11 New Restaurants for New Year's Eve

Anne Fishbein

Picca

On New Year's Eve, restaurants celebrate with live bands, festive décor, theme dinners, exceptional ingredients, multi-course meals, tasting menus and endless glasses of bubbly. How to choose the best spot? We've selected 11 restaurants that opened in 2011 to represent a sampling of those that will be offering special menus for the holiday. Reservations are recommended for all locations, listed below in alphabetical order.

11. Bäco Mercat
What's special: "Bäco" sandwiches from chef Josef Centeno of the Lazy Ox Canteen in a casual-chic setting. New Year's Eve menu: The $80 meal for two features suckling pig slow-roasted for 18 hours. Added kick: The event flyer says "pigs symbolize progress" in countries including Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Austria. It's either because the animals "never move backwards" or because they "push their snouts forward" when foraging. Info: 408 S. Main St. Downtown, (213) 687-8808.

10. Ink.
What's special: Modernist cuisine from a Top Chef winner with his own Williams Sonoma line who has a partnership with Williams Sonoma and more than 12 130 thousand Twitter followers - Michael Voltaggio. New Year's Eve menu: For $125, Ink. will offer five courses, champagne, and a "special gift from the chef." A selection of drinks ($75) is optional. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar. Added kick: Experience the culinary benefits of modern technology at Voltaggio's hands - liquid nitrogen, hydrocolloids, sous vide, dehydration, high-heat roasting... Info: 8360 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-5866.

Anne Fishbein

Le Comptoir

9. Le Comptoir at Tiara Cafe
What's special: Chef Gary Menes offers a different five-course menu every night at the counter ("le comptoir") of quirky-cute Tiara Café. New Year's Eve menu: Menes says he'll feature extravagant ingredients - foie gras, and possibly black truffles and caviar. Seatings at 6, 8, and 10 p.m. are $46. Add courses for no extra cost at 10 p.m. Added kick: It's a pop-up! Le Comptoir's residency at Tiara Cafe isn't likely to last until next New Year's. Info: 127 E. Ninth St., dwntwn, (424) 571-3536.

8. Mezze
What's special: A contemporary take on Middle Eastern dishes with California ingredients. New Year's Eve menu: Choose among flatbreads, small plates, vegetables, main plates (hen, lamb, Alaskan grouper, or steak), and desserts to form a three-course meal for $65. From 11-2 a.m., enjoy an open bar and live music for $35. Added kick: The small plates are meant for sharing - or "mezze" in Arabic. Info: 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., W. Hollywood, (310) 657-4103.

7. Perch
What's special: This art deco-styled rooftop restaurant and bar offers a French-inspired menu. New Year's Eve menu: Pear salad, lobster bisque, oysters, Tournedos Rossini (beef tenderloin), squash lasagna, John Dory fish, beignets, and apple and fig tart. Dinner costs $75 (6-6:30 p.m.), $100 (8-8:30 p.m.), or $125 (10-10:30 p.m.). Pay $60 for just the champagne toast and live music. Added kick: The breathtaking view of downtown L.A. from the 15th floor of the historic Pershing Square Building. Info: 448 S. Hill St., Downtown, (213) 802-1770.

6. Picca
What's special: Peruvian izakaya from chef Ricardo Zarate of Mo-Chica, the acclaimed lunch counter in a warehouse marketplace south of downtown. New Year's Eve menu: Six-courses, family style for two seatings - 6-7 p.m. ($95) and 9:30-10:30 p.m. ($145). Items include shrimp chowder, sea bass escabeche, octopus tiradito, fried morcilla, grilled black tiger prawns and estofado de carne (beef stew). Added kick: Celebrate with a salsa band, party favors and raffle prizes. Info: 9575 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., (310) 277-0133.