DINING BEAT : FINE DINING FOR CHRISTMAS.

Byline: Larry Lipson

As usual, most restaurants of note are scheduling a special Christmas Eve menu, many with a prix-fixe dinner with options on each course.

And this year, perhaps because Christmas Day falls on a Friday, there seem to be more restaurants serving a Christmas buffet or sit-down meal.

Hotels are often the most provocative eating places on holidays.

Merv Griffin's Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, for example, has a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet at its Griff's restaurant ($45, children under 13 $20). Reservations: [phone].

And there are Hawaiian dancers and an a la carte Polynesian-accented menu Christmas Eve at Trader Vic's, adjacent to the same hotel. Reservations: [phone].

A five-course prix-fixe meal ($45) and a la carte items are available at Derek's, 181 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena, [phone].

Joe's, 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, has a three-course Christmas Eve dinner ($38) plus Joe's regular menu. Reservations: [phone].

On Christmas Day, there's a yuletide buffet ($45, children under 13 $15) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lavande, the critically acclaimed Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel restaurant, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, [phone]. And Christmas Eve brings forth a five-course $75 dinner (with wines $100) there.

Add Beluga caviar to your three-course Christmas Eve fixed-price dinner ($48) for an additional $75 at the Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone].

Or you may be in a dancing mood that night.

If so, the Moonlight, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, could be the right destination. It's where the Pat Tuzzolino Swing Band performs, and where there's a $19.95 roast Canadian goose or roast prime rib entree available.

Reservations: [phone].

Etc.

The correct phone number for information and reservations at the soon-to-open Charlie G's, a prime steak house at 18663 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, is [phone].