Columnist Muriel Stevens: A guide to Christmas/New Year’s dining

Friday, Dec. 18, 1998 | 11:42 a.m.

If you're planning to dine out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it's not too early to make reservations.

During this joyous holiday season the hotels sparkle with ornate Christmas trees and decor.

At Bellagio, a magnificent tree designed by Martha Stewart dominates the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Stewart, the doyenne of decor, was there for the tree-lighting ceremony. Sharing the festive occasion amid the masses of Poinsettias and greenery were Steve and Elaine Wynn.

If Bellagio is your holiday choice, take the time to visit the Conservatory. It's a glorious sight.

*Many of the Bellagio restaurants will offer prix fixe Christmas dinners. Dinner at Aqua is $85. Included are a choice of garlic-spinach soup or chowder, five second-course choices and a choice of many entrees -- in addition to seafood, the entree selection includes prime rib or the Aqua surf and turf. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Prime Steakhouse will have seatings from 4-9 p.m. for its $75 three-course dinner. The four-course epicurean repast at Picasso ($90) will delight all who dine there on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Service is from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy an Italian-style Christmas meal at Circo ($75) from 2-11 p.m. or at the adjacent Le Cirque ($125) from 3-9 p.m. For reservations, call 693-5000. A three-course Christmas dinner in Cafe Bellagio is $19.50. Service is from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. A lavish Christmas menu will be served in Buffet Bellagio ($24.95) from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

*MGM Grand restaurants will ring the Christmas bells in a number of restaurants. A prix fixe, four-course Santa Fe-style Christmas dinner ($45) will be available at Mark Miller's Coyote Cafe Grill Room. Call 891-7349 for reservations. Tre Visi/La Scala Italian restaurant is offering a four-course, classic Italian Christmas meal ($40) showcasing roast baby goat (kid) for the entree. Brown Derby's prix fixe dinner entry is $29.95 for four courses. The posh Gatsby's will feature a six-course repast for $75. Add $35 per person for wines with each course. For reservations to the Grand restaurants, call 891-7777. The Grand Buffet and the Studio Cafe will serve holiday fare, too.

*Andre's French Restaurant at the Monte Carlo will offer a five-course dinner ($75) on Christmas Eve from 6 p.m. to closing and on Christmas Day from 4-9 p.m. A number of elegant choices are available for each course. A five-course vegetarian dinner is also $75. On Christmas Eve only, Andre's original location at 401 S. Sixth Street will feature a prix fixe menu ($65).

*Caesars Palace will offer a variety of holiday meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Palatium Buffet will open at 8 a.m. with a Christmas brunch for $16.95. The lavish spread includes breakfast items from opening to noon. Additional dishes will be added at noon. After 4 p.m., fresh, whole lobsters (one pound) are available for $9 each. Champagne and mimosas are available all day. Cafe Roma will serve holiday buffets ($13.95, brunch; $19.95, dinner), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, in addition to the regular menu. For informal eating, check out the specials in La Piazza Food Court. A prime rib plate is $9.95 at the American station.

*Lawry's The Prime Rib in the Howard Hughes Center at Paradise and Flamingo Roads goes all out at Christmas. Throughout December, carolers garbed in turn-of-the-century costumes stroll the restaurant, entertaining as they go. Known as the Lamplighter Christmas Carolers, their performances have become a tradition. Christmas trees, twinkle lights, wreaths and other holiday decor are everywhere. Enjoy England's favorite Christmas dinner -- roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and trifle for dessert. For reservations, call 893-2223.

For Auld Lang Syne

Ring out the old, ring in the new at any number of restaurants on and off the Strip.

*Dine at Spago in the Forum at Caesars on appetizers passed by servers, then help yourself to to the open food stations offering seafood, antipasti, caviar, sushi and a dessert bar. Champagne, wine, spirits, nonalcoholic beverages and dancing to the Nikki Logan band are included in the all-inclusive price, $175. For tickets, call Amanda or Madeline in the Spago office, 369-0360. Spago Cafe will keep its usual hours. Special menu items will be added.

*Chinois in the Forum will feature a family-style banquet for $70 per person that includes scallion blini with oscetra caviar, crab and avocado roll, tempura tuna roll, Szechuan pancakes with foie gras, Shanghai lobster, grilled Mongolian lamb chops and dessert. For reservations, call 737-9700.

*Gatsby's at MGM Grand is featuring festive multicourse meals ($150) New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. For seating times and reservations, call 891-7337.

*Mark Miller's Coyote Cafe in the MGM Grand will feature the same menu at two seatings on New Year's Eve. The first seating ($75) is at 6-10 p.m.; the second seating ($85) begins at 10 p.m. A champagne and caviar course is included with the $85 dinner.

*The Luxor will entice New Year's Eve revelers with dinners in their three award-winning restaurants, Isis, Luxor Steak House and the Sacred Sea. Call 262-4822 for reservations.

*Caesars Bacchanal Room will offer a six-course feast, including wine, for $69.50 at early seatings at 5:30 and 6:30; $100 for the second seating beginning at $8:30 p.m. Party favors are included. A complete entertainment and dining experience is offered at Caesars Magical Empire. Seatings from 4:30-7:30 p.m. are $80; from 7:40-10:30 p.m., $120. Prices are all inclusive.

*Andre's French Restaurant at the Monte Carlo is offering a five-course dinner for $175, tax and tip not included. The price is the same for all seatings. Call 730-7955. Dinner at Andre's on S. Sixth Street is $125, plus tax and tip. Call 385-5016.

Please remember, if you opt to go to a hotel restaurant, that casino and hotel guests come first. Don't fail to make reservations. This is not a good time to just show up and expect to be accommodated.

Wherever you go this New Year's Eve, have a wonderful time, drive carefully and at the stroke of midnight, kiss your main squeeze, then sing Auld Lang Syne.