Meal Times

TEDDY BEAR TEAS Parents and children can enjoy tea service with drinks and sweets, caroling, and a reading by Santa on weekend afternoons from now until Christmas. Call to make reservations. Saturday and Sunday seatings at 2, 2:15, and 2:30pm through Dec. 23 Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto, 685-8300. $40 (kids 11 and under, $30). www.fourseasons.com

SEASONALLY-INSPIRED THREE COURSE MENU Chef Josh Watkins and pastry chef Plinio Sandalio have created a seasonal, three-course fixed-price menu that is available every evening in December during the first hour of dinner service. Reserve by phone. The Carillon, 1900 University Ave. (AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center), 512/404-3655. $29. www.thecarillonrestaurant.com

DECEMBER FOOD DRIVE Drop into Avant Salon & Day Spa during December with a donation of nonperishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank and leave with an Aveda gift bag. Thu., Dec. 13 - Mon., Dec. 31, (2012) Avant Salon Spa, 507 Pressler #800, 512/472-6357. www.avantsalon.com

END OF THE WORLD PARTY Gather at Banger's to celebrate the end of the world where they'll be roasting three pigs in the ground, Mayan style. For $15, the menu includes roast pork, black beans and rice, grilled shishito peppers, grilled corn in the husk, and grilled salsa, plus Molten Mayan Chocolate Souffles from Butterface Bake Shop. Limited release kegs will be tapped starting at 5pm. Buy special edition Banger's half-liter mugs for $5 to fill with the rare craft brews you'll be trying. Live music from 5pm till 12mid, and an artist will be on hand to decorate faces with Mayan glyphs. Fri., Dec. 21, 5pm-12mid. (2012) Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden, 79 Rainey, 512/386-1656. www.bangersaustin.com

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER Chef Sonya Coté invites you to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner at her restaurant with a menu that includes oysters Rockefeller, a surf and turf of Texas grass-fed beef tenderloin and Gulf shrimp, Tiramisu made with Stumptown espresso syrup, and a glass of sparkling Cava. Reserve by phone. Mon., Dec. 24, 7pm. (2012) Hillside Farmacy, 1209 E. 11th, 512/268-0168. $45. www.hillsidefarmacy.com