"My first recommendation to anyone throwing a New Year's Eve party is not to start too early! Sitting down for dinner at 7 p.m. has your guests watching TV from 9 p.m. until the ball drops. Talk about a buzzkill," Colin said. "Keep the party turned up by starting with cocktails and appetizers at 9 and move into a seated dinner by 10. This will allow you to replenish glasses before the clock strikes midnight." As for what to eat, he said, "I love a room grounded with a statement piece like a gorgeous raw bar. This can be composed of something as simple as poached shrimp, or grander with Alaskan king crab. When I'm really set to impress, I order from Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. They ship overnight and include everything from the mallets to the bibs."
