Gather the family together and get out there--to one of LA's many and varied restaurants--where Christmas Eve dinner is all taken care of. All you have to do is show up with an appetite and some holiday cheer.
Drago Centro
Pace yourself for a seven-course Christmas Eve meal, Southern Italian style. For $70 ($45 additional for wine pairings), you'll experience this European regional tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve. Dishes include: smoked salmon salad, black & white scallop agnolotti with lemon zest, Maine lobster cappuccino, and for dessert, mint panna cotta with pears and pinenut tuile.
525 South Flower St.
Suite 120
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-228-8998
The Bistro Garden
A special three-course Christmas Eve meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A three-course Christmas dinner will be served from 5:30-10:00 p.m. Selected dish options include their famous blue crab and lobster bisque, as well as roasted dijon and herb crusted Colorado rack of lamb, grilled filet mignon with cherry morel sauce and Grand Marnier soufflé with fresh whipped cream, and a Yule Tide Log with mocha sauce. Cost is $80.
12950 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
(between Coldwater Cyn. and Van Noord)
818-501-0202
Ford's Filling Station
The casual gastropub will be open on Christmas Eve and feature a special three-course dinner offered from December 21-24th from 5:30 p.m. until closing. It is priced at $45 per person with optional $18 beer pairings and $25 wine pairings. Highlights include butternut squash ravioli, braised lamb shank, Loch Duarte salmon and pumpkin brown butter cake.
9531 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232-2618
(Cross street: Irving Pl.)
310-202-1470
Gladstones
Enjoy Christmas the beachy So.Cal way with seafood galore. Located at Malibu's doorstep, Gladstones traditionally offers a three-course Christmas Eve dinner which includes dishes like lobster bisque, pan-roasted Alaskan halibut,and a decadent dessert trio. The cost is $45.95 per person. Note: the restaurant boasts a sandbox for kid play.
17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90265
(Cross street: Sunset Blvd.)
310-454-3474
Locanda del Lago
Cena di Natale sounds so much more glamorous than 'Christmas dinner,' doesn't it? That's what Locanda del Lago is offering on Christmas Eve (and day) starting at 11:30 a.m. and running through 10:30 p.m. Their three-course tasting menu is $49 per person with choice of Branzino or veal. The four-course tasting menu is $62. And their wine tasting program is $22. The Christmas menu includes choices like roasted and sliced veal tenderloin and black truffle sauce, and braised New Zealand Red Snapper. Leave room for their special holiday dessert: fruit Sabayon with fresh raspberries.
231 Arizona Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1203
(between 2nd and 3rd St.)
310-451-3525
Matteo's Italian Restaurant
The Italian food theme continues on Christmas Eve at Matteo's. They'll be offering choices from their regular menu as well as from a holiday menu from 5 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. These include a warm lobster salad, prime short ribs, and Ravioli al' Arragosta. Pricing is a-la-carte with entrees specials running from $30 to $36.
2321 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2194
(Cross street: Tennessee Ave.)
310-475-4521
Napa Valley Grille
This Farmers Market inspired restaurant will offer its special holiday meal between the 24th and the 30th. They'll be serving up luxe holiday specials like pancetta=wrapped venison chop, chestnut agnoletti and prime New York strip fashioned by Executive Chef Taylor Boudreaux.
1100 Glendon Ave. #100
Los Angeles, CA 90024-3593
(Cross street: Tiverton)
310-824-3322
Nick & Stef's Steakhouse
Enjoy a three-course Christmas Eve dinner at this downtown steakhouse mainstay. Servings starts at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. Cost is $65 per person (minus gratuity and tax). The dinner begins with pan-seared diver scallops or chestnut soup. The main course is a pan roasted sea bass or oak-grilled venison loin. Dessert is Bûche symplicity: chocolate caramel mousse cake--or get more festive with an eggnog parfait.
330 South Hope St., #100
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3115
(between 3rd and 4th St.)
213-680-0330
Oliverio at the Avalon Beverly Hills
Glam it up this Christmas at this swank and chic poolside hotel and its top notch restaurant, which is at the helm of Milanese Chef Mirko Paderno. They are offering a Christmas Day dinner for $65 per person. Seatings start at 6 p.m. Some of the delicious items on their menu include: veal ravioli with black winter truffle and sweet cheese fondue; and lamb chops with potato gratin and white asparagus.
9400 West Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-4552
(Cross street: S. Canon Dr.)
310-277-5221
Biltmore Hotel
Enjoy the traditional four-course menu for between 5 and 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the Rendezvous Court in this glorious historic hotel in Downtown. Cost is $24 for children aged four to 11. Highlights include braised Muscovy duck ravioli, free-range turkey and hot apple cider and creamy eggnog for dessert.
506 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2602
(Cross street: 5th St.)
213-612-1562
Lola's
Looking for something a bit more casual? Lola's hosts a Christmas Eve buffet dinner from 5:30 p.m. until midnight. The cost is $24 and includes one cocktail; it's $10 for kids. Selections include grilled chicken with lemon caper sauce, roasted rib eye, and Yorkshire pudding for dessert.
945 N. Fairfax Ave.
West Hollywood CA 90046
323-654-5652
