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Christmas usually leaves few dining-out options for those that just want to have some good eats. So we rounded up a few local dining options for you on Christmas and Christmas Eve.

CHAYA Restaurants

All three CHAYA restaurant locations will feature special holiday menus. CHAYA will be open on Christmas Eve for regular dinner hours. The Beverly Hills location will open from 5 PM – 9 PM.

CHAYA Venice
110 Navy St., Venice, CA 90291-2553. 310-396-1179.
Christmas Surf n’ Turf
3-course prix-fixe menu for $55 per person (tax and gratuity not included; wine pairings additional)
Crab Bisque Hot Pot or Grilled Farmers Market Pear with Buratta Cheese and Prosciutto
Sauteed Half Main Lobster Tail or Grilled 6 oz. Angus Filet Mignon

CHAYA Downtown
525 S. Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90017. 213-236-9577.
Winter Feast
Starter platters for $42 per person are ideal for sharing among two guests and will include dishes such as:
Tamai Farm’s Winter Vegetable and Shaved Black Truffle Salad
Roasted Heirloom Beet and Fuyu Persimmon
Entrées include:
Poached Maine Lobster and Baby Abalone Sake Risotto with Matsutake Mushroom and Lotus Root ($36) finished off with a White Buche de Noel ($12)

CHAYA Brasserie Beverly Hills
8741 Alden Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048. 310-859-8833.
Holiday Bento Box
Featuring Hamachi Mole sushi, Foie Gras Terrine, Marinated Japanese Mushroom, House Cured Salmon, Market Vegetable Stew and Kabocha Squash Risotto ($39) Truffle Butter Poached Lobster ($95) with slow roasted winter root vegetables, black winter truffle

Delphine

Delphine will feature a holiday menu celebrating the “Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 7 AM to 8 PM. Menu price ranges from $11 for starters to $37 for the main course. Regular dinner menu will also be available. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 323-798-1355.

Menu:

Yorkshire Pudding Sliders, Smoked Fish Platters, Brisket of Beef, Latkes, Pain Perdu with Foie Gras, as well as a sweet finish of Panettone, Bouche de Noel, Pavlova, Glühwein

Mezze

Chef Micah Wexler at Mezze has created a Jewish Christmas Eve menu in addition to their regular fare for one night only on December 24, 6 PM – 1 AM. For reservations call 310-657-4103. 401 North La Cienega Boulevard. Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Menu:

Wild Salmon, Purple Onion, B. Bendik and Son Rye
Grandma’s Chopped Chicken Livers, Grape Mostarda, Challah
Smoked Sablefish, Lebne, Pickled Shallots, Capers
Matzoball Soup
Pastrami, Mustard, Rye
Potato Knish, House Mustard
Shawarma, Brisket, Amba, House Pickles

M Café

M Café is providing a healthy “macrobiotic” holiday as a “gift for the body, mind and soul.” The 3 course prix fixe menu is available now until Thursday, December 22 for $70 for two or $135 for four guests. 7119 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 90046. 323-525-0588.

Menu:

Smooth and Silky Celery Root Soup with Vanilla-Scented Green Apple & Chives; Winter Field Greens Salad with Fennel Cranberries and Bosc Pear topped with Crumbled Tofu “Bleu” Cheese and Maple-Glazed Walnuts and Red Wine and Shallot Vinaigrette; For a signature entrée enjoy a Smoked Tofu, Pumpkin and Chestnut Terrine en Croute served with Porcini Mushroom and Red Wine Sauce. Guests will also have the option of selecting two accompaniments such as Roasted Winter Vegetables, Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic and Chile, Green Beans Amandine or Wild Rice Pilaf, Cranberry-Ginger Relish.

mar’sel

mar’sel with a special a la carte menu for Christmas from 5:30 PM – 10 PM. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. 310-265-2800.

