Don’t miss the chance to hit up these Bay area restaurants for a festive feast on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Seats at their holiday tables are sure to go quick.
Birch & Vine Brunch starts off the Christmas Eve merriment, followed by prix-fixe and limited menus till close. Dec. 24, 11 a.m. The Birchwood, 340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 727-896-1080, thebirchwood.com.
Bizou Brasserie The stylish eatery showcases a mix of jolly specials (think honey clove roasted ham) and everyday dishes. Call for reservations, which are highly recommended. $6-$35. Dec. 24 & 25, 4-9 p.m. Le Méridien, 601 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-227-9555, bizoutampa.com.
Boca Why do the cooking when you can preorder to-go meals from Boca’s Tampa and Brandon locations, then pick them up on Christmas Eve? A $25 gift card is yours for every $100 spent before Dec. 15. $20-$85. Through Dec. 18. Various locations, Tampa Bay. bocakbm.com.
Bon Appétit Restaurant The casual waterfront spot’s sophisticated digs present dinner on Christmas Eve, alongside a Christmas Day buffet and dinner. $65. Dec. 24, 4-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 25, noon-8:30 p.m.148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. 727-733-2151, bonappetitrestaurant.com.
Boston Market All you gotta do is heat and serve whichever chilled holiday meal you scoop from Boston Market. Place orders online or by phone. $5-$140. Various locations, Tampa Bay. bostonmarket.com.
Callaloo Got a big crowd coming and don’t know where to start? The historic Manhattan Casino restaurant fills preorders on everything from dinner to dessert for up to 25 people. $35-$220. Through Dec. 22. 642 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-256-1806, callaloosstpete.com.
Caretta on the Gulf No need to stress about the cooking when this seasonally inspired haunt specializes in a generous brunch on the water. Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach. 727-441-2425, sandpearl.com.
Castile Live music and a meet-and-greet sesh with Santa Claus accompany the four-course meal — full of Latin and Mediterranean influences. Call for reservations. $70-$90 adults, $25 kids 12 & under. Dec. 25, 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. The Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-456-8660, castilerestaurant.com.
Columbia Restaurant This historic dining destination serves the full dinner menu at five of its restaurants, plus two holiday features: lechon asado and roast turkey. Make reservations so you don’t miss out. $23. Dec. 25, 11 a.m. Various locations, Tampa Bay. columbiarestaurant.com.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood Treat yourself to a soul-warming meal after trying your luck on the slots. In addition to the jolly tiramisu yule log, Council Oak has roasted apple and goat cheese salad, lamb tartare, oven-roasted duck confit, and aged and grilled venison tenderloin on the menu. $13-$47. Dec. 24, 3-10 p.m.; Dec. 25, 3-9 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-7600, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Dulcet Restaurant & Lounge A bottomless brunch of crusted prime rib and Hawaiian honey-glazed ham, as well as dreamy sides and assorted desserts. $30 adults, $15 kids under 12. Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 6220 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey. 727-494-7654, thedulcet.com.
Élevage A three-course, prix-fixe lineup with upscale entrees like filet mignon and blackened monkfish. You also choose between spinach and endive salad, black pepper bucatini, or shrimp and Hubbard squash bisque, along with one dessert. $48-$64 adults, $15 kids. Dec. 24, 5-10 p.m.; Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-999-8726, epicureanhotel.com.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Christmas Eve brings a three-course, prix-fixe lineup to Fleming’s. Fireside Rye — a marriage of Knob Creek, fresh grapefruit juice and house-made chardonnay honey syrup — is the featured cocktail. $92. Dec. 24, 2-10 p.m. 4322 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com.
Fresh Harvest The buffet includes carving and grill stations, sushi, noodles, dim sum and a big dessert area with a milkshake bar. Seminole Wild Card members get $5 off with valid ID. $40. Dec. 24, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 866-388-4263, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and stuffing are among the dishes you score from the all-you-can-eat spread. A 50 percent discount goes to first responders. $25 adults, $13 kids. Dec. 25, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. 813-281-8900, godfreyhoteltampa.com.
Grand Hyatt You should turn the holiday into a staycation at this elegant waterfront hotel. Take in the views of the bay while enjoying northern Italian fare at Armani's and Oystercatchers' fresh seafood. $18-$78. Dec. 24, 5-10 p.m. 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa. 813-874-1234, grandtampabay.hyatt.com.
Hard Rock Cafe Expect brown sugar- and mustard-glazed ham with cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts as the special. $15. Dec. 24 & 25. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 866-388-4263, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
HEW Parlor & Chophouse On the big day, you’re invited to down a prix-fixe presentation of three family-style courses that combine holiday classics and new favorites. This intimate spot also plans to host a Feast of the Seven Fishes the night before (find tickets online). $45-$105 adults, $25-$30 kids. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fenway Hotel, 453 Edgewater Drive, Dunedin. 727-683-5999, fenwayhotel.com.
The Left Bank Bistro Grub on a four-course dinner from Kate Gorr, the French-inspired restaurant’s executive chef. Reservations are mandatory. $40. Dec. 24, 5 & 7:30 p.m. 1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-256-1691, theleftbankbistro.com.
