Whether you need to recover from an overzealous New Year’s Eve or just want to start 2016 with a really good meal, Los Angeles chefs are cooking up perfect day-after menus for brunch on January 1. What do they recommend for hangover cures? “Water, sleep and foods with fatty acids,” says Executive Chef Michael Hung of Viviane. “Fried chicken is a perfect cure-all. My personal go-to is pickles.” Here are six restaurants that will kickstart your best year yet with a mouth-wateringly good meal.
Viviane
At the cheery Avalon Beverly Hills, hotel guests will be treated to Viviane’s New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch, plus a Hangover Remedy Kit (Advil, sleep masks, Visine, breath mints, cold pack, and a shot of booze) delivered by room service. For the rest of us, Chef Hung’s January 1 Hangover Brunch features specials like the truly yummy Fried Egg and Porchetta Ham Hoagie, Bone Marrow and Trout Caviar Short Stack of Whole Wheat Blinis, and Roasted Mushroom Bread Pudding with green onion pistou and truffle anglaise. And for a morning-after antidote, try mixologist Ryan Wainwright’s “San Francisco Rooster Shot” which comes with three shots: fresh wheatgrass juice, orange juice and Tapatío Tequila.
The Hungry Cat
For hair-of-the-dog recovery, The Hungry Cat offers a purrfect three-day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 1 through Sunday, January 3 at both their Hollywood and Santa Monica Canyon locations. Seafood-centric options include Soft Shell Crab BLT and their signature Johnny Cakes with Smoked Trout Salad, plus bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys. And for those vowing a raw diet for the New Year (or who are just craving oysters), The Hungry Cat’s Raw Bar will also be open for brunch.
Mr. C
After a late night, continue the festivities in Beverly Hills with a $65 Venetian-style buffet brunch from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Restaurant at Mr. C. Indulge on fluffy pancakes and waffles with sweet Nutella and bananas, a make-your-own omelet station, fresh fruit, yogurt, European cheeses, charcuterie, pastries and Mr. C's signature Cipriani Bellini. After 11 a.m., add to the feast and enjoy classic Cipriani pastas, seasonal salads and desserts.
Artisan House
Your diet can wait another day, because this locals-favorite downtown spot will serve up its breakfast menu, $10 bottomless Mimosas, plus a special $25 buffet filled with tempting comfort foods like Nacho Tater Tots, Mini Kobe burgers, mini Kobe hot dogs and pizzas.
Herringbone
At Chef Brian Malarkey’s chic new Westside hotspot, his brunch menu gives a nod to the local SoCal markets and beach scene with options like his Farmer’s Market Scrambled Eggs and signature Lobster Roll. And ring in the New Year all over again with bottomless mimosas and inspired cocktails like the Peter Rabbit Mimosa with bruised basil lemonade.
The Bellwether
There’s a new brunch in town, and it’s in Studio City. Nibble on Chef Ted Hopson’s worldly comfort foods like Dutch Babies, Crispy Pork Rillettes (yes, Virginia, that is a pig’s ear on top), and Eggs in Purgatory, and drink to forget your hangover with Ann-Marie Verdi’s house-infused signature cocktails including special $8 Bloody Marys (a meal in a glass, garnished with a mini BLT) and $5 Mimosas.
