Daina Beth SolomonLast week, we listed 11 new restaurants open for New Year's Eve. All will present special menus — at “special” prices ranging from $46 to $475.
Prefer to not break the bank for New Year's? We've selected ten restaurants where you can dine for less than $30 per person (not including drinks) past midnight. They represent a variety of cuisines, and are scattered around greater Los Angeles. (Check out our map for locations.) And all promise to be more festive than your local fast food joint. Anything cheap and exciting that we've missed? Add it in the comments.
10. Canter's Deli
Cuisine: Jewish delicatessen. Vibe: At 80-years-old, Canter's is a dependable deli and classic L.A. landmark. Menu: Matzah ball soup, multi-layer sandwiches, corned beef, brisket, and baked goods are popular items on the vast menu. New Year's Eve Hours: 12 a.m.-12 a.m. Info: 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District, (323) 651-2030.
Cuisine: Italian. Vibe: Neighborhood pizza parlor down to the red-checkered tablecloths and colorful Italian paraphernalia. You can only make a reservation for six-16 people. Without one, be prepared for a considerable wait. Menu: Casa Bianca offers pastas, salads, chicken and appetizers, but you want the pizza – thin, crispy, and cut into idiosyncratic parallelograms. New Year's Eve Hours: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 1650 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, (323) 256-9617.
8. Guelaguetza
Cuisine: Mexican (Oaxacan). Vibe: Cheery, festive and comfortable, welcoming to oaxaquenos as well as Angelenos of all stripes. Menu: At the Mid-City location beginning at 9 p.m., pay $25 per person for a buffet grande: Moles, tacos, chicken, spaghetti, salads, beans, rice, chips, salsa and guacamole. Plus a champagne toast at midnight and live music by Latin Wood. The Lynwood spot will offer its regular menu – and mariachi accompaniment. New Year's Eve Hours: Mid-City: 8 a.m.-2 a.m., Lynwood: 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Info: 3014 W. Olympic Blvd. Mid-City, (213) 427-0608; and 11215 Long Beach Blvd #1010 Lynwood, (310) 884-9234. Reservations recommended.
7. La Sandia
Cuisine: Mexican. Vibe: Take in the beach-views at La Sandia's sleek rooftop spot in the recently renovated Santa Monica Place. Menu: At $29, La Sandia may be offering the least-expensive New Year's tasting menu in L.A. Courses include an appetizer (guacamole, corn soup or sopes), entrée (chicken, chile relleno, enchiladas, cochinita pibil or tacos) and dessert (churros). Hours: 4 p.m.-last seating at 11 p.m. Info: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, (310) 393-3300.
Cuisine: Thai. Vibe: Chef Kris Yenbamroong's Night + Market is attached to Talesai, his parents' well-known Thai restaurant. The style is informal, spare and bright. Menu: Expect the aroma of garlic, fish sauce, and grilling meat. Also expect pig parts among the meat options: belly, ribs, grilled collar, whole hock, and fried ears and tails. Poultry (such as duck stew), seafood (possibly broiled salmon head for New Year's, says Yenbamroong) and noodles (including pad Thai) are on the menu too. Beer “towers” (3.4 liters) will be offered at a discounted $25 price. Hours: 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (last call at 11 p.m.) Info: 9041 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 275-9724. Reservations recommended.
Night + Market; Credit: Anne Fishbein
Cuisine: Japanese. Vibe: The deafening yell of “irasshaimase! ” means you've been welcomed to Shin-Sen-Gumi, a chain of casual, lively eateries that feature Hakata-style ramen with pork broth and thin noodles. Menu: After 11:30 p.m., three Shin-Sen-Gumi spots will offer a limited menu of ramen and appetizers. The Rosemead and Fountain Valley locations will serve buckwheat toshikoshi soba noodles symbolizing longevity and good health in Japanese tradition. Hours: Gardena and Fountain Valley: 11:30 a.m.-5 a.m. Rosemead: 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Info: 2015 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena, (310) 329-1335; 18315 Brookhurst Street Fountain Valley, (714) 962-8952; and 8450 E. Valley Blvd. Rosemead, (626) 572-8646.
4. Lounge at Taix French Restaurant
Cuisine: French. Vibe: The Taix (say “tex”) dining room is elegant and fancy, but for New Year's Eve you'll head to the homey, old-fashioned lounge to kick back in leather chairs and booths, likely alongside Silver Lake locals. Menu: The late-night menu includes French dip, croque monsieur, roast chicken, nicoise salad, short ribs, charcuterie, penne, mussels, clams, quiche, and escargot. Hours: 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 1911 Sunset Blvd. Silver Lake, (213) 484-1265.
“Holiday Bird Turkey Burger” at Umami; Credit: Umami Burger
Cuisine: Burgers. Vibe: Crystal-looking chandeliers dot the black ceiling. An open kitchen runs parallel to a long marble countertop. And a stuffed swan sits behind the bar. Menu: In addition to its regular menu, Umami is offering a “NYE Kombu Meal” for $21 including a “Holiday Bird Turkey Burger,” sweet potato fries, and sparkling wine. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Info: 12159 Ventura Blvd Studio City, (818) 286-9004. (Other Umami locations not open past midnight.)
2. Venice Room
Cuisine: Steakhouse. Vibe: Dark, intimate, neighborhood bar covered in black-light murals depicting the Doge's Palace and gondolas in Venice. Menu: Dinner is usually “grill-it-yourself” steak served with a baked potato and salad. For New Year's Eve, the Venice room will offer a complimentary dinner buffet for drinking customers. The menu is still being planned. But you can count on karaoke. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Info: 2428 S. Garfield Ave. Monterey Park. (323) 722-3075. 21+.
1. Wurstküche
Cuisine: Sausages. Vibe: Communal tables line the sparse dining rooms accented in wood, brick, and metal. Menu: At first glance the menu is simple — sausages, Belgian fries, beers and wines. Then you see the “exotic” sausages: Alligator and pork. Rattlesnake and rabbit. Plus rabbit, veal and pork. Tamer options include bratwurst, kielbasa, mango jalapeno, and chicken apple. New Year's Eve Hours:11 a.m.-12 a.m. (kitchen) and 1:30 a.m. (bar). Info: 800 E. Third St., Downtown, and 625 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, (213) 687-4444.
Wurstkuche; Credit: LA Weekly Flickr pool/djjewelz
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