NEW YEAR’S EVE NOHO STYLE

Getting into all the NYE celebration action are two North Hollywood favorites determined to help foodies and revelers ring in the New Year right.

From the folks at Bow & Truss, diners can enjoy a four-course meal, including vegan options, for $50. Start dinner with a tasty Tuna Tartare appetizer served with olives, garlic, shallots on a house made cracker.

First your second course, choose between soup or salad, including a delicious vegan Tomatican Soup made with corn and tomato soup (yeah, I think they made that word up), or go for the Minted Fava Bean Salad with fava beans, fresh mint, Romaine lettuce, cucumber, and lemon honey vinaigrette. This option is also vegan. I say go for the soup, its way tastier, and just seems more appropriate on a chilly NYE night.

For your entrée, choose between vegan Paella Primavera, with zucchini, broccolini, squash, mushrooms, baby heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and micro cilantro, or the heartier Prime Striploin with pan de crystal, grilled onions and duck fries. I say for the prime strip, unless you vegan, in which case the paella is pretty solid too.

And make sure to get the new cocktail on the menu as the Titian Harvest, made with Cold Cock Herbal Whiskey, Diplomatico Anejo Rum, Dry Curacao, honey and lime is a stiff yet sweet orange-spiced medley.

Not to be outdone, the nearby Federal Bar has come up with a four-course prix fixe dinner for $75, which includes a glass of beer or wine, and champagne toast at midnight. Considering the lackluster cocktails at Federal Bar, you’re better off with a beer or wine option.

Start dinner with an appetizer—your choice of Baked Herb Goat Cheese, Butter Poached Shrimp, or Chorizo Filled Dates with Manchego fondue. I say go for the dates, they were pretty killer. The shrimp dish was a close second.

There are two great salad options—the wonderful Crispy Brussels Sprouts with spinach, crumbled goat cheese, with pancetta and blackened onion, kissed with balsamic, or Winter Greens with roasted pear almonds and pecorino with Dijon vinaigrette. Both are fab but the Brussels were just a tad more satisfying.

For your entrée, choose from Pan Seared Halibut (it was too dry when I tasted it), Roasted Squash Ravioli (too dry for my liking), and the tantalizing and tasty Grilled Rib Eye with garlic roasted cauliflower puree and mustard greens, and chimichurri. The steak was outrageously delicious.

Dessert won’t blow you away but your options include Choco Taco—sweet waffle taco dipped in ganache and filled with deep chocolate mousse—or Cream Cheese Butter Cake with house made salted caramel ice cream.

My favorite of all these dishes was the Federal Bar’s Grilled Rib Eye, however, dinner is cheaper and Bow & Truss and the cocktails are better. Either way, it’ll be a fun NYE of good food in NoHo.

Bow & Truss is located at 11122 Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood; and The Federal Bar is located around the corner at 5303 Lankershim Blvd.

Story by Jose Martinez