Anne BralyThere won't be many restaurants open on Christmas Day, but if you choose to eat out rather than in the comfort of home, there are a couple of places that will have their elves busy in the kitchen.
• The Chattanoogan: Celebrate the flavors of Spain with your family in the hotel's Grand Ballroom as The Chattanoogan presents Spanish Christmas 2014. The buffet begins with salads: field greens with cured olives and vegetables dressed with house-made dressings or a Valencia orange-roasted beet salad with arugula and smoked chevre cheese. There also will be a table filled with Spanish and domestic cheeses, Moroccan-marinated mussels and gazpacho crab dip served with preserved local vegetables. There will be a carving board with Dijon-crusted prime rib and herb-roasted pork. Hot selections include chorizo-caramelized leek bread pudding and paella a la Valencia, as well as other Spanish-inspired dishes. For dessert? The ever-popular chocolate waterfall with numerous sweet dippers as well as sweet potato and apple pies. Price: $37.95 adults, $18.95 ages 6-12, ages 6 and under free. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
• Ruth's Chris: In addition to its regular menu, the steakhouse will be highlighting two specials: a 6-ounce filet-and-lobster tail combination for $48.95 and a 12-ounce ribeye served with a 6-ounce lobster tail for $58.95. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 423-602-5900.
• Bluff View Art District: Christmas comes alive with flavors in the Art District at both Renaissance Commons and Back Inn Cafe, where buffets will be filled with oven-roasted turkey served with traditional cornbread dressing or Dijon-crusted prime rib with sour cream mashed potatoes. Shrimp with bow-tie pasta is another favorite. Also offered are green bean casserole, cranberry chutney, Asian salad, brioche French toast, assorted sushis and house-made breads and desserts. Price: $29.95 adults, $15.95 children 12 and under. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
• Beast and Barrel: This North Shore restaurant will celebrate Christmas Day with a full buffet starting with artisan cheeses, sausage balls, jerky, pigs in a blanket, local pickled vegetables,salads and housemade soups. Numerous side dishes and made-from-scratch breads will complement your entree of herb-crusted prime rib, roast duck or glazed ham. But save room for a selection of holiday desserts: red velvet cake, pumpkin pie, bourbon-pecan pie, French creme cheesecake, assorted cupcakes, cookies and egg nog. Price: $32.95 adults, $15.50 children 6-12, children under 6 are free. Hours: 2-7 p.m. Reservations: 423-805-4599 or at www.beastandbarrel.com. The restaurant will also be open Christmas night from 7 p.m. to midnight serving cocktails and a limited menu.
• Hair of the Dog Pub and Honest Pint: If you're looking for a place to kick up your heels Christmas night, Hair of the Dog Pub, at 335 Market St. will be open from 5 p.m. until 3 a.m., and Honest Pint, at 35 Patten Parkway, will be open from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Get it to go ...
• If you're wanting to order side dishes to go with your meal at home, Ruth's Chris is offering its sweet potato casserole, green beans with roasted garlic and creamed spinach in family-size servings, enough to feed 10 to 12, for $29.95 each. Orders must be placed by Tuesday for pickup as late as Christmas Day. Call 423-602-5900.
• If you want to pick up turkey or ham with all the trimmings from Mount Vernon Restaurant, you'll need to place orders no later than Monday with pickup by noon on Christmas Eve. Call 423-266-6591, or order at mymountvernon.com.
What wine?
When you're trying to decide what wine to serve with your dinner or which wine to order when you're dining out, are you one who always sticks with the mantra: white wine with chicken and fish and red wine with beef and pork?
Paula Moulton, Sonoma wine expert, dispels that myth.
"Break the rules," she says without hesitation. "Your host/hostess is making pizza, but you only drink white wine and you've heard that red wine is traditionally paired with pizza. You might be surprised to learn that a full-bodied white and even a sparkling white or champagne pair well with pizza."
Moulton, a frequent contributor to Wine Enthusiast magazine and one of only 20 people in the world to earn the prestigious Cordon Bleu Wine Management degree in France, has grown grapes for some of the best-known labels in the country, so she knows a thing or two about the fruit of the vine.
And if you're looking to buy wine as a gift this Christmas, she has a few guidelines.
"Wine is about sharing, so bring the gift of wine based on what you would pick to drink yourself," she says.
When buying, be adventurous. "Dare to be different and pick your wine based on the beauty of its label, as long as it fits in with your price range," she says. "You may be surprised to learn that wine labels oftentimes reflect the personality of the wine in the bottle, so perhaps your eye will be your trainer for the evening."
But keep in mind the weather. During the cold months of winter, you might want to select a hearty cabernet or spicy pinot noir. Leave the light chardonnays for warmer times.
"And don't forget to branch out and try wine from other countries," she adds.
Here's a fun suggestion: Learn where your host or hostess is from and try to buy a wine from his or her country or state of origin. It will be appreciated.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.