Locale Market Centerpiece proteins, small bites and a plenty of sides make up the chef-driven holiday catering menu. A few options are spiral-cut brown sugar ham, ricotta meatballs and bourbon barrel-smoked short ribs. Pickup goes down Dec. 23 and 24. $8-$170. Through Dec. 20. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-523-6304, localegourmetmarket.com.
Marchand's Bar & Grill A hassle-free meal divided into four courses. Cauliflower and Gruyère bisque, beef tenderloin and caramel apple cheesecake are among the selections. $72 adults, $24 kids. Dec. 25, 12:30-8 p.m. The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-824-8072, marchandsbarandgrill.com.
Market Salamander Grille This old-fashioned meal puts ham, onion and potato gratin, pan-roasted veggies with spinach, and sweet potato souffle front and center. $27. Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Innisbrook, 36750 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor. 727-942-5222, innisbrookgolfresort.com.
Noble Crust All locations from this popular joint, where Italian cooking and Southern ingredients meet, churn out their full dinner menus. $7-$22. Dec. 24, 3-9pm. Various locations, Tampa Bay. noble-crust.com.
Osteria Bar + Kitchen Order your indulgence of choice from the rustic-refined Italian restaurant’s regular bill of lunch and dinner items. $14-$34. Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-midnight. 903 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-563-5000, osteriatampa.com.
Oxford Exchange Who says brunch is only for the weekends? Starting Dec. 22, Brunch Week brings 10 days of the beloved midday meal to OE. Take advantage of it during this holiday season. Dec. 24, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813- 253-0222, oxfordexchange.com.
The Oyster Bar This seafood eatery spotlights a land-and-sea special, as well as half-priced bottles of wine and the full menu. Reservations are highly encouraged. $28-$49. Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-midnight; Dec. 25, 5 p.m.-midnight. 249 Central Ave., St Petersburg. 727-897-9728, oysterbarstpete.com.
Packard’s Steakhouse The prix-fixe menu consists of your choice of the first and second courses, plus 10-layer chocolate cake. Nope, that dessert isn’t up for debate. $65. Dec. 24 & 25, 5-9 p.m. Innisbrook, 36750 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor. 727-942-5240, innisbrookgulfresort.com.
Paul’s Landing For the holiday, this marina-front restaurant incorporates its modern take on Old Florida into the divine-sounding smoked prime rib with herb-roasted fingerling potato, grilled asparagus and smoked peppercorn demi. $32. Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-824-8007, paulslandingstpete.com.
The Pearl Chef Karim Chiadmi prepares a feast that showcases lobster bites, Mediterranean pasta and rack of lamb, to name a few. $10-$58. Dec. 24, 5-10 p.m.; Dec. 25, noon-8 p.m. 163 107th Ave., Treasure Island. thepearlfinedining.com.
The Queens Head The regular dinner menu mingles with traditional house-made ravioli, eggnog and peppermint cheesecake (um, yum). Reservations are appreciated. Dec. 25, 5-10 p.m. 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-498-8584, thequeensheadbar.com.
The Rez Grill The elevated American grill spreads good cheer with brunch crowd-pleasers such as huevos rancheros and stuffed French toast. However, its lone Christmas feature, lamb chops, is also planned. $45. Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 813-627-8120, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Rise Kitchen & Bakery Head here for the special of smoky butternut squash bisque, a traditional holiday entree and white chocolate peppermint bark cheesecake. $29. Dec. 24 & 25. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa. 866-388-4263, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Roy’s The Classic Prix-Fixe Menu spotlights signature dishes like misoyaki butterfish (that’s marinated Alaskan black cod with baby bok choy and furikake rice), while the Holiday Menu offers seasonal specials like slow-roasted chateaubriand steak with wild mushroom port wine pan sauce. Prix-Fixe Menu: $49; Holiday Menu: $60. Dec. 25, noon-9 p.m. 4342 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa. 813-873-7697, roysrestaurant.com.
The Rusty Pelican Yeah, the view’s pretty great. But the Champagne buffet is the main attraction. $70 adults, $35 kids 5-12. Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2425 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa. 813-281-1943, therustypelicantampa.com.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House A three-course seasonal menu, holiday surf and turf, and the raspberry-rosemary Cosmo are up for grabs. Dec. 24 & 25. Various locations, Tampa Bay. ruthschris.com.
Sea-Guini The waterfront resort offers worry-free brunch and dinner on Christmas Day, and both spreads offer holiday exclusives alongside the full lineup. $15-$45. Dec. 25, 7-11 a.m. or 5-10 p.m. 430 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach. 727-450-6236, opalsands.com.
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa Brunch it up while taking your pick from a midday assortment of soups and salads, entrees and sweets. $45 adults, $15 kids under 10. Dec. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 105 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor. 727-726-1161 ext. 7100, safetyharborspa.com.
Shula’s Steak House Prix-fixe meals are served on either day at participating locations. Dec. 24 & 25. The Westshore Grand, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 813-286-4366, shulas.com.
TradeWinds Island Grand Swap snow for sand by celebrating Christmas on the beach. Held in the Grand Palm Colonnade and Ballroom, the buffet highlights everything from breakfast to carved meats. Take your pick. $50 adults, $45 seniors 60 & up, $25 kids 3-10. Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-367-6461, tradewindsresort.com.
