(FORTUNE Magazine) – All of us have scenes of Christmastime dining etched in our minds. For me, it's sitting under the towering tree at the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's in Chicago eating a grilled-cheese sandwich with ketchup and a Frosty-the-Snowman sundae (hey--I was a kid!). As for Zagat Survey's top-rated places below, evocative views come mostly from colder climates like New York City, where SeaGrill diners gaze out at the ice skaters in Rockefeller Center. Neither Orchids nor Rock-enwagner provides much in the way of weather, but their Christmas menus offer some truly unique food.

--Ronald B. Lieber

NEW YORK CITY Food Decor Service Cost

SeaGrill 24 25 22 $50 19 W. 49th Street 212-332-7610

SANTA MONICA

Rockenwagner 26 22 22 $34 2435 Main Street 310-399-6504

HONOLULU

Orchids 26 22 22 $34 2199 Kalia Road 808-923-2311

0-9 poor to fair 10-19 good to very good 20-25 very good to excellent 26-30 extraordinary to perfection

Cost reflects the estimated price of a dinner with one drink and tip.

ZAGAT SURVEY