Here's the deal: For whatever reason, you don't feel like making your own damned Christmas meal this year.
Maybe you're on vacation with the fam, enjoying a subtropical sojourn before the snowy, crappy reality of winter kicks in. Or maybe you don't celebrate Christmas but you wouldn't mind getting a little festive with a nice night out on the town. Then again, maybe you're just not in the mood to cook or the family has "nicely" asked (translation: demanded) that you refrain from another "delicious" attempt at a holiday meal.
Whatever your case may be, there are options for a Christmas meal at restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in Broward County. If you plan to try one of the spots on this list, it's strongly recommended that you call the establishment ASAP to get full details and make reservations.
We will be updating this list as the holiday draws near. Please drop a line if you have a recommendation or know of a spot we missed. Here are restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County that are open on Christmas Day 2011:
- China Grill, 1881 SE 17th St. Causeway, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-759-9950.
If it's Christmas ham and piles of Brussels sprouts you're after, you'll need to look elsewhere. China Grill won't be offering a traditional Christmas dinner, but will be serving up its regular menu, which features dishes like tempura sashimi, lamb spareribs, and crispy pork belly, among many others. The restaurant is open for regular business hours, 7 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.
- East End Brassiere, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-567-8020. Cost is $50 per adult and $20 for children 12 and younger for the special three-course Christmas menu.
Celebrate a Joyeux Noel at this French-inspired restaurant inside the Atlantic Hotel. The dining room will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. A special Christmas menu includes a choice of six appetizers such as seared sea scallops or butternut squash wontons in a Parmesan herb broth, six different entrees like lobster and pappardalle noodles or free range turkey, and three dessert options including Buche de Noels, or peppermint chocolate mousse bombe with candy cane ice cream. If you're sick of mulled wine and eggnog, be sure to try one of the specialty cocktails.
- Muddy Waters,
2237 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach. Call 954-428-6577. Brunch is
$24.95 for adults and $12 for kids 10 and younger.
A
very Florida Christmas brunch awaits at this spot frequented by locals
and tourists alike. On the menu are offerings like a chef's carving
board piled with prime rib, roasted turkey, and ham, plus a breakfast
station with various kinds of eggs, baked goods, seafood, and
cocktails.
- PL8, 210 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-524-1818.
Redefine the meaning of family style by sharing a table of small plates with your crew at this Himmarshee hot spot. Choices include sliders, skewers, brick-oven pizzas, and seafood such as wild Florida shrimp and grilled rare wahoo. The restaurant will be open 3 to 9 p.m.
- SAIA, 999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-564-1000.
This stylish sushi and Southeast Asian restaurant located inside B Ocean Hotel will serve its regular menu from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Dishes on the menu range from light fare like green salad and shrimp soup to hardier dishes such as Mongolian barbecue lamb lollipops and sweet pork tenderloin.
- Sangria's, 221 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-728-9804.
Santa
continues his brunch crawl on the beach with a stop at Sangria's from
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This is a casual version of the Christmas meal, to be
sure, but a prize drawing for a stay at a Mexican resort will mean a
bonus holiday gift for at least one lucky diner. Plus, you can get a
helluva huge margarita or two to help wash away any holiday blues.
- Spazio,
239 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-764-8191.
Kids 12 and younger get half off breakfast entrees.
Santa
will be stopping by for brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., possibly
to partake in the drink specials and brunch favorites offered at this
Italian joint overlooking the beach. Given its proximity to area hotels, this could be an easy option for families spending
the holiday away from colder climes. This is part of a Santa restaurant
crawl, which includes a stop at Sangria's (see above).
- Steak 954, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-414-8333.
Want
to sink your teeth into a hearty piece of meat on Christmas Day? This
"boutique" steak house in the W Hotel on the beach will be offering its
regular menu, with a wide array of beefy options as well as a raw bar,
seafood cocktails, and vegetable sides, soups, and salads. Open 7 to
11 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch, and 5:30 to 10 p.m.
for dinner.
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