People in Las Vegas celebrate Christmas just like the rest of the country. However, since Las Vegas is based on a tourist economy, many people either work on Christmas, visit Las Vegas on Christmas, travel on Christmas or volunteer on Christmas.  So for all who either live or are visiting Las Vegas, here are some ideas on where to eat and celebrate the Christmas Holidays.

 

While there are the many holiday parties for the next two weeks, there is one that is different from the usual office party (where, let’s face it, you have to behave).  On Sunday, December 16, it is the annual Hogs & Heifers Saloon Christmas party with doors open to the public at 8:00pm. All the favorite bartenders, bar backs, porters & office workers of Hogs & Heifers Saloon will be partying the night away and everyone is invited to join them.  If you feel like rocking out and eating bar food instead of singing Christmas carols and drinking eggnog, here is the place to let your hair down before the BIG holiday.

 

 

Hogs & Heifers Saloon

201 N. 3rd Street

LV, NV 89101

702-676-1457

events@hogsandheifers.com

 

 

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Morton’s The Steakhouse in Las Vegas is offering the Steak & Seafood dinner for two for $99 from now through December 23, 2007.  Morton’s four-course dinner for two includes two single-cut filets, Morton’s leanest and most tender cut of beef; and a choice of two seafood courses of  Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, or Broiled Sea Scallops.  The dinner also includes two salads whether it is a Caesar Salad or Morton’s Salad, one Signature Potato and one fresh vegetable to share.  There is also dessert for each person which includes Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake or Key Lime Pie.

 

To take advantage of this dinner and enjoy the best of Morton’s steak and seafood at this price, go to www.mortons.com and choose Morton’s The Steakhouse of Las Vegas.  Print out a certificate for Morton’s dinner for two for only $99.  The Steak & Seafood special does not offer substitutions; and is valid for dinner only.  Tax and gratuity is not included, and the offer is not valid for Boardroom events.  Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. 

 

Morton’s The Steakhouse

400 East Flamingo Road

Las Vegas, NV 89169

(702) 893-0703. 

www.mortons.com

 

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Now, for some traditional brunches and dinners, there are a number of choices.  Spiedini Italian Ristorante located at the JW Marriot Las Vegas Resort & Spa, with Celebrity Chef Gustav Mauler, will feature on Christmas Day a dining experience beginning with either Lobster Ravioli topped with Brandied Lobster Sauce or Signature Chopped Salad with two Grilled Shrimp, Romaine Lettuce, Avocado, Grilled Corn, Tomato, Crispy Bacon and Russian dressing.  For an entrée, you have a choice of Duet of Lamb of Grilled Lamb Chops & Roasted Lamb Cannelloni, Herb Jus & String Beans or Seared Diver Scallops, Saffron Risotto with Garlic Spinach or boneless Braised Angus Short Rib, Horseradish Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables with Crispy Parsnip Chips.  For dessert, enjoy a White Chocolate Tiramisu, Spiced Pears, Warm Chocolate Cake or Pistachio Ice Cream.

 

The cost is $38.00 per person plus tax, $19.00 for children 4-12, Children 3 and under free with gratuity not included in the price. The dinner will be served from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and reservations can be made by calling 869-8500.  Gustav’s Master Chef Catering is also available for holiday parties at 869-8500.

 

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The JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa is also a part of the holiday spirit with their traditional 20 foot tree in the center of the main lobby complimented by beautiful decorations throughout the resort.  The kitchen team has been busy designing festive feasts for their visitors. On Christmas morning, guests are invited to relax to the sounds of live piano music while dining on Executive Chef Bruce Knapik’s Christmas Ceres brunch buffet. This year, the menu includes a wide selection of salads, homemade soup, an international cheese display, fresh baked breads and pastries, decadent desserts and various hot items ranging from traditional turkey to garlic-crusted leg of lamb. Seating begins at 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The cost for adults is $42.00 per person and children 5-12 are $18.95 per person. Children under 5 dine complimentary. 

 

Christmas dinner will be served in Ceres Restaurant featuring a festively crafted menu offering choices of appetizers, main courses and desserts. Order à la carte or build your own three-course dinner menu such as butter-poached lobster as an appetizer, carved prime rib of beef as the entree and homespun pumpkin cheesecake to compliment a very special meal. The Christmas dinner three-course menu ranges in price beginning at $45 per person.

 

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

Spiedini Italian Ristorante and Gustav's Master Chef Catering

221 N. Rampart Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89145

(702) 869-7381 (Ceres)

(702) 869-8500 (Spiedini)

www.jwmarriottlv.com

 

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Exclusive Christmas Day menu additions at Strip House in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino include jumbo lump and Alaskan king crab cake appetizer to compliment the festive holiday with a celery root salad and remoulade sauce.  One-day only Christmas entrées include a slow roasted bone-in prime rib with horseradish potato pancakes and a sautéed Dover sole with roasted cauliflower served alongside caper salad with brown butter sauce.

