CARDAMOM:
Cardamom is welcoming in the New Year in a BIG way, with an elaborate four-course New Year’s Eve menu for only $50.00 per person. Start the evening with a complimentary Glass of Champagne and the traditional Indian bite, Pani Puri thatwill be waiting to greet you when you walk through the door. Once you take your seat, you will be offered the option of ordering a Tandoori Platter with Chicken Tikka, Sheekh Kabob, Onion Piazza and Vegetable Pakora, or a Vegetable Platter that includes Sigara, Onion Piazza and a Vegetable Pakora. For the main course select from the Murgh Tikka Masala, diced chicken tikka tossed in Hyderabadi spices cooked in lusciously, creamy tomato sauce, Jhinga Patia, tiger prawns cooked in a zesty, hot and sour sauce, or Aloo Palak, potatoes and baby spinach tossed with turmeric. Main dishes will also be accompanied by Zafrani Rice, made from Chef Manju’s special recipe and fresh baked Naan with house-made Raita for the table to share. We hope you saved room, because dessert promises Gulab Jamun, a lovely cheese dumpling immersed in a saffron-infused syrup, along with traditional Indian-spiced Chai Tea or fresh brewed Coffee. Cardamom will offer two seating’s on New Year’s Eve, one at 5:30 pm and the other at 8:00 pm. Cardamom will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm; 7233 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.936.1000; www.CardamomLA.com
CELESTINO RISTORANTE & BAR:
Let your last meal of 2014 be prepared by a Drago! Executive Chef Calogero Drago invites you to join him at Celestino Ristorante & Bar for a special Four-Course New Year’s Eve Menu in celebration of 2015. Start the evening off with an appetizing Antipasto course, offering a choice of Veal Tortellini or Steamed Lobster over sweet pea purée, followed by a Second Course of delicate Smoked Salmon Crepes with mascarpone and caviar or luxurious Arborio Rice with Sea Urchin and champagne sauce. For the Main Course, guests can select from an elegant Chilean Sea Bass with vegetables timball and Filet of Guinea Fowl generously stuffed with sausage and porcini mushrooms, bathed in a decadent black truffle sauce. We hope you saved room, as the crown jewel of this New Year’s Eve feast is a Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake that can be described in just one word – sinful. For daintier diners, all dishes from the New Year’s Eve menu will be available à la carte, in addition to Celestino’s Annual Holiday Menu for guests to enjoy as well. Because, as Chef Calogero likes to say, “Life is beautiful!” Celestino Ristorante will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 5:30 pm to 12:00 am. 141 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101; 626.795.4006; www.CelestinoPasadena.com
MAGNOLIA HOUSE:
When thinking of Pasadena and New Year’s, our minds automatically go to one thing: The Rose Parade. But this year, it’s not just the roses that will have you heading to Pasadena; it will be the new craft cocktail hot spot that is hosting the best bash in town… Welcome to Magnolia House! A $25.00 entry fee will grant you access into this sexy little craftsman bungalow on New Year’s Eve where tunes will be spun by a Live DJ and all Magnolia House guests welcoming in 2015 will receive a Complimentary Welcome Cocktail,Party Favors, Complimentary Champagne Toast at Midnight and a special Magnolia House Gift Bag filled with special commemorative goodies. After just one sip of your handcrafted ‘Welcome Cocktail’ from the masterful hands of Bar Manager Colin Shearn, you know it’s going to be a night to remember. The DJ’s beats will pump through the air and get your appetite grooving as you make your way through Magnolia Houses’ bespoke menu of shared plates and eclectic bar snacks courtesy of Executive Chef Kyu Yi. Make sure your final memories of 2014 are delicious ones by ordering an array of festive and easily shareable favorites like the Truffle Pistachios with shaved black truffle-infused sea salt, Shrimp Toasts with herb salad and a sesame ginger aioli, Ahi Sashimi with a ponzu, smoked-salt and wasabi vinaigrette, crushed wasabi peas and crispy fried kale, Korean Short Rib served atop a shiitake and baby kale risotto with pickled daikon and crushed sesame, and let us not forget the always-comforting, yet equally luxurious King Crab Mac & Cheese which combines three cheeses into a luscious sauce with roasted red pepper that is topped with a bacon and herb crumble. Then gather around the fireplace as the clock nears midnight, put on your party hats and get out your noisemakers as the ball prepares to drop and champagne kisses signal that 2015 is finally here. Don’t want the party to end? Neither does Magnolia House! Stay for a nightcap… literally, and sip on the Magnolia House Nightcap cocktail that shakes up coffee bean Cynar with blanc vermouth and fresh fig bitters. For table reservations and large parties, please contact Magnolia House directly for availability and pricing – seating is limited. Magnolia House will be open for regular service on Wednesday, December 31st from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Magnolia House official New Year’s Eve Party will commence from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am; 492 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; 626.584.1126; www.TheMagHouse.com
