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| Get festive at Josie |
CHRISTMAS EVE
Providence
Chef Michael Cimarusti once again celebrates the holiday with his annual Feast of Seven Fishes menu, inspired by his Grandmother Josephine and Great-Grandmother Domenica Cimarusti. The seven-course menu features dishes like tai snapper sashimi with tangerine and capers, consommé with Maine lobster and black truffles, day-boat scallops with artichokes and more. 4-8 PM; $125 per person or $175 with wine pairings ($280 with premium wines) (5955 Melrose Ave.; 323-460-4170).
LA Market
It’s comfort cuisine and junk-food desserts for the holidays at the LA Live restaurant. The three-course menu features classic holiday dishes, and the famous junk-food platter has peppermint brownies, gingerbread, holiday cookies and more. 5-10 PM on Christmas Eve, and 11 AM-10 PM on Christmas Day. $62 per person and $21 for kids 12 and under; the a la carte dessert is $15 (900 W. Olympic Blvd.; 213-765-8600).
Melisse
Josiah Citrin’s five-course dinner includes artichoke mousseline with smoked sturgeon and American caviar; chestnut soup; Maine lobster with grapes, endive and salsify; crisp loup de mer or truffle risotto (for extra charge); prime filet of beef; and dessert. 5-8 PM; $150 per person (1104 Wilshire Blvd.; 310-395-0881).
Josie and Next Door by Josie
The menu at Josie LeBalch’s Santa Monica restaurant includes salad with caramelized pear and Stilton cheese, roast goose with huckleberry sauce, and pastry chef Jonna Jensen’s bouche de noel for dessert. $68 per person. At Josie Next Door, there will be an all-night happy hour with a special spiced hot cider cocktail (2424 Pico Blvd.; 310- 581-9888).
Gordon Ramsay at The London
Choices on the three-course menu include roasted chestnut soup, tuna carpaccio, roast duck breast, butter-poached lobster, roast organic turkey with chestnut stuffing, and eggnog crème brulee. $95 per person. 5-10 PM on Christmas Eve, and 11:30 AM-10 PM on Christmas Day (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; 310-358-7788).
WP24
Dine on top of LA on Christmas Eve and Day. Dishes include roasted Peking duck, crispy Japanese snapper with wok-fried greens, slow-roasted leg of lamb with water chestnuts and Szechuan peppercorn sauce, and eggnog pain perdu with bourbon-maple ice cream. $150 per person. 6-10 PM both days (900 W. Olympic Blvd.; 213-743-8824).
CHRISTMAS DAY
The Pikey
The West Hollywood gastropub will be the perfect escape from the family on Christmas Eve or Day. Along with the regular menu, specials include salt-baked salmon with roasted leeks and hazelnuts, matzo ball soup, pigs in a blanket with roasted Brussels sprouts, mince pies with clotted cream, and holiday cocktails like spiced rum and milk punch. Open until 2 AM both days (7617 W. Sunset Blvd.; 323-850-5400).
The Churchill
A budget-friendly option for the holiday includes this three-courser with your choice of carrot apple and ginger soup, winter greens with pears, hazelnuts and goat feta, glazed ham, leg of lamb, winter squash ravioli with brown butter and sage, and a slew of seasonal side dishes served family-style. $35 per person. 5-9 PM (8384 West 3rd St.; 323-655-8384).
Locanda del Lago
The Santa Monica restaurant features its annual Cena di Natale Christmas Supper, special seasonal Italian dishes served a la carte or as a three- or four-course menu. Featured are dishes like guinea hen and pistachio terrine, handmade capon tortellini in chicken consomme, braised snapper with pomegranate sauce, roasted veal tenderloin with black truffle sauce, and Italian sweet bread with zabaglione. $49 for three courses, $62 for four and $22 extra for wine pairings (231 Arizona Ave.; 310-451-3525).
Catch
The three-course menu at this beachside dining room includes choices like pumpkin squash soup, seared wagyu leef with artichokes and black truffels, maple-glazed Cornish hen with root vegetable ragout, filet of beef with potato puree, and sticky date pudding. $85 per person. 11 AM-9 PM (1910 Ocean Way; 310-581-7714).
Culina
The Four Seasons' brunch buffet includes stations for Peking duck, seafood in many forms, and traditional roast beef, ham and turkey, along with side dishes and desserts like freshly made donuts and homemade gelato. $95 for adults, $47 for kids 12 and under. 11 AM-6 PM (300 S. Doheny Dr.; 310-860-4000).
Scarpetta
What can’t you get at the Beverly Hills restaurant’s Christmas Day brunch buffet? You’ll find everything from citrus-cured salmon and crab legs with cherry-pepper mayo, calzone with spicy sausage and chestnut stuffing, prime rib, porchetta, pumpkin tortellini, the famous spaghetti with tomato and basil, and a dessert spread worthy of the holiday. Noon-9 PM. $88 for adults; $35 for kids aged 4-12 years old (225 N. Canon Dr.; 310-860-7970).
