EVENTS
New Years Eve With Pink Martini
Dec. 31. Celebrate New Years Eve with Pink Martini as they return to the Walt Disney Concert Hall with their unforgettable fusion of Brazilian samba, ’30s Cuban dance and Parisian café. 1 p.m., 10 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 South Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000. www.laphil.com
Big Bang NYE 2012
Dec. 31. Mario Lopez hosts the NYE celebration at Hollywood & Highland that features performances by Cobra Starship, Lupe Fiasco, aerial artists, choreographed sank shows and more. www.bigbangnye.com
Hollywood VIP New Years Eve
Dec. 31. Hollywood is your playground at this NYE bash that spans Hollywood Blvd. and many of its hottest clubs. Packages include VIP entrance to Geisha House, Red Room, Ecco, Playhouse, Las Palmas Block Party (Premiere Supperclub, Angels & Kings, Las Palmas), Ecco and much more. www.hollywoodnewyearseve.com
W Hollywood New Years Eve
Dec. 31. Celebrate 2012 at in the glitz and glamour of the W Hollywood as they offer four distinct rooms: Delphine, Station, The Living Room and The Great Room. Dance all night to DJ Coolwhip, amongst other notable mix masters, spinning tunes until the early morning hours, sip crafted cocktails from an open bar and more. www.whollywoodnye.com
Long Beach Waterfront Celebration
Dec. 31. Downtown’s waterfront amphitheatre comes alive with a flurry of activities and roaming performers, including magicians, face painters and balloon artists. Local live bands play family-friendly music and a trackless train offers free rides along the esplanade between the Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village. At 9 p.m., the sky lights up for an East Coast countdown with a ten minute fireworks spectacular from Rainbow Harbor’s lighthouse peninsula. Free. 5-9 p.m. Waterfront Amphitheater, 300 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach. www.downtownlongbeach.org
Long Beach Pine Avenue Celebration
Dec. 31. Revel in two-square city blocks for a massive outdoor celebration. Love Fool opens the show with a rocking 90s set and an 80s mix that sets the tone for the event headliner: Wayward Sons, a celebrated 70s cover band, which will play for two hours–right up until midnight, when the countdown to 2012 will begin. Also find six outdoor bar areas, food and more. $10 advance/$15 door. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Intersection of Pine Ave. and Broadway Ave., Long Beach. www.downtownlongbeach.org
2nd Annual Black & White Masquerade Ball
Dec. 31. Ring in the new year at Wokcano Santa Monica with music by DJ Frankie, laser light show, complimentary hors d’oeuvres 9-10:30 p.m., and a champagne toast and midnight. Masks and cocktail attire are required. Admission includes party favors and a champagne toast. $40 advance/$50 door/advance VIP. 1413 5th St., Santa Monica. wokcanonewyears.eventbrite.com
NYE Twenty Twelve
Dec. 31. Viceroy Santa Monica teams up with 89.9 KCRW to toast the new year with a poolside party. The party features an amazing line-up of musical entertainment including deejays Garth Trinidad, Aaron Byrd and Valida; along with a premium open bar, Champagne provided by Piper Heidsick, Latin influenced appetizers and “street” tacos. $175. at 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/newyearseve
A Night at the Moulin Rouge
Dec. 31. Ring in 2012 with Show At Barre, and be transported back to thriving 19th century Paris for an evening at the Moulin Rouge. Hollywood’s Vermont Kitchen and Bar, Rockwell Vt. and Barre Vt. offer you the opportunity to dine in the elegance of the Moulin Rouge featuring a French inspired three-course prix-fixe menu while enjoying selections from For the Record: Baz Luhrmann. Three dinner/performance seatings throughout the evening. www.showatbarre.com
Glow Lounge Times Square New Years Eve
Dec. 31. The party at Glow Lounge invokes a little NYC with a midnight ball drop, NYC food carts and special performances by Jonny James, Junior Costa, Steve Elektro, Muri, and surprise guest appearances. $30. Marriott Marina del Rey, 4100 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.448.4815. www.glow-bar.com
Brazilian Celebration at the Queen Mary
Dec. 31. Party in style aboard the historic Queen Mary. Celebrate with music, dancing, party favors and a midnight fireworks show. Marcos Ariel Quarte Lapa Night’s presents the best of pure Carioca music, including Bossa Nova, Samba and Chorinho. Joany’s Samba Show and their stunning Samba Dancers. DJ Chris Brasil playing a variety of Brazilian beats. 818.566.1111. www.BrazilianNites.com
Rush Street
