DATE: Sunday, November 16, 1997             TAG: 9711120050

SECTION: FLAVOR                  PAGE: F4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: TAMMY JAXTHEIMER, RESTAURANT CRITIC 

                                            LENGTH:  185 lines

MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS NOW

IT'S NOT too early to be contemplating your menu, or venue, for the holidays.

As you will see from the following list, there are wonderful places to consider besides home or your once-removed-cousin's-home or - well, you get the picture.

Many restaurants, particularly Colonial Williamsburg's properties, are already booked, so don't delay in reserving your place at one of the many available tables that Hampton Roads has to offer. Since Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year, all encourage reservations.

Area restaurants are eager to greet you and serve you a better than home-cooked meal but they do ask that you make one reservation and stick to it. One restaurant owner told us, the latest trend in dining out on Thanksgiving is to make several reservations and then decide where to dine at the last minute.

This practice is not fair to the restaurant, which is turning away customers to hold your table, or to customers who can't be seated.

And don't forget to thank your hosts.

Aldo's, 1860 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 491-1111. Open Christmas Eve.

Alexander's on the Bay, Fentress Street, Virginia Beach. 464-4999. Open Christmas Eve.

Anastasia, 7816 Richmond Road, Williamsburg. 566-0043. Thanksgiving: table d'hote menu, 2 to 7 p.m. Only 32 seats. Reservations a must.

Ashley's on Greenwich, Holiday Inn Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. 499-4400. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Blue Moon Cafe, 32nd Street and Holly Road, Virginia Beach. 437-8230. Thanksgiving: Regular menu and hours. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Blue Pete's, 1400 N. Muddy Creek Road, Virginia Beach. 426-2005. Thanksgiving: Regular menu, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Open Christmas Eve.

Blue Water Cafe, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach. 491-0188. Thanksgiving: Special menu with traditional fare, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Brewer's East Inn, 2484 N. Landing Road, Virginia Beach. 427-5880. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Price: $16.95; ages 3 to 10, $6.95.

Cafe David, 1423 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. 496-3333. Open Christmas Eve.

The Cascades, Information Center Drive, Williamsburg. (757) 229-1000. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Prix fixe menu, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: $32.50 inclusive; 8 and under, $19.50.

China Garden, 854 N. Military Highway, Norfolk, 461-3818; Pembroke Mall, Virginia Beach, 497-3497; 301 High St., Portsmouth, 399-8888. Open Christmas Eve.

Chowning's Tavern, 100 E. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg. (757) 229-1000. Thanksgiving: Regular menu with plated Thanksgiving special, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. First come, first served - no reservations. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Circle, 3010 High St., Portsmouth. 397-8196. Thanksgiving: Buffet, noon to 9 p.m. Prices: $10.95; senior citizens, $9.95; under 10, $4.95.

The Dining Room, Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main St., Norfolk. 628-6420. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices: $16.95; ages 6 to 10, $9.95; 5 and under, free.

Duck Inn, 3324 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 481-0201. Thanksgiving: Buffet and regular menu, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices: $11.99, ages 5 to 12, $5.99; age 4 and under, $1.99; to go box, $5.99. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Buffet and regular menu, noon to 8 p.m.

The Dumbwaiter, 117 Tazewell St., Norfolk. 623-3663. Open Christmas Eve.

Eastville Manor, Eastville (757) 678-7378. Thanksgiving: Prix fixe menu with seatings at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Price: $23.95 plus tax and gratuity.

Foons, 4365 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 460-1985. Open Christmas Eve.

Forbidden City, 3644 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. 486-8823.Open Christmas Eve.

Four Bays, Sheraton Hotel, 36th Street and Oceanfront, Virginia Beach. 425-9000. Thanksgiving: Buffet with seatings at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Prices: $17.95; ages 4 to 12, $8.95.

Gus' Mariner Restaurant, Ramada Plaza Oceanfront, 57th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. 425-5699. Thanksgiving: Buffet, noon to 7 p.m. Prices: $16.95; 12 and under, $8.95.

Henry's, 3319 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 481-7300. Thanksgiving: Buffet, noon to 8 p.m. Prices: $9.95; ages 3 to 10, $5.95 Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Il Giardino Ristorante, 910 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach. 422-6464. Open Christmas Eve.

Iron Gate Restaurant, Atlantic Avenue and 36th Street, Virginia Beach. 428-6164. Open Christmas Eve.

Indian Fields Tavern, 9220 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City. (757) 829-5004. Thanksgiving: Prix fixe menu, noon to 7:30 p.m. Price: $40 per person; ages 12 and under, $20.

Jewish Mother, 3108 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach. 422-5430. Opens at 6 p.m. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Jonah's, Holiday Inn Oceanside, 21st Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. 491-1500. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices: $13.95; senior citizens, $12.95; 12 and under, $7.95.

Key West, Chesapeake Holiday Inn, 725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake. 523-1212. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price: $14.95.

Kitchen at Powhatan Plantation, 3601 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, (757) 220-1200. Christmas Day: Prix fixe menu, noon to 6 p.m. Prices: $50 per person; 12 and under, $25.

La Caravelle, 1040 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 428-2477. Thanksgiving: Regular menu with traditional fare, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day: Regular menu with turkey entree, same hours as Thanksgiving.

La Galleria, 120 College Place, Norfolk. 623-3939. Open Christmas Eve.

