10 Restaurants and Reservation Tips in Los Angeles for New Year's Eve

If you are planning to eat in one of LA's best restaurants, the best thing to do is to plan ahead - meaning, make proper reservations especially when you will be taking someone with you to wine and dine. These usually elegant dining spots accept reservations through phone, online, and even e-mail. Whichever is most convenient for you, make reservations at least a week before your intended date. This way, you avoid the risk of unavailability. Always remember, the holiday season (especially on New Year) is a really busy season so the earlier you make your reservations, the better.

When you make your reservations, introduce yourself, state your intentions to make a reservation (include the occasion if applicable). If it's for a business dinner, state so. Be polite and ask if you can get the 'best table in the house' if it's available, that is. Don't be rude or else, you are most likely to get the worst table. Add a little bit of compliment to their food if you've tasted it or a bit of what you've heard about the place and its food or services. This helps in building rapport and giving enough time to the person taking your call to jot down your reservations properly.

Call at least two hours before your reserved time. This will ensure that things will go smoothly and if there are glitches, you can be aware and then you can make other arrangements. Finally, come on time. Remember that these restaurants have other equally important guests. If you delay, you are causing them time and money.

Now, here are some restaurants in Los Angeles that are famous for both their menu and the ambiance. You may want to check them out this New Year but take note of the tips mentioned above when you make your reservations on any of these restaurants.

Sai Sai Restaurant
501 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-1100
www.thebiltmore.com

Sai Sai boasts of menu of light dishes that are delicious, simple, clean and well-presented. They constantly seek to improve their menus and they have an extensive wine list. This New Year's eve, they will take modern Asian cuisine to the next level as they fuse European and Asian influences together to make your dinner extraordinary. Afterwards, they also have a New Year's Eve Extravaganza from 6PM-10PM. Call or check their website for details and reservations. If you're group if more than 10, make sure to make your reservations at least 24 hours before.

Literati 2
12081 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 479-3400
www.literati2.com

Hailed by Gourmet Magazine as one of the best "farm to table" restaurants in America, this restaurant in West Los Angeles is truly a treasure. They serve lunch, brunch, and dinner. The menu, courtesy of Chef Chris Kidder and his staff, changes often but favorites always stay on the list - octopus bruschetta, prosciutto and burrata, grilled wild salmon, and extraordinarily prepared steaks. Literati 2 also boasts of a full bar with exceptionally exquisite wine list. You can make your reservations through phone, on their website, or through e-mail at reservations@literati2.com. They also have Valet parking located right behind the restaurant (on Bundy Drive).

Il Carpaccio
538 Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 573-1411
www.ilcarpaccioristorante.com

It's an Italian restaurant around Pacific Palisades that gives a way a stylish and elegant design including a beautiful wine bar with an outdoor seating. They are most famous for their artichokes salad and traditional Cortinese organic red beet stuffed pasta with poppy seeds, brown butter, and Parmigiano cheese. The best way to make your reservations is via phone call but you may also do it through their website. There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant for the guests.

Comme Ca
8479 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 360-7965
www.commecarestaurant.com

Feel like French cuisine this New Year? Then this is where you should go. They have traditional Parisian brasserie in a modern setting. Here you can enjoy French classic menu like Steak Frites with Sauce Béarnaise, Soup a l'Oignon and Salade Frisée aux Lardons. They also have a great selection of Cheese both from France and the U.S. Valet parking is available adjacent to the restaurant (west side).

Pastina Restaurant
2260 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064-2018
(310) 441-4655

This is an authentic Italian cuisine with a really great service. They offer antipasti, sensational pastas, fresh fish, hefty veal chops, among other specials. Reservations can be made through phone or email at PastinaFood@AOL.com.

Italy's Little Kitchen
1150 Hermosa Avenue (at Pier Ave.)
(310) 373-7488 or
8516 Lincoln Boulevard (at Manchester)
(310) 645-1220
http://italyslittlekitchen.com

A family owned Italian restaurant and pizza house that offers a menu made from the very healthy and fresh ingredients. It's more casual dining rather than elegant dining. But the ambiance is great. Street parking is available.

Blair's
2903 Rowena Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323)660-1882
www.blairsrestaurant.com

Absolutely delicious food. Try their famous Tuffled Mac and Cheese, Braised Colorado Short Ribs, Linguini with House Made Italian Sausage, and the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms. There's a street parking. Make sure to make reservations especially on weekends because it's a small restaurant but a really good one.

Lucques
8474 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 655-6277
www.lucques.com

Lucques has original dishes that definitely satisfy the palate. When you drop by, don't miss out on the Niman Ranch Beef Short Ribs prepared with sautéed green, pearl onions, and horseradish cream. This restaurant's specialty is balance and deft preparation of blending ingredients and combining flavor. They do not take reservations by email so it's best to call.

Tantra
3705 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 663-8268
www.tantrasunset.com

This is one of LA's rather well-known Indian restaurants. This New Year, you can be more creative by bringing your special someone (or family) to this place. Their Indian cuisine that fuses traditional Indian foods and spices with western appeal is guaranteed to make be worth your money. And ambiance, when added to the equation makes the experience even better. You can make your reservations online but it's probably best to do it by phone. Valet parking is also available.

Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 486-5171
www.ciudad-la.com

Ciudad features flavors of Latin America. It offers traditional but specializes in inventive new dishes influenced by South America's ingredients. They are open till Midnight on weekends and on New Year's Eve. You can make your reservations online (preferred) or by phone.