The gift of a gourmet Christmas dinner

Three restaurants around town cook up savory selections for those dining out on the holiday.Festive Christmas Eve and Christmas dining is just a reservation away. Here are three local restaurants that can make your Christmas feast even more special.

At The Island Hotel (formerly the Four Seasons) in Newport Beach, you can enjoy a five-course Christmas Eve dinner or a family-style Christmas dinner at the award-winning Pavilion restaurant.

Chat Noir, a French bistro and jazz lounge in Costa Mesa, celebrates Christmas Eve with a four-course dinner.

And Pinot Provence at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa serves its traditional breakfast Christmas morning, a brunch, and a Christmas dinner.

The Pavilion restaurant celebrates Christmas Eve with a five-course dinner served from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $100 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 12. A few of the menu selections include pan-seared duck liver on savor brioche French toast with sweet and sour pineapple jam; maple roasted butternut squash bisque with cinnamon foam; and braised prime beef short ribs with Brussels sprout leaves and celery root with red wine reduction. For dessert there’s a poached pear and pumpkin mascarpone tart with spiced clove sauce.

Family-style Christmas dining is served from noon to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas. The cost is $86 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 12 (children younger than five are free). The feast begins with a choice of seared ahi tuna with sweet potato and pecan salad; lemongrass-scented prawns with green papaya and baby coconut salad; roasted beets, baby arugula and Humboldt fog goat cheese with honey curry vinaigrette; and a gourmet spin on macaroni and cheese, with elbow pasta with crushed truffles and taleggio cheese. The second course choices include turkey with chestnut cranberry bread pudding, mashed potatoes, gravy and winter vegetables; potato-crusted Chilean sea bass with orange reduction and fresh dill; or black pepper roasted Kansas City strip loin. Choose from buffet-style desserts. 690 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. (949) 759-0808.

Chat Noir, David Wilhem’s French bistro and jazz lounge, celebrates Christmas Eve with a four-course dinner served from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $65 for adults and $15 for children. Appetizer choices include lobster bisque with Armagnac foam; or potato blinis with smoked trout, horseradish creme fraiche and oestra caviar; and coquilles St. Jacques with spinach, bacon and parmesan cheese. Salad choices include butter lettuce with toasted almonds, tomatoes and Roquefort vinaigrette; and endive salad, watercress, pomegranates, apples, spiced walnuts and Roquefort; or seared foie gras on cinnamon French toast with hot raspberry vinaigrette. Entree choices include roast Sonoma duck breast with apples and Champagne cabbage, foie gras and cabernet essence; herb roasted salmon with grilled fennel risotto and tomato confit; filet mignon with gratin Dauphinois and black peppercorn sauce; and rack of lamb with Parisian potatoes and sweet garlic confiture. Desserts choices include hot Callebaut chocolate souffle with Cointreau cream, rustic apple tart with cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce; and espresso ice cream profiteroles with chocolate sauce and raspberries.

The children’s menu starts with a French slider (a mini burger), with chopped sirloin, cheddar cheese and pommes frites. Entree choices include chicken breast herbs de province with a vegetable medley and pommes frites; or pappardelle pasta with parmesan, butter and vegetable medley.

For dessert, kids can enjoy a chocolate sundae. Entertainment is provided by the George Griffin trio. 655 Anton Blvd. in Costa Mesa. (714) 557-6647.

Pinot Provence at the Westin South Coast Plaza serves Christmas dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. First-course dinner selections include lemon fish tataki with avocado and yuzu mitsu ($11); smoked salmon boule, potato and caviar, chervil and lemon nage ($16); arugula salad, Cabrales blue cheese, candied walnuts, pear and poire William gastrique ($12); and caramelized shallot tart, Xeres vinaigrette-scented salad perigourdine ($14).

The second course selection includes roasted chicken, pommes frites, and sweet garlic jus ($18); roasted filet of beef, gnocchi gratin, horseradish jus, carrotte braise ($28); veal cheeks with hand-rolled black truffle-scented linguine, and mushrooms demi-jus ($26); and pan-seared black sea bass, jasmine rice, and kefir lime emulsion ($32).

Pinot Provence also serves Christmas breakfast 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Christmas brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 686 Anton Blvd in Costa Mesa. (714) 444-5900.

* BEST BITES runs every Friday. Greer Wylder can be reached at [email protected]; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; or by fax at (714) 966-4679.