10 Great Places to Eat on New Year's Day

January 1st. The first day of the new year on the old Gregorian calendar. For most of the Western world, it's a day to start fresh, assess things, make pledges to change and maybe just beg the sweet merciful gods to make the room stop spinning because goddamn you over-indulged the night before.

No matter what your general disposition come Tuesday morning, you might want someone to whip up a tasty meal for you and yours. So we've compiled a list for every kind of indulger, from those in need of some greasy good fried foods to the vegan-raw-foodist convert. 2013? Bring it.

10. Must have Vietnamese food:

Low blood sugar? Hungry? We've told you before, we'll tell you again. Go get some classic Vietnamese nem for whatever ails ya. Funky, salty, sour and just a little sweet, it's a pork lovers dream. At Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa in Alhambra you can eat your fill. 1700 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 943-7645.

9. Craving a full English breakfast:

Village Idiot has a lot of lovely pub food to indulge in. The fish and chips, the burgers made with house-ground meat, and that flaky, rich steak pie. But it's their full English breakfast that brings a tear to the ex-pat's eye — and a bit of equalization to the stomach. The meal consists of hangover helpers like eggs and Heinz beans on toast, bacon, sausage, a roasted tomato and some mushrooms. Brilliant good stuff. 7383 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles; (323) 655-3331.

8. Endless basket of fried food:

Islands may not be the hippest, but it's a locally-owned chain that's family friendly and (bonus) has a full bar. It's also got all you can drink soft drinks amd passion fruit iced tea (caffeine!), and a bottomless basket of those awesome, fresh-cut, seasoned french fries.3200 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach; (310) 546-4456.

7. Your resolution involves a cleanse, going raw and or veganism:

Real Food Daily is here to help. Since opening their doors in 1993, RFD has offered up something for everyone, as long as everyone wants extra healthy food with a side of really-good-for you. 899 East Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena; (626) 844-8900.

Chocolate Mousse at Bouchon; Credit: Elina Shatkin

6. An elegant luncheon:

Brunch at Bouchon Bistro is usually flawless. What better way to start your year? Order a quiche, or a New York strip steak and relax in to the quiet beauty.235 N. Canon Drive Beverly Hills; (310) 271-9910.

5. Bottomless carbs:

There are fancier garlic knots in town, but there are none as soft and doughy and pungent and utterly lip-smacking as those at C&O Trattoria. Grab a seat on their patio and start the new year right: loaded up on carbs. 31 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey; (310) 823-9491.

4. If you need a bit of culture:

Ray's and Stark Bar and adjacent LACMA are both open. Stroll under and around Levitated Mass, take a few snapshots in front of Chris Burden's Urban Light, and then settle in to a comfortable chair at Ray's and begin the year. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles; (323) 857-6180.

3. You're not fully committed to breakfast:

Chicken is dinner food. Waffles are breakfast food. Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles is where the two come to meet, mingle and make your day happy. They also serve lots of soul food side dishes, like grits, beans and greens. For those of you with a Southern bent. 5006 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles; (323) 934-4405.

2. Must. Eat. Bacon.

Roll in to Square One and order anything, and chances are it comes “with bacon.” The bacon in question is Nueske's bacon, and it's pork nirvana. We particularly like it in the breakfast sandwich, with frisee, tomato and aioli. 4854 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles; (323) 661-1109.

Seafood at The Hungry Cat; Credit: Roger Braunstein, via Flickr

1. Seafood!

Briny oysters are a classic French and American New Years day food. Butter drenched crab and a seasonal cocktail are just excellent additions. The Hungry Cat, get a little caviar, some salt cod fritters and you're set to take on 2013 and beyond. 100 West Channel Road Santa Monica; (310) 459-3337.

See also:

10 Great Restaurants Open New Year's Eve

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