What makes a restaurant ideal for a holiday gathering? Dishes you won’t forget, special-occasion ambience and, of course, that it’s open on holidays. Here are three fine-dining destinations that offer memorable menus and decor and are open 365 days a year – including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year … whatever you wish.
Habana
Irvine Spectrum Center
“Every day is festive at Habana,” General Manager Rey Abreu says. The holidays also bring photo booths, poinsettias and special dishes. There’s live music on New Year’s Eve and Cuban brunch on New Year’s Day. Last Christmas Day proved unforgettable. “We had a beautiful wedding proposal,” Abreu says. “Rose petals trailed from the entrance to the table, and what a response. All the guests wanted to be part of it. I have goosebumps talking to you about this. What a memory!”
Meizhou Dongpo
Culver Plaza
How popular is elegant Meizhou Dongpo for the holidays? “One time, we had customers for more than 50 tables in line,” says Operations Manager Jay Jiao. “Another, we made a long table from one end of the restaurant to the other for a family of 30.” Holidays often bring special dishes or menus. Elaborately presented and always cause for celebration: the roast duck, Royal Hot Pot, Angus short ribs and sweet-and-sour squirrel fish.
Fogo de Chão
Irvine Spectrum Center
The high-end Brazilian steakhouse offers its churrasco experience every day – 18 skewered and fire-roasted meats carved tableside and endless sides at the Carrara Market Table. Holidays might bring torresmo (pork belly) with malagueta honey; 21-day-aged 30-ounce wagyu porterhouse; and seasonal hummus with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate. A la carte and festive any time: “The whole branzino, it feeds six,” General Manager Mario Heinrich says.
