Roaring fireplaces and glittering trees. Freshly baked gingerbread cookies and nutmeg-sprinkled eggnog. You don’t have to look far to realize we’ve officially entered the coziest time of the year. But what makes this season so warm and memorable? It isn’t the holly-decked halls or the surprise-stuffed stockings. Holiday cheer is about time spent with family and friends enjoying traditions old and new. It’s about reliving cherished memories and making new ones. Check out some of these festive finds to gather with loved ones this holiday season.

Oak Grill at Fashion Island Hotel

Imagine snuggling up by the fireside to enjoy great live music and mouthwatering eats. Every Friday and Saturday through December 29^th, Oak Grill will indulge you. So, gather up your friends and family for a magical evening featuring seasonal cocktails, complimentary housemade holiday popcorn, and festive music by favorite local artists. Check out their ongoing events calendar for more details.

Oak Grill will also feature a four-course, prix fixe Christmas Eve Dinner on Monday, December 24^th and Christmas Day Dinner Tuesday, December 25^th from 4-9pm. Featuring fresh takes on holiday cuisine, options like the Chicken Fried Quail, Beef Filet Bourguignon, and Eggnog Crème Brûlée provide a hefty dose of holiday spirit. Take a sneak peek at their Christmas menu and get reservations while you can.

Five Crowns & SideDoor

Five Crowns Restaurant and its SideDoor Gastropub are on a mission to turn every Scrooge into a bonafide Yuletide celebrant. From crackling hearths to twinkling lights, they’re sure to bring merriment to your next holiday gathering. So, get ready for loads of holiday warmth and good cheer the moment you walk through their quaint doors.

You’ll be serenaded by traditional Dickens’ Carolers while you savor Christmas-inspired cuisine and picturesque, winter decor. Five Crowns’ menu will feature traditional holiday fare including roasted goose with wild grains, mushrooms, Brussels sprout leaves, and cherries. From December 1^st through December 23^rd, Five Crowns offers earlier reservation times starting at 4:30 pm.

Muldoon’s Irish Pub

How about adding some good old-fashioned Irish fun to your holiday mix? From December 14^th through December 24^th, Muldoon’s Irish Pub will turn festive as they channel Charles Dickens with an Irish (not an Oliver) twist. Their nod to Christmas 19^th-century-style includes period costumes and vintage decor. Muldoon’s will feature housemade holiday cocktails including Wassail (mulled wine with a delicious twist) and Bog Nog (Muldoon’s eggnog spiked with Maker’s Mark and topped with fresh cream).

What’s more, you’ll love their special menu featuring roast Christmas duck. Get ready to kick back with your friends and loved ones in front of a blazing hearth while enjoying the festive atmosphere, great food, and handcrafted, seasonal drinks. (The darts are a blast, too!) Check out their ongoing events calendar and be sure to reserve your spot for an Irish/Dickens’ Christmas while seats remain.

Waterline Newport Beach at the Balboa Bay Resort

From December 19^th through the 23^rd, Newport Beach does Christmas SoCal style with its 110^th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Waterline Newport Beach will offer the perfect pairing — fine dining and exclusive waterfront views — every night of the parade from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

Executive Chef Rachel Haggstrom has designed a three-course prix fixe dinner specifically for the event with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The menu will include porchetta stuffed with chestnuts and quince, and braised beef cheeks served with creamy polenta and salmon with cream of spinach. And the third-course sticky toffee pudding with candied chestnuts and vanilla gelato will leave you feeling like a child diving into the presents under the tree.

Written By: Engrid Barnett