MURPH’S:
Looking for a cool, casual spot to fuel your New Year’s Eve cravings in Sherman Oaks? Motor over to MURPH’S, for delicious down-home favorites like the finger lickin’ good Potato Puffs dusted with fresh parmesan and chives, Sweet Corn Soup with chili and bacon, Prince Edward Island Mussels served with smoked sausages and grilled baguette, or the Fried Chicken Sandwich piled high with spicy slaw, bacon, cheddar cheese and pickled jalapeños. The MURPH’S crew wishes everyone a sweet New Year by offering guestsA Complimentary Dessert along with Party Hats and Noisemakers so that you can feel as though you’re right in the middle of Time Square while watching the Ball Drop on one of the bar’s five TV’s and nine foot big screen. Receive A Complimentary Glass of Champagneto toast friends and loved ones once the clock strikes twelve. Staying past midnight? Make sure to sip on MURPH’S signature cocktail, the Oil Change, with bourbon, ginger, honey, lemon and you will be set to start your engines and rev up for a great 2015! MURPH’S will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am; 14649 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403; 818.986.9999;www.MurphsLA.com
SOLITA TACOS & MARGARITAS – VALENCIA:
solita Tacos & Margaritas, New Year’s Eve
No one should begin a New Year hungry, and after a New Year’s Eve dinner at solita Tacos & Margaritas in Valencia, you most certainly won’t be! For only $14.75, the El Primo Taco Taster Plate lets you mix and match four of their incredible tacos including Wood Grilled Ancho Chile Chicken, Oak-Roasted Chipotle Chicken, Pork Carnitas, Chorizo Bacon & Sweet Potato, Crispy Fried Fish, Chile-Garlic Tofu, Wood-Grilled Carne Asada, Red Chile Beef Borracho, Wood-Grilled Fish Mazatlan, Beer Battered Shrimp or Sautéed Mushroom and a choice of one side. We know what you’re thinking, “what more could I possibly want?” How about a sampling from solita’s 40+ unique tequilas, including the Casa Noble Single Barrel that is carefully blended exclusively for solita and their big sister, SOL. Don’t miss the Grande Casa Noble Margarita, shaken tableside, for a chance to experience this rare tequila at its finest. If you are able to keep your taco-induced food-coma at bay, stick around for a Complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight, along with Party Hats, Noisemakers and other festive Party Favors! solita Tacos & Margaritas Valencia will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm with the bar remaining open until Midnight; 24201 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 3470, Valencia, CA 91355; 661.291.1399; www.solitatacos.com
solita Tacos & Margaritas, New Year’s Day
For a skinny-licious start to 2015, join your friends at solita Tacos & Margaritas in Valencia for a Skinny Burrito stuffed with Ensalada Picada, your choice of protein, cotixa, avocado and crunchy tortilla strips inside of a red burrito wrap. Pair your Skinny Burrito with a solita Skinny Margarita that is a little less sweet and little more tart for a deliciously guilt-free New Year’s Day feast. Do your New Year’s resolutions begin on January, 2nd? Then you’ll want to order the Bulldog – a refreshing beer/margarita made with Agavales blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, Jarritos grapefruit soda and an upturned Coronita all in a monster-sized goblet. And you can’t order a Bulldog without it’s ultimate partner in crime, the El Panzón’ “Big Belly,” which is like a Mexican calzone – a single flour tortilla folded and super-stuffed with meat and cheese, butter-crisped on the comal, topped with guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and salsa fresca. If that doesn’t have you howling, we don’t know what will! solita Tacos & Margaritas will be open on Thursday, January 1st from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm with the bar remaining open until Midnight; 24201 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 3470, Valencia, CA 91355; 661.291.1399; www.solitatacos.com
THE RAYMOND 1886:
Spend the last night of 2014 drinking and dancing to the beats of DJ Heat Maxwell & WLDCT as we count down to 2015 at The Raymond & 1886 Bar’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Bash! Make your way to the bar for a festive collection of celebratory libations including Barman Peter Llyod Jones’ favorite seasonal sipper, the Huckleberry Sour, a bourbon sour made with huckleberry jam, fresh lemon and singed rosemary. The Raymond’s Executive Chef Tim Guiltinan will be providing delicious shared plates to satisfy famished partygoers from 10:00 pm to 12:30 am. Ticket prices will include Live Entertainment a Champagne Toast at Midnight and classic Party Favors. Insider tip: purchase your party tickets ahead of time at www.EventBrite.com and score a “Friends & Family” discount of $20.00 when you enter the code “RAY86!”
