Do you feel like your chestnuts are roasting over an open fire because you don't have meal plans yet for Christmas? Well relax, I'm here to help.
Do you feel like your chestnuts are roasting over an open fire because you don't have meal plans yet for Christmas? Well relax, I'm here to help.
You see, whether it's by choice or by chance, lots of folks won't be dining at home on Christmas Day - and local restaurants know this. Therefore, plenty of eateries will be open and serving throughout the whole 25th of December.
So whether you crave bagels or vegan treats, whether it's seafood, spaghetti or prime steaks you'll need, the following culinary yuletide elves will only be too happy to stuff your stockings.
Oh yeah, and these little helpers couldn't care less whether you've been naughty or nice. Happy holidays, everyone!
Block's Bagels
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3415 E. Broad St., Bexley
614-235-2551
blocksbagelsdeli.com
Bagel, bagel, bagel, I made it out of dough. OK, not me, but Block's, and they make some of the best bagels in town.
Buckeye Donuts
Open 24 hours, including Christmas Day (closed the day after Christmas)
1998 N. High St., Campus
614-291-3923
buckeye-donuts.com
If you prefer your holey round baked goods to be sweet, check out this unconventional, "all-nighter" OSU institution.
Pattycake Bakery
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3009 N. High St., Clintonville
614-784-2253
pattycakebakery.com
If you prefer your baked goods to be sweet and vegan, then park your sleigh at this hip Clintonville shop.
Buca Di Beppo
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
343 N. Front St., Arena District
614-621-3287
60 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington
614-848-8466
bucadibeppo.com
Does the notion of cooking and cleaning on Christmas Day make you grumble fuggedaboutit? Might you be in the mood for gargantuan portions of Italianate food served with sides of goofiness and irony? Yeah, well then this over-the-topper is the place for you.
The Clarmont
12-7 p.m.
684 S. High St., German Village
614-443-1125
clarmontrestaurant.com
An abbreviated menu will be offered at this vintage upscale Columbus classic. Some of my Clarmont favorites are its lamb, steaks and pan-fried fish. Oh yeah, and cocktail shrimp the size of yule logs.
McCormick & Schmick's
12-7 p.m.
3965 New Bond St., Easton
614-476-3663
mccormickandschmicks.com
Most seasonally festive food is as heavy as that uneaten fruitcake you keep regifting. This makes M&S's trio of Christmas seafood specials - jumbo shrimp, grilled salmon and one of the best crabcakes ever in Columbus - sound extra great.
Chi Thai
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
5577 N. Hamilton Rd., New Albany
614-471-8988
chithairestaurant.com
This is one of my favorite Thai restaurants in town. And not only is Chi Thai's food rockin' and sockin' (try the pound-on-the-table spicy and delicious Bangkok Fish) but it's a casual white-tableclother where you can get a decent drink and even brown rice in place of white.
Quaker Steak & Lube
4:30 p.m. to close
8500 Lyra Dr., Polaris
614-430-9464
quakersteakandlube.com
Wings for Christmas?! Well why not? I mean aren't buffalo hot-sauce and celery sticks suitably tinted red and green? Besides, while everyone else is having the same old turkey dinner they ate on Thanksgiving, you can be fueling up at this gas-station-themed party spot with barrels of beer, spicy snacks and rowdy, cut-loose types. Sounds fun, huh?
Ruth ' s Chris Steakhouse
5 to 9 p.m.
7550 High Cross Blvd., Worthington
614-885-2910
ruthschris.com
If you have an urge for a red meat Christmas splurge, this memorably named upscale mini-chain can jingle your sleigh, silver and dinner bells with a treat of high-test beef.
Betty ' s/Tip Top/Dirty Frank ' s/Surly Girl Saloon
Even the Grinch would have a great time at one of the fun and funky members of Betty's Family of Restaurants. So how about we meet there, hold hands and sing that Whoville song?