In addition to the three dozen options listed in Taste, here some additional dining-out ideas for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Be sure to call ahead - especially given the weather forecast - to verify availability.
Casual, cheery Common Roots Cafe in south Minneapolis, maker of the Twin Cities' best bagel -- and the place for a well-made and value-oriented sandwich, salad or bowl of soup -- is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
Retro, hospitable Jensen's Supper Club in Eagan is serving Christmas Eve dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Check out the new dozen or so $18 dinner options, which includes an entree (prime rib, crab cakes, parmesan-crusted walleye and more), relish tray, house salad and popover.
Upscale seafood chain McCormick & Schmick's is open both Thursday and Friday. Hours at its downtown Minneapolis location are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 8 p.m. Friday; hours at its Galleria location in Edina are 6 a.m. to midnight both days. The company's M&S Grill in downtown Minneapolis is open Christmas Eve from noon to 8 p.m.
Joe's Crab Shack has returned to Roseville (but not its other metro-area locations, at least not yet), and the value-oriented seafood chain is open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Know of any other options? Add them in the comments section, and Merry Christmas.
