Viaggio's chef, A.J. Szenda, has created a $49 prix fixe meal of four courses. The entrée choices are prime rib (a la carte $24), duck and venison plus an interesting vegetarian dish of goat cheese ravioli with butternut squash and toasted pecans. There's an a la carte menu for youngsters. Viaggio's will be open Christmas Eve—"one of our busiest nights of the year," Szenda says. The décor is a sea of candles and greens. It's "very romantic," muses the recently wedded Szenda. Viaggio's Ristorante Italiano is located at 14550 Big Basin Way: call 408.741.5300.

Gene's Deli manager Ty Klouer says folks who want a full holiday dinner to take home may choose either a roasted turkey (whole—$5.99/pound, or carved—$6.99/pound), a rib of prime rib roast ($12.98/pound) or slices of a lean, sweet dinner ham, boneless and glazed ($10.99/pound). To go with them, there are stuffing, cornbread, gravy, mashed or scalloped potatoes, baked yams and cranberry sauce with brandy. To top it off, add apple, pumpkin and pecan pies, holiday cookies and rum cakes (large—$17.99, small—$7.99).Gene's Quito Market Deli is located at 18850 Cox Ave.: call 408.374.5198.

At the neighboring Prolific Oven, shoppers may pick up a myriad of sweets to enhance their holiday eating. Two delectable items are fashioned in the shape of stars—shortbread sandwich cookies filled with raspberry jam, and gingerbread cookies half-dipped in milk chocolate and roasted almonds. These may be purchased decorated or left undecorated for the home cook who wishes to add a personal touch. The Buche de Noel is a French pastry rolled with kahlua cream, mocha, amaretto, custard and apricot. It's decorated to look like a fallen log. Covered with molded chocolate, it sells for $43.50 (serves 8­10) or $59.75 (12­16). Profilic Oven is located at 18832 Cox Ave.: call 408.378.9880.

Terry Cera, marketing director for Max's Café in Westgate Shopping Center, says the cafe that bills itself as "no place for a diet" is offering a special menu for the carbohydrate-conscious this season. A hamburger "sandwich," for instance, comes without bread, no buns and a Caesar coleslaw salad without croutons ($9.95). Their espresso cheesecake with a butter pecan crust is only seven carbs. They still have Boston cream pie, however. Max's is located at 1620 Saratoga Ave., San Jose: call 408.379.8886.

Manager Jason Miller says Florentine's is featuring different specials every week in a sparkle-lighted, poinsettia-trimmed atmosphere. This week, it's lamb chops for $18.95 and pumpkin raviolis in a walnut Marsala sauce ($12.95). The wine with a rich, smoky flavor lends a sweetness to the sauce. Miller suggests steamed clams ($8.95) as an appetizer. Florentine's is located at 14510 Big Basin Way: call 408.741.1784.

Bella Saratoga has a warm and beckoning atmosphere with festive bows and candy canes around the porch. The old Victorian house turned Italian eatery serves "lotsa pasta," says manager Pam Larsen. They also have filet mignon ($23), rack of lamb ($23.50) and seafood. Cioppino, a stew of mussels, clams, fish, prawns and scallops in a hearty red sauce ($21.25), is a big seller, followed by the popular bread pudding in bourbon sauce ($5.75). Bella Saratoga is located at 14503 Big Basin Way: call 408.741.5115.

At the Plumed Horse, diners can dance the evening away after a five-course feast. The four-piece band plays on weekends, but the new tasting menu is offered nightly. It includes an appetizer of duck raviolo, a warm organic spinach salad with warmed cherry vinaigrette and red onions flamed by sherry and brandy, a fish course and rack of lamb. "After 29 years, it's still very popular," says owner Klaus Pasche. It's served with Peruvian potatoes, roasted garlic and a mint demi-glace. Dessert is a warm, chocolate bread pudding with a port wine caramel sauce. The cost is per person: $60 or $85, with wine at each course. Plumed Horse is located at 14555 Big Basin Way: call 408.867.4711.