.m. priced at $30 per person. Later that evening the regular a la carte menu goes into effect with some extra holiday specialties like Dover Sole. Closed New Year's Day. Free parking.  www.emiliosristorante.com

Arrosto, 25 South Regent Street, Port Chester 914-939-2727

Owner Larry Mesiti and partners have opened one of the hottest new dining spots in Westchester, a bustling Italian trattoria with a handsome 170-seat contemporary multi-sectioned dining room surrounding an authentic pizza oven and charcoal grill with open kitchen stations. You can watch the action throughout your meal as the friendly, knowledgeable staff helps you. From their wonderful multi-color beet salad with poppy seeds, their brick oven artisanal pizzas to big hunks of char-grilled steaks and chops, this team has created an exciting environment. According to Mesiti, via Head Chef Richard Corbo the restaurant will be serving their regular menu on New Year's Eve along with some extra specialties such as: Seafood Chowder; Chestnut Pappardelle with slow braised spiced Hudson Valley Sugo; Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with smoked potato puree and broccoli rabe; and Dark Chocolate Glazed Cappuccino Mousse. Open New Year's Day starting at 5 p.m. www.arrostorestaurant.com

Roasted Peppers, 320 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1140

Celebrating their first anniversary here, Chef/partners Darrell Belcher, brothers Juan and Roberto Lepe and managing partner Ruben Ocha, Jr. bring a splash of color to every plate. It is contemporary American comfort food with a good dose of south-of-the-border, and the flavors are wonderful. Smear some of their roasted pepper hummus on a piece of their crusty bread and consider such specialties as: Technicolor Red Snapper Tacos; Sliced Skirt Steak with Spanish rice, roasted corn and black bean relish, sliced avocado, onion and tomato or their Lobster 'Mac', butter poached lobster meat with orecchiette, shitake mushrooms, truffle cream and cheddar gratin. Special New Year's Eve menu includes such a la carte dishes as: Paella, Surf & Turf, Guajillo Braised Beef Short Ribs, and Grilled Veal Chop. Open New Year's Day for dinner starting at 5 p.m. Municipal parking; free evenings. www.roastedpeppers.com

Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison 914-835-6199

Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo served his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner just across from Harrison Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: a wonderful Crostino di Polenta, topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and tomato sauce; comforting Lasagna al Forno, Bolognese style; Osso Buco the size of Mt. Vesuvious; Sogliola Francese, filet of sole lightly battered, sauteed with white wine and lemon; and Costoletta di Maiale, pan-seared pork chops, spicy sausage, potatoes, vinegar peppers in a light brown sauce. For dessert ask them to whip up some of their fresh Zabaglione with fresh fruit. Good wine list. Open New Year's Eve with an a la carte menu. Closed New Year's Day. Otherwise open 7 days a week. Free and municipal parking. www.trattoriavivolo.com

Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net