Company coming for Christmas, but you don't want to spend the holiday in the kitchen and miss time with family?
Nearly 20 local restaurants will be open on Christmas Day to solve that problem.
» Ruth's Chris Steak House is featuring its Celebration Surf & Turf for Christmas guests, says Stephanie Malinauskas, director of marking and communications. Ruth's Chris is located at 2321 Lifestyle Way in the Hamilton Place area.
Diners have a choice of an 8-ounce petite filet and twin lobster tails or 16-ounce ribeye with two lobster tails. Additionally, Ruth's Chris will offer a special Holiday Seasonal Classics menu, she says, that features festive deals for dining. Multicourse menus start at $44.95 per person.
Serving hours Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Ruth's Chris will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are suggested. 423-602-5900.
» The holiday buffet at The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St., will be filled with assorted salads, seafood choices and cheeses, while entrees will include chef-carved ham, eggs Benedict, coffee-rubbed beef tenderloin, rotisserie chicken and a made-to-order omelet station.
Sides, too numerous to mention all, will include cornbread pudding, slow-roasted spaghetti squash and tri-color potato hash. For dessert? Assorted flavors of Clumpies ice cream, peppermint bark mousse cake and vanilla bean cheesecake. Cost: $45 adults, $20 children 5-12, under 5 free. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
More restaurants open for Christmas that are serving off their regular menus include:
» Dorato at The Westin, 801 Pine St. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 423-531-4653.
» Beast + Barrel, 16 Frazier Ave., 2-11 p.m. 423-805-4599.
» Big River Grille, 222 Broad St. location only, 4-10 p.m. 423-267-2739.
» Buffet King, 5230 Highway 153, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 423-877-8816.
» Chef Lin, 5084 South Terrace, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 423-510-1998.
» China Rose, 9203 Lee Highway, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Cash only. 423-238-1268.
» City Cafe Diner, 901 Carter St., 423-634-9191; 7641 Lee Highway, 423-485-8222; and 919 25th St., Cleveland, 423-790-7460. All open 24 hours.
» Hair of the Dog Pub, 334 Market St., 5 p.m.-3 a.m. 423-265-4615.
» Honest Pint, 35 Patten Parkway, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. (Last call for food and drink 1:30 a.m.) 423-468-4192.
» Huddle House, all locations, 24 hours.
» IhOP, 5814 Brainerd Road, 423-490-0559; 5113 Highway 153, 423-877-4732; both open at noon, then 24 hours a day.
» New China Buffet and Grill, 3450 Cummings Highway, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 423-821-6988.
» Sweet Basil Thai, 5845 Brainerd Road, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 423-485-8836.
» The Big Chill, 103 Cherokee Blvd., 4 p.m.-3 a.m. 423-267-2445.
» Waffle House, all locations, 24 hours.
» Fuji Steakhouse, 5437 Highway 153, noon-10 p.m. 423-531-3183.
» New China, 8530 Hixson Pike, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 423-843-0586.