You will NOT be put on the naughty list because you don’t cook dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
We have it upon good authority that the last thing Santa wants is for you to be all stressed-out, frantically banging pots and pans in the kitchen.
And when you pause long enough to reflect upon it, would it not be more in the spirit of the season to spend as much time as you can with loved ones?
One more thing: The best last-minute gift is dining out. Your treat.
So here’s a list of some of our favorite restaurant specials (and a few cocktail ones too!) in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Remember that prices do not include taxes and gratuities.
Avalon Steak & Seafood
110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. 561-593-2500. AvalonDelray.com.
Avalon will be open Dec. 25 from 3 to 9 p.m. and will serve a $85 per person three-course prix fixe menu with lobster bisque, Long Island duck with apple mostarda, Maine halibut with tri-cauliflower, wild boar pappardelle and dessert choices of whipped ricotta and red velvet cake.
B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale
1140 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. BHotelsAndResorts.com/b-ocean-resort/eat-drink/naked-crab.
This Fort Lauderdale beach resort’s Naked Crab Seafood Kitchen & Bar will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6-11 p.m. with a three-course meal and holiday-themed drinks that costs $75 per adult and $30 per child younger than 12.
Some of the choices on the menu include Wagyu bresaola carpaccio, tuna tartare, beef Wellington and seafood bouillabaisse.
The resort’s Wreck Bar also will be open on Christmas Eve and adults 21 and over can see a holiday-themed Aqua Mermaid Burlesque show and order from the Christmas dinner menu at the Naked Crab. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and costs $60 with a $35 food and beverage credit. To purchase tickets, go to BHotelsAndResorts.com/b-ocean-resort/eat-drink/mermaids-at-the-wreck-bar or Eventbrite.com.
Batch Gastropub: Delray
14813 Lyons Road, Delray Beach. 561-877-0000. BatchGastroPub.com/delray/reservations.
Batch will serve a holiday menu Dec. 23-Jan. 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. (dine-in only). Some of the dishes include a starter of tuna tataki made with seared yellowfin tuna, ponzu sauce, scallion salad, fried garlic chips and toasted sesame seeds for $13 and a main course of lobster risotto with Arborio rice, caramelized onions, lobster stock, grilled lobster tail and Thai basil pecan pesto for $24.50 (you can add an extra lobster tail for $12).
The Ben’s Proper Grit
251 N. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-655-4001. ProperGrit.com or TheBenWestPalm.com.
Downtown West Palm Beach’s Ben hotel will serve a prix-fixe dinner and will be open Christmas Eve from 5-10 p.m. for $42 per person and Christmas Day from 3-8 p.m. for $49 per person.
The Christmas Eve dinner has a starter of roasted tomato bisque. The entrée choices are risotto-crusted mahi mahi or spiced maple-glazed ham. And dessert will be a chocolate peppermint tart with berries.
The Christmas Day dinner starts with a salad of arugula, endive, radicchio, shaved grana padano and aged balsamic or roasted chestnut soup with hemp seed crunch. The entrée is prime rib along with family-style service of herb-roasted potatoes, cauliflower spinach & cherry tomato gratin and popovers with salted butter. The dessert choices are chocolate peppermint pie or cheesecake with Amerena cherries.
Big Time Restaurant Group
Elisabetta’s, 32 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. 561-560-6699; 185 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-342-6699. Elisabettas.com.
Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria, 1032 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-356-6699; 100 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. 561-336-6699. LouieBossi.com.
Two of the Big Time restaurant group’s major labels — Louie Bossi’s and Elisabetta’s — will be open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to midnight and will feature lobster fra diavolo with Maine lobster, San Marzano tomatoes, Calabrian chili peppers and house-made spaghetti for $45.
Botanic in the Kimpton Goodland Hotel Fort Lauderdale
2900 Riomar St., Fort Lauderdale. 954-908-7308. BotanicFL.com.
This recent Latin/Caribbean addition to the Fort Lauderdale beach cuisine scene will be open 5-10:30 p.m. both Christmas Eve and Day.
On Christmas Eve the specials will be a half rack of lamb for $34, pork loin for $28 and a kid’s special (choice of protein) for $14.
On Christmas Day the specials will be duck breast for $28 and spiral ham for $27.
The desserts for both days will be an apple cranberry turnover a la mode or a cookie trio, both for $8.
