Dining in a winter wonderland

If you?ve got a little free time during the holidays, wallow in the festive spirit while you still can by visiting these restaurants with over-the-top holiday decorations. Rolf?s German restaurant in Gramercy is often the go-to place for Christmas lights gone mad, but it?s crazy crowded as well, so check out these spots for an abundance of seasonal joy with tasteful decor and tastier eats.

DINING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

*Dream Downtown (355 W. 16th St.; 212-229-2559; dreamdowntown.com)

For the holidays, the Dream?s lobby has been transformed. But this wonderland isn?t full of cheesy snowmen. Instead, it?s an enchanted forest filled with magical animals including a giant (formerly live) polar bear.

Marble Lane, the steak joint and bar, provides great views.While you dine, the polar bear keeps watch along with his stuffed winter-weather friends: a caribou, an owl and a white peacock. Faux snow abounds.

?The property?s owner was tired of being underwhelmed and overcharged by designers,? says Michael Lindenbaum, the hotel?s managing director. So for the holidays, the staff took over ? to the delight of visitors who come in from the cold to check out the vignettes.

?We get a lot of offers from guests to buy the polar bear,? laughs Lindenbaum. But if the bear ever leaves the hotel, Lindenbaum gets first dibs. ?I actually want to put it in my house,? he says.

DON?T MISS: The Dream got the 9-foot bear from TaxidermyMuseum.com. The plan was to rent it just for the holiday season, but due to its overwhelming popularity, the hotel is currently deciding on a place to display it year-round.

An adult male polar bear can weigh from 900 to 1,500 pounds alive, but postmortem and preserved, he comes in at 350. And don?t worry ? this polar bear lived a rich, fulfilling life in the Arctic before he died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes.

TREAT YOURSELF: While you stroll through the scenery, sip on Marble Lane?s signature holiday cocktail, the ?Holly & Ivy,? a blend of Belvedere grapefruit, Grand Marnier, POM juice and rosemary syrup, created by beverage director William Ward ($ 14). If all those animals are making you hungry for meat, sit down with the carne asada, a New York strip steak with poblano, cippolini onion and pico de gallo ($ 48).

FELIZ NAVIDAD

*Mamajuana Cafe and Wine Bar (247 Dyckman St.; 212-304-1217; mamajuana-cafe.com)

Mamajuana?s combo of Taino Indian tradition and Old World Spanish vibe gives the place a flair you won?t find at your typical rice-and-beans joint. Outside, owner Susana Osorio spent $ 32,000 to light six trees (with 20,000 bulbs!) on her block and a neighboring one. ?All of the businesses here have appreciated the decorations,? says manager Emmanuel Salazar.