It happens every year—while you’re still digesting all that Thanksgiving stuffing, Christmas starts to rear its jolly, festive head.  Poinsettias become omnipresent (as does Mariah Carey’s rendition of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”), and a trip to the mall seems like a death wish.  Frankly, we know nothing about which store is having which sale, but that’s because we’ve been too busy caring about one thing: food.  With Christmas Eve just two weeks away, it’s about time you figure out where you’ll be dining, too.  Here’s a list of neighborhood spots serving prix-fixe Christmas menus, so you can properly get your feast on.  Besides, isn’t eating what the holidays are all about?  We think so. 

 

WARREN’S BLACKBOARD

Yes, we know there’s always Chinese take-out, but outside of Kung Pao Beef on the go, there aren’t many options for dining out on Christmas Day.  Meet Warren’s Blackboard—the new pop-up restaurant at North Hollywood’s The Beverly Garland hotel, headed by executive chef, Warren Schwartz (formerly of Westside Tavern).  Christmas day dinner is a three-course prix fixe feast, featuring local, sustainable ingredients such as north country maple-glazed ham, and natural salmon touched with blood orange tarragon vinaigrette.  Welcome to the neighborhood.  Full menu, here.

Warren’s Blackboard at The Beverly Garland Hotel, 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood. (800)238-3759.

CAFÉ CORDIALE

What works up an appetite more than a side of Dickens carolers singing Christmas tunes with your stuffed duck?  At Café Cordiale their traditional English Christmas menu—which includes Scottish salmon, roasted chicken, filet mignon, Alaskan sand dabs, and sage and onion stuffed duck—is elevated by the sweet a cappella vocals of live carolers.  Full menu, here.

Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818)789-1985.

MISTRAL

There’s no reason to spend your Christmas Eve toiling over the stove, when Mistral is cooking up the likes of red wine braised prime beef short ribs alongside lamb loins, accented with herbs and mint-port reduction.  There’s duck confit, and pan roasted John Dory, too.  The finale to the four-course meal comes in the form of apple tarte tatin or chocolate soufflé.  Book now for a 6:00 pm or 8:30 pm seating.  Full menu, here. 

Mistral, 13422 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks. (818) 981-6650.

BISTRO GARDENS

Allow the melodies of Dickens Christmas Carolers to score your three-course Christmas Eve dinner at this Studio City classic.  The first course includes ahi carpaccio spiked with ginger vinaigrette along with blue crab and lobster bisque.  Then move on to a rack of lamb, Chilean sea bass or filet mignon served with peppercorn potato au gratin.  And yes, there are four choices for dessert, including crème brûlée and a grand marnier soufflé.  Full menu, here.

Bistro Gardens, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 501-0202.