Beyond Chinese: Dining out options expand for Christmas dinner

Whether it's because the dogs ate the turkey asthey did in the holiday movie classic,A Christmas Story, or if you're just not feeling up to cooking a traditional dinner, the options of where to dine on Dec25have grown.

"Generally no one was open, the stores weren't open, the grocery stores were closed. You couldn't get anything,"said IanTostenson, CEO and president of B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Associations.

Decades ago, the only dining out option on Christmas Day was to head to a nearby Chinese restaurant.

"Now, there is a lot going on, it has changed dramatically," said Tostenson.

"Alot of restaurants are open for Christmas dinner, or dinner in general," he said.

White Spot paved the way to serving a traditional meal on Christmas.

"It is becomingreally a tradition," said WarrenErhart, CEO and president of White Spot.

"Not only for a lot of regularguests, but for our staff."

Two of its franchises at Richmond Centre and Kingsway Vancouver are open Christmas Day from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Staff membersvolunteer their time and all the proceeds go to charity.

One of the restaurant's franchisees, Prakash Ganatra, came up with the idea after noting that many regular White Spot guests don't haveplaces to go on Christmas, Erhart said.

The White Spot Christmas Day lunch started15 years ago. The menu features original favourites likeburgers as well as a full-onturkey dinner.

Recreate feelings of home for travellers

Hotel restaurants are popular places for serving Christmas Day dinners. They often try to re-create the feeling of home for those travelling.

Hawksworth Restaurant, located at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, is already sold out for Christmas dinner. Guests pay upwards of $98.

"Takes the stress out of the holiday [by]allowing guests to celebrate the joyous occasionwith friends and family," saidChad Clark, Director of Operations,HawksworthRestaurant Group.

The stories are much the same for the dozens of other hotel restaurants in town.

For the foodies out there, there areIndian-fusion Christmas dinner feasts available.

At Copper Chimney Indian Grill and Bar, guests can order a cumin andcoriander roasted Turkey along with a cranberry mango chutney and curry gravy.

Another reason restaurants are nowopen on the holiday is the multicultural nature of Vancouver.

"For a large group of people in Vancouver, Christmas is not on their radar screens so theyjust want to go out and eat," said Tostenson.