TURNING THE TABLES
Forget cooking another holiday meal at home. Start a new tradition by dining out.

Holiday feasts are usually a time to gather with family and friends around a home-cooked meal. But for many weary cooks, the thought of stuffing a turkey or whipping up another batch of figgy pudding is enough to trigger plenty of Yuletide stress. Before you hang your apron in defeat, give thanks, because more Central Florida restaurants are lifting the load by opening their kitchens during Thanksgiving and Christmas. All you need to do is make a reservation.

LA COQUINA
The exquisite Sunday Champagne Brunch at La Coquina shines all year-round, with many residents making it a tradition to regularly attend the culinary extravaganza. However, this restaurant at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress truly outdoes itself during its Thanksgiving and Christmas brunches. Instead of preparing the traditional turkey-and-trimmings affair, Executive Chef Kenneth Juran and his team turn up the decadence factor with ingenious dishes that marry both seasonal and Mediterranean flavors, with an emphasis on using local products.

The kitchen is transformed into an international marketplace-themed setting with lavish starter displays throughout – American sturgeon, salmon and wasabi caviars; pan-seared Maryland jumbo lump crap cakes drizzled with ancho remoulade; smoked shrimp garnished with pineapple and cilantro chutney. That doesn’t even include the gorgeous selections of pastas, salads, fruits and gourmet cheeses, as well as a paradise of desserts. All of these items nicely preface the five made-to-order hot dishes. Chef Juran says he’s excited about introducing his ginger-scaled Florida grouper with slivered garlic, parsley and tomato fondue with fava beans. Other items include the breast of poussin bathed in a blackberry and pomegranate reduction, blackberry compote and accompanied with squid-ink parmesan couscous and lemongrass beurre blanc; and the pepper-seared buffalo tenderloin roasted with fresh fig compote placed over a bed of fresh jasmine rice grits and roasted cippolini onions. Try one or two – or all five – and keep coming back for more. This is the stuff foodie dreams are made of.

Chef Juran says. “Dining here is not only a great meal experience for returning guests; it’s a stimulating opportunity to be inspired by our food and presentations, and perhaps try the techniques at home.”

Holiday brunches also include unlimited champagne. The price per person is $63.95. For reservations, call 407-239-3853.

THE PLANTATION ROOM
For Executive Chef Zachary Martin, the holidays are synonymous with quality family time, which explains why he strives to create a “home away from home” feel with his Thanksgiving and Christmas buffet brunches at the Celebration Hotel’s Plantation Room restaurant. The Hotel, which has a collection of old Florida artifacts and photos, goes all out to decorate for the holidays.

“People want to eat with their families, and they want good food options, which is hard to do when you’re in and out of the kitchen at home,” he explains. “Dining out means you enjoy more intimate time with them. There’s no prepping, no cooking, no hassle. Let someone else do that for you.”

Chef Martin characterizes his cuisine as traditional holiday fare with a subtle kick of Creole – a culinary nod to his hometown of New Orleans.

You will find your stations of antipasto salads, fresh fruit, steamed seafood, carved prime rib and turkey, as well as seasonal pies and cakes. Parents will appreciate the Kids Buffet with such childhood favorites as chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese.

Standout entrees are the oven-roasted Cornish hens served with pearl onion demi-glace; fall-off-the-bone roasted lamb complemented with Mediterranean couscous; and filet of beef, quickly seared and coated in a cranberry and walnut bordelaise.

If you try any dessert, it has to be Chef Martin’s twist on his grandmother’s beloved New Orleans bread pudding recipe. Bread slices are cut into rings and soaked in an eggnog anglaise, baked and then drizzled with a Jim Beam whiskey sauce – “This cannot be duplicated; it’s that good.”

Thanksgiving and Christmas brunches at The Plantation Room include non-alcoholic beverages and champagne. Prices for adults are $49.95; children are $19.99. For reservations, call 407-566-6000.

PARK PLAZA GARDENS
Patrons who prefer the formality of a sit-down meal will love celebrating the holidays at Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park. This 30-year-old culinary landmark along Park Avenue features a four-course menu by Chef John Tan for both Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Thanksgiving highlights include the roasted butternut bisque, lightly scented with cinnamon and crème fresh; bay shrimp and scallops topped with button mushrooms, lobster sauce and served on a vol-au-vent shell; and the roasted free-range tom turkey with sage stuffing, swimming in a tawny ruby port turkey gravy, accompanied by candied orange and cranberry relish.

