Let San Diego’s Top Chefs Do the Cooking This Christmas

Some of San Diego’s most popular dining destinations are serving up exceptional holiday meals for stress-free Christmas celebrations this year.   The Westgate Hotel Enjoy the holidays with family and friends at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego. The festively decorated hotel serves as the perfect backdrop as you and your loved ones enjoy a refined four-course dinner in the Westgate Room or indulge in a Christmas Day Holiday Buffet. The menu in the Westgate Room will be served at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and beginning at 11 a.m. on Christmas morning for $69. The buffet will be served in the Le Fontainebleau Room on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $85. Tax and gratuity are additional.    Jsix Let Chef Anthony Sinsay do the cooking for you this year! Enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner at Jsix with some of Sinsay’s Filipino-inspired holiday favorites. The three-course Christmas menu includes dishes such as Stir-fried Rice Noodles with local vegetables, soy and Kalamansi lime, and Red Kuri Squash Soup with hazelnut crème fraiche and tarragon pesto. The dinner will also feature specials such as Herb Butter Roasted Turkey and Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes. Satisfy your sweet tooth with desserts like Warm Cranberry Cake served with vanilla ice cream or Kabocha Pie served with Nutmeg Chantilly and pomegranate reduction to top off the night. The cost is $65 per person and reservations are recommended.  Barona Resort & Casino Play slots, poker and table games this year at Barona Resort & Casino while you indulge in a three-course meal at one of Barona’s award-winning restaurants. Barona Oaks Steakhouse will serve a $50 multi-course meal with entrée choices of Pepper-Crusted Ribeye or Chilean Sea Bass. For $40, The Italian Cucina will pair Braised Duck Ragu or Hearth-Roasted Salmon with seared sea scallops and spicy sausage, and the Sage Café will cook up Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Seared Sea Bass with starters such as walnut-crusted cream cheese for $33. For an even larger selection, Barona’s Seasons Fresh Buffet will feature holiday classics including Roasted Butternut Squash, Carved Prime Rib, and Bourbon-Glazed Ham for $37.95 per person.  Barona Oaks Steakhouse will be open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Christmas Eve and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, and Italian Cucina will be open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Sage Café will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on both days, and Seasons Fresh Buffet will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. TRUST Restaurant This popular Hillcrest eatery has introduced Trust Kitchen Catering just in time for the holiday season. Chef Brad Wise’s menu offers a variety of service options—from a casual lunch to tray passed hor’doeuvres, a buffet with interactive stations, or a plated meal. Seasonal dishes include Roast Butternut Squash Soup, Rapini Stuffed Pork Loin, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding and much more. Known for his wood-fired cookery, Wise is also offering up a Santa Maria Style BBQ spread.    Decoy Dockside Dining Enjoy Christmas dinner at Decoy Dockside Dining, complete with a three-course holiday meal and beautiful views of Lake San Marcos. The lakefront restaurant is offering a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Family Feast on December 24 and 25 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The three-course meal will be served family-style for $65 and for just $20 more, guests can choose from Decoy’s selection of fine wines to pair with their Christmas dinner. Dinners are available for children 12 & under for $30. Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering Christmas dinner made easy this year when you order from Giuseppe’s 2016 Holiday Menu. This extensive selection features appetizers such as Farmer’s Market Seasonal Vegetable Crudites and Spiced Butternut Squash Soup,with entrees ranging from Roasted New York Strip Steak served with Tarragon horseradish to Chilled Maple-Rosemary Salmon. Classic holiday desserts like Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie are available to order, as well as Dark Chocolate-Walnut Brownies and Giuseppe’s Signature Carrot Cake.    Orders must be placed no later than Thursday, December 22 at 12 p.m.
THE US GRANT | Downtown A true destination in downtown San Diego, THE US GRANT is the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit this season. The hotel’s newly restyled grand lobby will be elegantly decorated for guests and locals to celebrate traditions, new and old. From THE US GRANT’s annual holiday tea in the lobby to Christmas dinner at The Grant Grill—there’s something for everyone this season. In addition, the hotel will play host to the Lamb’s Players presentation of “An American Christmas” for the second year in a row. The timeless holiday show will take place Dec. 14 – 24, 2016 in THE US GRANT’s Presidential Ballroom and will be accompanied by a four-course dinner.  