Café Boulud
301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach. 561-655-6060. CafeBoulud.com/palmbeach.
Famous French chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant will be open Christmas Eve and Day for dinner service 5:30-10 p.m. The high-profile Style Isle eatery will also serve Christmas Day brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Executive chef Dieter Samijn’s holiday prix fixe menu is $175 per person for dinner and $95 per person for brunch. The menus includes popular Cafe Boulud dishes such as:
Shareables — Truffles and caviar, Florida stone crab claws and wild Belon oysters.
Appetizers — Roasted beet salad (with chevre, pistachios and sourdough crostinis), hamachi tartare, wild Maine lobster and foie gras and veal marbre
Main course — Black truffle agnolotti, Alaskan halibut, snapper, honey-glazed duck breast and braised beef short rib.
Dessert — Noix de coco and citron vert, châtaigne and chocolat as well as café and tonka
Casareccio Italian Trattoria Tapas Vino
1386 S. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach. 954-998-3642. CasareccioTrattoria.com.
Emylene Egusquiza and Salvatore Spina will prepare an Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes for $75 as well as their regular menu on Christmas Eve (and New Year’s Eve). There will be two seatings, at 5 and 8 p.m.
Chez Marie French Bistro
5030 Champion Blvd., Boca Raton. 561-997-0027. ChezMarieFrenchBistro.com.
Chez Marie will be open Christmas Eve and Day from 5 to 9 p.m. and will offer some signature dishes such as rosemary-seasoned rack of lamb for $49, filet mignon au poivre with truffled potato gratin and asparagus for $4, the chef’s house-crafted foie gras pâté with slices of moscato-poached pear & gingerbread for $25, sea scallops au Champagne for $36 and partly deboned roasted half duck served with a peach-brandy sauce for $35.
Corvina Seafood Grill
110 Plaza Real South (at Palmetto Place), Boca Raton. 561-206-0066. CorvinaBocaRaton.com.
Downtown Boca Raton’s newest restaurant will offer a three-course table d’hôte-style menu Christmas Eve from 5 to 9 p.m. for $70-$95. Corvina will also serve coquito, a holiday eggnog drink from Puerto Rico for $12.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
800 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-314-6500. CubaLibreRestaurant.com.
This concept by two-time James Beard award-winning chef/partner Guillermo Pernot will be open Christmas Eve from 4-8 p.m. for dinner service only (and closed on Christmas Day). And from now through Jan. 31, Cuba Libre has a “Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice” winter holiday cocktail menu, including:
The Pumpkin Spiced Latte Martini with Brinley Gold Shipwreck coconut cream rum and spiced rum, coffee liqueur, nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice for $14
The Spiked Hot Cocoa with creamy Brinley Gold Shipwreck vanilla rum and spiced rum, Abuelita chocolate powder, steamed milk and chocolate curls for $12
The Apple Cider Caipirinha with infused cachaca, sugar, apple cider and muddled limes for $12
The Spiked Hot Apple Cider with Brinley Shipwreck spiced rum, steamed cloudy apple cider, pumpkin pie spice, whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg and topped off with a cinnamon stick for $12
Duffy’s Sports Grill
Multiple locations; DuffysMVP.com.
Duffy’s will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The specials include:
Bacon-wrapped shrimp — either as a starter drizzled in Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce and sriracha aioli for $13.99 or $14.99 (depending on the location) or as a platter with two sides for $17.99 or $18.99.
Buffalo-style mac & cheese topped with chicken for $14.99 or $15.99 or with shrimp for $16.99 or $17.99.
Prime Time Burger made with Angus beef patty, shaved Angus beef ribeye, aged sharp cheddar, onion rings, horseradish cream sauce and served with fries and a pickle spear for $15.99 or $16.99.
The holiday cocktails-for-two Jack Apple New Fashioned drinks for $14 or $15, Peppermint Martini for $16 or $17 and a Double Eggnog for $14 or $15.
Ember Grill at The Ray Hotel
233 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach. 561-739-1705. EmberGrillDelray.com.
The new restaurant in Delray Beach’s latest hotspot will have four-course prix-fixe dinner with wine pairing on Christmas Eve for $85 per person from 4 to 11 p.m.
The menu includes a chestnut soup as well as a Christmas salad with arugula, kale, fennel, pomegranate, citrus, pecans, feta and champagne vinaigrette. The main course is prime rib with root vegetable puree and roasted rainbow baby carrots. Dessert will be a yule log.