Dec. 31. Dine on dinner specials downstairs and then hit the real party upstairs starting at 8 p.m. Dance to tunes by a live DJ, reserve couches and tables with bottle service, which also includes chocolate strawberries, balloons and more. Come back Sunday for their hangover brunch. Rush Street, 9546 Washington Blvd., Culver City. www.rushstreetculvercity.com
Brew Years Eve
Dec. 31. City Tavern morphs into a beer garden where you can enjoy unlimited beer, wine and champagne, in addition to a midnight toast. In addition, City Tavern’s notorious table tap booths can be reserved for $100 per person, and includes unlimited table taps, wine & champagne, plus an extra bottle of champagne to toast at midnight. City Tavern, 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City. www.citytavernculvercity.com
DINING
White and Gold Fete Fig & Olive Melrose Place
Dec. 31. Start your night off with a complementary glass of Moët & Chandon champagne, along side a set of white and gold party favors to toast to 2012 at the stroke of midnight. Dine on a four-course dinner menu specially prepared for the occasion by Executive Chef Pascal Lorange accented with dessert samplings by Pastry Chef Andrew LeStourgeon. $150/pp. Fig & Olive Melrose Place, 8490 Melrose Place, West Hollywood, 310.360.9100. www.figandolive.com
Crustacean Beverly Hills
Dec. 31. Crustacean’s countdown around the world begins at “Noon with a Midnight Vibe” with an open brunch menu and endless champagne that kicks off with, Strolling down Abbey Road with The Beatles at 3 p.m.; Samba dancing at Copacabana Beach at 6 p.m.; dropping the crystal ball at Times Square at 9 p.m.; countdown Beverly Hills style on Rodeo Drive at midnight. An a la carte menu will be served from noon-9 p.m.; a prix fixe final seating is from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $189. Extravaganza also features Brazilian dancers, spinning and dancing by a top Hollywood DJ, and pop violinist Yennie Nam, entertainment and themed cocktails. Reservations: 310.205.8990. 9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. www.eventsathouseofan.com
Chaya Brasserie Beverly Hills “Midnight in Paris”
Dec. 31. Angelenos can ring in 2012 at CHAYA Brasserie while enjoying the unparalleled tastes of a “Midnight in Paris” from Executive Chef Harutaka Kishi who draws from his Parisian and Japanese roots for an inspiring menu. CHAYA Brasserie will celebrate with live music and performance from Sora Nova, playing contemporary tunes with a Parisian flair and prix-fixe menus offered at two seatings during the evening. 6 p.m., 9 p.m. 8741 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.859.8833. www.thechaya.com/beverlyhills
Picca
Dec. 31. Dine on a six-course menu that includes a special menu, entertainment, party favors, raffle prizes, a live salsa band from 10 p.m. to close. You can also hit the late night industry party starting at 10:30, that features open bar and bites for $40/pp (reservations required). 9575 west pico blvd, L.A., 310.277.0133. piccaperu.com
New Year’s Eve Under The Stars at The Hotel Wilshire
Dec. 31. Celebrate with panoramic views of LA atop the Hotel Wilshire. Party includes tray-passed d’oevres, buffet by chef Eric Greenspan which includes selections such as bone in rib eye, whole roasted leg of lamb, truffled risotto, lobster tail and more, along with chocolate fondue, and other assorted desserts. Complimentary Bubbly, plus Wilshire Mules, a New Year’s Eve specialty cocktail are included as well. $100/pp. Stay over or return New Years Day for Greenspan’s recovery brunch, which includes his famous pancake lasagna another other breakfast delicacies. 323.413.2151. www.TheRoofOnWilshire.com
LA Market Restaurant
Dec. 31. Kerry Simon creates a three-course prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve that includes marinated Alaskan king crab with ruby red grapefruit, shaved fennel, and oro blanco vinaigrette; and pumpkin ravioli with sage, buerre noisette, and parmesan. 5-10 p.m. JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. www.lalivemarriott.com
The Bazaar by Jose Andres
Dec. 31. Bring your mask and join the “Spanish Masquerade Ball.” Incognito guess can expect multiple dining areas and tray passed tapas. Sip on cave, liquid nitrogen Caipirinhas, and a hosted bar. Cap the night off with deserts in the Patisserie and then dance into the wee hours of the morning. Tickets includes access to the SLS Balroom party. $250, VIP packages available. nyewithsbe.com
Cecconi’s
Dec. 31. Celebrate over a four-course menu and crafted cocktails. Menu features selections such as cream of parsnip soup with white truffle, smoked ahi tuna carpaccio, wood-roast spicy rock lobster and more. 8764 Melrose Ave., L.A., 310.432.2000. www.cecconiswesthollywood.com
