The new swanky restaurant in the Sheraton Bloomington straddles the line between classic and modern cuisine with handmade pastas, sizzling steaks and the seemingly requisite seafood crudo. Lela will be open regular hours on Christmas Eve with its usual menu, but will offer a special Christmas Day family-style seating at $39 per person, that will include a carrot vanilla bisque, a choice of entrees and a Yule Log to share for dessert.

The St. Paul hotel is a popular destination any time of the year, but it is especially festive during the holidays. The St. Paul Grill will serve its regular menu on Christmas Eve, with a special Christmas Day, three-course prix fixe menu featuring their famous cream of Minnesota wild rice soup, honey glazed ham with chutney and bread pudding with crème anglais.

Noticing a theme? The secret to exceptional Christmas time dining is to visit restaurants housed in local hotels. Named one of the 10 Best Steakhouses in the world by Men’s Journal, Manny’s will serve its usual steaks and seafood on Christmas Eve, while on Christmas Day they will hold their signature Holiday Buffet service for $40 for adults and $12.95 for the kiddos.

Krungthep Thai has been hailed as a Twin Cities favorite since its birth as the little sister to beloved St. Paul staple Bangkok Thai Deli. The Eat Street establishment will be serving its rich curries, boat noodle soups and ultra fresh papaya salads until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and regular hours on Christmas Day.

All of Blue Plate’s eight restaurants will be open shorter hours on Christmas Eve, offering their usual favorite-filled menus. Freehouse, Lowry and Groveland Tap will also open Christmas Day at 5 pm, when the Freehouse and Lowry will wisely offer a couple of Christmasy cocktails like the Spice Cake Cocktail crafted with spiced rum, orgeat, bitters and all spice. Wonder why no one offers fruitcake cocktails?

Both Firelakes at the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis are open on Christmas. On the 25th chef Jim Kynberg will be preparing a traditional roast goose dinner (or roast beef, if you prefer). The Mall of America has prime rib and popovers.