On Christmas Day Ember Grill will offer a regular menu, again from 4-11 p.m.
Galley
600 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-231-6100. GalleyWestPalmBeach.com.
Chef Guillermo Eleicegui promises a bit of his Argentine heritage with the holiday menu at this restaurant known for its farm-to-table cuisine. Galley will be open Christmas Eve 4-10 p.m. and Christmas Day 3-10 p.m. The specials include:
El Pampeano, a 21 ounce bone in short rib with baked potato and chimichurri for $52.
Surf and turf, cauliflower lobster risotto, an 8 ounce prime filet mignon with port wine rosemary reduction for $64
Crusted-cracker cod with cannellini bean & chorizo ragout and Key lime beurre blanc for $32
Sticky toffee pudding cake made with date sponge cake, warm rum toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream for $12
Key lime sandwich for $12
Havana 1957, Cuban Cuisine
14571 SW Fifth St. Pembroke Pines. 754-210-3499. Havana1957.com.reservations.
Havana 1957 will have a Christmas Eve three-course prix-fixe meal for $45 and will be open noon-2 a.m. The choices are:
Appetizer – Toston Vaca Frita (stuffed plantain with shredded beef) or Caldosa Criolla (a chicken broth)
Main course – Lechon Asado (oven-roasted pork leg with Cuban mojo and served with rice and yucca) or Rabo Encendido (oxtail stew braised in red wine sauce and served with white rice and sweet plantains)
Havana 1957 will also be open on Christmas Day noon-2 a.m.
Josie’s Ristorante
1602 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. 561-364-9601. JosiesRistorante.com.
Chef Sebastiano Setticasi will have a “8 Fishes Celebration for Two” at Josie’s on Christmas Eve from 4 to 11 p.m. for $120. Setticasi’s take on the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes will include a San Francisco-style cioppino (fish stew) with mussels, baby clams, scallops, halibut, shrimp, Maine lobster, calamari and king crab.
La Goulue Palm Beach
288 S. County Road, Palm Beach. 561-284-6292. LaGouluePalmBeach.com.
This French restaurant will be open Christmas Eve from 5 to 10 p.m. with a Christmas dinner menu and special cocktails ranging in price from $20-$58.
The bistro will serve brunch on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and then dinner with special menu additions from 5 to 10 p.m. Specials on Christmas Day include an appetizer of wild mushroom velouté with roasted chestnut, frisée salad and truffle oil for $18. There will be an entrée of rosemary infused rack of lamb served with baby carrots and creamy polenta topped with veal jus for $58. For dessert La Goulue will offer a chocolate and black cherry log with yogurt ice cream and creme anglaise for $14.
Lionfish
307 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. 561-639-8700. LionfishDelray.com.
Lionfish will be open for dinner Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunch with their regular hours. They will also continue to serve their holiday cocktail menu, with each drink costing $15. The drinks are:
Winter in New York – Angel’s Envy bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, allspice and a float of pinot noir
‘Tis the Season Mimosa – cranberry and rosemary puree, simple syrup, lemon juice, Champagne and cinnamon sugar mix
Sitting by the Fire – Grey Goose vodka, espresso, White Godiva liqueur, Frangelico and espresso beans for garnish.
Marky’s Caviar Lounge
1 Seminole Way #102, Hollywood. 954-314-7226. MarkysCaviarLounge.com.
Marky’s in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will be open 4:30-10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a prix-fixe menu for $95 per person.
Appetizers – prawn with caviar and avocado, chilled oysters, potato latkes with sour cream and smoked trout roe as well as black truffle arancini with mozzarella
Starter – mushroom tortellini
Entrees – branzino baked with lemon olive oil and confit duck legs with potato gratin, orange sauce and green beans in mustard dressing
Dessert – strawberry snow with fresh cream
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale. 954-525-4000. Marriott.com.
Two restaurants in this resort, Riva and 3030 Ocean, will serve dishes inspired by the Christmas season. 3030 Ocean will be open both Christmas Eve and Day from 6 to 10 p.m. Riva will be open Christmas Eve 5 to 9 p.m. and Christmas Day 7 am. to 1 p.m.
Riva’s Christmas Eve buffet is $59 for adults and $19 for children 5-12 and antipasta display, carrot and sweet potato bisque, composed salads, a prime rib carving station, main dishes (mahi mahi, chicken breast, paella, cauliflower au gratin, vegetables, chicken fingers, mac and cheese). The Christmas Day breakfast buffet will be open until 1 p.m.
