This time of year, seemingly every restaurant in the city offers special holiday menus. Here are five meals that seem like sure bets.

Marino
6001 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323 466 8812

On Christmas Eve, Marino Ristorante is hosting its 27th annual La Vigilia, a traditional Neapolitan Christmas Eve feast that’s also known as Feast of the Seven Fishes. Naples native Ciro Marino prepared the first feast in 1983. He passed away earlier this year, but the Marino family is carrying on the tradition. Maria and children Rosanna, Mario (La Bottega Marino) and Sal (Il Grano) will prepare a lavish 10-course meal for $59 per person. They avoid meat and dairy, as tradition dictates, but you’ll find Insalata di Rinforzo (“reinforcement salad”), Insalata di Baccala, Vongole Arreganate, Calamari Ripieni, Baccala Fritto and Baccala in Umido - two preparations of salt cod – plus desserts like Souffle de Pannettone and Roasted Chestnuts.

Whist
1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310 260 7511

On Christmas day, new Whist executive chef Tony DiSalvo his take on a traditional holiday feast. From 5:30 PM – 10 PM, his Christmas buffet is available either in the dining room or on the heated patio. $75/person plus tax and gratuity. Children 12 and under are $25. No charge for children 5 and under.

No matter where you gorge, your first course consists of chestnut soup with lobster, tarragon and Sherry froth.

Here’s the full spread:

Chilled Assorted Shellfish Platter
Terrine Platter
Smoked Salmon, Caviar, Cress, Crème Fraiche
Duck Confit Salad, Fennel and Blood Orange

Carving Station
Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Horseradish Cream
Spice Roasted Leg of Lamb, Mint Gremolata

Accompaniments
Yorkshire Pudding
Parsnip, Celery Root, and Apple Gratin
Rosemary Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Mushroom and Spinach Ragout with Sausage, Pine Nuts, and Raisins

Dessert
Naughty and Nice Hot Cocoa
Candied Tangerine/Bittersweet Chocolate Brownies
Egg Nog Tarts
Winter Fruit Crumble

To drink, consider seasonal cockails like the Mistletoe with Hendricks Gin, agave nectar, soda, rosemary, mint, sage, lime ($15); the Candy Cane Martini with Stoli Vanil vodka, crème de cacao, peppermint cream, and candy cane ($15). Whist is also offering a $25 Wine Lover’s menu, with bottles like Cakebread 2007 Napa Chardonnay (normally priced at $100), Foley 2007 ‘Rancho Santa Rosa’ Santa Rita Pinot Noir (normally priced at $90) or Stags’ Leap 2005 Petite Syrah Napa Valley (normally priced at $100).

Rustic Canyon
1119 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310 393 7050

On New Year’s Eve, the later seating is more elaborate and includes a midnight Champagne toast. At Rustic Canyon, the early seating costs $65 per person and Executive Chef Evan Funke’s menu includes duck rilettes with confit garlic, cornichons and stone ground mustard; roasted artichoke panzanella with burrata, pickled chilies and green olives; goat cheese tortellone with fresh mint; and a choice of roasted diver scallops with caramelized cauliflower, toasted almonds, golden raisins and caper brown butter OR lamb osso buco with saffron fregola sarda and charred escarole. Pastry chef Zoe Nathan is contributing a trio of New Year’s Sweets: chocolate pound cake with vanilla ice cream, coffee cream puffs and passion fruit tarts. The later seating costs $95 per person and includes Champagne and one additional course: hamachi crudo with fennel, radish and persimmon vinaigrette.

Rivera
1050 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213 749 1460

On New Year’s Eve, RIVERA not only features John Rivera Sedlar’s cutting-edge Latin cuisine, you’ll also find innovative bartender Julian Cox’s bottomless cocktail party.

The early seating runs from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, features six courses and costs $75 per guest. Early or late, wine pairings are available for either $50 or $75. Here’s the menu:

AMUSE
Chilled Oysters, Black Caviar, Lemon Caviar

SOUP
Maine Lobster, Corn, Green + Red Chile

APPETIZER
Foie Gras, Anejo Gelee

FISH
Turbot, Fava Beans, Artichoke, Thai Basil

FOWL
Duck, Cranberries, Tarragon, Bordeaux

DESSERT
Pears, Blueberry Crema, Pomegranate

The late seating runs from 9 PM – 10 PM, features eight courses and costs $110 per guest. Early or late, a $100 deposit is required to reserve a table. The late menu features every dish from the early seating, plus pre-dessert “Champagne Clouds,” plus petite fours: bonbons, tuiles and coconut espuma.

Julian Cox’s Bottomless Cocktail Party runs from 11 PM – 12:30 AM and includes unlimited cocktails from a special cocktail list, including punches like the Tejocote Punch, a collaboration between Chef Sedlar and Cox that incorporates jarred tejocotes from Guelaguetza, piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar), prunes, cinnamon sticks, guava, pear, apple, tamarind pods, water and dried hibiscus blossoms. Cox finishes assembly by shaking two ounces of ponche with an ounce of Mezcal and orange bitters and providing a skewer of tejocote, Fuyu persimmon and tamarind bean. The cost of the cocktail party is $50 per person. Book a space at the bar or in the lounge.

RH at Andaz
8401 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323 785 6090

On New Year’s Day from 10 AM – 5 PM, RH Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault is offering a day-after Detox Brunch at Andaz West Hollywood. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MENU, which includes options like slow braised beef cheeks ($20) with button mushrooms and rainbow carrots, Boothbay Harbor lobster open ravioli ($22) with bisque sauce, and fresh-shucked Fanny Bay oysters ($16) with shallot vinegar and roasted pork sausage. To drink, you’ll find detox cocktails ($7) that incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables.

Related Posts

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2. Innovative Dining Group Introduces Appetite Stimulus Menus
3. Church & State – Los Angeles, CA – February 6, 2009
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