The holly-leaves-2Holidays are HERE…so save yourself some stress and EAT OUT!!! Here are some LAArtParty.com favorites – of course you can check our Restaurant Reviews Page on our sister site EatTravelGo.com – HERE. It is listed on the Stories Section, under the Dining/Drinking Page.

Start on Christmas eve at at Drago Centro in Downtown Los Angeles this Christmas Eve with Owner and Executive Chef Celestino Drago’s The Feast of the Seven Fishes Prix-Fixe Menu ($100.00 per person plus tax)!
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Photo courtesy of Drago Centro

Chef Celestino Drago aims to please this Christmas Eve with his celebratory Feast of the Seven Fishes Prix-Fixe Menu where guests will be gifted with a sumptuous seafood offering featuring the Panna Cotta, Ricci di Mare, Crudo di Ventresca di Tonno, sea urchin panna cotta, toro and tuna tartar; the Cappesante, Polpo, Purée’ di Barbabietole e Lattughe Novelle, jumbo scallops, octopus, red beet purée with micro lettuce; Spaghettini Verdi alla Chitarra, Vongole e Carciofi Croccanti, basil spaghetti, clams and crispy artichokes; the Agnollotti con Aragosta, Brodetto di Peperoni Gialli profumati all’ Anice, lobster filled agnollotti, yellow bell pepper broth, and anise essence; Branzino, Purée’ di Melanzane, Pomodorini arrosto su corallo di Pane, roasted branzino, eggplant purée, roasted tomato, bread corral, and for Dessert guests can choose their individual sweet treat directly from the Drago Centro Dessert Menu. For those who are not driving the sleigh, Bar Manager Emraan Jawaid’s Apple of My Eye cocktail made with brown butter Infused vodka, Cognac, Amargo Vallet, lemon juice, apple syrup, and three dashes of Cassia Cinnamon Tincture is one of Santa’s favorites, and Wine Director Mark Sadr will be offering Wines by the Glass and Wines by the Bottle from Drago Centro’s award winning Wine List. So Come, All Ye Faithful and let Drago Centro create a joyful and triumphant Christmas Eve for you! Drago Centro will be open for Lunch on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th, 2019 from 11:30 am  to 2:30 pm, and for Dinner from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Drago Centro will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th, 2019; 525 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 213.228.8998; http://www.DragoCentro.com

Also in Pasadena…O Christmas Eve, O Christmas Eve at The Raymond 1886! This special night calls for a very special meal and Executive Chef Jason Francisco is offering a Christmas Eve Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu ($110.00 per person) that would leave even Santa speechless. 
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photo courtesy of the Raymond 1886

This festive feast begins with a First Course choice of Lobster Bisque with lobster tail, brodo and crème fraiche; Scallop Rockerfeller with sea scallops, garlic breadcrumbs, spinach and Champagne butter, or the Grape and Prosciutto Salad with Prosciutto di Parma, frisée, red grapes and Gorgonzola dolce. The savorous Second Course selections feature four exquisite options to choose from including the Cornish Game Hen accompanied by roasted root vegetables and cranberry orange harissa; a Branzino served with roasted bell pepper purée, lentils and fennel; the Chateau Briand, a prime center cut Filet Mignon with pommes purée, crispy Brussels sprout leaves and bone marrow bordelaise, or for vegetarians, the Stuffed Eggplant with Moroccan lentils, baby heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers and Romesco sauce. The Dessert selections from Pastry Chef Mignon Jones are the perfect sweet finale to this fabulous celebration with a choice of Eggnog Cheesecake, Chocolate Lava Cake, or Pumpkin Spice Panna Cotta. This Christmas Eve Three-Course Prix-Fixe Menu is meant to pair perfectly with a bottle of wine from The Raymond 1886’s Wine List, or a special handcrafted holiday cocktail such as the 1886 Egg Nogg. Christmas Eve Dinner at The Raymond 1886 is sure to become a special new tradition for the entire family!The Raymond 1886 will be open for Dinner and offering their Christmas Eve Three-Course Dinner Menu for $110.00 per person on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm; 1886 will be open from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm; The Raymond 1886 will be closed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25th, 2018; The Raymond 1886, 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; https://www.theraymond.com/

Dive into the holiday spirit at Chez Jay, the historic dive bar and restaurant located in the heart of Santa Monica this Christmas Eve. Start celebrating with Lunch by the sea with a Starter such as Jay’s Seafood Salad comprised of King Crab Legs, Bay Shrimp and secret dressing, or savor the Sand Dabs Almondine Entrée accompanied by fresh vegetables and rice pilaf. 
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For Christmas Eve Dinner, begin with Jay’s Steamed Clams prepared with fresh herbs in a white wine broth, or enjoy the Wedge made with iceberg lettuce, and topped with bacon, croutons and a tomato Roquefort dressing. At the top of the Christmas list are Chez Jay’s infamous Entrées such as the 10 oz. New York Butter Steak; the Angus New York Steak and lobster tail Surf & Turf, or the Fresh Swordfish “Roti” Au Poivre, each offered with a choice of soup du jour or salad, and choice of a baked potato, rice pilaf, or scalloped potatoes. Indulge in a Santa-approved sweet with Desserts including the Chez Jay Cheesecake and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Christmas Eve is not the same without a cocktail, and no one knows this better than Chez Jay, so they will be serving up their famous Dirty Martini all evening! Classically made with a choice of vodka or gin, vermouth, olive juice, and fresh olives, this celebratory sipper has the ability to get even the Grinch in the spirit, and Wine and Beer will also be availableChez Jay, 1657 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.395.1741; http://www.chezjays.com/