Whether you’re looking for a night out in your Christmas best or a hot spot to toast the New Year, the opportunities abound. From Christmas Day to New Years Eve, local restaurants in San Diego have special menus to celebrate and are serving up platefuls of festive feasts. Check out these recommendations from Yelp and heads up: reservations are required.
Urban Solace, Sea & Smoke, Solace and the Moonlight Lounge:
North Park, Solana Beach, Encinitas
Chef Matt Gordon is ringing in the New Year with a three-course prix fixe dinner (including choices like lobster bisque and “Duck 2 Ways”) at each of his three restaurants. Plus, guests will also receive a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The bar areas at Sea & Smoke and Solace and the Moonlight will be open with a limited menu as well as live music. Dinner reservations start at 5:30 p.m. and are $60 per person.
Del Mar Rendezvous: Del Mar
If it’s your family tradition to grab takeout and keep the dish washing to a minimum, instead head down to this award wining restaurant in old Del Mar, It will be open Christmas Day from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a two-course dinner for adults at $44. The specialty menu boasts plenty of options to choose from, like the honey glazed spare ribs to start (a local’s favorite) and the delicious walnut shrimp, sautéed with carrots and peas in a sweet white sauce with steamed broccoli.
The Blind Burro: Downtown
Ring in el Ańo Nuevo at The Blind Burro with a three-course prix fixe dinner menu with options like Baja Ceviche, veggie tamales and Mahi Mahi. There will be live music in the house from Quel Bordel and a midnight tequila toast. The menu will be $40 per person and reservations are required. On New Year's Day enjoy a $30 brunch buffet. You’ll find $10 mimosa carafes, plus did somebody say Churro waffles?
The Chart House: Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Christmas Eve has never so easy – or delicious! Wrangle your relatives for a delicious holiday feast served from this spot’s limited signature menu as you enjoy a seaside view. The floor-to-ceiling windows are sure to impress your in-town tourists, as will favorites from the menu like prime rib or the fresh fish of the day. From 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas day, the doors are also open with the same limited specialty menu being served.
Ironside Fish & Oyster: Little Italy
See and be seen this New Year’s Eve at Little Italy’s most seaworthy restaurant, Ironside Fish & Oyster. As a playful nod to the restaurant’s nautical theme, executive chef Jason McLeod has put together a Titanic-inspired evening. Guests are encouraged to get dolled up and celebrate in style as they invoke the spirit of the 20’s. This New Year’s Eve gala will be one to remember. There will be two pre-fixe dinner seatings, so make sure you contact them to reserve your spot.
Nine-Ten: La Jolla
Open for Christmas Eve, let this La Jolla locale cook you and yours a three-course feast. Make your reservations ASAP, as they’re sure to fill. Seatings will be between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m at $65 per person (or with wine parings for $85). While the regular menu will be on hand, the course option includes creations like baked gnocchi with wild mushrooms and pearl onions, featuring perigord black truffles. For dessert, the spiced tangerine rice pudding with cranberries and citrus sounds very merry indeed.
Trish Sanderson is the community manager and marketing director for Yelp North County San Diego. She leads the local community of Yelp reviewers both online and off.
