Riviera 31's New Cocktail Menu; Melisse's Halloween Menu

MID-CITY WEST— Riviera 31, the swanky cocktail lounge inside the Sofitel has a new cocktail menu by Ferrari Watts (what a name!). New drinks include the Bardot, made with pisco, lemon juice, pear puree, a float of red wine, and some hell fire bitters, which are then shaken and served over an ice ball. Ice balls are cool. The Golden Age of Hollywood-inspired drinks extend to the Deneuve, mixing tequila, cucumber, hibiscus, lime and grapefruit served as a highball.

SANTA MONICA— Melisse is serving a special $85 five-course menu on Halloween that will likely exceed the festivities at any other party that night. It's a rare occasion to get a pricey fine dining meal on a night when most people are bobbing for apples and drinking bad cider. Call 310-395-0881 to book a table.