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More New Year’s Eve Dining Options

Friday, December 31st

The Grill on the Alley in Westlake Village will be cooking up some menu specials like a 24-ounce Prime Rib with creamed spinach for $43.

Ladyface Alehouse in Agoura Hills will be having lots of music, silly hats, and sparkling wine at midnight.  The party starts at 9 p.m.

Safire American Bistro in Camarillo will have live music from guitarist and vocalist Mark Castrillon from 7 p.m. on.

The Sunset Restaurant in Malibu is serving a 4-course meal for $75 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.  After dishes like a warm goat cheese salad, Champagne risotto, a roasted veal chop and Meyer lemon meringue tart there will be a DJ, dancing and party favors.

The Cupcakery in Thousand Oaks will be open until 4 p.m. with party-themed cupcakes.

Where’s the NYE Party At? Check These Restaurants

On Friday  night it’s time to party  like it’s the end of a decade.  Because it is.  Go out in style with some good food on your plate and Champagne in your glass.  Here are a few options in our area:

The Canary  Hotel in Santa Barbara has a multi-tiered airline themed party to offer.  Okay, maybe it’s not the best theme of the year, but you can party downstairs, or in the restaurant, or on the rooftop.  Nibble on hors d’oeuvres, have a 3-course meal, enjoy a dessert buffet, and/or toast the coming of midnight with Champagne.   Listen to a D.J., dance to a live band, and/or watch a movie and have your photo taken.  Tickets range from $40 to $115.

Julienne in Santa Barbara will be serving two seatings on New Year’s Eve: one from 6-8 p.m. ($60) and one from 8:30 p.m.-midnight ($120).  Eat delectable fare on the prix-fixe menus with dishes like halibut tartar, roasted beet salad, and pepper-crusted filet mignon.  Both menus are paired with wine.

Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura is serving a 4-course meal on Friday night for $75.  It comes with a glass of Champagne.  Dishes include choices like lobster bisque, inside-out eggplant Parmigiana, Pacific lobster, and dark chocolate pot de creme.

71 Palm in Ventura is offering a free glass of Champagne with every entree.  On the special menu for the night are dishes like filet of sole almondine, New Zealand rack of lamb, and wild mushroom ravioli.  Entrees run $16-$34.

Bogie’s Bar at the Westlake Village Inn is throwing a Venetian masquerade ball that begins at 8 p.m.  (Certainly a better theme than airline fun.)  A DJ will spin tunes at the mostly outdoor bar while a live band performs next door in the Provence Room.  Roulette and Black Jack tables will be set up and there’s a Champagne toast at midnight.  The cover is $60.  An additional $25 gets you Venetian food tastings.

Tuscany Il Ristorante in Westlake Village welcomes 2011 with a gala dinner and dance that begins at 8:30 p.m.  A 5-course meal plus hors d’oeuvres includes dishes like Maine lobster risotto, petit filet mignon, and Belgian chocolate truffle cake.  The price of $130 includes live music, party favors, and a Champagne toast.

Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks is having a Black-and-White party on New Year’s Eve (also a notch above an airline theme).  The party begins at 9 p.m. and includes a 6-course French dinner with dishes like a cheese souffle, black-and-white bean soup, and a bison filet with herbs.  The price of $85 includes a magic show from Shawn McMaster, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Don’t Open the Kitchen for Service

Last night restaurateur Noah Ellis asked L.A. Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila to leave his establishment, Red Medicine, a modern Vietnamese spot on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.  She and her party had been waiting 45 minutes past their reservation time when he snapped a photo of her and asked her leave.  Ellis posted Virbila’s picture on his site and noted, “Upon asking her to leave, her husband and dining companions were quite upset, and made mention that this may be illegal and was cruel and unfair.   Obviously, she was not discriminated against as part of any protected class, but rather because she is someone we choose not to serve here.”  Um, still wrong dude.  Trying to ruin a restaurant critic’s career because you fear what she might have to say about your business is cowardly in the extreme.  If you can’t stand the heat, don’t open the kitchen for service.

Having worked for Virbila at the L.A. Times while I wrote their “Restaurant News” column for 5 years, I can honestly say that she always had the diner’s interest in mind.  I may not always agree with her food opinions, but I can assure readers that she is a thorough, honest journalist who goes out of her way to maintain her integrity in a complicated media landscape.  Food Editor Russ Parsons says on the L.A. Times website:

A truly anonymous restaurant critic is increasingly rare in a world that revolves around instant communication and a camera is as close as your cellphone. Some media outlets say true anonymity is impossible and, as a result, no longer try to go to great lengths to hide a critic’s identity.

