RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA. (October 24, 2023) - The talented culinary team at Southern California's luxury Terranea Resort with its one-of-a-kind Pacific oceanfront location have created memorable holiday dining experiences to delight destination travelers and local and regional family and friends - from a Breakfast with Santa to Hanukkah specials and Christmas Day specials at various dining venues for tantalizing Christmas Eve and Day brunches and dinner buffets at catalina kitchen and lavish gourmet holiday dining at mar'sel, the resort's signature restaurant.

Breakfast with Santa in the Palos Verdes Ballroom

Sunday, December 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (with seatings every 30 minutes)

This feast with Santa is bound to please everyone including the jolly old guy himself. Santa's Mini Bakery offers Danishes, muffins, whole wheat croissants, assorted mini donuts and bagels. The Vanilla Pancake Kitchen features silver dollar pancakes with assorted toppings and there's also a French Toast Station. Mrs. Claus' Egg Kitchen tempts with egg beaters, whole eggs, cracked eggs, egg whites and fillings - mushrooms, peppers, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, onions, ham, chopped bacon, diced tomatoes and spinach. There are displays of Avocado Toast and Fresh Fruit, and the Red Nose Fueling Station has a wide array of holiday beverages, including fresh orange and cranberry juices, non-alcoholic eggnog, fruit punch, apple cider, coffee, teas and hot chocolate. At the Hot Food Station, hearty appetites are rewarded with farm fresh scrambled eggs, vegan soyrizo scramble, hash browns, applewood smoked bacon and chicken apple and country pork sausages. Four flavors of holiday cupcakes and gingerbread cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes with edible ornaments are tasty treats at the Little Elf's Decorating Bend. Dessert selections offer English toffee pudding, ricotta filled cannoli, eclairs, cake pops, fruit tartlets, chocolate parfaits and assorted mini donuts.

$100 for adults, $35 for children (five to 12 years old), $20 for toddlers (three to four years old), complimentary for children (ages two and under) exclusive of tax and gratuity. Santa will be present for fun family photo opportunities. For reservations, please book online.

Hanukkah Specials at catalina kitchen

Thursday, December 7, to Friday, December 15, from 5 to 10 p.m.

For the eight days and nights of Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, catalina kitchen will be featuring the following traditional holiday specials: Matzo Ball Soup with carrots, celery and matzo crackers; Sweet Potato Latkes with caramelized onions, tarragon dill cream and chives; Rosemary Roasted Chicken Breast accompanied by warm barley and mushroom and house salad; and Olive Oil Chocolate Cake with blueberry compote.

Reservations available at opentable.com/catalina-kitchen-at-terranea-resort.

mar'sel Christmas Holiday Dinners

Sunday, December 24, and Monday, December 25, from 5 to 9 p.m.

For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining at Terranea Resort's signature Four Star Forbes Travel Guide restaurant, mar'sel, which exudes the warmth and classic elegance of Southern California against a panoramic oceanfront background, Chef de Cuisine Fabio Ugoletti is offering a fabulous four-course gourmet feast. It starts with an Amuse Bouche of Blinis with caviar and crème fraîche followed by Course One of Grilled Persimmon served with burrata cheese, pistachio, frisée, balsamic glaze and mint. The Second Course pleases with Lobster Bisque, crab and tomato bruschetta and basil. Course Three is Tagliolini Sea Urchin with prawns, lemon zest and parsley. Then Braised Veal Cheeks with truffled mashed potato, mushroom and gremolata is served. To complete this delicious celebratory meal is Yule Log with chocolate mousse roulade, chocolate sponge cake, cinnamon meringue and berry compote.

