Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;Â
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;Â
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding, and a cup of good cheer!
We won’t go until we get some;Â
We won’t go until we get some;Â
We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here!
Is this a cheeky verse to a classic carol or an overly demanding chant from the people gathered around your dining room table? Seriously? You’ve shopped till you dropped. Decked till you’re wrecked. Baked till you ache. Hosted and toasted until you feel roasted. Perhaps it’s time to give yourself a break and make the most glorious call of the season — dinner reservations. Release a bit of the seasonal stress and avoid the possibility of a mealtime meltdown (remember the Bumpus’ hounds from A Christmas Story?). Raise a glass in celebration of these fine Metro restaurants serving up Christmas treats.
Astor Court at The St. Regis Hotel
Holiday traditions abound at The St. Regis Hotel — turning the pool piazza into a glamorous skating rink with a hot cocoa bar, regular afternoon teas with Santa, even a pastry chef who builds a life-size gingerbread house for the hotel lobby. Your entire family will swoon over the sumptuous Christmas Day buffet, served from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call (404) 565-7797 for reservations or visit stregisatlanta.com for more details. COST: Adults, $125; children, $59
The Café at the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Celebrate the joyous holiday with a Christmas brunch running from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., featuring seasonal décor, live musical entertainment, caroling by the Dickens Singers and an appearance by Santa. Choose from more than 100 brunch selections and a separate children’s buffet. Contact the resort concierge at (404) 237-2700 for reservations, or visit ritzcarlton.com for details. COST: Adults, $109; children, $59
Cassis at The Grand Hyatt
Few Atlanta restaurants are as innovative as Cassis, which serves a contemporary menu with a modern American flair. The Christmas meal, served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., features specialties available a la carte or as a set menu. For reservations call (404) 364-3933 or visit grandatlanta.hyatt.com. COST: Adults, $54; seniors, $40; children, $25
McCormick & Schmick’s
With locations in both the heart of downtown Atlanta and the Perimeter area, McCormick & Schmick’s continues its tradition of steakhouse sophistication and seafood bounty serving its regular menu on Christmas Day. Relax in the refined elegance of this dignified venue and indulge in the seasonal specials, including the holiday chocolate dessert lineup. Call (404) 521-1236 or visit mccormickandschmicks.com.
The Palm Restaurant at the Westin Buckhead
This classic, high-end, surf-and-turf venue draws regular crowds for its consistent excellence. Open Christmas night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Palm offers its full regular menu. For reservations, visit thepalm.com or call (404) 814-1955.
Park 75 at The Four Seasons
The annual Christmas holiday brunch buffet at Park 75 presents a bountiful and tantalizing assortment for your enjoyment. Served from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., reservations can be made online at fourseasons.com or by calling (404) 881-9898. COST: Adults $92; children $35
Room at TWELVE Centennial Park
Sleek and sophisticated, but still brimming with Southern hospitality and a festive, family-friendly holiday flair, Room welcomes all to experience their eclectic spread on Christmas Day. For reservations, visit roomattwelve.com or call (404) 418-1250. COST: Adults, $55; children, $22
Southern Art & Bourbon Bar at the InterContinental Hotel
Chef Art Smith loves to celebrate the season and invites you to join the merriment. The Christmas Day brunch at Southern Art & Bourbon Bar showcases the best of its much-acclaimed menu, as well as specialties created just for the occasion. Visit southernart.com or call (404) 946-9070 to make reservations for a seating between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. COST: Adults, $67; children 6 and older, $32; children under age 6, free
The Sundial Restaurant at the Westin Peachtree
For the ultimate in twinkling lights, reserve a table at The Sundial high atop the Westin Peachtree and enjoy full panoramic city views in Atlanta’s only revolving restaurant. This year, Sundial offers two seatings on Christmas Day with lunch seatings available from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for $35 per person, and dinner seatings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $60 per person. Call (404) 589-7506 or visit sundialrestaurant.com for reservations and details of the special menu.
Sway at Hyatt Regency Atlanta
For a downtown dining solution on Christmas Day, look no further than Sway. Chef Martin Pfefferkorn grew up on a farm in Austria, yet fell in love with our regional Southern cuisine. Now chef uses only the freshest ingredients from local farmers and purveyors to create a seasonally changing menu of Southern delicacies inspired by everything from family cookouts to Sunday dinners. Conveniently located inside the Hyatt Regency, Sway takes hotel dining to a different level and the holiday meal promises to include special additions to the regular menu.  atlantaregency.hyatt.com
Most of these lovely selections are located within some of our most luxurious local hotels, all beautifully decorated for the holidays. Call as soon as possible to save your seat! For added convenience, many of these restaurants can be reserved through OpenTable.com or UrbanSpoon.com. Have yourself a very merry meal!