Holiday Dining Options in the San Fernando Valley

Discover five solid holiday dining options in the San Fernando Valley, all geared toward either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Eve

Morton’s The Steakhouse (Woodland Hills)

Morton’s The Steakhouse, a Warner Center outpost of the meaty upscale chain, is serving their regular menu from 4 to 9 p.m. That means you can celebrate a la carte, including their vaunted jumbo shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, double Porterhouse steak for two and miso-marinated sea bass, all without any special holiday surcharge. Morton’s is also running a surf ‘n’ turf special, $55 for a 6-ounce filet mignon and lobster tail.

6250 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, 818-703-7272

The Eclectic Restaurant (North Hollywood)

The Eclectic, an arty NoHo Arts District restaurant that promises “find foods & spirits,” is going above and beyond for Christmas Eve, serving a sprawling menu of a la carte specials. Promising options include lobster mashed potatoes ($22) with butter-poached lobster and chives; slow-roasted prime rib ($34) with black currant port glaze and seasonal accompaniments; and kumquat-glazed Cornish game hen with applewood smoked bacon wild rice and dried cherries. Eclectic’s special dessert consists of grasshopper pie, chocolate sandwich cookies with marshmallow crème and crème de menthe. They’re also serving three cocktail specials, including a barrel-aged Negroni and “Feeling Naughty or Nice” Mudslide with Tito’s vodka, peppermint Schnapps, Kerrygold Irish cream, Kahlua and candy cane.

5156 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-760-2233

Firefly (Studio City)

Firefly, a vine-covered Studio City hideaway, is serving a three-course, prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight. The menu costs $55 per person, not including tax or tip, and comes with choices at every turn. Three of the most compelling options (aka, what I’d order) include Maine lobster bisque with poached lobster, puff pastry, sorrel and vanilla oil to start; braised beef cheek with whipped polenta, braised rainbow chard and crispy shallots; and butterscotch budino with salted caramel and dark chocolate pearls.

11720 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-762-1833

New Year’s Eve

The Federal Bar (North Hollywood)

The Federal Bar, an ambitious NoHo gastropub from Knitting Factory Entertainment with frequent performances, is providing the chance to dine and dance for $75 per person. The prix fixe menu includes several enticing choices, but I’d suggest citrus salad with blood and Valencia oranges, roasted shaved almonds, arugula, Thai basil, goat cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette; hamachi crudo with kumquat, avocado tartar, white shoyu vinaigrette and micro cilantro; roasted Arctic char fillet with bacon lardons, Brussels sprout leaves and carrot puree; and a dessert of chocolate and lemon/vanilla truffle. Vegetarian or vegan options are available upon request. The Federal Bar is also selling tickets: $25 for access to an upstairs club and party favors, or $125 for an upstairs VIP package with appetizers and open bar.

5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 818-980-2555

Roy’s (Woodland Hills)

Chef-partner Bart Yunker presides over Roy Yamaguchi’s west Valley outpost of Roy’s, which is offering a four-course menu that spans from $55 to $119, depending on your preferred entree. Their sprawling menu includes tantalizing options like Vietnamese-style duck summer rolls with green papaya, butter lettuce and yuzu poppy seed vinaigrette; crispy ramen noodle salad with shaved Asian cabbage and sesame ginger vinaigrette; seared Hokkaido sea scallop with forbidden black rice, gailan and Bangkok red curry; and Champagne-poached Asian pear with angel food cake, pistachio crumbles and Champagne honey sauce. The celebration lasts until 1 a.m.

6363 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-888-4801