$185 for adults, $82 for children (five to 12) exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations available at opentable.com/marsel-at-terranea-resort.

catalina kitchen Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Brunch

Sunday, December 24, from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. and Monday, December 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These special holiday brunches feature a Raw Bar with a fantastic selection of Shrimp Cocktail, Wakame Salad, Dungeness Crab, Fusilli Pasta Salad, Salmon Poke, Shrimp Aguachiles, Ahi Tuna Causa, Seafood Dip, Tempura Shrimp, Steamed Crab, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Whole Roasted Striped Bass with tomato confit. For holiday enjoyment, there are assorted breakfast pastries, croissants, muffins, donuts and breads, cheese and charcuterie, build-your-own salad and seasonal salads, an antipasto platter, a crepe station with sweet and savory crepes and a pancake bar. Holiday Entrees offer Caramelized Apple French Toast, Crawfish, Shrimp and Bay Scallop Etouffee, Korean BBQ Ribs and Chicken Saltimbocca. From the Stone Oven, there are a Pizza with figs, blue cheese and arugula; a Pizza with short rib, grilled onions and mushrooms; and one with three cheeses. From the Carving Board, guests may choose Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Grilled Tomahawk Steak, Rack of Lamb, Whole Roasted Chicken or Andouille, Bratwurst and Italian Sausage. For the sweet ending, there's the visit to the Pastry and Dessert Station filled with tempting pastries and holiday treats.

Christmas Eve Brunch: $119 for adults, $45 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Christmas Day Brunch: $125 for adults, $53 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Reservations available at opentable.com/catalina-kitchen-at-terranea-resort.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at catalina kitchen

Sunday, December 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Monday, December 25, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The festive Raw Bar is highlighted by Ahi Poke, Calamari Salad, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Freshly Shucked Oysters, Marinated Mussels, Scallops on the Half Shell, Whole Roasted Striped Bass, Tomato Confit Steamed Snow Crab, Crab Rangoon and Oysters Rockefeller. There are an Antipasto Platter, Grilled Vegetables, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Build-Your-Own Salad and Seasonal Salads. Entrees include Pan Seared Duck Breast with parsnip puree, Brussels sprouts and balsamic reduction, Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese, Seafood Jambalaya, Lobster Ravioli and Grilled Pork Chop with roasted winter vegetables. From the Carving Board, guests enjoy Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Buttermilk Brined Turkey Breast, Cajun Spiced Tri Tip and an Assortment of Sausages. From the Stone Oven, there are three pizzas - Pineapple and Ham, Chicken Alfredo and Three Cheese. The luscious Chef's inspired and seasonal Desserts abound: Pecan Bourbon Pie, Apple Cranberry Pie, Pumpkin Pear Pecan Pie, Gingerbread Bundt Cake, Apple Dried Fruit Strudel, Ginger Crème Brûlée, Winter Berry Fruit Tart and more.

Christmas Eve Dinner: $119 for adults, $45 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity

Christmas Day Dinner: $125 for adults, $53 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Reservations available at opentable.com/catalina-kitchen-at-terranea-resort.

Terranea Resort will feature other very festive Christmas specials. At the Lobby Bar with its far-reaching views of the ocean, the Christmas Eve and Day specials feature Crab and Shrimp Fra Diavolo with linguine tossed with succulent crab and juicy shrimp in pomodoro sauce with a hint of Calabrian chili; Apple Strudel with cranberry compote and cream cheese gelato; and Snowflake Martini concocted with Tito's Vodka, white chocolate liqueur and vanilla with a candy cane rim. At bashi, which offers a contemporary blend of Asian cuisine, the specials being served all day will be Surf & Turf Sushi Roll with seared wagyu beef, spicy lobster, avocado, tobiko and eel sauce; Singaporean-Style Chili Lobster Tail; Lemon Ginger Crème Brûlée; Mulled Wine; and I Think I Cran, I Think I Cran Cocktail composed of Tanteo Habanero, cranberries, agave, Cointreau and lime. Specializing in Coastal Cuisine, casual Nelson's specials for all-day Christmas Day are Seared Lemon Pepper Salmon served with roasted Brussels sprouts with pecans, balsamic glaze and baked potato with chives and sour cream; Apple Strudel with cranberry compote and cream cheese gelato; and Pomegranate Margarita made with Tanteo Blanco Tequila shaken with pomegranate juice and housemade maple syrup.

Where:          

Terranea Resort

100 Terranea Way

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Phone: (310) 494-7891

www.terranea.com