Anonymity is important because restaurant critics function as consumer advocates and want to ensure their meal closely mimics the meal and dining experience that anyone else would get if they were to show up at that restaurant. If the critic is known, the staff can go out of its way to give them special treatment.

Now that her cover is blown, it’s going to be hard for her to continue working as she does.  This seems to be exactly what Ellis had in mind and the hubub has even gotten noticed by the New York Times.  I hate to see bad behavior rewarded so I’m hoping other restaurant critcs like Los Angeles Magazine’s Patrick Kuh and L.A. Weekly’s Jonathon Gold will boycott Red Medicine.  I know I will.

Christmas Dining

We’ve got the skinny on restaurants dishing up everything from menu specials to full fixed-price meals on on Christmas Eve, plus Christmas Day buffets.

At 71 Palm in Ventura, chef Didier Poirier offers up a la carte menu specials like abalone with Champagne sauce ($18), a grilled venison chop with black truffle ($32), and duck a l’orange ($29).  71 Palm will be open Christmas Eve from  5 p.m.

Menu specials can also be found at Jonathan’s at Pierano’s in Ventura on Christmas Eve from 5 p.m. to closing.  There’s duck risotto ($29), breaded halibut with an orange-cinnamon sauce ($32), and lobster ravioli ($22).

At Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks, the Christmas Eve prix-fixe meal is only $40.  Served from 5-10 p.m., dinner begins with garlic-butter shrimp purses, vanilla-infused clam chowder, and nut-crusted barramundi.  The main course is filet mignon Wellington with scalloped potatoes.  For dessert, it’s Serge’s famous Buche de Noel or chocolate Christmas log.

At Gladstone’s in Malibu, the Christmas Eve Dungeness Crab Feast comes with Caesar salad, boiled potatoes, steamed corn, asparagus, and egg-nog bread pudding.  The price is $70 for adults, $30 for children 12 and under.  The meal is available from 2-6 p.m.

At Artisan in Paso Robles, chef Kobayashi presents a 3-course Christmas Eve menu for $58.  Served from 5-8 p.m., dishes include choices like a warm chicory salad with pancetta and egg, Marin oysters with braised leeks, Christmas duck with pecan dirty rice, Petrale Sole and lobster, Yule log with chocolate-brownie ice cream, and holiday creme brulee.

At Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, Bella Vista is serving a 4-course Christmas Eve dinner from 5:30-9:30 p.m.  The price is $110 for adults, $50 for children 4-12.  On Christmas Day, an elaborate buffet will be set up in the La Marina room from noon to 7 p.m.  The price is $95 for adults, $35 for children 4-12.

Cookies with Santa

Saturday, Dec. 18th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

If you haven’t been to the new Santa Monica Place mall yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.  It’s a beautifully designed open-air shopping center with two levels of stores and an entire third floor of fine dining.  The third floor also has gathering spaces with great views and fire pits.  On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be up there snacking on cookies and hot cocoa  that they’re willing to share with kiddies of all ages.  Santa will also be reading from his favorite book of stories.  Just prior to Santa’s visit, the Buckingham Toy Soldier Band will be playing (from 3-5 p.m.)  After dark, the Santa Monica Place Christmas tree gives its own performances of light and music every  half hour.

Maddy’s Market Now Open

A new specialty market has opened in Calabasas called Maddy’s Market.   They emphasize organic produce and grocery items.  There’s a tonic bar to experience along with wellness clinics.  They’ll have full Christmas dinners available for take-out on December 24th.

Los Arroyos Anniversary

Los Arroyos Mexican restaurant is celebrating its one-year anniversary at its Camarillo location inside the Premium Outlets.  Stop by this weekend for menu specials, discounts, and sweet treats to help them party.

Cookie Decorating Fun

Saturday, Dec. 11th, 9 a.m. - noon

Panera Bread in Thousand Oaks is hosting what they call a “cookie decorating experience” from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday.  There is no charge for the event, but donations are being collected for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern California.

Make Cookies with Mrs. Claus

Saturday, December 11th, 2-4 p.m.

