Photo Credit: Dar1930
Let’s face it, not everyone feels like cooking this Christmas. Whether eating out is a treat or just your way of avoiding cooking this holiday, here are 11 great options for Xmas dining this year.
CHRISTMAS EVE
PROVIDENCE
Michael Cimarusti’s fabulous eatery will offer The Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve featuring courses like Crispy Polenta and Caviar Bolognese, Maine Lobster grilled in the shell with smoked purée of chestnut and Grilled Striped Bass with roasted winter squash.
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, (323) 460-4170, http://providencela.com/
UNION
Chef Bruce Kalman of Pasadena’s Union is also offering his take on Feast of the Seven Fishes with a seven-course meal that includes items like smoked uni with soft-scrambled duck egg and white truffles, olive oil–poached spot prawns with compressed persimmon, squid ink bucatini with octopus Bolognese and black cod crudo with Passmore Ranch caviar.
37 E. Union St., Pasadena; (626) 795-5841, unionpasadena.com.
REDBIRD
Neal Fraser’s downtown eatery is offering a three-course special menu with items including poached salmon with white carrot puree, heritage roast pork with polenta, Swiss chard and crabapple, and, of course, bûche de Noël for dessert on the menu.
114 E. Second St., Los Angeles (213) 788-1191, redbird.la.
THE POLO LOUNGE
Enjoy a truly Beverly Hills-style Christmas Eve dinner at The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Start off with a fig sidecar before moving on to items like seafood chowder, a Maine lobster medallion, golden Osetra caviar, roasted prime rib, and, of course, Buche de Noel.
9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, https://www.dorchestercollection.com
CHRISTMAS DAY
BOUCHON
Thomas Keller‘s Beverly Hills institution is offering a three-course dinner with entree offerings such as Soupe aux Champignons de Paris—button mushroom velouté with toasted garlic croûtons and garden thyme crème fraîche—Foie de Volaille—chicken liver mouse with toasted brioche and red wine poached prunes—Standing Rib of Prime Beef with gratin of cauliflower, Gruyère cheese and beef jus—Chestnut Agnolotti with roasted winter squash, honey poached cranberries and sage emulsion as well as a dessert of the well-loved classic, Bûche de Noël: chocolate Genoise, Valrhona chocolate caramel mousse and gianduja crémeux with candied hazelnuts.
235 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, (310) 271-9910, http://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchon-bistro-beverly-hills
The Blvd, the haute eatery at The Beverly Wilshire, is offering a three-course menu on Christmas day starting with chestnut soup, main courses like a beef duo of Braised Short Ribs and Horseradish Crusted Petit Fillet and Spinach Flan or Mary’s Organic Turkey and, the not-to-be-missed Chocolate Bûche de Noël for dessert.
9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, (310) 385-3901, http://www.theblvdrestaurant.com/
VIVIANE
Viviane, the new eatery at Avalon Beverly Hills, is offering A Christmas Story-themed dinner (hey Ralphie!). The family-style dinner being called “Dinner at Chop Suey Palace” includes dishes like Baby Kale, Snow Pea and Winter Citrus Salad, Roasted Duck Leg Lacquered in Soy, Gulf Shrimp, Bay Scallop and Smoked Chicken Ragout, Rice Wine Braised Shiitake Mushrooms, 5-Spice Scented Beignets and Almond Milk Panna Cotta.
9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, (310) 407-7791, http://vivianerestaurant.com/
TANZY
Tanzy in Westwood will be offering a special Christmas meal with special sweet treats by three-time James Beard Award winner Sherry Yard. Menu items include winter squash soup with puff pastry dome, crispy sage and spiced crème fraîche, herb-crusted prime rib with crispy yukon gold potato rosti, spicy broccolini, horse radish butter and dark chocolate “Buche De Noel.” Cap the evening with a movie at the neighboring iPic, where you can sample even more of Yard’s tasty treats (she’s the Corporate Vice President of Culinary Direction for the high-end cinemas).
10840 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, (310) 307-7004, http://www.tanzyrestaurant.com/westwood/
LITTLE NEXT DOOR
Celebrate this sweet day with sweet treats such as Christmas cakes “La Queen” Bûche de Noël as well as the Croque en Bouche, an all-day endless mimosa brunch on Christmas Day.
8142 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, (323) 951-1010, http://littlenextdoor.com/
Photo Credit: The Queen Mary
THE QUEEN MARY
Imagine your life on the seas and step back in time by taking part in The Queen Mary‘s indulgent Christmas Champagne Brunch. You’ll enjoy 50 dishes from around the world, as well as a Christmas specialty menu, all set to soothing tunes provided by harpist Katrina Saroyan.
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, (562) 499-1606, http://www.queenmary.com/
Scott Conant reimagines Christmas Day brunch Italian-style with a buffet brunch that includes everything from prime rib to snow crab legs to house-cured salumi. When you factor in bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys as well as live music, this is one Christmas day meal you absolutely can’t miss.
225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 860-7970, https://www.montagehotels.com/beverlyhills/dining/scarpetta/
CULINA
Our stomach is rumbling just thinking about the decadent Christmas day brunch offered at Culina inside the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. There are an endless parade of stations here, from omelet and waffles made to order, handmade sushi, Californian caviar, warm dougnuts and, special for the day, holiday desserts from around the world.
300 S Doheny Dr., Los Angeles, (310) 273-2222, www.fourseasonslosangeles.com
MASTRO’S OCEAN CLUB
If you want to celebrate Christmas in style, head to the super luxe Mastro’s Ocean Club in Malibu. Treat yourself to prime cuts of steak, a stunning, over-the-top seafood tower presented with dry ice and some of the most decadent lobster mashed potatoes you can ever plan to have.
18412 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, (310) 454-4357, www.mastrosrestaurants.com
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