If you’re planning to party the night away into the wee hours of 2015, chances are you will want some dinner to go with it. Kick off New Year’s Eve with Executive Chef Tim Guiltinan’s special Five-Course New Year’s Eve Menu for $115.00 per person, or $135.00 per person for the second seating, including access to 1886 Bar’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Bash. The indulgences begin with a choice of Baked Potato Gelato & Smoked Wild Steelhead Roe with “all the fixins,” or the Micro-Farmed Massachusetts Oyster with vanilla bean and champagne. Next up you’ll select from a Wild Fijian Albacore with pear, chili, miso and kumquat or a buttery Roasted North Atlantic Scallop served atop black trumpets, winter squash and wild basil. For the Third Course enjoy either A Warm Soup of Potato & Parmesan garnished with shaved Oregon black truffles and freshly grated nutmeg, or the Whisper Farm’s Arugula & Winter Fruit, a salad of aged pecorino, golden beets and a honey-walnut vinaigrette. Main course offerings include a vegetarian Artichoke Ravioli, Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast, North Pacific Cod and a classic Dry Aged New York Steak. You’ll want to save room for Dessert to sample the delectable Manjari Chocolate Custard served with caramelized banana, sable chocolát and rum roasted banana-dulce de leche ice cream. But wait – there’s more… A Dulce Chocolate Truffle provides a final sweet bite and added caffeine jolt to keep your energy pumping until 1886 Bar’s countdown to 2015! Early Seating: Available in The Dining Room between 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm for $115.00 per person. Second Seating: Available between 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm for $135.00 per person (Includes access to 1886 Bar’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Bash). A credit card is required to hold the reservation with a 48-hour cancellation policy. 1250 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com
TIPPLE & BRINE:
What better way to say goodbye 2014, than with Champagne & Oysters? Head over to Tipple & Brine in Sherman Oaks this New Year’s Eve for bivalves, bubbles and a delicious seafood feast! All guests will receive a surprise New Year’s Eve Amuse Bouche compliments of Tipple & Brine to start the evening, and then begin with favorites from the Raw Bar including Hamachi with lime curd, chili relish and peanuts, a Salmon Tartare with lemon aioli, pickled ginger and celery served with brioche, and of course a dozen or so of the day’s best Oysters. Make it a point to order the decadent Sea Urchin Toast with avocado mousse, radish and scallions, and the Fried Octopus with squid ink aioli, eggplant, shishitos and mojo to share. For Entrées, the Market Fish served atop black lentils with pancetta relish and a delicate herb salad is cooked to perfection, while the Seafood Stew with clams, mussels, gulf shrimp and rockfish in a tomato and fennel broth is the perfect wintertime fix. Though there will be a Complimentary Champagne Toast at Midnight (with Noise Makers and Party Favors too!) guests will also want to try either the New Year’s Sour crafted with whiskey, lemon, simple sugar, bitters and a cabernet float or the Grapefruit Twist with champagne, grapefruit liqueur, vodka, grapefruit twist, lemon, honey and a lemon twist. Hello, 2015! Tipple & Brine will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 4:30 pm to 2:00 am; 14633 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403; 818.528.2580; www.TippleandBrine.com
TUNNEL BAR:
Celebrate a Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at Tunnel Bar! The exclusive bar and lounge above Tipple & Brine will be open late this New Year’s Eve, serving up a pair of specialty cocktails all-night-long. The serious cocktail aficionado will appreciate the Candidate, made with rye whiskey, honey and grapefruit juice. Meanwhile those wanting something a bit lighter, but equally delicious to sip on should try the Countdown a sparkling mix of Appleton rum, Aperol, lime, honey and Prosecco. Those staying to watch the ceremonious ball drop on the big screen will receive Party Hats, Noise Makers and Complimentary Glass of Champagne when the countdown to 2015 begins. Access to Tunnel Bar is granted through Tipple & Brine. Tunnel Bar will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am; 14633 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 828.528.3434; www.TunnelBarLA.com
