New Year’s Eve Gala

The night is set, New Year’s Eve. The preparations are complete, suits ready, hair & makeup done. We are ready to see the New Year in in style.

Brad & Diana arrive and have brought a bottle of Bollinger which we pop first off and ‘cheers’ whilst we make some photos of the occasion. There is no point in delaying after all, New Year’s Eve is upon us. Our champagne and expectations are accompanied by sushi and a platter of cheeses while we take the opportunity to get the boys sorted out.

The Gala

Once the children are in bed, we pick up our skirts and walk over to The Address Montgomerie. Part of the beauty of the evening is not needing to rely on transportation and whilst it is winter in Dubai, it is a beautiful clear night for a stroll.

Arriving at the Gala, we walk the red carpet and make our way to The Lawn. A perfect scene is set – white linen and lanterns reflect the glass and silverware of the table settings. New Year’s decorations brighten the scene and fairy lights glimmer in the trees. Off to the side, tables laden with seafood, roasting meats, crisp salads and desserts are spread out. Waiters wander with bottles of bubbles filling champagne flutes to the brim.

We need not wait long before our waiter attends to our glasses and we take to our feet to discover what it is we wish to eat. The music is loud and the scene festive. The drinks flow and the night proceeds with laughter and merriment.

I start with a platter of a half dozen oysters, some smoked salmon and a couple of lobster tails. After out starters we sit and talk, stand on the lawn, dance for a while. Later I return with a serving of salmon & spinach wellington. Dessert is an array of delectable morsels, I select an individual creme brulee, a little raspberry tartlet and some strawberries from the spread and return to our table.

Midnight

The champagne is flowing freely by now and spirits are high, the anticipation of the countdown begins. There is some more dancing, chatting. People move back and forward to the bar, to the supper tables, excited children run around the grass, barely missing a table and dodging a waiter with a tray of glasses. Before we even know it, the fireworks begin over the lake and midnight is upon us.

‘Happy New Year’ we cheer. We raise our glasses and some of us abandon ourselves to a new year’s kiss.

After the fireworks, the dancing and bubbles reignite and the night’s festivities continue into the early hours. By the time we think about heading off, much of the crowd have already taken leave to seek their beds or further celebrations.

Our night continues at home into the wee hours with conversation and music though our celebrations here are perhaps less muted than the celebrations held at The Montgomerie’s New Year’s Eve Gala on the Lawn.

Good To Know

The Address Montgomerie hold an annual New Year’s Eve Gala on its lawns. It is a truly memorable night, celebrating with friends and loved ones under Dubai’s sapphire skies with views of the golf course, lake, fountains and fireworks.

The Address, Montgomerie

Would I Return?

Yes.