 

Strip House redefines the traditional steak house and this is the first Holiday season for thisnewest eatery.  Strip House is open 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

 

Strip House

Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 737-5200

www.planethollywoodresort.com

 

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On Christmas day, what about dining in a tropical rainforest, surrounded by waterfalls and a sparkling interior lagoon?  There is Kokomos at the Mirage offering for starters Chilled Maine Lobster & Field Greens, Champagne Vinaigrette & Crisp Fried Leeks or Kobe Beef Carpaccio with Truffle Oil & Sea Salt. The entrées include a choice of Oven-Roasted Halibut with Baby Vegetables, Thyme Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Saffron Butter Sauce or Pepper Crusted Filet Mignon with Caramelized Baby Carrots, Pearl Onion & Mushroom Ragout, Dijon Hollandaise.  To end the meal, desserts include Black Bottom Crème Brulee Tart with Caramelized Clementines or Gingerbread Martini with Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce

 

The three-course Dinner Menu costs $80 Per Person, with a Wine Pairing an additional $40 per person. Tax and gratuity not included. On Christmas day, the hours are 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

 

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Voted "Best Italian Restaurant," Onda at the Mirage offers classic-rustic Italian cuisine with American innovations. On Christmas Day, the menu begins with starters Creamy Artichoke & Leek Soup with Mascarpone & Chives or Caramelized Pancetta & Fennel. The entrees include Grilled Filet Mignon & Champagne Poached Shrimp with White-Bean Potato Puree, Mushroom Ragout & Port Reduction or Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon with Green Herb-Caper Sauce & Grilled Asparagus.  Desserts offered are Black Bottom Crème Brulee Tart with Caramelized Clementines or Gingerbread Martini with Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce.

 

The three-course Dinner Menu is $55 Per Person with a Wine Pairing an additional $30 per person.  Tax and gratuity are not included.  The hours on Christmas Day are 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

 

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Cravings, the buffet at the Mirage, offers a Christmas Day Brunch from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. with:

 

Italian Station

• Omelets & Eggs  
• Garnishes: Tomato, Onion, Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Bell Pepper, Scallion, Jalapeño Mushroom, Fresh Herb, Ham, Bacon, Breakfast Sausage
• Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce
• Waffles, Pancakes, Texas French Toast
• Maple Syrup, Sugar Free Syrup
• Whipped Cream, Pecan Butter
• Strawberry Sauce, Homemade Birchermuesli
• Bacon & Egg Pizza
• Brunch Calzone & Quizza
• Pepperoni Quizza, Pulled BBQ Pork Calzone
• Berry Pizza, Deep Dish Pizza
• Focaccia, Dinner Rolls

 

Rotisserie & Carving Station

• Carved Meats to Order:
• Smoked Bone in Ham
• Whole Roasted Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Carved Prime Rib with Au Jus
• Horseradish Sauce, Horseradish, Horseradish Cream
• Stone Ground Mustard, Cranberry Sauce
• Breakfast Sausage, Sausage Patties, Smoked Bacon
• Oatmeal
• Cream of Wheat
• Pineapple & Brown Sugar Glaze
• Sliced Bananas, Brown Sugar
• Breakfast Sides:
• Peaches, Prunes, Pears
• Orange & Grapefruit Segments
• Cravings Hash Brown Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs
• Country Gravy, Biscuits

 

BBQ Station

• Smoked Goose
• Miniature Donuts, Churros, Beignets
• Roasted Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad
• Buttermilk Biscuits, Corn Muffins

 

Latin Station

• Spicy Fruit Salad
• Sour Cream, Chimichurri Sauce
• Guacamole, Chipotle Salsa, Pico de Gallo
• Red Onions, Green Onions, Ranchero Sauce
• Scrambled Eggs & Carne Asada Burrito,
• Chilaquiles
• Spicy Potatoes with Onions & Peppers
• Sopapillas with Honey

 

Raw Bar

• Shrimp Cocktail
• Crab Legs, Ceviche
• Cocktail Sauce, Lemon

 

Fish Monger

• Steamed Mussels & Clams with Shallots and Thyme
• Grilled Swordfish with Ginger Vinaigrette
• Poached Cod with Lemon, Tomato and Chives
• Sautéed Baby Zucchini
• Rice Pilaf
• Butternut Bisque
• Cioppino

 

Noodle Station

• Dim Sum Selection:
• Shu Mai, Char Siu Bao
• Potstickers, Spinach Dumplings
• Shrimp Dumplings, Soy Sauce, Chili Sauce, Hot Mustard, Sriracha Sauce
• Beef Pho Soup, Wonton Noodle Soup

 

Sushi

• Vegetable Hand Roll
• Spicy Tuna Roll
• California Roll
• Spicy Crab Roll
• Shrimp Tempura Roll
• Shrimp Nigiri
• Wasabi Paste, Pickled Ginger, Soy Sauce
• Asian Shrimp Salad
• Seaweed Salad
• Edamame
• Miso Soup

 

Asian Wok

• Choy Sum with Oyster Sauce
• Mongolian Beef, Sweet & Sour Chicken
• Stir Fried Little Neck Clams in Black Bean Sauce
• Steamed Rice, Shrimp Fried Rice
• Pad Thai Salad, Kim Chee, Chili Sauce
• Chicken Congee 
• Seafood Tom Yum Soup

 

Deli Station

• Proscuitto, Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Panini
• Beef & Lamb Gyro
• Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Greek Salad
• Kosher Dill Pickles,
• American Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Smoked Turkey, Sliced Ham

 

Salad Bar Selections

• Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots, Cucumbers, Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans, Bean Sprouts, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Croutons, Sunflower Seeds Raisins, Hearts of Romaine, Mixed Greens
• Blue Cheese Dressing, Red Vinegar Dressing, Ranch Dressing, French Dressing, Balsamic Vinegar, Caesar Dressing
• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Raspberry Vinaigrette, 1000 Island Dressing,
• Honey Mustard Dressing, Fat Free Italian Dressing