Maybe you don't feel like cooking, or maybe your home-cooked meal is inedible. Don't worry: Quite a few restaurants are open on Christmas Day in San Diego. Always call ahead because space can be limited for these special holiday meals.
Island Prime is a fine restaurant year-round, with exquisite views of the bay and the downtown skyline. Chef Deborah Scott is known for preparing special holiday meals every year. The prix fixe menu costs about $50, as of 2009, and includes three courses. Popular dishes offered at past Christmas meals included pomegranate Cornish game hen, rack of lamb and apple crumb cheesecake with butterscotch sauce.
Island Prime
880 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
619-298-6802
www.cohnrestaurants.com
Arterra generally offers inventive meals based on executive chef Jason Maitland's daily selection of local fare. Dinner menus are created in the morning and include delectable items such as diver scallop and Maine lobster gratin or sheep's milk ricotta gnuddi. For around $60, guests can try every starter, entrée, and dessert available.
Arterra
11966 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
858-369-6032
www.arterrarestaurant.com/
El Agave's prix fixe Christmas dinner menu changes yearly, but its authentic yet innovative Mexican cuisine is always an excellent choice. Don't miss the opportunity to sample a couple of the restaurant's hundreds of tequila varieties.
El Agave
2304 San Diego Ave. # B
San Diego, CA 92110-2896
619-220-0692
www.elagave.com
This small restaurant has a classy atmosphere that still manages to seem relaxed. Terra's Christmas menu changes every year. But with treats such as brie and red onion quesadillas and lobster macaroni and cheese, the holiday menu is sure to please. Book your reservations early because this small dining room fills up fast.<br
Terra
1270 Cleveland Ave. # K
San Diego, CA 92104
619-293-7088
www.terrasd.com
Bertand at Mister A's is popular with locals, and its prix fixe Christmas menu is no exception. For about $55, guests can enjoy some of the restaurant's holiday dishes, including black truffle risotto and Cabernet braised beef short ribs. Try the holiday-themed desserts such as pumpkin French toast and gingerbread crème brulee.
Bertrand at Mister A's
2550 5th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-239-1377
www.bertrandatmisteras.com
Café Sevilla is one of the best Spanish restaurants in San Diego, and its Christmas menu is sure to impress. The three-course prix fixe menu costs less than $30 and includes lobster chowder, chicken with artichokes, kalamata olives and a lemon herb sauce. Dessert has a touch of the holiday spirit with delights such as pumpkin and white chocolate Bavarian cream cake with caramel mocha sauce.
Café Sevilla
555 4th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-233-5979
www.cafesevilla.com
This classic French restaurant in a cozy converted house in Ocean Beach has one of San Diego's largest wine collections with more than 800 wines. The hospitable staff aims to make Christmas dinner memorable. The three-course menu is about $50 and includes options such as lobster bisque, Muscovy duck breast and vanilla crème brulee.
Thee Bungalow
4996 W. Point Loma Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92107
619-224-2884
www.cohnrestaurants.com
