From gift shopping to party planning, we have a whole lot on our plates during the busy holiday season.
If the idea of cooking for friends and family, not to mention picking up the mess, has you stressed out, I recommend quickly walking away from the kitchen and making a reservation at one of these top San Diego restaurants.
Whether you prefer to dine out during Christmas or New Year’s Eve, some of our favorite San Diego restaurants have you covered with three and four-course pre-fixe menus. Put your apron away and enjoy such items as Cinderella Pumpkin Soup, Filet of Prime Beef with Pacific Shrimp, Hickory Smoked Bone-In Pork Chop, and Homemade Brown Butter Banana Cream Pie.
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25
Mister A’s – Banker’s Hill
This upscale dining staple is open to serve you on Christmas Day with a three-course menu from 1:30 – 8pm. Begin your holiday meal with such appetizers as Traditional Lobster Bisque, Chino Farm Butternut Squash Risotto and Macaroni and Cheese with Arugula. Entrée options include Pan Seared Line Caught Swordfish, Loch Duart Salmon Gratin, Traditional Roasted Brandt Farm Prime Rib and Southern France “Cassoulet” with Duck Confit. For dessert, indulge with Pumpkin French Toast or Apple and Brown Butter Cake. This three-course menu is $55 per person.
Red Marlin – Mission Bay
The picturesque bay-side restaurant is serving a three-course Christmas dinner from 5-10pm. Starters include Winter Greens Salad and Butternut Squash Soup, followed by Grilled Rib Eye with rosemary pan jus, garlic mash and seasonal vegetables. For dessert, enjoy either Eggnog Cheesecake or Flourless Chocolate Cake. This three-course menu is $38 per person. (pictured)
Arterra – Del Mar
With a starter like the Chino Farms Cinderella Pumpkin Soup, you know this three-course menu will be great for Christmas dinner. Begin with your choice of said soup, Braised Veal Cassoulet, Crispy Hood Canal Oysters or Maine Lobster Salad. Main courses include the Hickory Smoked Bone-In Natural Pork Chop, Wild Black Bass, Braised Prime Beef Shortribs or Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnuddis. Finish your holiday meal with such desserts as Eggnog Bundt Cake, Buche Del Noel or Holiday Cookies. Still hungry? Add on the Supplemental Mid Course of Hudson Valley Foie Gras Tasting. The three-course menu is $44.95 per person, and $19.95 under 10. Christmas dinner is served from 3 – 7pm.
Bistro 39 – Del Mar
Served December 24 – 30 (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), this three-course menu will satiate your Christmas Eve celebration cravings, no matter when you arrive in San Diego. Choose your favorites from such starters as Asparagus Soup and Winter Salad. Entrees include Filet Mignon and the signature 39 Pasta. For dessert, Crème Brulee and Molten Lava Chocolate Cake will finish off your meal with a sweet twist. This three-course meal is $29.95 per person. Get details here.
El Bizcocho – Rancho Bernardo
In addition to Christmas-themed menus served on-site, Rancho Bernardo Inn’s restaurant, El Bizcocho, will be preparing complete holiday meals to-go. Guests can compose a three-course meal that serves a family of 4-6 and can be delivered curbside for pick-up. The to-go meals include items such as herb roasted free-range turkey served with giblet gravy and a spiced cranberry-orange sauce, and homemade decadent brown butter banana cream pie. Orders for these catered meals must be placed by December 21 for pick up on December 23, to heat and serve on Christmas. The three-course to-go meals are $130.
La Jolla Brew House – La Jolla
Add a little local spice to your Christmas celebration with drink and dining specials all day and night at the Brew House. Enjoy Prime Rib dinner for $16.95 or All You Can Eat Crab for $19.95. Holiday drinks include $10 pitchers, $4 margaritas, $3 cocktails and Happy Hour until 7pm. Need to get away from the family and catch the big Charger game at 4pm? You know it’ll be on at the Brew House, paired with $2 drink specials all night.
New Year’s Eve: Thursday, December 31
La Jolla Strip Club – La Jolla
Brand new in the UTC area, La Jolla Strip Club is a sexy venue for your New Year’s Eve dinner date. The pre-fixe menu features a cocktail, appetizer, entrée and sassy side. Cocktail options include the Strip Club House Martini, House Red or White Wine or Champagne Spotlight. Get started with the Vegas Shrimp Cocktail and choose from such entrees as the 14 oz. Lobster Tail, 8 oz. Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna, 8 oz. Filet Mignon or 12 oz. Double Chicken Breast. Add your own flavor with sassy sides, ranging from Strip Club Garlic and Herb Fries to Lobster Truffle Mac and Cheese and Sauteed Asparagus. This pre-fixe menu is $59.95 per person.