Oceans 234
234 N. Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach. 954-428-2539. Oceans234.com.
This seaside restaurant will be open Christmas Eve from noon to 11 p.m. and Christmas Day from 3 to 11 p.m. Also, from Dec. 23-Jan. 5, Oceans 234 will offer a holiday a la carte menu from executive chef Nicole Fey including dishes such as:
Wagyu nigiri with a 2 ounce Japanese A5 striploin, sushi rice, bourbon barrel-aged shoyu and micro wasabi for $40
White truffle gnocchi with herbed ricotta gnocchi, white truffle and fontina cream, leeks and white winter truffles for $65
Short rib osso bucco with parmesan polenta, orange glazed carrots, ciabatta and bone marrow for $65
Duck confit with goji berry and port reduction, charred broccolini and sweet potato pave for $50
White truffle shower supplement can be added to any dish tableside for $80.
Pistache
101 N. Clematis St. 561-833-5090. PistacheWPB.com.
Chef de cuisine Mike Burgio has come up with a three-course prix-fixe menu that will be served from 2-8 p.m. on Christmas Day for $85 per person and $35 for children. The menu includes:
Appetizer choices of squash velouté, burgundy escargot, arugula & parmesan salad, beet salad, baby kale salad, wild mushroom risotto or calvados glazed pork belly.
Entrée options are grilled salmon, broiled snapper, duck cassoulet, lamb navarin, beef bourguignon or steak frites.
Desserts include buche de noel, opera cake or lemon tart.
Quarterdeck Restaurants
Five locations in Broward County. QuarterdeckRestaurants.com.
With the exception of Dania Beach, Quarterdeck Restaurants will be open Christmas Eve and Day, although hours vary based on location. These Quarterdecks are having 25 days of food specials leading up to Christmas Eve. Each day will have a different entrée special for $15.99 all day with the purchase of a drink.
Riviera by Fabio Viviani
525 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 754-241-2020. RivieraByFabioViviani.com.
This restaurant at the Hotel Maren on Fort Lauderdale beach will feature celebrity chef Viviani’s a la carte menu on Christmas Day from 4 to 11 p.m. Some of the dishes will include:
Cacio e pepe with pecorino and summer truffles for $27
Seared sea scallops with roasted celery root, orange, pomegranate and crisp celery root puree and red wine for $38
Red wine-braised short rib, gremolata, parmesan polenta, charred green beans, Calabrian chili, crisp onion and red wine reduction for $45
Shooters Waterfront
3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-566-2855. ShootersWaterfront.com.
Shooters, a popular Intracoastal restaurant and bar, will be open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Christmas Day from noon-8 p.m. On both days, the last seating will be at 6 p.m. But on Christmas Day, Shooters will have their “Santa Saturday” brunch from 1:30 to 4 p.m. with Santa Claus making a visit between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sonrisa at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center
5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton. 561-620-3717. Marriott.com/pbibr.
Sonrisa will serve dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. on both Christmas Eve and Day. The prix fixe menu is $35 per person and includes:
Starter — Apple bacon pumpkin soup or seasonal mixed green salad
Main course — prime rib or roasted chicken, both served with brown-butter Brussels sprouts with raisins and shaved almonds, sour cream, cheddar mashed potatoes and coriander maple glazed carrots
Desserts — Apple pie or tiramisu
Tropical Smokehouse
3815 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. 561-323-2573. EatTropical.com.
Tropical Smokehouse is giving Christmas dinner a barbecue twist with a Christmas Family Meal (feeds six to eight people) with a pit-smoked heritage ham, two pounds of sweet corn pudding, two pounds of white cheddar mac and cheese and one Caribbean rum cake for $135. You can add a smoked turkey breast for $55 or a half prime certified Angus brisket for $70.
You can also order a la carte. A honey-brined smoked turkey breast is $65, smoked heritage ham is $70, prime certified Angus brisket half is $80 or whole for $150. The sides are sweet corn pudding for $20, white cheddar mac and cheese for $20, Caribbean rum cake for $25 and cranberry BBQ sauce for $8.
Order no later than Dec. 19 and you must pick up your order on Christmas Eve between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. To order, go to EatTropical.com/christmas-2021.
