Kids of all ages can decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and friends at Zia’s Italian Café & Tea House on Saturday.

It’s one of two events that will celebrate the season with sweet treats.

Zia’s cookie party will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

Admission is $2 (or a non-perishable food donation), which includes hot chocolate. Photos with Santa Claus are an additional $5.

To make reservations, call 422-5511, ext. 214, by 5 p.m. Friday.

Zia’s is in the Lamplight Inn, 300 E. Washington Blvd.

Owner Anna Barile also is taking orders until Dec. 23 for gift baskets of homemade biscotti, tea and coffee. Zia’s will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

•Peony Tea House, 503 W. Wayne St., will have a Christmas lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The menu includes baked ham, cheesy potatoes, soup or salad, baked goods and tea (chocolate raspberry truffle and mocha pecan).

The lunch is $17.02, which is all-inclusive. Reservations are required; call 426-4832.

More restaurants on horizon

•Dos Margaritas has opened at 4230 N. Clinton St., in the former Ryan’s Steakhouse.

It’s owned by Martin Quintana, who also owns Las Lomas Mexican Grill on Fairfield Avenue. (He recently sold the other location at 1535 Coliseum Blvd. N.)

It has a full bar and opens at 11 a.m. daily. It closes at 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For information, call 426-1118.

•El Conquistador will open at 1535 Coliseum Blvd. N. in the former Las Lomas.

•Chi Town Fish & Chicken will open at 7505 S. Anthony Blvd.

Red River offers Christmas buffet

Fort Wayne Marriott’s Red River Steakhouse, 305 E. Washington Center Road., will have a buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

It will feature prime rib, ham, salmon stuffed with crab and shrimp, chicken wrapped in prosciutto, jumbo shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, salads, fruit, cheeses, breads and desserts.

Prices are $30 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 5 to 12; it’s free for children 4 and younger.

Reservations are required; call 484-0411.

A breakfast buffet will be open from 7 to 9:30 a.m.

Discount, party at Dicky’s Wild Hare

Dicky’s Wild Hare, 2910 Maplecrest Road, is celebrating its annual “Customer Appreciation Days” today through Christmas Eve.

There will be various food and drink specials, including $4 holiday martinis, $6 rib baskets and $5 cheeseburger baskets. The pizza buffet will be $5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

And if you bring in a non-perishable food item, you can get a 10 percent discount on your food bill.

A winter solstice party with the Afro-Disiacs will start at 9 p.m. Dec. 22.

Dicky’s will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 24, although the kitchen will close about 7 p.m.

Waynedale Bakery makes Christmas

Waynedale Bakery, 2610 Lower Huntington Road, is baking plenty of holiday desserts.

It will have stollen ($3.50 a loaf), springerles ($7 a dozen), Mexican wedding rings and Starlite cookies ($3.50 a half-pound), gingerbread men and iced Christmas cookies ($8 a dozen) and peanut butter balls ($5 a half-pound).

To order, call 747-2992.

The bakery will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

More holiday hours at local restaurants

•Liberty Diner, 2929 Goshen Road, will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31; from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 26; and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 1. It will be closed on Christmas Day.

•Famous Fish of Stroh, 6736 E. State Blvd., will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 31. It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

•China Palace, 5810 Bluffton Road, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.