Greer's OC

This Christmas, in Orange County you can enjoy elegant dining with ocean views and outdoor family fun. The elegant Montage Laguna Beach has decadent dining options for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day throughout the resort. And, Hotel Irvine is throwing a family holiday bash in The Backyard, and at Fashion Island Hotel, holiday guests will be treated to a five-course dinner or bountiful buffet.

MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH
Christmas Eve at The Loft
Tuesday, December 24, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Overlooking the Pacific, The Loft offers a four-course celebratory Christmas Eve menu highlighting seasonal options such as Roasted Carrot Soup with applewood-smoked bacon, Braised Veal Cheek, Pan Roasted Branzino and Gingerbread Semifreddo.
$135 for adults, plus tax and gratuity; a children’s à la carte menu will be available.

Christmas Eve at Studio
Tuesday, December 24, from 4 to 10 p.m.
In the romantic Studio dining room overlooking a Pacific Bluff, a very special chef-driven Five-Course Holiday Tasting Menu of seasonal gourmet fare highlighted by Lobster Cavatelli, Seared Maine Scallops, Blackened Superior Farms Lamb Loin with potato fondant and maitake mushrooms and ending with Chestnut Apple Flan. It will be a holiday meal to remember.
$160 for adults; $50 for children (ages four to 12 years), plus tax and gratuity.

Christmas Day at The Loft
Wednesday, December 25, from 3 to 10 p.m.
At The Loft, the Christmas Day celebratory meal will be a three-course Holiday Tasting Menu with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, along with live entertainment. Entrée selections include Herb and Garlic-Crusted Prime Rib, Duroc Pork Chop or Pan Roasted Branzino – all served with seasonal accompaniments.
$95 for adults; $50 for children (ages four to 12 years), plus tax and gratuity.

Christmas Day at Studio: Four-Course Brunch and Five-Course Dinner
Wednesday, December 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch; 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner
There are two Christmas Day options being offered at Studio this Christmas Day. An à la carte brunch will offer guests Hawaiian Blue Prawn Ceviche, Savoy Spinach Frittata, Roasted Arctic Char and other selections. In the evening, a Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Menu of fine dining celebratory dishes includes Broken Arrow Ranch Venison Loin and Chilled Pear Tatin with winter-spiced ice cream.

Brunch: $160 for adults, $50 for children (ages four to 12 years), plus tax and gratuity.
Dinner: $175 for adults; $50 for children (ages four to 12 years), plus tax and gratuity.

Grand Ballroom Masterpiece Christmas Celebration
Wednesday, December 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This Grand Ballroom Masterpiece Christmas Celebration is a favorite holiday event at Montage Laguna Beach. It includes a bounteous multi-station buffet of a memorable selection from Lobster Salad, Smoked Sturgeon Deviled Eggs and Omelets Prepared to Order to Cheese and Charcuterie, Ricotta Blintzes, an Asian Station and desserts galore. There will be live music, complimentary champagne toast, and complimentary family photographs.
$180 for adults; $50 for children (ages four to 12 years; children under four are complimentary), inclusive of tax and gratuity.
Montage Laguna Beach is at 30801 Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 949.715.6420.
montagehotels.com/lagunabeach

HOTEL IRVINE
Christmas Brunch in The Backyard
Wednesday, December 25, seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Brunch is coming to town in a big way on Christmas Day in The Backyard. The whole family will want photos with Santa, enjoy live music, play lawn games and want to save the excitement with photo booth pics. The spectacular holiday fare features breakfast and brunch choices for everyone from Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and French Toast to Bouillabaisse Halibut to Garlic Salt-Crusted Prime Rib of Beef. There will be salads like Roasted Butternut Squash with mustard dressing, Artisanal Cheeses and Antipasto and all kinds of traditional sides. Favorite Sweets will tempt with a Christmas Yule Log, German Chocolate Cake, Austrian Apple Strudel and more. There’s a Kids Buffet too. And, there are bottomless mimosas with an array of toppings and garnishes.
$79 per adult, $37 per child ages five to 12. Pricing excludes tax and gratuity. Advanced purchase recommended.
Hotel Irvine is at 17900 Jamboree Rd. in Irvine. 949.230.4452
For EATS Kitchen & Bar: 949.225.6780
HotelIrvine.com

FASHION ISLAND HOTEL, NEWPORT BEACH
Oak Grill’s Christmas Eve Five-Course Dinner with Live Entertainment
Tuesday, December 24, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Oak Grill is the best choice for Christmas Eve dining. Chef Brittany Valles prepares an innovative five-course menu showcasing her best holiday fare to be enjoyed with live entertainment in the background.
$125 per adult with a glass of champagne, $45 per child ages five to 12. Free for children four and under. Pricing excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations available by calling (949) 706-5466.

Oak Grill Christmas Buffet
Wednesday, December 25, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Chef Brittany Valles and her culinary team will create a traditional holiday-inspired Christmas buffet with a contemporary O.C.-style twist. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., stations offer all the brunch foods that families and friends crave from breakfast pastries and breads and made-to-order omelets to selections from the carving station, salads, chilled seafood and so many other festive favorites. Then, from 3 to 7 p.m., the holiday fare at the stations will be changed over to celebratory hearty dinner choices galore, including prime rib. There will also be a Kids Station at both buffets, as well as many desserts to please everyone’s sweet tooth. The day will offer live entertainment and a photo booth to capture happy Christmas memories.

$110 per adult, $40 per child ages five to 12. Free for children four and under. Pricing excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations available by calling 949.706.5466.

Oak Grill is at 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. fashionislandhotel.com