Christmas Eve
A16: This Southern Italian wine-centric trattoria in the Marina will pay homage to the traditional Italian-style Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve with a five-course menu that includes the likes of swordfish carpaccio, Dungeness crab and chocolate budino ($75 per person with $60 wine pairings, 5:30-10 PM, 415-771-2216).
Delfina: Craig Stoll will continue his custom of presenting a traditional and nontraditional à la carte Feast of the Seven Fishes menu on Christmas Eve at his Mission flagship. Expect lots of Italianate fish dishes including Stoll’s famous lobster spaghetti (5:30-10 PM, 415-552-4055).
Absinthe: Consider getting the holiday meal over with early in the day at this Hayes Valley eatery where chef Adam Keough will be serving a celebratory brunch on Christmas Eve. In addition to its classic San Francisco-inspired brasserie brunch menu, Keough will be offering specials such Noni’s pastina soup and baked eggs with braised short ribs (11 AM-3 PM, 415-551-1590).
Boxing Room: Justin Simoneaux will be whipping up a special à la carte Cajun- and Creole-inspired Christmas Eve lunch menu at Boxing Room in Hayes Valley - think smoked chicken and andouille gumbo, duck and sausage jambalaya and fried chicken po’boys; guests can also order the Louisiana Plate Lunch special which includes an entree, side, dessert and beverage for $15 (11:30-4:30 PM, 415-430-6590).
Hogs & Rocks: New executive chef Robin Song will be putting his stamp on this Mission gastropub’s Christmas Eve three-course prix fixe menu, which features the classic standing rib roast served with roasted potatoes and carrots as the main event. Owner Scott Youkilis tells us they’ve scrapped wine pairings because most customers prefer to pair their meal with bar manager Michael Lazar’s handcrafted cocktails ($38 per person, begins at 5 PM, 415-550-8627).
Parallel 37:The Ritz-Carlton on Nob Hill is offering a slew of holiday teas and meals, including a five-course Christmas Eve dinner at Parallel ($105 per person with additional $95 for wine pairings, 4-9 PM), a Christmas Day jazz brunch in the Ballroom ($110 per adult, $55 for kids, 11 AM-4 PM) and a five-course Christmas Day dinner at Parallel 37 ($105 per person with additional $95 for wine pairings, 4-9 PM, with a limited à la carte menu offered at the bar, for details and reservations call 800-241-3333).
One Market: Chef Marc Dommen will roll out a special Christmas Eve à la carte dinner menu at this Downtown New American at the foot of Market Street with options such as bacon-wrapped port tenderloin (5-8:15 PM, 415-777-5577).
Christmas Day
Ame: Hiro Sone and his SoMa crew in the St. Regis will be turning out a five-course Christmas Day dinner featuring his signature globally inspired New American cuisine; the restaurant will also be open on Christmas Eve, serving both an à la carte and a prix fixe menu ($95 per person with additional wine pairings for $68, 4-8 PM, the regular menu will also be available, 415-284-4040).
Campton Place: This tony Union Square haven in the Campton Hotel will be open on both Christmas Eve and Day, serving a five-course meal (On the 24th, it’llbe a five-course meal for $105 per person, offered only in the evening; on Christmas Day, the holiday meal will be served from 11:30 AM-9:30 PM and will cost $115 per person, 415-955-5555).
Luce: Chef Daniel Cory at SoMa’s InterContinental Hotel will be presenting a multicourse feast featuring the likes of Dungeness crab, prime rib and eggnog cheesecake on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ($80 per person, with additional $45 for wine pairings; a kids’ menu is available for $45; for hours and reservations for either meal, call 415-616-6560).
Brasserie S&P: The new brasserie at Downtown San Francisco’s Mandarin Oriental will be serving a Christmas Day brunch buffet with all the trimmings ($65 for adults, $35 for kids, 10 AM-3 PM), as well as holiday-inspired three-course dinner (also served on Christmas Eve) with main choices of Cornish game hen, white sea bass or whole roasted Dungeness crab, followed by traditional desserts such as plum pudding or bûche de Noël ($75 per person, 4-9 PM, for all meals call 415-276-9888).
Parallel 37: Offering a five-course prix fixe dinner menu. See Christmas Eve listing above for details.
Urban Tavern: Catch an affordable traditional meal at this Union Square tavern that will be serving grilled rosemary ham with all the fixings (yams, potato gratin, Brussels sprouts) on Christmas Eve and for lunch or dinner on Christmas Day ($24 per person, 415-923-4400).
Tommy Toys: If you’re looking for that classic I’ll-have-Chinese-instead for Christmas meal, consider this upscale spot, which will be presenting a six-course dinner on both Christmas Eve and Day that includes Maine lobster in ginger scallion bouillon, Peking duck and other signature delicacies ($68 per person, vegetarian option available upon request, 5:30-9:30 PM on both days, 415-397-4888).
