Dana Point Christmas Guide

Written by Erik Pedersen-Jauch
Founder, Dana Point Unplugged
Real Estate Broker - Eriksen Properties
DRE #01981918 (949)683-3221

Christmas is on its way so we asked Dana Point Unplugged members their favorite restaurants to go on Christmas, favorite Christmas movies, recipes, and places to go check out the best Christmas lights.

Restaurants Open on Christmas or Christmas Eve

Chart House - Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Offering a 3 course dinner. Christmas Menu

Wind & Sea - Open Christmas from 11 am - 7 pm. Christmas Menu

Brio Tuscany Grille - Open only on Christmas Eve starting at 2 pm. Reservations required. Christmas Menu

Cali Costa - Open Christmas Eve & Christmas.

Peking Dragon - Open Christmas Eve & Christmas.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern - Open on Christmas Eve only.

Salt Creek Grille - Open on Christmas Eve only.

The Point Restaurant & Bar - Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

The Little Kitchen Asian Cafe - Open on Christmas Eve only.

Whitestone Restaurant & Bar - Open on Christmas Eve only.

Carlos Mexican Restaurant - Open on Christmas Eve only from 8 am - 2 pm.

Best Streets to View Christmas Lights

Dana Point
Calle Fortuna
Via Espinoza
Dana Knolls
Dana Point Harbor

Aliso Viejo
King Eider Lane

Rancho Mission Viejo
Naciente St.

Ladera Ranch
Walden St.
Bainbridge Ave
Shively St.

Laguna Hills
Nellie Gail
Laurel Creek Lane

Mission Viejo
Amato
Buscador

Newport Beach
Balboa Island

Rancho Santa Margarita
El Corzo St.

DP Unplugged Members Favorite Christmas Movies

A Christmas Story

Christmas Vacation

Home Alone

Die Hard

Elf

Love Actually

DP Unplugged Members Christmas Recipes

Marilina’s Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Ingredients

12 oz fresh, uncooked cranberries
1/4 cup green onion
1-2 fresh jalapeño peppers
2 Tbsp. cilantro (optional)
1/2 c sugar (or according to taste)
1 Tbsp. lemon juce
1/8 tsp. salt
16 oz. cream cheese (whipped)

Instructions

1. Use hand food chopper to chop cranberries. (It is best to not use a food processor to chop these as the cranberries liquify too much).
2. Chop green onion, jalapeño peppers and cilantro.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, add chopped cranberries, green onion, cilantro and jalapeños.
4. Add sugar, lemon juice and salt on top of cranberry mixture and stir gently until blended.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.
6. Take cranberry mixture out of the refrigerator and stir all ingredients together. Strain out all liquid using a collander with small holes.
7. Whip softened cream cheese with hand mixer until smooth (about 2 minutes) and spread cream cheese over bottom of a plate
8. Pour cranberry mixture atop cream cheese and keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.
9. Use a spoon to spread over crackers and enjoy!!

Jenn’s Chocolate Cherry Almond Cookies

Preheat oven to 350

Ingredients:

1 cup softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 cup drained maraschino cherries chopped + more for topping
1/4 cup sliced almonds chopped
1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions:

In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium high gradually adding sugar until it’s well creamed
Stir in vanilla and almond extract, and salt
Add in flour and mix until combined
Fold in cherries and nuts
Use a tablespoon measure and shape into 1 inch round balls
Line up along a cookie sheet (or several)

Bake for 15 minutes

*while cookies are baking*

Heat up a saucepan with two inches of water and bring to a boil
Place a bowl over the pot of boiling water and but make sure the bowl does not touch the water
Add in the chocolate chips and coconut oil and melt over medium heat until fully melted
Remove cookies and rest for a couple minutes
While they are still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies or dip them
Top with more chopped cherries or nuts
Place in fridge to cool

Josette’s Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Michelle’s Snowman Cheeseboard

Snowman cheeseboard! Get foam balls from Michael's or craft store and use toothpicks to place cheese & meats. Decorate with a little hat, olives for eyes, and a carrot for a nose.