Christmas spirit on display at the iconic Meadow Brook Hall
During the day, Meadow Brook Hall visitors can enjoy decked out halls and Christmas decor. At night, it turns into an outdoor light show.
Christmas Day is fast approaching. Do you have dinner plans?
With the hustle and bustle that often comes with the holidays, hosting or preparing a big meal can be far from your mind. And not everyone celebrates the holiday.
But for those who want a celebratory meal without spending the time and effort cooking, many restaurants around metro Detroit will be open on Dec. 25.
From buffets to multi-course and prix fixe meals, local restaurants and some chains have a wide range of options. Some restaurants will offer their regular menus or complete meals to go, and even select side or specialty items in larger quantities.
Besides Christmas Day, many restaurants such as the downtown’s Caucus Club on Congress will be open on Christmas Eve with regular menus or special menus. Keep in mind, some may have hours diffrent from normal.
Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find. Your best bet is to book and make reservations now, as restaurants might have limited seating and hours that vary from regular hours. Most of the restaurants below book through Open Table.
If you’re getting meals to go, check with the restaurant and order in advance there’s an option.
Apparatus Room at the Detroit Foundation Hotel
Downtown Detroit
On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, brunch is available 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner is 5-8 p.m. Special menus will also be avilable and the bar’s open until 10 p.m.
For info: detroitfoundationhotel.com
Bar Louie
Multiple locations
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with a special four-course dinner for two for $75 or $85 at select locations. Guests pick one bar bit to share, soup or salad per person and a choice of entrée per person, plus one dessert to share. Bar Louie also offers its Craft Burger with fries or Tots for $8. The special runs Dec. 24-Jan. 1.
A wine specials includes $10 off select wine bottles and select wine by the glass for $6-7. These specials are offered Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.
For info: barlouie.com.
Bavarian Inn
Frankenmuth
Known for their fried chicken dinners, Bavarian Inn has several holiday dining options:
Ultimate Bavarian dinner, a sampling of five meats served family-style featureing Frankenmuth’s chicken, Kasseler Rippchen (smoked pork loin), Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), bratwurst and schnitzel (breaded loin of pork). It’s $41.99; $11.99 for ages 6-12 and $7 for ages 5 and under.All-you-can-eat Frankenmuth-style chicken dinner includes all the sides and homemade ice cream for $34.99; $10 ages 6-12 and $6 ages 5 and under.All-you-can-eat Frankenmuth-style and baked ham dinner served with all traditional courses is $38.99 per person, $11 ages 6-12 and $7 for ages 5 and under.
For all-white meat with any of the dinners, add $2.00 per person. Beverages are not included.
For info: bavarianinn.com.
Benihana
Dearborn, Northville, TroyThis Japanese restaurant chain has been a mainstay in metro Detroit. All three locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location.
For info: benihana.com.
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Multiple locations
Bravo! Italian Kitchen locations in Lansing, Livonia and Rochester Hills will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for dine-in, curbside, pick-up and delivery. The menu includes the restaurant’s premium steaks, crafted pasta specialities, seafood dishes and crispy flatbreads. You can also order one of their holiday catering half and full pans or signature pasta dishes and entrees plus sides and salads. The packages include some of its signature pasta dishes and entrees along with sides and salads.For info and ordering: bravoitalian.com.
Eddie Merlot’s
Bloomfield Hills
A “Table for Five” take-out bundle option is offered on Christmas Eve for $210, and includes a choice of salad, two entrèes and two sides portioned to feed five people. On Christmas Day, a specially curated holiday meal is offered. You can choose from wagyu meatballs, braised short rib or elk chop. Other options includes the porterhouse and king crab trio for two featuring a 32-ounce prime porterhouse and 1/2 pound of wild-caught King Crab legs and a bottle of Daou Cabernet Sauvignon.For info: eddiemerlots.com
Fogo de Chao
Troy
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this Brazilian steakhouse features a menu of signature cuts of fire-roasted meats served tableside, as well as seasonal salads, vegetables, imported cheeses and more. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.For info: 248-817-1800 or fogodechao.com
Kona Grill
TroyEntrees of prime rib, turkey and honey-glazed ham are on the all-day menu. There also will be drink specials and a kids menu.For info: 248-619-9060 or konagrill.com.
