The fireworks at midnight from Michigan and Congress, northeast corner

Like last year, several girlfriends and I started off with cocktails in a beautiful hotel lobby. Last year it was the W Hotel on Adams, and this year, the new hotel bar at the Hilton in the neighborhood. I had some sparkling white wine from California, within the confines of the new decor--a lovely soft gray and white, both traditional and modern. But to tell the truth, I never saw anything the least bit wrong with the deep red cozy atmosphere of the old bar. (One of my friends did say the new bar is now more "enclosed" and less part of the lobby--and she likes that.)

Then, like last year, we walked over to Anita's condo in Museum Park, where the Cava was opened and we settled in on her couches--and some even on her balcony--to get the most fantastic view of the 8:15 "family" fireworks from Navy Pier.

Then we made a quick trip on the Orange Line for free (love that Chicago NYE tradition) over to The Florentine at the new JW Marriott at Adams and LaSalle. (Ironically, across the street from the W, where it all began on December 31, 2010.) Although I hate eating late, I made an exception for some delicious salmon (what else?) and spicy cauliflower--and a glass of Proseco (noting that I had "champagne" from the US, Spain and Italy all in one night). The chef's family sat nearby at a table even bigger than ours, and I figured if this place is good enough for NYE for the chef's family, it's certainly good enough for us. Especially since I got to face Burnham and Root's Rookery all evening out the magnificent windows of the restaurant. Although the eatery is pretty enough to look at for an evening all by itself.

Anita and I--like last year--chose to walk back to the neighborhood after dinner, arriving at Congress and Michigan at exactly midnight for the adult showing of the fireworks from Navy Pier--and we had a good view. It was colder than last year, but not cold enough to chase us from the street.

Later, as we walked past the Hilton (where it all began this year) I thought of two things: that Buddy Guy's--a block over--would have also been a cool place in the 'hood to have hung out tonight, being that it was one of the rarified venues that Channel 7 reporters hung out in to report on the fact that the year was changing from 2011 to 2012 in Chicago and that people were celebrating that fact. Not to mention that January was being ushered in, the month that Buddy Guy will actually perform at his own club.

And I also realized that the South Loop girlfriends and I have ushered in a new official NYE tradition. Drinks at a hotel, fireworks at Anita's, dinner somewhere pretty cool. And a walk (again with fireworks) back home.

Done once, it's just a night, but done twice--it's now a tradition!