Photo courtesy of Wise Sons.
Latkes and brisket and kugel, oh my! Hanukkah 2021 begins on Sunday, November 28. See below for recommendations for places to celebrate in person or virtually, and where to get brisket, latkes, noodle kugel, matzo ball soup, and rugelach for Hanukkah dining.
A Jewish deli that began in the Bay Area to great acclaim, Wise Sons recently opened its first LA outpost in Culver City. Celebrated for both its classics and elevated takes on standard deli dishes, Wise Sons offers numerous options for Hanukkah catering. Try their chicken broth with matzo balls, braided challah, potato latkes, roast chicken, cinnamon or chocolate babka, and rugelach. You can place your order online. Place your order no later than 9 am. two days before delivery.
The Original Farmers Market will celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of a giant menorah every night throughout Hanukkah. In addition, two kid-friendly activities will take place here on Sunday, December 5: The Chanukah Pajamikah! Show with Doda Mollie at 1 p.m., followed by Hand-On Chanukah Activities with PJ Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
2nd & PCH, a coastal urban village in Long Beach, is hosting a free Grand Chanukah Extravaganza on Sunday, November 28, the first night of Hanukkah. First, a menorah lighting will take place on the 2ND & PCH grand staircase at 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Abba Perelmuter. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will speak after the lighting. Lively entertainment will include a stilt walker, a three-piece band, and Chanukah crafts for the kids. Light pre-packaged refreshments and chocolate gelt will be served.
Culver City’s Akasha is acclaimed for healthy comfort food, along with its annual Hanukkah tradition, “Vodkas and Lattes.” For 2021, Chef Akasha Richmond’s à la carte Hanukkah menu is available to go. You’ll find Richmond’s acclaimed potato latkes, chopped chicken liver, vegan faux “liver” made with green pea and walnut, slow-braised brisket, tangerine-braised chicken, noodle kugel, rugelach, and more. Four vodka cocktails round out the menu, among them Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel (vodka, Frangelico, grapefruit, and blood orange bitters), and the AKASHA 2.0 (pineapple & shisho infused vodka, green juice, lime & pineapple juice). Available between 11/28 and 12/05 (except for 11/29 and 11/30), you can place your “Vodkas and Latkes” order for delivery to your home by TOCK.
In the mood to lay low? Why not enjoy a Virtual Israeli Cultural Evening & Chanukah Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 1? This free online event includes a virtual visit to Bethlehem, a cooking demo with an Israeli chef, the history of Chanukah, and more. You can register here.
Hanukkah Brisket. Image courtesy of Gelson’s.
With locations in Northridge and Westlake Village, Brent’s Deli has been around since 1967, earning praise from Los Angeles magazine and Eater along the way. For Hanukkah, you can pre-order Hanukkah catering à la carte (chopped liver, mini latkes, brisket, and more) or their Complete Meal, featuring chopped liver, brisket or roast chicken, string beans almondine, chicken soup with matzo balls, and latkes, for $26.95 per person (minimum eight people). Website
Specialty grocer Gelson’s, with locations all over Los Angeles, is offering prepared Hanukkah dinners for four for $80-85, along with an à la carte menu that includes potato latkes. Meal packages feature brisket or chicken, along with chicken broth and matzoh balls, potato pancakes, tzimmes, chopped beef liver with egg, and noodle kugel. Order online for pickup between 11/27 and 12/06. Orders must be placed by 12/04. Website
Habayit is renowned for its Kosher Mediterranean and American-Israeli food. Though this West LA restaurant does not offer a Hanukkah menu, they will be offering latkes for the holiday! Website
Nate ‘n Al’s has slung sandwiches since the year World War ended. Latkes, matzo ball soup, noodle kugel, and much more can be ordered for delivery or to-go at this world-famous Beverly Hills deli. For catering, Nate ‘n Al’s needs your order at least 24 hours in advance. Website
Opened by Steven Spielberg’s mother in 1977 and still operated by the Spielberg family, The Milky Way is a Kosher stalwart in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood. For Hanukkah, order their Latke Kits To Go:. A dozen potato latkes with house-made apple compote and sour cream is $75. Check their website for info on pickup and delivery. Website
The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting a Hanukkah Festival on Saturday, December 5. This afternoon of music, storytelling, celebrating, and art-making will feature music from Dublab DJ Callie Ryan, klezmer group Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi, and folk troubadours Zingarella. Hear the ancient story of Hanukkah, create a unique art project, enjoy Hanukkah treats and holiday drinks, and celebrate community with a candle lighting at sunset. You can learn more here.
Whole Foods’ Hanukkah menu includes a platter of latkes for four for $14, matzo ball soup for three for $9, and brisket dinner for eight ($170). In addition to wine-braised brisket, dinner features matzo ball soup, green beans with roasted shallots, tzimmes, latkes, and homestyle applesauce. You’ll need to order at least 48 hours in advance and can pick up your Hanukkah order between 11/26 and 12/06.Website
Wexler’s Deli in Santa Monica is offering a complete artisanal Hanukkah dinner to go. Dinner includes brisket braised with plums and apricots, potato latkes with creme fraiche and house-made apple sauce, roasted heirloom carrots, matzo ball soup, salad made with veggies sourced from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, and chocolate babka. The dinner serves 4 to 6. Priced at $295, the meal can be delivered or picked up between 11/28 and 12/06. Website
On the other hand, if you’d like to make brisket or latkes at home, be sure to check out LA Beat Editor-in-Chief Elise Thompson’s recipes from her “adoptive Jewish mother” here.
