New Year’s Eats

Sometimes you don’t want to stand elbow-to-elbow with strangers in a packed bar on New Year’s Eve — you’d rather sit down for a great meal while you sweep out the old year and usher in the new. Whether you want to splurge or save, here are some of the best spots to sit down for a memorable New Year’s meal, including a venerable landmark, cozy neighborhood favorites and some sensational newcomers.

Yamashiro

1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood Hills, (323) 466-5125

Hollywood’s most enduringly glamorous restaurant, with its Japanese gardens, koi ponds and spectacular view of the city lights, turns 100 in 2014. To celebrate its star-studded history, the New Year’s Eve motif will be Old Hollywood Gala, complete with red carpet and spotlights. The prix fixe Asian fusion dinner is $80 for the first seating and $100 for the second, with a deejay and dancing in the Skyview Room.

The Churchill

8384 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood, (323) 655-8384

A casual vibe with a dash of panache makes the Churchill one of this town’s best new places to dine. This stylish neighborhood eatery offers a $45 prix fixe New Year’s Eve menu with an amuse bouche, entrees that include short ribs with chanterelles, and an intermezzo of persimmon peppercorn sorbetta followed by a decadent dessert — one option being chocolate pot au crème with marshmallow and caramelized bananas. Yum.

Cliff’s Edge

3626 W. Sunset Blvd., Silverlake, (323) 666-6116

Silverlake locals love to dine on the garden terrace at Cliff’s Edge. Their New Year’s Eve five-course prix fixe dinner is $85 at the early seating and $105 at the later one. Included on the menu are delicacies like poached oyster with uni, squid ink and champagne; hen’s egg poached with parsnips and white truffle; and pistachio Pavlova. Wash it all down with complimentary champagne.

Hinoki and the Bird

10 W. Century Drive, Los Angeles, (310) 552-1200

This Silk Road-inspired restaurant opened in December 2012 to rave reviews for its modern cuisine and minimalist interior of wood, steel and glass. On its first New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will be overtaken by the colorful, bustling spirit of Tokyo as chef/owner David Myers draws inspiration from his travels there. In addition to the à la carte menu, there will be sake tastings, Tokyo street food and music throughout the night.

Ink.

8284 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 782-9245

Chef Michael Voltaggio doesn’t announce his New Year’s Eve theme until the last minute, but expect the extraordinary (and make your reservations now). Last year’s $150, 12-course tasting menu was inspired by Salvador Dali’s cookbook and offered dishes like “Peacock l’Imperiale Surrounded by Its Court” and “Salade Composed According to Alexandre Dumas.” We can’t wait to see what Voltaggio’s muse will suggest this year.

Bar Pintxo

109 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 458-2012

Paella is the specialty of the house at this award-winning tapas restaurant — and the prix fixe all-you-can-eat New Year’s Eve buffet is just $35. Don’t eat so much that you’re too stuffed to enjoy the deejay, dancing and an old Spanish tradition — a Cava toast served with 12 grapes, one for each month of the coming year.

—Maxine Nunes, Brand Publishing Writer