A Guide to the Best of Southern California : FOOD : Holiday Pudding

A BLAZING Christmas plum pudding is as traditional in the British Isles as the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is here. Gilliland’s the Irish fondness for spiced-fruit mixtures, which originally included plums. Today, the pudding is a mellow melange of raisins, candied fruits, almonds, dark beer, honey and spices.

Available now through the holiday season, the puddings sell for about $15 per pound and can be shipped anywhere in the country.

Gilliland’s Cafe, 2424 Main St., Santa Monica; (213) 392-3901.