Whether you lack the culinary prowess to craft a three-course holiday meal, or you would just rather leave the work to someone else, here are some places in the region to dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24
Freda’s Seafood Grille, 10903 Pecan Park Blvd., Austin, will host a Christmas Eve Réveillon dinner. The tradition of Réveillon, which means awakening in French, has been popularized in New Orleans as a way to celebrate a massive feast after fasting for midnight Mass. On Dec. 24 from 3-9 p.m. guests can hear live jazz music and order from a menu of Cajun Christmas classics, such as Creole Turducken, traditional cornbread and oyster and sausage stuffing with a sweet and sour cranberry jam. The restaurant’s regular menu is also available. For reservations, call 512-506-8700.
Brix And Ale, located in the Sheraton Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, 1101 Woodlawn Avenue, Georgetown, offers a three-course prix fixe dinner from 4-10 p.m. Entrees include Beef Wellington with butter-basted farm carrots and red wine demi; molasses-glazed, bone-in pork chop with carrot puree and couscous salad; open-face raviolo with citrus mascarpone and garden vegetables; and herb crusted chicken chop with sweet potato mousse and braised cipollini onions. A children’s menu will also be available. The price is $39.95 per person. For reservations, call 737-444-2700.
L'Oca d'Oro, 1900 Simond Ave., Austin, will host the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner from 5:30-8 p.m. The menu includes fried bay shrimp, calamari and carrot salad, scallop crudo and grilled prawns. The price is $65 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $30. For reservations, call 737-212-1876 or email
[email protected].
Ah Sing Den, 1100 E. Sixth St., Austin, is serving a prix fixe dinner from 5-10:30 p.m. The menu includes a tuna avocado poke, shrimp balls and crab imperial. For reservations, call 512-467-4280.
Andiamo Ristorante, 2521 Rutland Drive, Austin, hosts Christmas Eve dinner from 5-8:30 p.m. Menu items include veal porcini, ossobuco, lamb chops, pork belly and homemade pasta. For reservations, call 512-719-3377.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25
Jenna’s Asian Kitchen, 12300 N. RR 620, Austin, hosts "A Very Special Christmas Day Lunch Buffet" from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes Korean and Chinese-American fare, such as ribeye beef bulgogi honey walnut shrimp, crab rangoons and potstickers, and steamed and fried whole fish. Drinks specials will also be available for mimosas, sangria and Bloody Mary libations. Prices are $29 (ages 18-59), $22 (ages 13-17 and 60 and older), $10 (ages 5-12) and free (ages up to 4 years old). For reservations, call 512-258-8282.
Trace at the W Austin, 200 Lavaca St., Austin, will serve a prix fixe meal from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The menu includes a first course of soup or salad; a second course of crab and avocado toast, crispy pork rilette or roasted beets; a main course of braised short ribs, honey-glazed ham, cioppino or parsnip gnocchi; and dessert of caramel cheesecake, chestnut mascarpone or chocolate pine mousse. The children’s menu differs and includes grilled chicken and salmon options. The price is $75 for adults and $17.95 for children. For reservations, call 512-542-3660.
Brix And Ale, located in the Sheraton Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, 1101 Woodlawn Avenue, Georgetown, offers a holiday brunch buffet from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Meal options include carved meats, cold seafood and made-to-order omelets. Adult guests will receive a glass of champagne or one mimosa per person with their reservation. A live guitarist will perform from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The price is $39.95 for adults and $17.50 for children ages 6-12. For reservations, call 737-444-2700.
Fonda San Miguel, 2330 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, is open for brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for the first time in the restaurant's history. The price is $42.95. For reservations, call 512-459-4121.
Trio Restaurant, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, will host Christmas Day brunch from 11 a.m-8 p.m. The menu includes apple cinnamon pancakes, crispy bacon, cinnamon rolls, quail egg breakfast pizza, quiche, lobster ravioli, strawberry and spinach salad, pot stickers, fish, lamb, corn pudding and gingerbread cheesecake. The price is $90 for adults and $35 for children. For reservations, call 512-685-8300.
Goodall's Kitchen, located inside Hotel Ella, 1900 Rio Grande St., Austin, hosts a buffet from noon-8 p.m. Options include slow-roasted prime rib, roasted eggplant lasagna and duchess baked potatoes. The price is $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 12 and younger. For reservations, call 512-495-1800.