The 12 Meals of Christmas in Los Angeles

On the first day of Christmas in Los Angeles a blogger gave to me…12 meals under the tree! 

Citrin

Newly reopened as of just December 20th, Citrin is an extension of the upscale restaurant Mélisse and offers a more relaxed and à la carte experience, but with the same precision of chefs Josiah Citrin and Ken Takayama.

Menu highights include the Lobster Bolognese and Caviar Egg that Mélisse is famous for as well as seasonal dishes like the Wild Japanese Yellowtail “Buri” with radish, grapefruit, and nori.

Reservations are available on Resy and as of the publishing of this blog post on 12/20/19 they still had spots as early as 5 PM.

Nerano Beverly Hills 

Do as the Italians do with the Feast of the Seven Fishes at Nerano Beverly Hills. Chef Michele Lisi offers seven different pesce offerings to choose from ranging from a Zuppa di Vongole manila clams chowder ($18) to a Tonnarelli al Nero with king crab, bottarga, and chives ($42).

End the meal with something not fishy at all, the Nustella pizza star with Nutella and Gelato Fior de Latte ($16).

Nerano is open on December 24th for dinner.

The Milky Way

Hanukkah kicks off this Sunday, December 22nd,  and there’s no better place to pick up your platters then the dairy kosher restaurant The Milky Way.

Specialty dishes include Latke & Smoked Salmon served with house-made apple compote and sour cream ($20); The Latke Platter with the trimmings for takeout ($40 for 12); and Hannukah Gelt for the kids (FREE)!

The Milky Way opens at 11:30 AM and these specials are available from the 22nd until the 29th. The restaurant is closed Saturdays.

Drago Centro

One of my favorite spots for Weekend Happy Hour is now your home for the holidays. Delight in their Feast of the Seven Fishes Prix-Fixe from Chef Celestino Drago for just $100 a person! While you’re there be sure to sip on an Apple of My Eye created by Bar Manager Emraan Jawaid made with vodka, Cognac, lemon, apple, Fernet Vallet, cinnamon, and Amontillado.

Christmas Eve dinner runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and the Apple of My Eye will be available through December.

The West Hollywood EDITION

A star on top of the tree deserves a Michelin starred chef at your table. Be among the first in Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas at the vegetable-focused Ardor restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser at the newly opened West Hollywood EDITION hotel. They will be offering a 4 -course prix fixe menu for Christmas Eve and a 5-course prix-fixe with cocktail for Christmas Day. 

Highlights include a Truffle Arancini appetizer and a Pappardelle with Chestnuts and Winter Truffles (supplement). Entrees include a Dry Aged Duck and a Mushroom Papillotte among others.

The restaurant is open on the 24th and 25th from Noon until 11 p.m. and the cost is $125 per person for Christmas Eve and $170 for Christmas Day (Children are $45 and $55 respectively). Reservations and payment can be made in advance on Tock, so the meal will feel practically free :).

Patina Restaurant 

Choose between a 4 ($120) or 6-course ($160) Christmas Eve dinner at the Michelin-starred Patina in DTLA, from Chef Andreas Roller. Menu highlights include Mary’s Duck with braised red cabbage, potato noodle, kumquat, star anise; Grilled American Wagyu Beef; and a Buche de Noel with chicory, cherry, hazelnut.

The restaurant is open from 5 to 8:30 PM.

Market Provisions

Christmas in Los Angeles for under $60?? At Market Provisions on Beverly Blvd it’s possible! Menu highlights include a Prime Rib of Beef with garlic mashed potatoes ($38) and a Seafood Cioppino with toasted Garlic bread ($36).

Christmas Eve hours are from 5:30 PM-10 PM.

Casita Del Campo

From 11 AM-8PM, celebrate Feliz Navidad at Casita Del Campo in Silverlake. Enjoy Chile en Nogada, a traditional Mexican Holiday dish that sort of resembles a Yule Log, made with fresh poblano green chilis stuffed with ground beef and dressed in a walnut cream sauce. For dessert don’t forget to order the signature Flan. 

Denny’s or your House!

Take the mess out of Christmess 🙂 with the Turkey & Dressing Dinner Pack from Denny’s. Each pack is made for 4 people and includes a carved turkey breast, savory stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, red-skinned mashed potatoes and one additional side of your choice. Round out the meal by adding a whole Pecan or Pumpkin Pie to the order. You can order online and it just needs to be made 24 hours in advance. Delivery is also available–so you never have to leave your house! 

Culina – Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Enjoy a 4-course prix-fixe menu for less than $100 in on Christmas Eve in Beverly Hills curated by Chef de Cuisine Luca Moriconi ($95). Highlights include an antipasti like the Roasted Octopus; secondi dishes like the Roasted Striped Bass Filet; and either Meyer Lemon Meringue or a Chocolate Peppermint Gateau.

An à la carte menu will also be available and it all begins at 6 PM! 

Ray & Stark’s Bar

Enjoy some art at LACMA and then some artfully done dishes with Christmas Eve at Ray & Stark’s Bar. Menu Highlights include a Chestnut Agnolotti with brussels sprouts, bacon, apple, brandy, brown butter, and truffle ($28) and a Maple-Glazed Duck Breast with wild rice, turnip, sweet potato, green peppercorn, and winter citrus ($35).

Hours are 11:30 A.M. to 6 P.M.

Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts 

If Christmas in Los Angeles for you is all about Noche Buena, then what better way to celebrate than with a “Winter Mint” Abuelita donut from Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts. Featuring chocolate abuelita mint glaze, candied mint leaves, maldon salt, and snow sugar sprinkles on top it just might be sweeter than your own grandma at midnight!

Trejo’s opens bright and early at 7 a.m. for those last minute sweet gifties.