Emma CourtlandJanuary 1st will be the time for resolutions. For losing weight. For spending less money, and more time with your family. For getting a job, or quitting one. Yes, January 1st you will start again. And that's good. Because tonight, December 31st, New Year's Eve, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., the lovely people of LA Metro are offering free transportation on all bus and light rail lines, and there will no excuse not to go out and enjoy your city, its hoodoo gourmets and its Michelin stars. Because it's all going to be over in two years anyway, here's our little list of dining options for New Year's Eve:
1. Sona
Sona's Chef David Myers and Sommelier Mark Mendoza have created an extensive tasting menu which, available at two seatings tonight, will vary in level of indulgence, and of course, cost. From 6-6:30, the $125 first seating includes champagne, a four course tasting menu featuring big eye tuna with black truffle puree and miso marinated beef loin with charred eggplant. Wine parings are also available, in regular and premium, for an additional $45 or $75 respectively. From 9-9:30, the second seating ups the ante: for $155 per person, champagne
Caviar to go; Credit: Petrossian
2. Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant
Although only guests dining at the second of two seatings at Petrossian will get to ring in the New Year with their traditional caviar presentation–12 grams of domestic Transmontanus caviar–and a champagne and caviar toast at midnight, early diners can eat for less, and take the caviar party home from Petrossian's boutique in bags starting at $24. Six course prix fixe, $95 per person for the 6 p.m. seating; $125 for 9 p.m.
Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant: 321 North Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 271-6300.
3. Lilly's French Cafe & Wine Bar
At Lilly's French Cafe, a three-course prix fixe of restaurant favorites: terrine of foie gras with chutney fig and toasted brioche, Daurade a la plancha “a la nicoise” and asparagus gratin, roasted quails stuffed with foie gras and and dessert. $45 per person includes a glass of champagne and amuse bouche.
Lilly's French Cafe: 1031 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice; (310) 314-0004.
5. Melisse
If I've learned only one thing from the Mayans, it's that saving money on the brink of global destruction is pointless. Thus, New Year's Eve dinner at Melisse,
Credit: Lucques
6. Lucques
As per tradition, New Year's Eve dinner at Lucques will be themed. Suzanne Goin will be serving up a low-country Savannah meal in keeping with this year's motif, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Wood-grilled oysters, rabbit sausage, shrimp and grits, and pear cobbler, served by the costumed waitstaff. First seating includes four courses with a choice of grilled duck or beef brunswick for $95 per person; second seating has five courses plus a midnight champagne toast, $125 per person.
Lucques: 8474 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 655-6277.
7. Barbrix
On a night overwhelmed by pricey prix fixes, Barbrix will be keeping it real–accepting walk-ins at the bar and kitchen counter, and serving the same a la carte menu–with a few special New Year's Eve additions. Olio Verde 2009 'Olio Novello'- avocado, breakfast radishes, blood orange, Sicilian sea salt, and Tenuta di Capezzana 2009 'Olio Nuovo'-mojama, piquillo peppers, pickled asparagus, grated egg; also, pappardelle with dungeness crab, and grilled New Zealand lamb chops with spanikopita.
Barbrix: 2442 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; (323) 662-2442.
8. Talesai
For the first time ever, West Hollywood's Talesai is serving a pre-New Year's Eve family-style supper. Available from 5:30-10:30, the menu is divided into an extensive list of old favorites–noodles, spicy curries, meats–and priced so reasonably–$49 for 2 people, $99 for 4 people, $149 for 6 people.
Talesai: 9043 Sunset Blvd.; (310) 275 – 9724.
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