Lake Wright, 6280 Northampton Blvd., Norfolk. 461-6251. Thanksgiving: Buffet noon to 6 p.m. Price: $12.95. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Buffet, hours and prices same as Thanksgiving.

Laverne's, Hilton Inn, Oceanfront and 8th Street, Virginia Beach. 428-8935. Thanksgiving: Call for menu and times. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Call for menu and times.

Le Chambord/Bistro & Rotisserie, 324 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. 498-1234 or 486-3636. Thanksgiving: Brunch in addition to traditional fare, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Price: $16.95. Open Christmas Eve.

Le Promenade, Airport Hilton, 1500 N. Military Highway, Norfolk. 466-8000. Open Christmas Eve.

The Lighthouse, 1st Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. 428-7974. Thanksgiving: Buffet 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: $16.95; ages 7 to 10, $8.95; ages 6 and under, $4.95. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Same as for Thanksgiving.

Lucky Star, 1608 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach. 363-8410. Open Christmas Eve.

Lynnhaven Fish House, 2350 Starfish Road, Virginia Beach. 481-0003. Open Christmas Eve.

Mahi Mahs, Ramada Hotel, 7th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. 437-8030. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price: $14.95; 12 and under $7.95. Open Christmas Eve.

The Max, 425 Water St., Portsmouth. 397-1866. Thanksgiving: Buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Prices: $14.99; ages 6 and under, $6.99.

Maxwell's Tavern, 109 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake. 436-5554. Thanksgiving: Regular menu starting at 5 p.m. Open Christmas Eve.

Morgan's Restaurant & Lounge, Doubletree Inn, Military Circle, Norfolk. 461-9192. Thanksgiving: Regular menu with turkey dinner, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Norfolk Airport Hilton, 1500 N. Military Highway, Norfolk. 466-8000. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices: $17.95; senior citizens, $13.95; ages 5 to 12, $9.95. Christmas Day: Same as for Thanksgiving.

Outback Steakhouse, 1757 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 422-5796; 1255 Fordham Drive, Virginia Beach. 523-4832. Open Christmas Eve.

Riverwalk, Omni Hotel, 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk. 622-6664. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices: $18.95; senior citizens, $16.95; ages 5 to 10, $8.95; age 4 and under, free. Regular menu from 4 to 10 p.m. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Menu and service yet to be determined.

Sage's Bistro, 1658 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach. 460-1691. Thanksgiving: Special menu, noon to 8 p.m.

Schooners, Waterside Live, Norfolk. 627-8800. Open Christmas Eve.

Second Alarm, 3657 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 460-2568. Open Christmas Eve.

Shields Tavern, 414 E. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg. (757) 229-1000. Christmas Day: Prix fixe menu, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Prices: $32.50 inclusive; 8 and under, $19.50.

Smithfield Inn, 112 Main St., Smithfield. (757) 357-1752. Thanksgiving: Special menu, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Smithfield Station, 415 S. Church St., Smithfield. (757) 399-2874. Thanksgiving: Special menu, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Stormy's Pub, Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main St., Norfolk. 627-4200. Thanksgiving: Regular menu, 11 a.m. to midnight. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Regular menu with holiday fare, 11 a.m. to midnight.

Surrey House, U.S. Route 10, Surrey. (757) 294-3389. Thanksgiving: Special menu, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Swan Terrace, Founder's Inn & Conference Center, Indian River Road, Virginia Beach. 424-5511. Thanksgiving: Buffet with seatings at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Prices: $19.95; ages 6 to 12, $8.50. Christmas Day: Buffet with seatings at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Prices: $21.95; ages 6 to 12, $8.95

Szechuan in Ghent, 1517 Colley Ave., Norfolk. 625-1551. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tandom's Madison Grill, Freemason and Granby streets, Norfolk. 627-2222. Thanksgiving: Limited menu with holiday fare, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tandom's Pine Tree Inn, 2932 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. 340-3661. Thanksgiving: Limited menu with traditional fare, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Limited menu with holiday fare, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Three Ships Inn, 3800 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 460-0055. Thanksgiving: Regular menu and buffet beginning at 4 p.m. Buffet price: $17.95.

Trade Winds, Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. 481-9000. Thanksgiving: Brunch with carved meats, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices: $18.95; children $8.95. Open Christmas Eve. Christmas Day: Regular menu with wild game holiday fare, 5 to 10 p.m.

Veranda Room, Fort Magruder Inn, U.S. Route 60, Williamsburg. (757) 420-1751. Thanksgiving: Buffet, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Prices: $17.95; senior citizens, $15.95; 5 to 12 year olds, $13.50; 4 and under, free.

Vic Zodda's Harborside, Holiday Inn Portsmouth, 8 Crawford Parkway, Portsmouth. 393-2573. Thanksgiving: Buffet with seatings at noon, 2:30 and 5:30. Prices: $15.95; senior citizens, $13.95; ages 5 to 10, $8.95; under 5 free.

White Cap, 40th Street and Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach. 422-3487. Open Christmas Eve.

Wilma's, 211-5 Providence Road, Chesapeake. 424-7631. Open Christmas Eve.

The Yacht Club, Holiday Inn Surfside, 26th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach. 491-6900. Thanksgiving: Regular menu with plated holiday fare, 5 to 8 p.m. Open Christmas Eve.

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