Chaya Downtown “New York Nights”
Dec. 31. Soak in the city that never sleeps at CHAYA Downtown as the energetic vibe of New York is brought to CHAYA Downtown featuring a performance from jazz trio saxophonist Anthony Long Trio. Dine on a four course prix-fixe menu, a la carte menu, or omakase sushi lover’s menu, and glass of champagne for a midnight New Year’s toast. 525 S Flower St., downtown, 213.236.9577. www.thechaya.com/downtownlosangeles
Tasting Kitchen
Dec. 31. Dine on a five-course dinner that conjures influences of French, Italian, Moroccan, and Spanish cuisine. Executive Chef Casey Lane also accommodates Ppescetarian and vegetarian preferences. $90/pp, +$45 optional wine pairings. 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.392.6644. www.thetastingkitchen.com
Terranea Resort
Dec. 31. Whether you’re looking for a New Year’s Eve bash, intimate dinner overlooking the ocean or bountiful buffet, Terranea offers it all. Signature restaurant mar’sel is a haven for those in search of a quiet fete, where Chef de Cuisine Michael Fiorelli’s offers his seasonally inspired prix fixe menu with tantalizing selections like truffle poached Pacific oysters, terrine of Sonoma foie gras and prime New York steak Rossini for two. Head to a dedicated ballroom to ring in the new year with music, dancing, champagne, and cash food and bar stations. Families can toast and taste together with an expansive buffet at Catalina Kitchen that includes butter poached Maine lobster, roasted rack of lamb and a myriad of other sweets and savories. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, 310.265.2836. www.terranea.com
M.B. Post
Dec. 31. In addition to your regular menu favorites (bacon cheddar biscuits), dine on a special a la carte menu that features items such as roasted porcini mushrooms, lobster orecchitte gratin with sea urchin and chive, and lamb chops with herbed polenta–all with the option of adding white or black truffles. 1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.5405. eatmbpost.com
Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood
Dec. 31. Choose from three different ways to ring in the new year. Gordon Ramsay offers an early three-course meal ($95), later five-course menu celebration ($145) and a dinner for up to 12, that includes an eight-course menu paired with bubbly as wells as a midnight toast with a magnum of Dom Perignon Rose ’85; followed the next morning with breakfast at Boxwood Cafe Breakfast Table and a day of fun in the sun in a rooftop poolside cabana ($20k). www.TheLondonWestHollywood.com
Drago Centro
Dec. 31. Dine on a four-course Italian tasting menu from chef Ian Gresik that includes selections such as Main lobster salad, wild mushroom spaghetti, filet Mingnon and more. 5- 11 p.m. 525 South Flower St., Suite 120, downtown, 213.228.8998. www.dragocentro.com
Michael’s Santa Monica
Dec. 31. Michael’s Santa Monica offers a six-course menu with selections such as Manchester Farms quail, butter poached lobster, Dover sole and more. The evening also offers endless Champagne and live music starting at 9 p.m. Reservations are required; $175/pp. 1147 Third St., Santa Monica, 310.451.0843. www.michaelssantamonica.com
Mezze
Dec. 31. Feast on an authentic array of house made, Eastern Mediterranean edibles with a three-course meal ($65) with optional wine pairings ($35) created by Chef Micah Wexler. Dinner service is followed by music for guests to groove to while sipping on an open bar ($35) until close. 401 North La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.657.4103. www.mezzela.com
Locanda del Lago
Dec. 31. Celebrate 2012 with a “Bursting with Bubbles” party and five-course dinner. Fête also features an extensive selection of Champagne and sparkling wines by the glass, $25 bottles of Pommery Pop Splits, a live DJ, dancing, midnight toast, and optional $15 overnight parking (with next-day pickup from 5-10 p.m.). $89/pp, includes a complementary glass of prosecco; $135 includes bottomless Pommery Champagne 9-11 p.m. 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, 310.451.3525. www.lagosantamonica.com
WP24 Restaurant and Lounge
Dec. 31. Dine on a six-course indulgent menu with the theme “Several Tastes of Good Fortune.” Chef de Cuisine Sara Johannes menu invites you to indulge in WP24’s signature dishes and upscale Chinese fare. Menu items include live Maine “angry lobster” with spicy Szechuan chilies, fried garlic, black bean dust and Lop Cheung sausage fried rice; and roasted duckling “pecking style” with traditional garnishes, winter wild mushrooms, fresh chilies, scallions and basil. $250. 6 p.m., 9:30 p.m. 900 West Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824.
