Question: We wanted to go to the Grand Finale in Glendale for Christmas Eve this year, but it's booked. Any other ideas? We're going as a family. I can't expect my children to behave too formally that night, so it should be somewhere homey and comfortable, and ideally would involve excellent dessert.

        Answer: The Grand Finale makes Christmas Eve reservations available early in December, and generally it fills in about a day.

        There's not an endless variety of choices for Christmas Eve dinner in a restaurant, but don't despair. (Though this year, Christmas Eve is a Monday when some restaurants are closed anyway.)

        I only would go somewhere that takes reservations, so I'd choose from:

        • Rookwood Pottery Bistro. Mount Adams is pretty this time of year, and the Bistro's new menu is a nice one that should please most of the family. Adults can have apple tarte tatin for dessert; kids can get the walnut fudge brownie with ice cream and sauce. Rookwood will close Christmas Eve at 9:30 p.m. 1077 Celestial St., 721-5456.

        • Jack Quinn's Irish Pub will be open only to 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. It is pub cozy with that Irish atmosphere that seems right for Christmas. There's fried cheesecake and Grand Marnier torte on the dessert menu. 112 E Fourth St., Covington, (859) 491-6699.

        • Trio in Kenwood will be bustling Christmas Eve, like it always is, because it's good. And you can have wonderful banana cream pie or brown sugar walnut tart for dessert. Good drinks and wine list, too. It will close at 8 p.m. 7565 Kenwood Road, 984-1905.

        • The Iron Horse Inn is not normally a place I'd take the family, but on Christmas Eve it's serving a buffet, which makes it easier to eat with antsy kids. It will be serving 4:30-9:00 p.m. 40 Village Square, Glendale, 771-4787.

        • Ferrari's Little Italy is nice for kids: lots of pasta. (It's served family-style at the Madeira location.) Plus raspberry chocolate cheesecake and tiramisu. Open 5-9 p.m. Christmas Eve. 7677 Goff Terrace, Madeira, 272-2220, and 11384 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 489-9777.

        • Nick's Chops and Chasers in Oakley is a warm neighborhood spot with steak and pork chops on the menu. And good apple pie and bread pudding. Open 4-7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. 3355 Madison Road, 871-5858.

        • Chester's Roadhouse in Montgomery is a classic, very popular Christmas Eve spot. It will be open 4-8 p.m. Key lime pie and creme brulee are the recommended desserts. 9678 Montgomery Road, 793-8700.

        • For something a little different, Johnny Chan 2 at Harper's Point in Symmes Township will have a Chinese buffet Christmas Eve for $12.50. It will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Dessert's not a strong point, but the Chinese food is first-rate. 11296 Montgomery Road, 489-2388.
        Questions or comments to dining critic Polly Campbell by fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pcampbell@enquirer.com.

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