For Christmas Eve, the tantalizing menu ranges from a shrimp and crab ravioli in champagne lobster veloute; arugula and Bosc pears salad topped with gorgonzola mouse and sherry vinaigrette; pan-seared duck breast with blueberry demi; and a sinfully rich dark chocolate tart surrounded by wild berry compote.

Prices for the Thanksgiving dinner are $39.95 for adults; $19.95 for children. Christmas Eve is $49.95 for adults; $20.95 for children. For reservations, call 407-645-2475.

BERNIE’S GOURMET TO GO
Reducing the hassle of holiday dining doesn’t have to mean driving to a restaurant. If you’d rather stay home but spend less time in the kitchen, there are plenty of establishments ready to provide you with a picture-perfect meal.

Bernie’s Gourmet to Go in Oviedo is open till noon on Thanksgiving Day and till 3 pm on Christmas Eve. It’s a combination of gourmet store (spirits included) and catering. Chef and Owner Bernie Schwab, known for his years at Le Cordon Bleu and Aubergine Bistro, says, “Take-out makes life so much easier; spending time with family should not just be working in the kitchen to feed everyone. Enjoy the holidays, eat at your own convenience, pace, around family, watch the game and be comfortable!”

Bernie’s signature Thanksgiving dish costs $18.50 per person and includes roast turkey breast in sage gravy with homemade stuffing and glazed ham with pineapple-cranberry relish. Schwab says traditional beef tenderloin “Wellington” is a favorite for Christmas, running $32.50 per person. It comes with mushroom duxelles, Madeira truffle sauce, potatoes au gratin, grilled tomatoes and green bean bouquets. Other entrees, such as the roast duck in Grand Marnier demi-glace ($26.50) and glazed ham ($18.50) are available. All entrees come with the same sides, plus Bernie’s special Yule log dessert and European chocolate dinner rolls beautifully decorated for the holidays.

In addition to Bernie’s Gourmet to Go (berniesgourmettogo.com), other local pick-up places include TooJay’s Gourmet Deli (toojays.com), Season’s Harvest Catering (seasonsharvestcatering.com) and Dominick’s To Go (dominickscatering.com) Let them take the cooking reins and whip up ready-to-serve dishes. All you have to do is reheat, serve and enjoy. Just make sure to have enough room in your fridge!

HOLIDAY DINING SAMPLER

Grand Bohemian Hotel
The Boheme
Thanksgiving, Christmas
grandbohemianhotel.com

Gaylord Palms Hotel
Villa de Flora
Thanksgiving, Christmas
gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms

The Peabody Orlando
Capriccio Grill
Thanksgiving, Christmas
peabodyorlando.com

Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando
Portofino Bay Hotel/Trattoria del Porto
Royal Pacific Resort/Islands Dining Room
Hard Rock Hotel/The Kitchen
Thanksgiving, Christmas
loewshotels.com

Caribe Royale Resort
The Tropicale
Thanksgiving
cariberoyale.com

Westin Imagine Orlando
Fiorella’s
Thanksgiving, Christmas
fiorellasorlando.com

Mission Inn Resort
La Hacienda
Thanksgiving, Christmas
missioninnresort.com

Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Rosen Plaza Hotel/Café Matisse
Rosen Centre Hotel/Café Gauguin
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort/Café Osceola
Thanksgiving, Christmas
rosenhotels.com

Disney World Resorts
Various properties
Thanksgiving, Christmas
disneyworld.disney.go.com

Lakeside Inn
Beauclaire Restaurant
Thanksgiving, Christmas
lakeside-inn.com

Grande Lakes, Orlando
JW Marriott/Citron
The Ritz-Carlton/The Vineyard Grill
Thanksgiving, Christmas
grandelakes.com

Highland Manor
Thanksgiving, Christmas
highlandmanorapopka.com

SEASONAL SPLENDOR

Decorating your home for the holidays can be easy and elegantly affordable.

It’s beginning to look like the holidays have arrived in Central Florida, which means the start of transforming our homes into festive wonderlands. The decked-out tree, twinkling lights and beloved ornaments invite us to enjoy the spirit of the season. But if you’re looking to give your holiday décor a modern lift, here are some simple and stylish ideas to set your seasonal scene.

