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The Morning After: New Year's Day Brunches

Ask a hundred people, and you're likely to get a hundred different recommendations for how to heal a hangover: Coconut water, Diet Coke, V8 juice or maybe a little hair o' the dog… But nothing will breathe new life into a tired, toxic, over-partied body, better than brunch.

While standbys like One Pico, Canelé, Geoffreys, BLD and Taste on Melrose will be open and serving their regular brunch menu, the following restaurants are cooking up something special: a New Years Day brunch to help put you back together after a long night of kissing 2010 goodbye.

Breadbar

8718 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 205-0124

10250 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 277-3770
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Maybe you'll be in the mood for Eggs Benedict with Grilled Salmon, Arugula, and Yuzu Hollandaise on Rustic Millstone bread ($13). Or perhaps French Toast with Tour de France Pan de Mie Loaf, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Whipped Cream and Maple Syrup ($8). Or you might be Jonesing for something sort of Japanesy. If you go to Breadbar (either one of the LA locations), you'll be in luck. Brunch served from 10am – 3pm. Lunch starts at 12pm.

Dominick's

8715 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 652-2335
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There are a host of things to be hungry for in West Hollywood, but only one of them is serving Soft Scrambled Eggs with White Truffles and Brioche ($30) for brunch. If that doesn't satiate the appetite you built up on New Year's Eve, maybe you could go for something sweet, like Nutella Panino ($5) or Polenta Waffles with Strawberries, Whipped Mascarpone and Warm Honey ($9). Or perhaps you'd like some meat – like Grilled Homemade Italian Sausage or Grilled Wild Boar Bacon. Whatever New Year's edible shenanigans you're trying to get out of – or into – Dominick's is a great place to go. Brunch served from 9am – 4pm. Dinner starts at 6pm.

Gladstones Malibu

17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90265
(310) 454-3474
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You've probably been to this Malibu landmark at least once or twice, but have you been back since quasi-owner/former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan brought SBE (Katsuya, Bazaar at the SLS, and XIV) onboard and gave it a $1 million makeover? Gladstones seems to be doing things differently these days and wants you to "Start 2011 at the beach with great food, family fun, and… college football!" Serving up a buffet-style brunch ($30 for food, $50 with bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary's), diners can devour traditional dishes like French Toast Sticks with Maple Syrup, Yogurt and Berry Parfaits and Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Herbs and Smoked Bacon, before wandering over to the bar to enjoy a day of college football-watching fun. Brunch served 10am – 4pm.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

128 Old Topanga Rd.
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-1311
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This Topanga staple has been on Best-of lists since the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, and if your body is feeling out of balance from (perhaps) a little too much booze, you might find harmony at this "woodland restaurant." Great for vegetarians ($33) and carnivores ($37) alike, the traditional holiday buffet includes seared Sonoma Foie Gras with Fruit Cake Brioche, Chocolate Soil, Pink Peppercorn and Five Spice; California Quail (sous vide and roasted), with Chorizo-Corn Bread Stuffing, Chestnut Emulsion and Local Honeycomb; as well as vegan treats like a Grilled Portobello Mushroom with Arugula Pesto, Apricot Sauce, Truffle Oil and Petite Greens; Crispy Vegan "Duck" over Bok Choy, Carrots and Buckwheat Noodles; and Almond Milk Crème Brulee. Items are also available a la carte ($8 - $13). Brunch served 9:30am – 3pm.

L'Épicerie Market

9900 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90323
(310) 815-1600
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If you've wanted to try Thierry Perez's month-old Culver City "European-inspired gourmet market" and café, why not use the first day of the year as your excuse? L'Epicerie is offering their standard menu from 7am- 9pm, which includes French foods and comfort favorites like Pain au Chocolat and assorted pastries, crepes, soups, salads and sandwiches. After 5pm, they start turning out tapas dishes like Marinated Octopus ($4), Pig Trotter ($4), Cassoulet ($7) and Beef Bourguignon ($7). Guests can also sample an assortment of wines, cheeses and Charcuterie, all of which are available for purchase in the retail section of the store.

RH

Andaz West Hollywood Hotel
8401 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 785-6090
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The RH understands you, so they'll be offering detoxifying, vitamin-packed, pick-me-ups like their Mint Berry drink and Green Smoothie, for those who wake up wanting to swear off alcohol in 2011. If those same people happen to change their mind over the course of their meal, the RH has a full bar and specialty cocktails like Fresh Limonatta and the RH Bloody Mary. Diners can enjoy Breakfast Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Chicken, Potato Chips, Fried Egg and Peanut Dressing; Slow Braised Beef Cheek, and Duck Confit, among Chef Sebastien's other Southwestern French a la carte offerings. Brunch served 11am – 5pm.

THE Blvd

Beverly Wilshire Hotel
9500 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 385-3901
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If what you're really in the mood for is the cure for what ails ya, The Beverly Wilshire hotel's restaurant, THE Blvd, is offering a special Bloody Mary presentation. Rumored to be a compilation of the best Bloody Mary's the world has to offer, in-house bartenders will be serving up different seasonings and stylings of the classic cocktail to help ease you into 2011. Full details haven't been released yet, but if Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Meyer Lemon Syrup and Raspberry Butter ($17), New York Bison Steak with Chickpea Puree, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Turnip Reduction ($38), or Eggs Benedict with Parma Ham, Swiss Chard, Grilled Country Bread and Hollandaise ($26), gets your motor going, you should drive down to THE Blvd on New Years Day to sample the show.

Arianna Armstrong is a freelance food and wine writer who eats, drinks and sleeps in Los Angeles. You can read more about her delicious escapades at GrapeSmart.net, FoodTruckTimes.com and MutineerMagazine.com.
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