Best Of LA - Week Of December 29
Winter spirit is alive and well in Los Angeles, with plenty of festive holiday cheer options this week. Let your kids play in the snow or take them to Grinchmas to visit with the Whos in Whoville for one last chance at partaking in the Christmas spirit. Celebrate the coming year across Los Angeles at a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, and unique venues featuring specialty menus, celebratory drinks, and the perfect ambiance for a festive New Year; and don't miss the Rose Parade on New Year's Day! Still hungry? Don't miss a brand-new brunch offering or the chance to celebrate the world's most famous pasta.
Snow Days
Kidspace Children's Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
www.kidspacemuseum.org
Southern California may not have been blessed with a White Christmas, but that doesn't mean your family can't enjoy the cold, soft, white powder. Break out your mittens, boots, and snow hat for a day of winter wonderland fun at the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. The real snow fun is complemented by live performances, craft making, an igloo village, snow themed story time, weather station, and science lessons teaching kids to understand snowfall, even if we don't get a lot of the actual stuff from the sky.
Grinchmas
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Through the end of the year, your family can still get into the holiday spirit at Grinchmas, taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood. Photo ops with the Grinch and his dog Max, story time with Cindy Lou-Who, cookie and ornament decorating, and a singing dancing Who-ville extravaganza during the Studio Tour Backlot Who-bilation continue the festive spirit through January 4. Grinchmas and all its festivities are included with regular admission.
Celebrate New Year's Eve
Various Locations
There's much to do in Los Angeles and Orange County this New Year's Eve that we've dedicated entire articles to the fabulous fun you can find across Southern California. Have a ball counting down to the new year at one of these New Year's Eve parties including events at restaurants, bars, lounges, and even onboard boats. If you are looking for an extravagant New Year's Eve meal, consider one of these great LA restaurants (and OC establishments as well) boasting a la carte, prix fixe, and buffet style bites and drinks to take you through the new year.
126 Annual Rose Parade
Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 795-4171
www.tournamentofroses.com
This SoCal tradition can't be missed. Find a spot along Colorado Boulevard to watch as beautiful flower and plant adorned floats, along with plenty of live entertainment, bands, equestrian groups, and more, promenade down the street in festive New Year style. The tradition, which spans more than 100 years, requires 80,000 hours of combined manpower to present. This year's theme, "Inspiring Stories," allows onlookers to enjoy stories of the enduring human spirit celebrating those who have loved, persevered, and accomplished much on behalf of others. Reserved grandstand seating available.
Abbot Kinney First Fridays
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90066
www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com
Since 2008, Abbot Kinney First Fridays has featured a variety of merchants, artisans, live music, products, food, and family-friendly fun each first Friday of the month. Spanning Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, the evening attracts thousands of visitors enjoying the beach community's unique and funky vibe.
Prufrock Pizzeria Brunch
Prufrock Pizzeria
446 South Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 985-4331
www.theregenttheater.com
The newly opened Prufrock Pizzeria and The Love Song Bar, which recently opened their doors in LA's famed and newly renovated Regent Theater, has just launched a weekend brunch giving DTLA weekend warriors the chance to enjoy their special breakfast pizza offerings. The Saturday and Sunday brunch menu includes unique breakfast pizzas such as the Blackberry Brie Pizza, with Brie cheese, blackberries, blueberries, honey drizzle and basil; the Patata Pizza, with smoked mozzarella, gruyere, pancetta, roasted potato, leek and red onion topped with basil; the Frisée E Poached Egg Pizza, with grated & smoked mozzarella, topped with frisee poached egg, lemon vinaigrette and optional pancetta; and Truffled Egg-in-a-Hole, an egg poached in focaccia with mozzeralla, pecorino, and truffle oil. Additional options include skillets, themed specialty cocktails, and bottomless mimosas.
Celebrate National Spaghetti Day
Gusto
8432 W 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-1778
www.gusto-la.com
Enjoy an interesting twist on a familiar favorite this Sunday as you celebrate National Spaghetti Day, in honor of the long cylindrical pasta of Italian origin. Executive Chef Vic Casanova, of the award-winning LA Restaurant Gusto, is known for his famed handmade pasta program that infuses squid ink into their pasta for a gourmet twist on the traditional spaghetti. His must-try Black Spaghetti is topped with tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives, anchovies, and calabrian chili.
