9 Christmas Dinner Celebrations

On the big day before the big day, Kensington’s Bleu Bohème entices with a prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner from 4-8pm. Choose from delectable starters like Spanish onion soup, crab croquettes, or fresh roasted beet salad, moving onto entrées such as cassoulet, horseradish-crusted salmon, Shiitake and oyster mushroom raviolis, or braised beef short rib with blue cheese-red wine sauce, complete the experience with a selection of classic French desserts. Call 619.255.4167 to reserve or visit bleuboheme.com.

For a decidedly different experience on Christmas Eve, Louisiana Purchase puts a Creole spin on things with NOLA flair. Open from 2-8pm (and closed on Christmas Day), the interior of this North Park eatery is transformed into a candy shoppe and gingerbread house with themed décor and menu items. Candy works its way into seasonal cocktails including a “Hot Tamales Margarita” with blanco tequila infused with the spicy candies, fresh lime, a cinnamon sugar rim, and a Hot Tamales garnish; or a “Now & Later Apple Old Fashioned” — a sweet and sour take on a true classic.

For the ultimate in elegance, look no further than Addison. The newly-minted three-Michelin-starred dining destination, helmed by Chef William Bradley, offers a luxurious eight-course Christmas Eve tasting menu showcasing California gastronomy and world-class ingredients, with optional supplemental wine pairings available. Seatings are offered from 5-8:30pm, and reservations can be made on OpenTable.

This Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, Mission Hills farm to fork establishment, Farmer’s Bottega, is offering a special holiday menu featuring popular appetizers such as burrata, crab cakes,  and lobster bisque, plus entrées such as short rib, braised lamb shank, Mary’s Farm free range Chicken, and linguine arrabiata in addition to Christmas specials including Surf & Turf, Fish of the Day, Game of the Day, and of course, Pasta of the Day. Farmer’s Bottega will be operating on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 4-9pm. 

Luxurious Rancho Valencia sparkles even brighter during the holidays, so why not take advantage of the Forbes 5-Star resort’s beauty on Christmas Day? The Pony Room will offer a Christmas Day feast featuring a holiday buffet from 11am-4pm, with a menu of the traditional trimmings plus a seafood station, carving station, and sweet treats. Rounding out the day are horse-drawn carriage rides, cookie decorating, and activities for children of all ages. To reserve, call 858.759.6246.

Also on Christmas morning, Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar offers a special brunch and seasonal sips from 7-10am. The menu includes Chef-selected brunch classics including pastries and breads, a Gravlax station, Eggs benedict, and an omelet station plus decadent additions like spicy beef tenderloin, Christmas ham, king salmon, and Moroccan lamb shanks, plus delectable sides and a seasonal spread of sweets. Reservations can be made on Open Table or by calling 858.793.6467.

If you prefer to eat at home, we’ve got you covered.

All-in-one Christmas dinner boxes make serving a deluxe meal a snap. Omni La Costa’s complete meals include a butter-basted free-range turkey with an option to upgrade to a salt-and-pepper-crusted New York Strip loin with peppercorn demi, gravy, cornbread stuffing, potato gratin, whipped yams, pork belly roasted Brussels sprouts, dinner rolls with honey butter, and a New York cheesecake. Orders must be placed by December 21 for December 24 pickup by 6pm at the resort’s Marketplace. Order online here.

Committed to sourcing the very best from local ranchers, fishermen, and farmers, the experts at Ranch 45 are accepting holiday orders through Sunday, December 18, available for pickup on December 24. Christmas menu highlights include Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Whole Grilled Brandt Tomahawk, and Smoked Cornish Game Hen as far as mains, while salads and sides range from Farmers Market Salad and Ranch 45 Salad to Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables, Green Bean Almondine, and more. Roast Butternut Squash Soup and Brandt Beet Bone Broth are also available, and for a sweet finale, the restaurant is offering Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Apple Crisp, and an Assorted Cookie Box. Order online here.

Removing the hassle but none of the elegance, Rancho Valencia is in on the Christmas To-Go program with an array of options from sides and desserts to the entire meal. Order online by December 19 at 5pm for pickup on Saturday, December 24th. Dishes include Brandt Farms Prime Rib Roast, Diestel Farms Turkey Breast, and Nueske’s Honey Spiral-Cut Ham plus an array of sides like Truffle Mushroom Bisque, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Root Vegetable Casserole, plus gravies, sauces, and sweet finishes — all oven-ready for reheating and complete with instructions. Order online here.

Every Friday through Sunday this month, Green Dragon Tavern is offering Beef Wellingtons to-go — including a thermometer to ensure cooking perfection. A delectable option for your holiday table, the Wellingtons are prepared by the tavern’s chef team, Executive Chef Darren Denny and Consulting Chef Sara Harris (also a partner at Herb & Sea), in the restaurant’s from-scratch kitchen. Mouth-watering sides include twice baked or mashed potatoes, skilled Brussels sprouts, and more. Order in advance by calling 760.918.2421.