Honey-Roasted Ham, Rum-Soaked Pork Chops, Smoked Maine Lobster, Sweet Potato Pie, and bottles of local wine. Now that we have your attention, it’s time to move past the massive turkey still digesting in your system from Thanksgiving and onto the next celebration: Christmas. While some may count gift-giving or movie-marathons as the main activities on this special day, we’ve found that it’s the simple act of eating that truly brings families and friends together. Whether an early brunch or an end-of-the-day dinner, the meal time is one that causes everyone to pause their routines, bond and break bread while acknowledging an age-old tradition.

Visitors traveling to San Diego for the holiday season, we welcome you with open arms. And those who call San Diego home and know no better place to spend the season, we encourage straying from the usual and trying a new way to toast the occasion. San Diego restaurants are debuting their 2011 Christmas menus, covering the coastline from Del Mar down to Coronado. Bring along the gifts and snag a kiss under the mistletoe on your way over, we’ve got your guide to 2011 Christmas at San Diego restaurants, on Sunday, December 25th.

The Grand Del Mar: Christmas at The Grand Del Mar celebrates the flavors of the season with an artfully prepared dinner at the Amaya and the Addison, Southern-California’s only Five-Star/Five-Diamond restaurant. Guests can come expectant of holiday favorites with a gourmet twist on the menus. At Amaya, visitors are welcome to dine on Dec. 24th and Dec. 25th from 5-9pm. The three-course holiday tasting menu offers seasonal specialties such as Carmelized Nantucket Bay Scallops, Seared Sea Bass, Grilled Lamp Loin, Slow-Roasted Center Cut Pork Chop and Cranberry-Glazed Loch Duart Salmon, and for dessert, a Ginger and Citrus-Poached Pear with Gingerbread Pound Cake. The menu is $75 per adult, $105 with wine and $30 per child. At the Addison, guests can dine on Christmas Eve only, but enjoy seven courses of exquisite holiday fare including Langoustines with lemon, lime and mandarin marmalade, English Dover Sole and Pheasant Rôti. This menu is priced at $165 per person, $290 with wine, or a customary four-course menu available for $98. The Grand Del Mar will also offer Holiday Afternoon Tea from Nov. 26th- Dec. 30th, 2-4pm. Guests can enjoy the tea with seasonal treats in the elegant Lobby Lounge. Tea service starts at $42.

Island Prime: The limitless views of the ocean at Island Prime don’t hurt in making the succulent Christmas menu an unforgettable experience with loved ones. The three-course menu features Christmas classics, cooked up the Island Prime way. Start with a choice of Wedge Salad with Maytag Blue Cheese, Butternut Squash Soup, and a Salad of Local Baby Greens. The main course options include a Pomegranate Cornish Game Hen, Maple Glazed White Marble Farms Pork Chop, Red Wine Braised Lamb Shank, Horseradish and Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon, and an 8oz. Filet Mignon. All entrees will be served with Haricot Verts and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes. Be sure to save room for dessert, as Island Prime is offering choices in Chocolate Pecan Tart, Sweet Potato Pie, and Mascarpone Apple Crumb Cheesecake. For the little ones at the table, the children’s menu offers an entrée choice of Prime Rib or Mac and Cheese and a Brownie Parfait for dessert. Serving from 1-7pm, the Christmas menu is priced at $49.95 for adults and $12.95 for children.

Hotel Del Coronado: Hotel Del’s lavish location by the sea is an elegant place to hold a Christmas dinner, while also giving guests a perfect picture of San Diego lifestyle. After skating by the sea, guests are invited to a bountiful Victorian buffet dinner in the Crown Room from 5-9pm on Christmas Eve. The celebration will include live musical entertainment, and prices are $100 for adults, $45.50 for children ages 6-10, and free for kids 5 and under. On Christmas Day, the Oceanfront Ballroom and Crown Room will offer the Victorian Holiday Buffet, decked with all the trimmings from 12pm to 6pm. Cost is $89.50 for adults, $38.50 for children ages 6-10 and free for kids 5 and under.

Read all holiday dining ideas and more on DiscoverSD.com