• Lamb’s Players “An American Christmas” 1916 Feast and Celebration 
  • December 14-24, 6:30 p.m. 
  • $158-$174/adult; $113-$129/child; Tickets: http://www.lambsplayers.org/
• THE US GRANT Traditional Holiday Tea
  • December 10 and 17, Noon-1:30 p.m. 
  • $52/adult; $29/child (plus tax and gratuity) 
  • Reservations are required and can be made by calling 619-744-2039 
• Grant Grill Christmas Dinner 
  • December 24 and 25, 5:30-9 p.m.
  • Five-course dinner: $95; $130 with wine pairings
  • Reservations: www.grantgrill.com 

 Tidal at Paradise Point | Mission Beach Delight in a true California Christmas while dining seaside at Paradise Point’s signature restaurant, Tidal. Celebrate the holiday from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. by indulging in a three-course Christmas dinner created by Executive Chef DJ Tangalin. Christmas dinner highlights include seafood sinigang, pork and veal lumpia, molasses and apple glazed ham, wood roasted lamb loin, maple leaf duck breast, garlic and herb roasted prime rib and more. In addition, specialty holiday desserts include Horchata wanna cotta, and eggnog creme brûlée. Enjoy three-courses for $65 with optional $25 wine pairings; $32 for kids, excluding tax and gratuity.  Rancho Bernardo Inn | Rancho Bernardo There is never a dull moment during the holidays at Rancho Bernardo Inn, in picturesque North County, San Diego. Perfect for the holiday season, the property offers four festive dining options. Savor a specialty three-course Christmas menu at the Inn’s signature restaurant, AVANT or indulge in the three-course menu all weekend long at the Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant. For guests and locals who are interested in celebrating earlier in the day, Aragon Ballroom will be hosting a Christmas Day Brunch Buffet. Additional details are as follows: 

• AVANT Christmas Eve & Christmas Day three-course menu from 3pm-8pm (Adults $80, $40 kids 12 and under) Menu highlights include roasted carrot bisque, spiced venison carpaccio, roasted filet mignon, foraged mushroom risotto, a chocolate mousse bar, toffee rum cake and more.
• Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant will offer a three-course holiday menu all weekend. Guests can join for lunch from 11:30am-4pm and dinner from 5pm-10pm. Menu highlights include Dungeness crab cake, pan seared sea bass, the white chocolate cheese cake and more.
• Aragon Ballroom Christmas Day Brunch Buffet- The brunch is from 11am-3pm and will offer specialty dishes and libations including mimosas, sparkling cider, make your own omelet station, grilled shrimp and crab legs, hot carving station, traditional yule log cakes and more. Plus don’t miss out on a petting zoo and pony rides for kids!

 Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | Rancho Santa Fe Relax this holiday season at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and indulge in fine dining on Christmas Eve and Christmas at the resort’s signature restaurant, Veladora. Before the celebrations begin, adults and children alike can enjoy a complimentary holiday decorating cookie session with Pastry Chef Stephanie Tesnow’s decadent sugar cookies and gingerbread men on Friday, December 23 from 3 – 5 p.m.

• Christmas Eve Dinner – On December 24 from 5-10 p.m. guests can enjoy a special three-course Christmas dinner offering festive dishes including local Scarborough Farms mixed greens with pears, candied walnut crumb, Nicolau Farms classic chèvre and sherry vinaigrette; wild mushroom risotto with Nicolau Farms black truffle goat cheese and shaved truffles; Brandt beef short rib with pommes mousseline, salt roasted shallots and port wine; dark chocolate Napoleon with candied winter orange and more. Christmas Eve dinner at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 
• Christmas Day Buffet – On December 25 from 12:30-5:30 p.m., celebrate the holidays with Rancho Valencia’s traditional Christmas buffet at Veladora. The buffet will host a cold seafood station with assorted sushi, salmon, and slow poached Baja white prawns, salads and starters, a house made pasta station with braised short rib mac & cheese gratin, carving station, holiday desserts and more. The Christmas buffet at Veladora is $125 for adults, $55 for kids 11 and under, and complimentary for kids under 3, plus tax and gratuity.

