12 Last-Minute Options for Christmas Eve Procrastinators in LA

The five-day Christmas-Eve countdown starts now!

by Crystal Coser Dec 19, 2014, 11:11am PST

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by Crystal Coser Dec 19, 2014, 11:11am PST

You've wrapped presents and made your Christmas Day plans. Maybe you're an overachiever and even have your New Year's Eve reservation already in the books. But for those of us who saw the holiday season whiz past us in a flurry of cookies and eggnog, Eater's here to help with the Christmas cheer.

Restaurants across Los Angeles are busting out the mistletoe and turning up the holiday spirit with some pretty festive holiday meals. From Feasts of the Seven Fishes to boozy libations to holiday dishes with Southeast Asian flair, here is your last minute guide to Christmas Eve dining in Los Angeles, in no particular order.

Union

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Pasadena gem Union will celebrate Christmas Eve with a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu by Chef Bruce Kalman. The seven-course menu will highlight locally caught fish for a California-Italian feast featuring dishes like Squid Ink Maccheroni Alla Chitarra with uni, Olive Oil Poached Albacore, and Farro Crusted Sea Scallop with Calabrian chile. Dinner is offered at $125 per person.

37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103

(626) 795-5841

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Little Sister

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For those looking to mix it up with a non-traditional Southeast Asian spin on Christmas, Little Sister encourages friends and family to share their Christmas Eve special of a Whole Crispy Chicken for two with scallion pancakes, chili kumquat and tangerine pickles, ginger-plum preserve, mala sprouts and Asian herbs, and master stock jasmine rice. Wash it down with House Spiced Citrus Bubbles, made with candied blood orange rim and five spice simple syrup.

1131 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 545-2096

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Hatfield's

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With Hatfield’s closing at the end of the year, Christmas Eve is the perfect time to snag one last dinner at the iconic Los Angeles restaurant. A $75, four-course prix-fixe includes highlights like Chestnut Agnolotti with brown butter Banyuls and chestnut crumble, Date and Mint Crusted Lamb, and Sugar and Spice Beignets. A vegetarian menu is also available.

6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

(323) 935-2977

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Patina

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Patina is offering a multitude of extravagant pre-fixe dinner options on Christmas Eve. The special menus includes Yuletide-inspired dishes like Venison Saddle with quince, cranberry compote, and fig sauce chartreuse; Apple Glazed Monkfish with red cabbage, rutabaga, and a potato-juniper emulsion; and traditional desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding with candied chestnuts and flor di latte and Bûche de Noël with pistachio praline and orange confit.

141 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 972-3331

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Culina, Modern Italian

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For those who want to get extra fancy on Christmas Eve, the Four Season’s modern Italian restaurant Culina has crafted a luxurious prix-fixe that will feature seasonal favorites such as Chestnut Soup with cardamom cream, handmade Gnudi ricotta dumplings, and a choice of wild-caught John Dory in a pureed white truffle foam or free-range Venison Loin with rosemary smoked yams. To end the night, diners can select from Panettone Pudding or Speculoos Mascarpone Cannoli. The prix-fixe menu is $85 per person.

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300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048

(310) 860-4000

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Playa Provisions

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Top Chef alum Brooke Williamson and husband Nick Roberts’ multi-concept beachside restaurant is offering a simple menu for two of whole duck, creamed kale, roasted root vegetables, and two glasses of Prosecco for those looking for a more intimate Christmas Eve meal.

119 Culver Blvd, Playa del Rey, CA 90293

(310) 683-5019

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Mélisse

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Los Angeles’ fine dining mecca Melisse is offering an elegant five-course prix-fixe on Christmas Eve from 5 to 8:30 pm. Dishes include Hokkaido Scallop with cauliflower mousse, parsley, and black truffle; Maine Lobster with artichoke, black olives, almond, and yogurt; and Bouche de Noel Glacée with pineapple, passion fruit, coconut, and lime; and is offered at $165 per person.

1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 395-0881

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Venice Whaler Bar & Grill

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Embrace the greatness of Christmas in California at Venice’s watering hole the Venice Whaler. Cocktails like the Grandpa’s Chair, a sultry blend of Bowmore Scotch, Marin Vermouth, pipe tobacco smoke, and walnut bitters, will be flowing and can be paired with house specialties such as braciole and sausage-stuffed clams. The Venice Whaler will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 am to 2 am.

10 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

(310) 821-8737

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Tavern Restaurant

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Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s popular Brentwood restaurant is offering a three-course Christmas Eve dinner. The meal includes Fried Brussels Sprouts with red mustard and soft egg, a choice of Seared Sea Bass with fregola or Suzanne’s Braised Beef Shank Bourguignon. Finishing the evening is an apple and cranberry crumble tart with walnut streusel. Pricing is $48 per guest. [Photo: Rob Stark Photography]

11648 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

(310) 806-6464

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Bourbon Steak

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This upscale steakhouse by Michael Mina will serve a five-course tasting menu for $95 with classics like Main Lobster Pot Pie and American Wagyu Flat Iron Steak.

237 S Brand Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91204

(818) 839-4130

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Cafe Del Rey

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Westsiders can enjoy seasonal seaside eats with Café del Rey’s three-course Christmas Eve menu with dishes like Black Truffle Pasta with turkey confit, Crispy Octopus, and Eggnog Crème Brûlée.

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4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

(310) 823-6395

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Cecconi's

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Cecconi’s will be commemorating the season by offering individual Timpano, the iconic Italian domed pasta dish made famous in the Stanley Tuccci film Big Night. The dish is comprised of rigatoni with ragu bolognese and meatballs baked together in a handmade dough crust.