"Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica is busting out the special hoshigaki (dried permissions) that have been hanging over its dining room for the last month for a special prix fixe dinner on NYE. Look for dishes like a smoked black cod "mosaic," pastina soup with truffles, and gooey Mt. Tam cheese with hoshigaki. Tables can go with a family-style menu of either 6 courses for $125 or 8 courses for $175. Wine pairings are also available for $75 per person. " - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins, garrett snyder