Malibu Café at Calamigos Ranch
Dec. 31. Toast the new year in the heart of Malibu wine country. Dine on a five-course menu as well as the Café’s hand-crafted seasonal cocktails and extensive wine menu, in the outdoor private cabanas or tables under oak trees lit by chandeliers hanging from the branches. 818.540.2400. www.themalibucafe.com
Gladstones
Dec. 31. Ring in the new year steps from the beach. Dine on a prix-fixe menu and/or join the party at 10 p.m., which features DJ Kick-Mix, a premium hosted bar and midnight champagne toast. $65 dinner, $50 additional for party/$75 party only. Gladstones, 17300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. nyewithsbe.com
Parkers’ Lighthouse
Dec. 31. Ring in 2012 with food, harbor views, live jazz, fireworks and a full bar featuring specialty cocktails and top wine selections. Choose from dining at Parker’s Lighthouse or Queensview Steakhouse, which sits atop Parker’s Light house. 435 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach, 562-432-6500. www.parkerslighthouse.com
The Six Restaurant
Dec. 31. No need to wrestle within prix-fixe menus. The Six offers an a la carte menu with bottomless champagne to all NYE revelers. The Six, 12650 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.761.2319. www.thesixrestaurant.com
Hotel Bel-Air
Dec. 31. Dine on a four course prix-fixe menu with a live band and dancing. Two seatings, 6 p.m., 9 p.m. 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.472.1211. www.hotelbelair.com
Mohawk Bend
Dec. 31. Celebrate over a special NYE dinner highlighting Mohawk’s regular menu in addition to special menu items. Also toast the new year with beer in a keepsake glass. Reservations required: nye2012@mohawk.la. $65. 2141 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., 213.483.2337.
Chaya Venice “Mardi Gras Carnival”
Dec. 31. Beachcombers can enjoy a Carnival-inspired celebration including live music and an appearance by the Gumbo Brothers, an eclectic brass band, who have firmly rooted themselves in the artistic tradition of Venice Beach. Multiple seatings and prix-fixe menus that include Seared Kobe Beef and Fried Oyster Roll; Cajun Spiced Jumbo Shrimp; Crab Gumbo; Lobster Jambalaya; Grilled Angus Fillet Mignon; Half Maine Lobster Tails; Bourbon Braised Short Ribs and more. 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179. www.thechaya.com/venice
Culina, Modern Italian
Dec. 31. Enjoy a number of Italian specialties and traditional dishes. Choose from on each of the three- or five- course prix-fixe menus. Dishes include ahi tuna tartare with ginger and lemon; cauliflower soup with blood orange and chives; short ribs braised in barolo with roasted root vegetable farrotto, braised kale and horseradish gremolata; and more. 300 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.860.4000. www.culinarestaurant.com
Hotel Casa del Mar
Dec. 31. Dine on a gourmet menu specially crafted by Executive Chef Jason Bowlin. In addition, you will be serenaded by the Full Spectrum Band who is performing throughout the evening in the Lobby Lounge. Admission for entry into the Lobby Lounge will be $40. 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. www.hotelcasadelmar.com
Andaz West Hollywood
Dec. 31. Dine on holiday specials in addition to the regular and a la carte menu. 5:30-11 p.m. 8401 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.656.1234. www.westhollywood.andaz.com
Cafe del Rey
Dec. 31. Marina del Rey’s iconic seaside dining destination—celebrates 2012 with a festive prix-fixe menu, served throughout the evening. Select from two seating options: 5:30 p.m. ($65/pp), and 8:30 p.m. ($95/pp, including a glass of sparkling wine). 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.6395. www.CAFEdelREYmarina.com
Katana
Dec. 31. Dine on a five course menu with a champagne toast at midnight. $125. $20 for cover in the bar after 9 p.m. 8439 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.8585. katanarobata.com/katana
Sushi Roku
Dec. 31. Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Hollywood locations all feature a special five-course dinners including a Champagne Toast featuring a trio of appetizers, choice of entree and dessert. www.innovativedining.com