AUSTIN, Texas — The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones and for some, they’re also about eating good food.
With Christmas upon us, many businesses have closed their doors for the holiday season, but several restaurants in Austin are staying open to give people a place to celebrate together.
Laila Bazahm, owner of El Raval– a Spanish-cuisine inspired tapas restaurant in downtown Austin- says she wanted to offer her place up for people to relax together, but also to try a different kind of food for the holiday.
“I feel like you can come here and really spend quality time with your family or loved ones without the headaches of preparing it yourself, cleaning after your dishes and whatnot,” she said. “So, just quality time, fun time and that’s it.”
Bazahm says she created a special six course menu for those who made a reservation just for the occasion, to homage to the Spanish tradition of celebrating with family on Christmas Eve.
“Eating canelones– canelones are the pasta that’s filled with meat, and foie gras– bechamel on top. It’s very rich, but it’s very good and I miss that here. So, I think people want to celebrate differently and eat this kind of food during the holiday,” Bazahm said.
She says there was a lot of demand for a spot at her eatery, with 200 folks signing up for reservations. She says she wanted to offer her restaurant up for people who have become like family to her.
“Most of our guests now, they’re really like regulars, so we get to know them. It’s like celebrating with your friend or your family as well, right? So, it’s really nice to be open and just do this special menu for them,” she said.
“Also, we’re celebrating with the staff before we open for tonight, we’re going to have a small get together.”
Bazahm says keeping her restaurant open for the holidays also gives people who don’t celebrate Christmas a place to go where most stores and restaurants are closed.
El Raval was open on Christmas Eve and is closed for Christmas, but here’s a link to other restaurants open on Dec. 25 for dine-in or take out.