Whether you’re notorious for burning the bird, want to avoid the stress of hosting family or busy playing Santa, these Orange County restaurants have you covered. Enjoy a wonderful meal at any of these spots, each of which will be serving up special festive meals for holiday diners.
FIVE CROWNS AND SIDEDOOR
Enjoy dinner by the fire and classic carols sung live on Christmas Eve from 1 to 8 p.m. The holiday menu includes prime rib, beefsteak neptune, seared salmon, and prawn and lobster scampi, in addition to a traditional roasted goose served with wild grains, mushrooms, cherries and Brussels sprout leaves. Five Crowns also has a traditional prime rib dinner with classic accompaniments, sides and desserts to go. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, (949) 760-0331; www.lawrysonline.com/five-crowns and
sidedooroc.com.
RUTH’S CHRIS
Because Ruth always preferred both to either/or, the restaurant offers a holiday surf-and-turf meal: its signature tender, juicy, seared, thick filet alongside a perfectly broiled lobster tail. In addition to the regular menu, on Christmas Eve and Christmas, you can also feast on a double-cut pork tomahawk with apricot glaze and lobster mac and cheese. Now that’s Christmas magic. 2041 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 750-5466; also at 2961 Michelson Dr., Bldg. 10, Ste. A, Irvine, (949) 252-8848; www.ruthschris.com.
HAVEN GASTROPUB
Did someone say Turducken? GoneStraw Farms’ pasture-raised chicken, turkey sausage and Hudson Valley foie gras are combined in a roulade for the perfect bite. Christmas Eve will be the final showing for this magical meal. 190 S. Glassell St., Orange, (714) 221-0680; www.havengastropub.com.
TAPS FISH HOUSE AND BREWERY
Let TAPS take care of Christmas dinner, or join them for Christmas Eve brunch with all the trimmings. Indulge in a grand spread that includes prime rib, ham, crab legs, charcuterie and tons of desserts. 101 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea, (714) 257-0101; also at 13390 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, (714) 619-0404; www.tapsfishhouse.com.
MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES
Executive chef Eric Samaniego serves an elegant, four-course, prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Highlights include Abruzzi rye cavatelli pasta with duck confit and roasted garlic, squid ink rigatoni pasta with lobster, and Aspen ridge rib-eye cap served with roasted mushrooms and pomme puree. 5620 E. Second St., Long Beach, (562) 430-7080; michaelsonnaples.com.
Cynthia Rebolledo covers anything and everything food, culture and spirits.