Mrs. Claus will be in the kitchen of the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara to entertain children with a holiday cookie baking and decorating workshop on Saturday.  The price is $15 per child.  Call 805-565-8291 to reserve a spot in the kitchen.

Wine Dinner at Saddle Peak Lodge

Thursday, December 9th, 7 p.m.

Vintner Richard Sanford from Alma Rosa Winery will be on hand for a four-course meal paired with his wines at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas.  Dishes include grilled mackerel, rabbit roulade, beef Bourgignon, and Idiazabal cheese.   For the full menu, click here.

More Foodie Gift Ideas

I’ve got even more foodie gift ideas for the holidays.

Italia Deli in Agoura Hills carries nice imported Italian products like San Marzano canned tomatoes, Dalmatia fig spread, and Stella D’Oro cookies–perfect for creating a nice gift basket.

A dear friend might appreciate a subscription to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program).  The Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens in Goleta offers seasonal CSA shares for  as low as $215.  That buys a weekly batch of produce, locally grown, from January 4th to March 10th.  It helps support the farm AND promotes healthy eating (win-win).

Buy a $150 gift card to the wonderful Julienne restaurant in Santa Barbara any time during the month of December, and they’ll throw in a bonus $25 gift card.  Your recipient never has to know, (wink-wink).

A bottle of Champagne makes an elegant gift.  To help you choose which one to buy, Bernard’s Wine Gallery in Calabasas is throwing a Champagne tasting on Saturday, December 4th from 1-4 p.m.  The price is $75 to taste everything from a rare Veuve Clicquot to a Schramsberg Napa Valley Blanc de Blanc to a Extra Dry Prosecco by Fantinel.  The cover charge includes appetizers.

Foodie Gift Ideas

For the December issue of 805 Living Magazine, my Dialed In column featured food gifts for delicious giving.  Here are a few  more fun foodie gift ideas.

Global Gardens in Los Olivos conducts tastings of their specialty food items every day. For $3, shoppers can sample about 14 different products like their award-winning olive oils, fruit-infused vinegars, mustards, and spiced nuts. All food items are either made by owner Theo Stephan or sourced locally. Beautiful gift sets can be purchased in the store or online. For a very special gift, sign someone up for The Global Gardens Olive Oil & Gourmet Food Club. The recipient will be shipped a lovely bottle of olive oil, a fruit-infused vinegar, and two specialty food items like a tin of spiced nuts and a clove of colossal garlic. The price is $44 plus shipping either twice per year or four times per year.

Olive oil appeals to almost everyone, but foodies like me adore finding new and unusual ingredients. While exploring the Avocado Country Store of Morro Creek Ranch, I discovered avocado oil. The smoke point of avocado oil is extremely high—like 894 degrees. Since the best frying happens between 375 and 400 degrees, there is no reason this oil should ever break down while cooking. Ranch Manager Alan Cavaletto advised, “It’s great for popping popcorn. Every kernel will pop.” Cavaletto found this out the hard way since he had become accustomed to adding extra kernels to his pot when using Canola oil. “The first time I used [the avocado oil], I had popcorn all over the kitchen.” Because the Morro Creek Ranch avocado oil has a smooth, very subtle, buttery flavor and a good amount of omega-3 fats, it’s also great for frying eggs and sautéing vegetables. It costs $8 per 12.7-ounce bottle.

Jessica Foster Confections in Santa Barbara has a Chocolate Lovers Club. Recipients of this indulgent gift are blessed with quarterly shipments (around $50 each) of assorted truffles, caramelized almonds, mint-infused truffle sticks and other chocolate goodies.

For a non-edible foodie gift, make your way to Brothers Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos. Brothers Matt and Jeff Nichols have a new cookbook out called Brothers Cuisine. The 242-page, full-color book has 145 recipes including Jalapeno Cornbread, Puree of Sweet Corn Soup with Maine Lobster, and Morel Mushroom and English Pea Risotto. It costs $35.

Judging a Chef Battle

Saturday, December 4th, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

I’ll be at Pacific Sales in Woodland Hills (6100 Variel Ave., 818-737-2900) judging their 4th Iron Chef BBQ Battle.  Celebrity chef Jamie Gwen will take on chef  Steven Terrebonne of Avia in Long Beach.  The battle is sponsored by Pacific Sales, Bristol Farms, and Melissa’s Produce.  The event is free to attend, just bring cans of food to be donated to the hungry over the holidays.  See you there!