Christmas Day, MSP

[debbie421]

Is it too early to ask where to find a really nice, traditional Christmas day meal in MSP?

[Seige]

I don't know if they're doing it this year, but last year we were snowed in here and had a lovely 5-course meal at Cosmos. I had the traditional turkey with all the trimmings and I believe my husband had lamb chops. I'm not completely recalling his entree, but the whole experience was really lovely. I'd highly recommend it.

[s4zando]

I tend to agree with Seige - mostly in that the best place to look for Christmas day meals will probably be hotel based restaurants. Maybe check into the Nicollet Island Inn, Chambers, the W, places like that that have restaurants of generally high regard.

[LauraB]

I have never been out to eat in the Twin Cities on Christmas, but here is a list from the Star Tribune of a number of places that are open. Also, searching for a reservation at the time you want on Open Table should give you a sense of what restaurants are open (although I might try a smaller party and then call if you have a bigger party as I have frequently found that the restaurants themselves are much better at figuring out if they can take a large group than the Open Table system is). Good luck and happy holidays!

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/...

[The Dairy Queen]

I'm not sure which of these will be offering a nice, traditional meal--I'm sure that depends, in part, on what your traditions are (there are those for whom going out for Chinese food constitutes their Christmas Day tradition, for instance), but here's what's open per the Strib:

Manny's, Minneapolis, breakfast, lunch and dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Bank, Minneapolis breakfast, lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and dinner Christmas Day

Chambers, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (his writing is very confusing regarding what is available and when--I recommend just calling them if you're at all interested)

Cosmos, Minneapolis, four-course meal on Christmas Day

The St. Paul Grill, lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and late morning to early evening on Christmas Day (it sounds like they are pretty well-booked, though)

Monte Carlo, Minneapolis, lunch and dinner both days

Market Bar-B-Que , Minneapolis & Wayzata, lunch and dinner both days

Shuang Cheng , Minneapolis/Dinkeytown lunch and dinner both days

The Lexington, St. Paul, lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve

Common Roots Cafe, Minneapolis, until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve; open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Day

Rainbow Chinese, Minneapolis, open for Christmas Eve dinner

Bryant-Lake Bowl., Minneapolis, closed Christmas Eve, but open for dinner (starting at 5 p.m.) on Christmas Day.

Mickey's Diner, West 7th, St. Paul open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Flameburger, Little Canada, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Additionally, according to the Pioneer Press, open on Christmas Day are
http://www.twincities.com/restaurants...

Champp's, W. Seventh St., St. Paul 4 p.m. to 2 a.m

Chez Colette (Hotel Sofitel), Bloomington; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Buffet

Hong Kong Noodles Restaurant, Minneapolis; 11 a.m. to midnight

Moscow on the Hill, St. Paul; 5 to 10 p.m.

Nicollet Island Inn, Minneapolis; 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Limited dinner menu

Porter & Frye, (Hotel Ivy) Minneapolis; 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bar menu

Stockmen's Truck Stop, South St. Paul, Open 24 hours. Regular menu.

Tea House II, St. Paul; 3 to 10 p.m

W Hotel: Manny's, open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m; Living Room Lounge, open 11 a.m. to midnight; Prohibition Sky Bar, open 5 p.m. to midnight

Zahtar by Fhima, (Grand Hotel Minneapolis) Open 4 to 11 p.m. Regular menu and special prix-fixe family-style menu

Happy Celebrating!

~TDQ

[debbie421]

Thank you so much, this is great! We booked the IDS 50th floor Christmas Day buffet for Thursday, but we're still looking for Christmas Eve.