First impression. The holiday splendor should begin when family and friends approach your home’s entryway. Extend a warm welcome by choosing a large wreath that reflects your sense of style as the centerpiece of your door. In the foyer, roll out a lush, colorful rug and place various-sized plants, such as poinsettias and fragrant rosemary topiaries, on either side.

Holiday hues. While red and green may be the traditional colors of Christmas, don’t be afraid to wrap some new hues into your decorations. Choose colors that complement the existing palettes in your home, and then add shimmery accents, such as touches of gold, silver, copper or brass.

All aglow. Nothing sets the mood for a cozy holiday than soft candlelight. Warm up your home by placing seasonally inspired candles in various rooms, or group several together surrounded by sprays of berry-studded branches for a dazzling centerpiece. To inject a little whimsical creativity into your existing candles, put them in hurricane vases and fill the container with cranberries or red-and-white peppermint candy.

Ornamental elegance. There is no shortage of ways to display the ornaments that didn’t quite fit on your tree. Create an instant festive look by arranging them in a unique vessel, whether a large crystal bowl, multi-tiered tray, vintage planter or martini glass. Rule of thumb: Select ornaments in various sizes but one color, or mix together one size in two or three harmonious shades.

Treasured keepsakes. Simplicity is key when decking your halls. While you may be tempted to showcase every dancing Santa or singing snowman in your possession, avoid the knick-knack clutter by selecting a handful of cherished pieces to put on view. To draw attention to your sentimental heirlooms, artfully arrange a few in one part of your house. They certainly will be a conversation-starter with guests.

Dreaming of a green Christmas. We’re all about our holiday traditions – polishing off the ornaments, decorating cookies, watching our favorite Christmas movies. But why not adopt more eco-friendly traditions? The easiest place to start is energy awareness. Lighting displays are one of the biggest energy-wasting culprits. If you can’t do without them, buy LED lights, which emit 80 to 90 percent less power than incandescent bulbs. For great gift-wrap alternatives, consider using brown bags bedazzled with decorative ribbon or even organic fabric. Ready to take down your tree? Drop it off at a location that will turn it into mulch for landscaping.

FANTASY FEAST

Setting and decorating a sumptuous holiday spread.

You’ve put the last-minute touches on an elaborate holiday menu and are now eagerly anticipating the arrival of guests. But before the celebrating can commence, there’s one last detail to address – setting the table.

While it may be tempting to pull out the paper plates and plastic ware, you have worked too hard on those culinary creations to not show them off properly. It’s time to let your holiday spirit shine through an artfully arranged tablescape.

Creating a memorable table first starts with a theme that reflects your style. Yes, the setting should be festive and fun – it’s the holidays, after all – but there are ways to incorporate the traditional elements of the season with personal panache. Whether your style leans toward classic, contemporary, vintage or even avant-garde, personal touches will make your table all the more special.

Once you have the theme, it’s time to pick the color palette. You’re not limited to the ubiquitous holiday hues, but don’t go overboard with your selections. It’s best to stick with three or four complementary colors. Most can be combined with white and ivory, as well as metallic tones such as gold, silver and pewter. If you’re using existing china and flatware, make sure the colors pair well with them. When layering colors, start with the tablecloth, followed by your other large items – runner, platters, serving dishes and centerpiece. The remaining elements should be designed around these pieces.

To enhance your table’s wow factor, introduce a variety of textures. Fabrics, beading, sequins, feathers, crystals, greenery – with so many choices, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. A good rule of thumb: Keep it simple, and stick with your theme. For a formal affair, choose sumptuous fabrics in both matte and shimmery finishes. If you’re planning a more casual event, have a little fun by choosing cloths with whimsical, kitschy patterns.

Candles in different shapes and sizes paired with assorted votives, vases and other containers not only create a pleasant ambience, but also add texture and dimension to the surroundings. Make sure to use unscented candles so there’s no competition with the meal’s aromas.

Nothing transforms a tabletop like an eye-catching centerpiece. If the arrangement is placed in the middle of the table, it will be seen from all angles. Make sure you do a 360-degree check. Size matters on a table, so don’t create a centerpiece that will block your view of guests. Better yet, consider setting out a group of smaller pieces or forgo it all together and shift the focus onto your place settings.

It’s the finishing touches that make a difference in pulling together your tablescape. Whether personalized place cards, ornamental napkin rings or bejeweled charms for your champagne flutes, these small flourishes will make an impression.

At the heart of your table setting are the family and friends who gather around it. Savor this special time of food and fellowship, and make wonderful memories this holiday season