We have never a problem with any restaurant being closed between Christmas and New Year's Eve. There are lots of people chillin' out at the beach that week. I dunno about New Year's Day and afterwards. I always cook a traditional Southern dinner on New Year's Day -- pork roast, Hoppin' John, collards (grean beans for my Midwestern husband who hates greens), corn bread, and cherry pie. We eat leftovers and then pizza when the leftovers run out. I usually spend most of January at the beach and have plenty of dining options.