 Rustic Root | Downtown Rustic Root has announced a Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 25 with a delicious feast that would make even Santa Claus leave feeling full. The three-course holiday dinner will feature dishes such as the herb oven-roasted Jidori chicken, salmon wellington, prime rib, honey baked ham, and sea bass. The meal will be served between 2 p.m. – 8 p.m for $55 per person, with a thee-course kids meal also available for $13. Manchester Grand Hyatt | Downtown Guests and locals alike can make the Manchester Grand Hyatt a part of their holiday traditions this year with delicious dining specials. Its iconic location on Gaslamp Quarter’s waterfront, spectacular views of the San Diego Bay and festive holiday dining at Seaview Restaurant and Sally’s Fish House & Bar make the picturesque hotel the perfect place to celebrate with family and friends. Make this season one to remember with dazzling views of San Diego Bay’s sparkling waters and the following delectable dining options at the Manchester Grand Hyatt: 

• Seaview: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can enjoy Seaview’s Christmas Day Buffet menu for $69.94 for adults and $32 for children ages 6 to 12. Complete with a raw seafood bar, meat carving station, ravioli station and more. Please call (619) 358-6735 for reservations.
• Sally’s Fish House & Bar: Delight in the Grand Breakfast Buffet at Sally’s Fish House & Bar from 6:30-11 a.m. The waterfront eatery will also be offering a Christmas dinner special $44 per person, complete with salt and herb crusted prime rib, steamed king crab legs, Bourisn Cheese mashed potatoes and more.

Bellamy’s | Escondido  This holiday, friends and family can head to Bellamy’s, one of Escondido’s top dining destinations, for an exclusive holiday experience. With an array of traditional yet unique holiday favorites, Executive Chef Jonathan Freyberg has curated an exclusive Christmas Eve menu fit for every palate. Standout dishes include Porcini Mushroom Ravioli, Lobster & Seafood Stew, Mustard Crusted Pork Chop and Mont Blanc Bouche de Noel. For $65 per person, guests can indulge in three delicious courses with the option to enhance the experience with additional wine pairings.  Holiday Dining at Harrah’s Resort Southern California Enjoy a variety of decadent cuisine this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Harrah’s Resort SoCal. Indulge in fine dining at Fiore Steakhouse and experience handcrafted dishes such as lamb wellington with mushroom duxelle, thyme jus, minted carrots vichy and roasted squash purée and lobster stuffed prime tenderloin of beef served with chive whipped potatoes and haricots verts. As additional dining option this holiday season, guests also enjoy a special Christmas menu at The Buffet. Dining options at The Buffet include a carving station with honey glazed, bone in ham, leg of lamb, turkey, and prime rib; seasonal tamales and carnitas tacos; fresh salads such as the sweet broccoli slaw and chicken apple, savory soups including pumpkin squash and lobster cream ravioli, and an impressive dessert station with all the favorites.  Ponsaty’s Ponsaty’s in Rancho Santa Fe will offer guests an elegant three-course menu on Christmas Eve. Appetizers include Mexican Wild Shrimp Cocktail, Maine Lobster Bisque “en Croute” or Crispy Lamb Sweet Breads. Entrée options include Tasmanian Trout, Guinea Hen Breast Stuffed with Foie Gras or Baked Maine Lobster. For dessert indulge in the Mont Blanc, Joconde Biscuit or Chestnut and Chocolate Mousse prepared by Pastry Chef Bruno Albouze. Dinners are priced at $75.00 per person and $30.00 corkage fee (maximum two bottles per table). Reservations required.