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Community Corner

Make Merry in Mar Vista

From fruits de mer to fruitcake, Mar Vista purveyors stock delicious holiday provisions.

Holiday time means fine foods and entertaining, and usually some high anxiety menu planning. Luckily, holiday specialties abound at the many Mar Vista purveyors of fine foods that take the angst out of Auld Lang Syne. From traditional Oaxacan specialties to imported Japanese delicacies to, well, fruitcake, Mar Vista merchants ensure a rich and delicious array of gustatory delights.

The at the Venice and McLaughlin Center is a well-stocked wonderland of the the  region, including prepared mole, pan dulce, and indigenous herbs and spices. What’s more, will roast an entire tray of pork for your New Year’s dinner—a gorgeously marinated and roasted pierna de puerco feeds 25 holiday guests for $80.00. Order a day in advance, and consider adding in sides of rice or mashed potatoes. You’ll set the table and revel in a made-to-order meal. 11614 Venice Blvd. 310-313-4813.

New Year’s day in Japan is marked with the Osechi feast, a spectacular array of small plates of traditional foods—and marketplace is overflowing with special items for the holiday.  Boxed Osechi meals flown in from Japan were pre-ordered by December 15th–but don’t despair–from December 29th to December 31st you’ll find Osechi sets priced from $20.00 to $60.00.

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The “Miyabi” includes Kuromame, sweet black soybean, Tazukuri, a small dried sardine, and Kurikinton, traditional chestnut paste.  White mochi cakes, made from pounded sweet rice, are an integral part of the holiday. You might stand in line early to ensure your mochi goodies from Fugetsu-do, the venerable downtown sweets maker, carried at Mitsuwa. 

Gold investments usually pay off, which is why gifting the boss with a bottle of Hakushika Yamadanishki Junmai with gold flake is a nice investment for $19.99.  Komodaru sake, a mini cask that mimics the enormous vats popular in Japan, is an adorable and potable presentation for $29.99. 3760 Centinela Ave., 310-398-2113.

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Deanna Kanner drove over from Rancho Park to pick up a two pounds of tomatillo salsa at on Venice Boulevard. She slow cooks pork shoulder in the sauce, and shreds the meat into the verdant juices. “It’s not the holidays without Gallegos,” she smiled.

Amy Gomez, granddaughter of Gallegos founder Jose Gallegos, confirmed that the true holiday rush is for traditional tamales—last week an order for 15 dozen went out to an office party. Vegetarian corn, chicken or pork chile verde, and cheese tamales have graced holiday tables for decades­­­–ever since Jose opened the original Gallegos in Santa Monica in 1946. Tuesday, December 27th is the last day to order for New Year’s Eve pick-up, but a few dozen tamales are usually available on a first come basis—I’d be at the door early. 12470 Venice Blvd. 310-391-2587.

Affable and knowledgeable fishmonger Richard Ramirez offers free shucking of the wide variety of oysters carefully tucked into chipped ice in the impeccable display case at the store on National and McGlaughlin. Live Blue Points, Hood Canal, and Fanny Bay oysters are $1.29 each. Seasonal live Green Lip mussels come in at $4.99 a pound and make a colorful holiday presentation.

“Steam the mussels in white wine with garlic and a little shallots,” suggests Ramirez, “add a loaf of bread, and … mmm!” He points out new holiday items:  “Portabellinis,” portabello mushrooms stuffed with shrimp and artichoke or crab in green chili. A lot of appetizer style for $2.99 apiece. Lobster, crab, and shrimp vie for attention, and customers crowd in. Whole Foods is open December 31st from 7am to 7pm, and New Year’s Day from 10am to 7pm.  11666 National Blvd.

One of the nicest things to make for New Year’s Eve is reservations, and , the one-and-a-half year old spot on Grand View Boulevard, is serving up a lovely prix fixe dinner, including champagne, for $85.00 per person. The four-course menu is online at www.lpcmarvista.com. Owner Benoit Rablat says dinner reservations are filling up fast—but New Year’s Day seatings are on a walk-in basis.

Rablat’s homemade jams are on the counter for a quick gift. He learned to make jams as a boy in the south of France from his aunt. Black Mission fig, Green Texas fig with star anise, and traditionally berry flavors are for sale from $8.00 to $12.00.  3809 Grand View, 310-437-0226

And the fruitcake? Whole Foods is claiming it's cool again. Again? Find out for $21.99.

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