Menu:

Starters
Creamy Jerusalem Artichoke Soup
Homemade Lamb Sausage, Long Cooked Black Kale,
Pecorino, Olive Oil Bread Crumbs
$14

Housemade Pheasant Pate
Chicken Liver Mousse, Homemade Pickles,
Grain Mustard, Warm English muffins
$15

Shaved Fennel and Grilled Radicchio
Wild Arugula, Blood Orange, Toasted Pinenuts, Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese
$14

Entreé
Herb Roasted Fresh Ham
Crispy Cauliflower, Wilted Escarole, Parmesan Potato Puree
$34

Slow-Cooked Brandt Farms Beef “Daube” for Two
Glazed Baby Vegetables, Crusty Bread, Celery Root Puree
$72

Desserts
Warm Pannetone Bread Pudding
Cappuccino Panna Cotta, Sweet Cream Foam, Frangelico Ice Cream
Local Braeburn Apple “Strudel”
Golden Raisin Caramel, Dark and Stormy Ice Cream
$12 Each

Catalina Kitchen

Italian fare from Catalina Kitchen’s Christmas Eve buffet for $75 (children $32) from 5 PM – 9:30 PM. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. 310-265-2836.

Menu:

Antipasto
Prosciutto, Speck, Salami
Balsamic Cipollini Onions, Peppers, Mushrooms,
Artichokes, Eggplant, Zucchini, Grilled Asparagus
White Anchovies, Piquillo Peppers, Grilled Lemons
Lemon Marinated Roasted Squid
Grilled Shrimp, Basil Aioli

Burrata Bar
Roasted Tomatoes, Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, Capers, Smoked Salmon, Sundried Tomato & Basil Pesto, Chili Flakes, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Balsamic Syrup, Baby Arugula
Rustic Country Bread, Rolls & Focaccia
Greens, 6 condiments, 3 dressings, California Oils & Vinegar

Soup
Chestnut Soup with Grappa Cream

From the Pizza Kitchen
Baked Clams, Spicy Tomato Broth, Garlic Bread
Risotto “Milanese”

From the Carving Board
Lamb Roast “Tuscany Style” with Herb Goat Cheese Filling
Sundried Tomato Rosemary Sauce
Roasted New York Strip, Natural Juice
Italian Sausage & Ham Stromboli, Spicy Tomato Sauce

From the Buffet
Grilled Swordfish “Sicilian Style”
Peppers, Onions, Capers, Lemons, Grilled Tomatoes
Natural Pork “Braciole”
Woodland Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, Winter Potatoes
Natural Chicken “Al Mattone”
Soft Gorgonzola Polenta, Lemon-Rosemary Reduction, Fried Artichoke
Christmas “Cioppino”
Lobster, Mussels, Calamari, Scallops,
Shrimp in Tangy Saffron Tomato Broth
Vegetarian Ricotta Lasagna
Winter Truffle Scented Gnocchi
Cauliflower Gratin, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Grilled Tomatoes

Holiday Pastry Display
Chocolate Mousse Yule Logs
Assorted Holiday Cookies
Layered Chocolate Parfait
Cinnamon Apple Strudel with Walnut Sauce
Eggnog Pot de Crème
Espresso Tangerine Flan
Decadent Chocolate Torte
Lemon Ginger Chiffon Torte

American family style Christmas from Catalina Kitchen with choices from a fixed menu, adults $65 (children $32) on Christmas Day from 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM. 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. 310-265-2836.

Menu:

Bread Basket

Traditional Eggnog Toast, Local Artisan Breads
Parkerhouse Rolls, Sweet Butter

Taste of New England “Plateau”
Oysters on the Half Shell, Chilled Shrimp, Chicken Liver Mousse,
Country Garlic Sausage, Smoked Salmon Spread
Cocktail Sauce, Lemon, Mignotte, Grain Mustard, Gherkins

Choice of

Wild Chestnut Soup

Or

Winter Greens
Shaft Blue Cheese, Candied Pecans, Asian Pears,
Cranberry Champagne Dressing

Family Style Platters
Rosemary Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Mushrooms,
Pearl Onions Stew, Sherry Wine Sauce
Maple Brined Smoked Pork Loin, Apricot-Mustard Glaze
Green Beans, Root Vegetables, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes

Holiday Pastry Display
Chocolate Mousse Yule Logs
Assorted Holiday Cookies
Assorted Praline and Chocolate Parfait
Blue-cranberry Crumb Cake
Cinnamon Apple Strudel with Walnut Sauce
Blackberry-Lemon Pudding Cake
Croissant Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Pear Pecan Tart with Blueberry Port Reduction Compote
Christmas Stollens
Tangerine Flan, Cranberry Whipping Cream
Decadent Chocolate Torte
Pecan Pie Squares
Lemon Ginger Chiffon Torte

Check out our round up for the Feast of Seven Fishes around town on Christmas Eve.

Photo: Mezze in Los Angeles