10 Cheap Restaurants for New Year's Eve

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Last week, we listed 11 new restaurants open for New Year's Eve. All will present special menus -- at "special" prices ranging from $46 to $475.

Prefer to not break the bank for New Year's? We've selected ten restaurants where you can dine for less than $30 per person (not including drinks) past midnight. They represent a variety of cuisines, and are scattered around greater Los Angeles. (Check out our map for locations.) And all promise to be more festive than your local fast food joint. Anything cheap and exciting that we've missed? Add it in the comments.

10. Canter's Deli
Cuisine: Jewish delicatessen. Vibe: At 80-years-old, Canter's is a dependable deli and classic L.A. landmark. Menu: Matzah ball soup, multi-layer sandwiches, corned beef, brisket, and baked goods are popular items on the vast menu. New Year's Eve Hours: 12 a.m.-12 a.m. Info: 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District, (323) 651-2030.

9. Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
Cuisine: Italian. Vibe: Neighborhood pizza parlor down to the red-checkered tablecloths and colorful Italian paraphernalia. You can only make a reservation for six-16 people. Without one, be prepared for a considerable wait. Menu: Casa Bianca offers pastas, salads, chicken and appetizers, but you want the pizza - thin, crispy, and cut into idiosyncratic parallelograms. New Year's Eve Hours: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 1650 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, (323) 256-9617.

8. Guelaguetza
Cuisine: Mexican (Oaxacan). Vibe: Cheery, festive and comfortable, welcoming to oaxaquenos as well as Angelenos of all stripes. Menu: At the Mid-City location beginning at 9 p.m., pay $25 per person for a buffet grande: Moles, tacos, chicken, spaghetti, salads, beans, rice, chips, salsa and guacamole. Plus a champagne toast at midnight and live music by Latin Wood. The Lynwood spot will offer its regular menu - and mariachi accompaniment. New Year's Eve Hours: Mid-City: 8 a.m.-2 a.m., Lynwood: 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Info: 3014 W. Olympic Blvd. Mid-City, (213) 427-0608; and 11215 Long Beach Blvd #1010 Lynwood, (310) 884-9234. Reservations recommended.

7. La Sandia
Cuisine: Mexican. Vibe: Take in the beach-views at La Sandia's sleek rooftop spot in the recently renovated Santa Monica Place. Menu: At $29, La Sandia may be offering the least-expensive New Year's tasting menu in L.A. Courses include an appetizer (guacamole, corn soup or sopes), entrée (chicken, chile relleno, enchiladas, cochinita pibil or tacos) and dessert (churros). Hours: 4 p.m.-last seating at 11 p.m. Info: 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, (310) 393-3300.

6. Night + Market
Cuisine: Thai. Vibe: Chef Kris Yenbamroong's Night + Market is attached to Talesai, his parents' well-known Thai restaurant. The style is informal, spare and bright. Menu: Expect the aroma of garlic, fish sauce, and grilling meat. Also expect pig parts among the meat options: belly, ribs, grilled collar, whole hock, and fried ears and tails. Poultry (such as duck stew), seafood (possibly broiled salmon head for New Year's, says Yenbamroong) and noodles (including pad Thai) are on the menu too. Beer "towers" (3.4 liters) will be offered at a discounted $25 price. Hours: 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (last call at 11 p.m.) Info: 9041 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 275-9724. Reservations recommended.

Anne Fishbein

Night + Market