Madam
Birmingham
Located inside the Daxton Hotel in downtown Birmingham, Madam along with Café Dax and Geode Bar & Lounge will be operate regular hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
For info: 248-686-7004 or daxtonhotel.com.
Mitchell’s Fish Market
Lansing, Livonia, Rochester Hills
Open noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, Mitchell’s’ regular menu will be available, according to its website. Highlights include its filet mignon, Ora King salmon and Chilean sea bass.
For info: mitchellsfishmarket.com.
[ Find great recipes for Christmas and all occasions at Southern Kitchen. ]
Morton’s the Steakhouse
TroyOpen noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. A special chateaubriand dinner for two ($179) includes a starter, entree, accompaniments and dessert. The chateaubriand dinner option is available through Dec. 31. For info: 248-404-9845 or mortons.com.
Presley’s Kitchen + Bar
Detroit
Presley’s is located downtown on the ground floor of the historic David Whitney Building, at the corner of Park and Woodward avenues. The Christmas Day brunch buffet ($45 per person) is served 8 a.m-3 p.m. It includes an assortment of pastries, cheese board, salads and egg dishes, along with other breakfast items. Its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day four-course dinner option ($70 per person) is served 3-9 p.m. Entree choices include prime rib, duck breast and a vegetarian option of warm butternut squash and farro salad.
For info: presleyskitchen.com.
Red Lobster
Multiple locations
Known for a huge variety of seafood options, includng many shrimp dishes, and its Cheddar Bay biscuits, Red Lobster locations are open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Dec. 25.
San Morello
Detroit
San Morello, on the ground floor of the Shinola Hotel, is noted for its upscale Italian dishes. On Christmas Day, it will serve its à la carte menu with holiday specialties like linguine with clams, Dover Sole piccata, cannoli Yule log and other dishes.
For info: sanmorello.com.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Detroit
This downtown Detroit steakhouse, on the ground floor of the Westin Hotel, is open Christmas Eve with its full menu, plus specials. You can order its Fare for Five takeout option for a meal at home for $150 that includes a choice of eggroll starters, choice of salad, two entrèes and two sides, all portioned to feed five people. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Day, the steakhouse offers a limited menu with items such as pan-seared miso-glazed black cod or dry-aged New York strip. There’s also a Tomahawk Trio for Two special which includes a 32-ounce Australian Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye, two North Atlantic lobster tails and a bottle of Daou Cabernet Sauvignon for $199.
For info: sullivanssteakhouse.com.
Texas de Brazil
Detroit and Ann Arbor
Texas de Brazil features Churrascaria-style dining of all-you-can-eat cooked meats sliced at your tableside, along with a chef-crafted salad bar, a variety of dishes and desserts. Dinner is at a fixed price. Open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Christmas Day.For info: texasdebrazil.com.
Zao Jun
Bloomfield Township
Serving modern Asian cuisine, Zao Jun’s full menu is available 2-8 p.m. Christmas Day. The menu includes its classic and signature sushi rolls, a variety of noodle and rice dishes, salads and poke bowls. For info: zaojunnewasian.com
Zehnder’s
Frankenmuth
Famous for family-style chicken dinners, Zehnder’s has several options for Christmas Day dining:
Christmas Day buffet: Prime rib and ham carving station, fried chicken, salmon and shrimp, plenty of sides, salads and seasonal desserts. The cost is $43.95 for adults, $18.95 ages 9-11, $16.95 ages 6-8 and $8.95 ages 3-5.Zehnder’s family-style chicken dinner is $35.95 per person and includes all the holiday trimmings plus holiday grill specials, including roasted duck, steak and prime rib at various prices.Zehnder’s to-go meal ($309) serves 8-10 people and will be available for pickup on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
For info: zehnders.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.