George’s California Modern – La Jolla
The menu is in your hands this New Year’s Eve at George’s California Modern. Not only do you have multiple dishes to choose from, you can also decide if you want three, four or six courses. Without a doubt, we recommend going for the six-course Chef’s selection menu. After the Amuse Bouche, Dungeness Crab is followed by Sweet Potato Soup. For the fourth course, enjoy Maine Lobster, and make sure to save room for your choice of the Muscovy Duck Breast or Niman Ranch 21 Day Dry Aged Strip Steak. What’s for dessert? George’s is keeping it a secret until New Year’s Eve. This six-course menu is $95 per person, or add an extra $45 for wine pairings.
Quarter Kitchen – Downtown
The Ivy’s signature restaurant comes to life on New Year's Eve with a DJ, countdown and a champagne toast. Following the Chef’s Amuse Bouche, your first course options include Foie Gras Terrine, Arugula Salad and Consomme of Chicken. For your main course, we recommend the Blackened Hamachi, Filet of Prime Beef with Pacific Shrimp or Braised Shortribs. Dessert choices include Meyer Lemon Semi-fredo, Tuxedo Mousse and Apple Frangipane Tart. This four-course menu is $99 per person before 7:30pm and $129 per person after 7:30pm, with discounted $75 NYE Masquerade tickets available with dinner reservations. Get details here.
Bice Ristorante – Downtown
This sleek and spacious new Italian restaurant will be serving Il Menu Di Capodanno, or a New Year’s Eve Menu, from 5 – 7:30pm. Traditional Italian Sausage with Lentils is the Stuzzichino from the Chef, to be followed by your choice of Pecorino Flan with Porcini Mushrooms or Baby Spinach Salad. The next source is your choice of Squid Ink Ravioli filled with burrata and served with a lobster zucchini sauce or Carnaroli Rissotto with caciotta cheese served with cranberries. For the main course, enjoy Black Cod in a Horse Radish Crust or Veal Cheeks Braised in Red Wine, followed by Roses and Hibiscus Semifreddo for a dolce finale. The pre-fixe menu is $80 per person, or $100 with wine pairings.
Suite & Tender – Downtown
The Sé Hotel’s sleek and sexy restaurant offers a four-course holiday menu to get you in the New Year’s Eve party spirit. The surprise Chef’s Amuse Bouche will get you in the mood for such beginnings as the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Crispy Lump Crab Cakes. For your second indulgence, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio or Ahi Tuna Tartar will be served. Playing off the restaurant’s “Surf and Turf” theme, entrée options include Lobster and Braised Shortrib, Alaskan King Crab and Aged NYE Strip Loin, Scallops and Venison or Roasted Lamb Chops. Save room for dessert, with options including Chocolate Mousse Trio, Pumpkin Pie and S&T Cheesecake. Dinner is served at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, and 9:30pm. The four-course dinner for two with wine pairings is $280, and includes two tickets to the NYE party.
The Fleetwood – Downtown
This chill downtown spot is serving a three-course menu for New Year’s Eve dinner, before it gets wild and lets the crowds in to party all night. Begin with your choice of Flat Iron Steak Skewers, Steamed Mussels, Farm Greens or Tomato Bisque. The main entrees range from Grilled Atlantic Salmon to Grilled Filet Mignon, Roasted Lamb Rack, Grilled Chicken Pasta or Braised Shortribs. Finish the meal off right with Dulce de Leche Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse Tart. This three-course menu is $55 per person.
Anthology Supper Club –
Little Italy
One of the swankiest dining environments in downtown San
Diego, Anthology Supper Club is hosting a New Year’s Motown Eve special with a four-course
menu served at two seating times with a Motown performance. Begin with your choice of a Caramelized
Fennel and Apple Velouté or Dungeness Crab & Petite Herb Salad. Available
only during the second seating, this special second course is Roasted Quince
& Duck Confit Ravioli. Entrée options include the Oven Roasted Turbot Filet
or Snake River Farms Kobe Beef Cap Steak, followed by a Chocolate Triology
Mille Feuille for dessert. Dinner and show tickets range from $45 to $175.
Do you know of a better San Diego holiday menu? Tell us!
