Special Meals, Cocktails Abound In Austin This Holiday Season

AUSTIN, TEXAS — It might be true that there's no place like home for the holidays. But a fine restaurant for a memorably delicious meal specially made for the season ain't too shabby either.

Austin-area restaurants are pulling out all the stops with fancy and elaborate holiday meals for those wanting to spend a bit of quiet time together over scrumptious gastronomical delights — while leaving the cooking to someone else!

And so we'll be updating this list as we near the holidays, as we receive word of further culinary offerings. Here's what we know so far:

BRIX AND ALE

Sheraton Georgetown

1101 Woodlawn Ave.

Christmas Day Brunch at Brix And Ale, Sheraton Georgetown, will feature a festive buffet with menus curated by Executive Chef Patrick Taylor. Behold:

Christmas Day Brunch Buffet
Day/Time: Christmas Day, 12/25 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $55- Adults- $27.50 Kids (includes tax + gratuity)
Located at: 1101 Woodlawn Avenue, Georgetown
Reservations: Website: https://www.brixandalegtx.com/en/events

Christmas Brunch Buffet:
Carving Station:
Bone-in Bourbon Cured Ham – beer mustard
Smoked Prime Rib of Beef - horseradish aioli
Traditional Turducken – sage turkey gravy
Made to order omelets and eggs
Spiced Carrot Bisque, candied walnuts, brown sugar crème fraiche
Rye & Red Onion Dressing
Creamed Corn Casserole
Whipped Winter Squash & Roasted Sweet Potato, candied walnuts, blue cheese, honey
Tomato Bacon Braised Green Beans
Andouille Sausage & Roasted Tomato Casserole
BBQ Beef Brisket Hash
BYO Salad Station
Cheese & Cured Meat Display
Poached Shrimp & Crab Claws, michelada cocktail sauce
Assorted Traditional Cakes & Pies

Photo via Brix an Ale

THE ELEANOR

307 W. 5th St., Austin TX 78701

For the second year in a row, The Roosevelt Room’s little sister, The Eleanor is celebrating the holidays with their Miracle on 5th Street pop-up through Dec. 29. Teamed up with Cocktail Kingdom, Miracle on 5th Street is a place for guests to gather wearing their ugly sweaters and sip on delicious cocktails that bring about holiday cheer.

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758

320 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

This holiday season, celebrate at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar with a three-course holiday indulgence menu for dinner – or Friday lunch – straight off your wish list. The merriment begins with choice of indulgent starters: Wild Mushroom Soup or Seafood Louie Wedge Salad followed by the main event: Filet Mignon & Colossal North Atlantic Lobster Tail, all dressed up for the holidays with cabernet demi-glace, mixed sautéed mushrooms, and merlot salt. For dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake. Price: $92 per Guest.

Can't wait for dinnertime to indulge? Join Fleming’s on Fridays starting at 11:30 a.m. for their all-new, three-course holiday lunch menu.

You might also think of a Fleming's holiday gift or stocking stuffer. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar guests can receive a $20 Bonus Card for every $100 purchased in gift cards now through December 31. The $10 bonus cards can be redeemed from Jan. 1 through Feb. 2. Plus, enjoy free gift card personalization when purchasing on FlemingsSteakhouse.com, or pick them up at any restaurant location.

GERALDINE'S

605 Davis St., Austin, TX 78701

Holiday revelers will be rocking around the Christmas tree this holiday season at Geraldine’s Holiday Disco Bar & Lounge from Dec. 19-22. The restaurant and live music venue is transforming its fourth-floor pool deck into a life-size snow globe. Decked out with snow machines, a disco ball, and festive décor, the tented rooftop will transport guests to a winter wonderland complete with marshmallows for roasting and holiday cocktails for toasting. To get that snow globe shaking like no other, there will be a curated selection of holiday vinyls on rotation including favorite hits and forgotten classics. Each night, the event will be followed by live music performances on Geraldine’s indoor stage:

Wednesday, December 19

• 9:30 p.m. – BettySoo

GIBSON STREET BAR

1109 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Through Dec. 31, Gibson Street Bar has decked their halls and hung their mistletoe for a Winter Wonderland. Guests can rock around the Christmas Tree while The Misfit Toys play the three Wednesdays before Christmas from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 PM. Featuring festive cocktails & their own Gibson Sleigh, revelers can sleigh the night away.

IT'S ITALIAN CUCINA

1500 S. Lamar Blvd., Suite 110, Austin, TX 78704

It's Italian Cucina will be serving Christmas Eve dinner featuring an Italian American tradition, Feast of the Seven Fishes. Owner and chef, Al Fini, prepares the classic Christmas Eve seven-course meal including Antipasto, Frutti di Mare, and more.Wine pairing option also available.

Feast of the Seven Fishes at It's Italian Cucina

• Date/Time: December 24, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Price: $50 per person, $80 with wine pairing (does not include tax and gratuity)
• Reservations: https://squareup.com/store/its-italian-cucina/item/feast-of-fishes-christmas-eve
• Website: https://itsitaliancucina.com/

Feast of the Seven Fishes Prefix Menu:
Antipasto:
Acciughe Bianche Crostata | Black olive paste, tomato, white anchovies and capers on toasted focaccia

Insalata:
Insalata il Giardino con il calamaro saltato in padella | garden salad with pan sautéed lemon and squid

Pasta:
Linguine con Vongole in salsa di vino Bianco | linguine with clams in a white wine sauce
Primo Piatto)

Primo Piatto
Pesce Rosso con Salsa della Casa | redfish with spicy olive oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes & mushroom sauce

Secondo Piatto
Frutti di Mare | spicy marinara seafood soup with crostini

Detergente per il Palato
Limoncello Gelato | pannacotta gelato topped with Limoncello

Dolci
Biscotti agli Amaretti e Cioccolato | Amaretto cookies and chocolate

Photo courtesy of It's Italian Cucina

LALA'S LITTLE NUGGET

2207 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757

Celebrating Christmas year-round, Lala’s Little Nugget is a tried-and-true Austin destination since 1972. That kind of longevity in Austin is astounding. Let's put it in some perspective: Richard Nixon was in the White House. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI. So-called phonorecords (?!?!) are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time. Gasoline was 34 cents per gallon. Enough nostalgia. Let's look to the future: With their halls decked with boughs of holly and Santa and his reindeer perched on the roof, this North Austin holiday hot spot is a jolly place to enjoy the holidays with their Bloody Mary Mornin’ every Saturday and Sunday and their Santa’s Irish Coffee with Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, coldbrew coffee, topped with Irish crème.

NICKEL CITY

1133 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78702

Santa is on vacation this season at Nickel City’s tiki-themed holiday pop-up bar dubbed Sippin' Santa. With festive tropical themed drinks including, Kris Kringle Colada and Hawaiian Milk Punch, the holiday pop-up lets patrons celebrate the holidays with a tropical twist. Through Dec. 31. What? You thought Santa was a teetotaler? He works hard, and he plays hard.

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>>> Top photo via It's Italian Cucina