What better way to ring in the New Year than with a big plate of tamales like Grandma used to make? Okay, well, Grandma never made tamales, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t share cherished memories of the great Mexican treats that are so pervasive in our City of Angeles. And while the rest of the country can choke down their own mushy black-eyed peas, we will delight in the guilty pleasures of wishing ourselves a “Happy New Year” with margaritas and enchiladas.

Border Grill

Who says you can’t celebrate New Year’s Eve Mexican-style? At Border Grill in Santa Monica, they are offering up holiday specials right alongside the award-winning establishments that we brought you last week. This year, why not try the four-course meal at the upscale venue that starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs $45 per person? But if you already have your haute dinner plans in place for that particular evening, chef/owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, along with executive sous chef Raymond Alvarez Jr. will not disappoint anytime throughout the year with their take on modern Mexican that comes in the form of sofrito marinated rack of lamb, served with spiced corn, baby spinach, and tequila soaked raisins, or the “Good for you, good for the planet” items that include at least 80 percent plant based ingredients such as the organic roasted eggplant with curried tomato jam, cilantro cous cous, red lentils, and a feta cherry tomato salad.

Border Grill is located at 1445 Fourth St.; 310.451.1655