VENICE WHALER:
Venice Whaler, New Year’s Eve Dinner
Those looking for a delicious way to kick-off the evening can enjoy a special New Year’s Eve Prix-fixe Menu at the downstairs Crab Shell Bar before the party really gets going at 8:00 pm. Sit down to a three-course menu showcasing seasonal winter specialties curated by the Venice Whaler’s Executive Chef Nick Liberato. The First Course will offer a choice of Smoked Tomato Soup with fennel pollen, crème fraîche and chives or a dish of Roasted Beets with goat cheese, toasted pistachios and peppery wild arugula. For the Main Course, sample the traditional Grilled Branzino with macadamia nuts, olives and fresh oregano or Slow Braised Short Rib served atop creamy polenta with a zesty lemon-shiso gremolata (a vegetarian option will be available upon request). Dessert will be a light, sweet and savory Strawberry Basil Napoleon layered with fresh cream, lemon and celery. Dining at the Venice Whaler this New Year’s Eve doesn’t just promise a fantastic meal. Those indulging in the prix-fixe menu for $65.00 per person will also be able to choose from one of Bar Manager Anthony Settecase’s hand-crafted seasonal cocktails including a Hot Toddy made with brandy, honey, fresh cranberries and mint or a delicious homemade Egg Nog with brandy and fresh nutmeg, as well as gain free access to the evening’s Winter Wonderland bash beginning at 8:00 pm! For New Year’s Eve dinner reservations ($65.00 per person, including admission to Winter Wonderland), please contact the Venice Whaler directly. A credit card is required to hold the reservation with a 48-hour cancellation policy. The Venice Whaler will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 11:00 am to 2:00 am; 10 West Washington Boulevard., Venice, CA 90292; 310.821.8737; www.venicewhaler.com
Venice Whaler,New Year’s Eve Winter Wonderland
A white Winter Wonderland on Venice Beach? Yep, you read that right! It’s going to be a New Year’s Eve to remember at the Venice Whaler, where guests will enter down a Red Carpet frosted with Snow into a mystical Winter Wonderland. Champagne will greet you at the door a Complimentary Glass of Bubbly before you make your way to the upper deck to dance to the tunes spun by a Live DJunder the fresh falling SNOW(alright, it’s from a machine – this is LA after all). Favor a Live Acoustic Band over a top 40 playlist? Then you’ll want to spend the night downstairs in the Crab Shell Bar, where you can also find the Winter-Themed Photo Booth, for perfect take-home souvenirs to remember the magical evening – even if you don’t! Presale tickets to the Venice Whaler’s Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve Bash ($20.00 per person) will be available for purchase by contacting the Venice Whaler directly. Tickets will also be for sale at the door on New Year’s Eve for $30.00 per person. The Venice Whaler will be open on Wednesday, December 31st from 11:00 am to 2:00 am; 10 West Washington Boulevard., Venice, CA 90292; 310.821.8737; www.venicewhaler.com
Venice Whaler, New Year’s Day
If New Year’s Day at the beach sounds like the perfect way start-off 2015, then head right back to the Venice Whaler for a special New Year’s Day Brunch on the boardwalk! Ready to retox? The crowd-pleasing Crab Shell Bloody Mary provides a spicy kick and comes with your very own crab claw. Select your booze to pair with brunch time favorites such as Eggs Benedict, Short Rib Hash, or Fried Chicken & Waffles for ultimate satisfaction. Meanwhile, detoxers will be happy to see Groundworks Coffee, fresh squeezed juices and lighter options like a build-your-own Egg White Omelet and a healthy Kale Salad on the menu. Partied hard and looking to stay in your sweatpants all day? Grab some delicious grub from the Venice Whaler Take-Away window including the eye-opening Day Tripper, a specialty juice that blends lemon, ginger, tomato, cayenne and cucumber, or go for the ultimate hangover cure: a Spicy Street Dog. The Venice Whaler will be open on Thursday, January 1st from 9:00 am to 2:00 am; New Year’s Day brunch will be served from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; 10 West Washington Boulevard., Venice, CA 90292; 310.821.8737; www.venicewhaler.com
