Prosperity. Health. Happiness. Just plain luck. From a rabbit’s foot to a laughing Buddha and four-leaf clovers, every culture has its amulets to ward off the bad stuff and summon the good. Ringing in the new year with culinary hacks of positivity is traditional, too. And in this fraught world and challenging business climate, what meeting prof doesn’t welcome these sunbursts of good fortune for 2025?
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Nevada
In a custom dating to ancient Greece, smashing a pomegranate to release the nutritious, ruby-like seeds, or arils, heralded abundance in the dawning year. At LPM Restaurant & Bar, with its Mediterranean slant and private dining for groups, no smashing is needed to enjoy the Sweet Corn Salad with pomegranate and herbs.
Kimpton Fitzroy London
England
It seems a shame, but hop three times without spilling your Fragment 31, a champagne cocktail at this hotel’s Fitz’s Bar, then splash it over your shoulder. Wasting champagne in this way is said to free you from the previous year’s woes. Better still, savor the bubbly instead to invite wealth into your life.
La Fonda on the Plaza
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Making tamales in Mexico to start the year is a tradition said to bring family good fortune. At this hotel that traces its heritage to 1607, the La Plazuela restaurant offers tamales made of masa de maiz accented by huitlacoche, a fungus that grows on ears of corn and is an umami delicacy.
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Louisiana
Rice symbolizes prosperity—and fertility, which is why it’s thrown at wedding ceremonies. On the subject of portentous pairings, nothing suits rice better than beans. Enjoy the Creole classic Red Beans & Rice with Grilled Andouille Sausage at this Bourbon Street landmark’s Desire Oyster Bar.
This article appears in the January 2025 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
