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Top 9 places to have Christmas dinner

Posted at 11:00 AM, Dec 09, 2015
and last updated 2016-12-19 11:41:34-05

Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings depends a lot on your family's traditions. Some eat turkey, others prefer ham; others might go for goose or prime rib.

Other people may not celebrate Christmas but still want a nice meal out on a day when many restaurants are closed. Here's where can you get a great Christmas dinner, whether you prefer to dine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. (Don't forget: Make reservations as soon as possible; as there are few restaurants open for the holidays.)

Hotel Meals on Christmas and Christmas Eve:

Palace at the Cincinnatian: Open only on Christmas Eve, the Palace will feature a four-course, prix fixe menu ($75 per person) including celery root soup, roasted beet risotto, pan-seared scallop or short ribs, and a gingerbread spiced cake with wassail sorbet. It's an elegant way to celebrate the season.

Orchids at the Palm Court: If you missed their epic brunch on Thanksgiving, come by for the Christmas edition. From 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., you can try everything from prime rib, ham and turkey to made-to-order omelets, pate, terrines, a raw bar, eggnog cream torte, bourbon pecan pie and more. $65.95 for adults, $49.95 for ages 65 and up and $19.95 for children ages 5-12.

D. Burnham's at the Renaissance: A gem tucked into the Renaissance Hotel, D. Burnham's will be open on Christmas with their regular menu (including a delicious New York Strip and fantastic short rib pappardelle), as well as some to-be-determined holiday additions.

Red Roost Tavern: Christmas Brunch will be served at the Red Roost Tavern from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a variety of traditional (and not-so-traditional) brunch offerings in the spirit of Red Roost's focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Bonus? We hear that Santa will make an appearance!

Low-Key Dinners

Pacific Kitchen: What's better than dim sum on Christmas? Pacific Kitchen will feature their dim sum cart with a variety of dim sum favorites from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and a full menu of Pacific Kitchen favorites for dinner, too.

King Wok: This Clifton tradition features a Chinese and an American menu, fresh fish and speedy service. It's always packed on Christmas with college students, staff and other folks who may not want a traditional dinner. They deliver, too!

Restaurant Specials

Mitchell's Fish Market: Mitchell's, with locations at Newport on the Levee and in West Chester, features its full dinner menu on Christmas from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as holiday specials (they usually involve lobster, of course). Reservations are recommended.

Palomino: Dine with a spectacular view of the Fountain Square Christmas tree and U.S. Bank Ice Rink at Palomino. The restaurant is offering its regular menu with a holiday addition of prime rib in rock salt with parmesan potatoes.

They Prep, You Cook

Butcher Betties: Butcher Betties, the woman-owned butcher shop at the Friendly Market in Florence, has everything you need to make a dinner that you can claim is your own. (All you need to do is heat it up!) Pick up everything from picnic ham to roasted goose to goat cheese-and-spinach-stuffed pork loin wrapped in bacon, to candied bacon bourbon pecan pie with chocolate bourbon whipped cream. Call 859-304-1968 to place orders.

What is your Christmas tradition? Do you stay in, go out, or do something else? Let me know at @winemedinemeon Twitter or comment on Facebook!