High Tea and Highballs. Photo courtesy of Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia.
Christmas is this Saturday. Whether you’re looking to dine at a restaurant, get a feast to go, check out a cocktail pop-up, or enjoy a highball with high tea, see below for a list of a few of our favorite holiday options. And remember – if you’re dining in, don’t forget your mask and vaccine card!
Step into an elegant, Dr. Seuss-ian milieu at the Winter Wonderland pop-up at The Green Room! The Green Room is the hidden lounge at Burbank’s gorgeously remodeled Castaway, the restaurant now as acclaimed for its food and drinks as its stunning views. This holiday pop-up takes place Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 to 11 p.m. through January 2, with seasonal offerings like Drink up Grinches (crafted with bourbon, Amaretto, Frangelico, Bailey’s, and holiday spices) and Whoville Holiday Cream Puffs with roasted apple, caramel, and spiced cream. More information
Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina’s acclaimed modern steakhouse at The Americana in Glendale, is open on Christmas Eve. From 4-9 p.m., enjoy sharable Bourbon Steak dishes like Lobster Pot Pie and tableside Prime Rib. While you’re there, try the week’s sparkling wine special (special sparklers change every week all December): Chemistry Pinot Noir Rosé Willamette Valley, Oregon (glass $14, or bottle, $62).
Santa Monica cocktail bar and taqueria Lanea is offering holiday tamales every weekend through the end of the year! Made by the Barbacoa Queen of Los Angeles — Petra Zavaleta of Barbakush — these gluten-free tamales feature Petra’s secret seasoning and are available at Lanea for just $3 each. Try grilled chicken, grilled pork, queso mozzarella, or a vegan version: the pineapple-filled Pina.
Image courtesy of Bourbon Steak.
For a twist on traditional holiday celebrations, try High Tea and Highballs at Le Meridien Pasadena-Arcadia. Recently opened and brimming with style, Le Meridien’s design influences include mid-century modern, Asian, and equestrian. Its restaurant, Mélange, serves Holiday High Tea from 12 to 4 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday through January 2. Savor lobster cake, scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, crostini with prosciutto and brie, macarons, and more. To make a reservation, call 626.777.6699.
Is Genghis Cohen open on Christmas Day? Why, of course! In fact, Christmas is the busiest day of the year at this American-Chinese, Fairfax Avenue stalwart. On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, savor Genghis Cohen classics like Chow Fun, Walnut Shrimp, and Duck with Steamed Buns, either in the restaurant (click here for reservations) or to go.
Savoca, the beautiful trattoria at the JW Marriott at LA Live Downtown LA, is open on Christmas Day. A la carte selections available on Christmas include Savoca Cioppino, Christmas Roast for two (choose vegetarian Chateaubriand or Rack of Lamb), and Gingerbread Crème Brûlée or Crème Fraiche Panna Cotta for dessert. For more information, call 213.765.8600.
Enjoy Christmas dinner beneath swaying palm trees and near the pool at Sugar Palm, Viceroy Santa Monica’s recently opened restaurant/lounge/bar. The three-course prix fixe meal begins with quinoa salad or honeynut squash soup. Proceed to an entree (short ribs, rack of lamb, duck breast, cioppino with salmon, prawns, calamari, and scallops, or vegan eggplant tikka masala), sides (patatas bravas and brussels sprouts), and dessert (Deconstructed Cheesecake, Eggnog Creme Brulee, or vegan Pumpkin Spice Panna Cotta). Dinner is $95 for adults (or $79 for the vegan option) and $45 for children. Make reservations on Open Table.
Drink Up, Grinches. Image courtesy of The Green Room at The Castaway.
With locations around Los Angeles, fast-casual eatery Urban Plates is known for healthy, delicious, and sustainable offerings. They are open for both dine-in and take-out on Christmas Eve. Try Urban Plates‘ Family Meals: your choice of protein with two made-from-scratch sides and grilled rustic bread. Protein options include chimichurri grass-fed steak, grilled ahi, sustainable salmon, and meatless loaf and are $43.95 to $56.95.
Get a 100% vegan, traditional-style Christmas meal to-go at all Veggie Grill locations. Priced at a mere $75 and serving four, the meal features turkey wellington with walnut mushroom stuffing, butternut squash and sage soup, roasted garlic mashed potatoes with porcini mushroom gravy, green beans with everything bagel butter, and cranberry sauce. Want dessert? Trays of carrot cake and chocolate spiced pumpkin cake are available for $22-25. You can place your Veggie Grill holiday pre-order through December 22.
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 is open on Christmas Day. Try the pastrami breakfast burrito, matzo ball soup made with organic chicken broth, latkes, bagels with lox, and much more.
Both locations of A.O.C. — West Hollywood and Brentwood — are open on Christmas Eve this year, serving Suzanne Goin’s traditional, market-driven small plates. More information
