Why cook a big holiday meal when a plethora of local restaurateurs are happy to do it for you?

Many of Mazatlán’s restaurants, at hotels and otherwise, offer special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve dinners and events. Do make your reservations early and do show up – nothing irritates a chef or owner more than no-shows on holidays, when every minute and every entrée is accounted for. Think about how it feels when you have a dinner party and someone you’ve invited never arrives and never calls – it leaves everyone in limbo.

At the Olas Altas Steak House, “2008 Mazatlan Best Chef of the Year” Kent Simon will be buried in the kitchen preparing for his annual Christmas Day Buffet, an all-day, all-night, all-you-can-eat feast from noon to 10 p.m. There’ll be Cajun-fried and oven-roasted turkey and honey-baked ham, as well as salads, side dishes and house-baked breads. The new lounge will be open, too, adding another dimension to this already beautifully appointed historic building. No reservations required; $300/person. The restaurant is opposite the Venadito statue on the malecón, Olas Altas #3, 981-0249, www.olasaltassteakhouse.com.

Nearby is Pizza Moreno, which has a lot more than just fabulous pizza and pasta. On American and Canadian holidays, owners Dave and Linda Russell take it upon themselves to satisfy our sentimental culinary cravings with traditional dinners. Dave and Linda go all-out with buffet dinners for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with prime rib and horseradish (yes, the real stuff!), authentic Yorkshire pudding, roast turkey stuffed with apple-walnut dressing, mashed potatoes, desserts, et al – plus shrimp cocktail to start. New Year’s Eve will be business as usual, says Dave, but they’ll stay open till 2 a.m. for deliveries if anyone gets hungry after their celebrations.

Christmas Eve dinner is 4-11 p.m. and Christmas Day is 2-11 p.m. Cost is $250/turkey or $300/prime rib. Did I mention door prizes and live music? You must make reservations – call 985-5863 or (cell) 6699-93-5373. Pizza Moreno is one block from the Plaza Machado, on Calle Libertad #409, sort of behind Restaurante Il Mosto.

Speaking of which, Il Mosto will also have Christmas Day dinner, with roast turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixin’s. The charming Mediterranean-style restaurant is nestled on the quiet side of the Plaza Machado, near the corner of Heriberto Frias and Sixto Osuna, allowing one to really relax and enjoy the moment and the meal. There’s inside and outside seating, excellent service and a dedication to quality – just ask your waiter how they make their margaritas. Reservations are a good idea but not required; call 985-4366 to make yours.

At Canucks, December 23 is the annual Posada, with staff and guests celebrating together. Besides a “self-serve” Chile Feed and Open Bar, Canada meets Mexico in the Canexican Olympics, party games played in teams. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Reservations required; $150 each.

Then, on Dec. 31, it’s the sixth annual, all-inclusive Canucks “Leave Your Wallet & Car At Home” New Year’s Bash. That means your ticket covers everything: a delicious dinner, open bar, champagne, live music by MazAzul, even the gratuity. Canucks also provides round-trip bus transportation to your home or hotel. Cost is $425 per person, and they usually sell out by Dec. 10. Tickets must be purchased in advance and space is limited, purchase on-site or online at www.canucksinmaz.com.

Free Christmas Concerts are Dec. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. with holiday music and carols by the community choir. Next, the annual Orphanage Christmas Party is Dec. 21, with children from the Hogar San Pablo and Rancho De Los Ninos getting a chance to have some fun. The kids get pizza, spaghetti, hot dogs, soda, etc., until Santa shows up with gifts donated by patrons. It’s a sweet event and all are welcome to attend. Regular menu available; 7 p.m.

At Casa Lucila / Le Sorelle Restaurant, you’ll find exquisite meals in an exquisite setting, along with attentive service, a great wine list and the option to spend the night in a luxurious suite upstairs. The Christmas Eve menu includes classic roast turkey and a secret family recipe dessert; seatings from 6-10 p.m. For the New Year’s party, dinner, hats and noisemakers are included; details were not available when M! went to press. Space is limited, reservations required. Call 982-1100 for info or reservations. Le Sorelle is at Olas Altas #16, opposite the Pedro Enfante motorcycle monument in Olas Altas.

For the second year, Heather’s Place hosts a trio of vocalists from the Angela Peralta school to sing traditional Cristmas carols in English on Dec. 18, 24 and 25. These shows feature a dinner buffet with roast turkey, sweet potatoes and other fixin’s and your choice of home-made-by-Heather-herself, apple or pumpkin pie. Cost is $169 and reservations are a must. On Dec. 18 and 24, the buffet starts at 6:30 p.m. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, two seatings for dinner are 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Then, crooner Rod Stewart rings in the New Year as part of a very special evening starting at 8 p.m. A three-course dinner with champagne toast at midnight is $375 and you definitely need reservations. Heather’s is across from the Ocean Palace in the Golden Zone. Call 914-2999 for reservations or info.

And at the Purple Onion, owner Howard Gable and his crew throw caution to the wind and host festive dinner events for both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Christmas Day from 8 p.m. on, Chef Jeff serves roast turkey with several stuffings, real baked ham, mashed taters and gravy, cranberries, sweet potatoes, dessert and more. New Year’s Eve, doors open at 6 p.m. and music goes from 7 p.m. till 3 a.m. An elite menu will be served along with toys and noisemakers galore, and Happy Hour drink prices go all night long. Cost is $400 a person and tickets must be purchased in advance. Both events sell out each year - call 913-2082 or just stop in at the Purple Onion, Camaron Sabalo in the Golden Zone, www.purpleonion.com.mx.