Festive Christmas Eve
Most restaurants are open, because after all, it's a Saturday night. If you're not frazzled with last-minute details, consider lingering at Soleil's bar sipping a spiced champagne cocktail or a glass of vintage port and simply soak up the twinkling city views at 3001 E. Skyline Drive; 299-3345.
Christmas Day Dining
Pick up luscious homemade desserts at Apple Farm (not a chain) at 695 E. Grant Road; 882-8710; serving meals from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bonsai Japanese Steak and Seafood has a regular dinner menu from 5 to 9 p.m. at 3305 N. Swan Road in the Bashas' Plaza; 325-4494. My favorite Hong Kong-style Asian restaurant, Café Pacific, will be open for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. at 3607 N. Campbell Ave.; 326-5174. For early diners, Chaffin's Family Restaurant is open until 2 p.m., and you can order anything off the menu; 902 E. Broadway Blvd; 882-7707. Gandhi Cuisine of India at 150 W. Fort Lowell Road opens from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a lunch buffet and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.; 292-1738. Gee's Garden Bistro serves dim sum until 3 p.m. at 1145 N. Alvernon Way; 325-5353. Enjoy a vegan/vegetarian holiday buffet at Govinda's from noon to 6 p.m.; 711 E. Blacklidge Drive; 792-0630. India Oven will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and dinner 5 to 9 p.m.; 2727 N. Campbell Ave; 326-8635. At the Rainbow Planet Café and Coffee House, vegans and carnivores may indulge in a BLT, locally roasted coffee and free wireless Internet from 4 to 10 p.m.; 606 N. Fourth Ave.; 620-1770. Malaysian Seri Melaka and its newly opened sister restaurant, Neo Melaka, both recommend reservations from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at 6133 E. Broadway Blvd.; 747-7811, and 1765 E. River Road in Joesler Village; 299-7815.
