10 Great Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve

For those inclined to have someone else cook on Christmas eve, there is an incredible assortment of fine options available, but reservations are going quickly, so you'd better make one, soon, if that's your plan.

Most hotels offer a standard up-scale Christmas dinner and pretty much every restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley will be open and blissfully ignoring the holiday. If you are looking for something a little more festive though, we have you covered, with something for everyone.

10. For a splurge:

Maison Akira in Pasadena has the Christmas spirit, and spirits. For $140 per person they are offering a multi-course menu, with wine and champagne pairings. The French-Japanese restaurant will be serving Wagyu Kobe ravioli and braised short ribs; miso marinated grilled bass with quinoa and shishito and a lot more. 713 E. Green St., Pasadena; 626-796-9501.

9. For the eclectic group:

Starting at $56 per person, BaleenKitchen in Redondo Beach is offering an all you can eat Christmas buffet, with jumbo shrimp cocktails, roasted chicken with tamarind glaze; prime rib and all the usual something-for-everyone suspects. The view alone is worth the visit. 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach; 310-372-1202.

8. For something a little different:

Have you been to Rockwell Table and Stage yet? Why not check it out on Christmas eve? A la carte diinner and a show, what could be merrier. You must order tickets online in advance. 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles; 323-661-1550.

7. For the single diner:

Waterloo and City the spacious Westside will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight with full dinner service, including holiday specials from 6-10 p.m. Sit at their communal table and enjoy the revelry. 12517 Washington Blvd. Mar Vista; 310-391-4222.

6. For the vegetarian:

Always festive and fun, Mohawk Bend will be offering a 3-course pre-fixe for $16 per person, honoring not only animals but the beloved Jewish tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas. First course is hot and sour soup, followed by char siu tofu, garlic long beans, brown rice, toasted peanuts and a simple dessert of almond cookies. 2141 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; 213-483-2337.

Hatfield's beignet; Credit: A. Scattergood

5. For the Californian:

To get to the Hatfield's Christmas Eve dinner, you take Highland to Melrose. When you arrive, there will be a four-course prix fixe including beet-cured fluke; Spanish octopus with saffron onion puree; short ribs with chive spaetzle and sugar & spice beignets with Venezuelan chocolate fondue. The menu is available for $72 per person. 6703 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles; 323-935-2977.

4. For the Italophile:

For those of you looking for something more like the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Tavern, in Brentwood, is offering an abbreviated four course Italian seafood menu, including cioppino, wood grilled sardines with capers and red onion relish, halibut with lobster and wild mushroom risotto and a cannoli with mascarpone semifreddo, chocolate and candied ginger for dessert. 11648 San Vicente Blvd. Brentwood; 310-806-6464.

3. For a bit of kitsch:

The HMS Bounty, everyone's favorite divey restaurant bar with an excellently odd jukebox will be offering their regular menu and a special four course Christmas dinner. 3357 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles; 213-385-7275.

2. For the person who wants Chinese food:

Sea Harbour will be open and serving their usual menu, great for large groups and small. We can never resist the grilled squab in special XO sauce. 3939 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead; 626-288-3939.

ink.; Credit: Anne Fishbein

1. Because you've always wanted to try it:

Michael Voltaggio's West Hollywood restaurant ink. is offering regular menu and service. But what better night to visit and enjoy the whimsy. 8360 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; 323-651-5866.

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