The Ultimate Christmas Restaurant Primer 2011 Slideshow

Austin

TRACE at The W Austin — TRACE is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; the offerings will include selections from the restaurant's current menu as well as additional traditional holiday dishes.

A Torrid Affair — This isn't a traditional restaurant, per se, but partaking in a holiday meal prepared by A Torrid Affair, Austin's charity supper club, is a great way to spend Christmas. The dinner will be held outdoors at Springdale Farm.

Trio at The Four Seasons Austin — Trio is offering their annual Christmas Day buffet.

Boston

Tavolo — Tavolo is taking the traditional Christmas Eve "Feast of the Seven Fishes" a step further by offering 12 fish courses. The menu will be served à la carte. 

The Fireplace — Nothing is cozier during the holidays than a roaring fireside meal. The Fireplace is serving a menu of New England-inspired specialties, such as lobster rolls and Cape Cod mussels, available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Legal Harborside — This Boston hot spot is offering their version of the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" for the whole week leading up to Christmas and through the weekend. The tasting menu includes all of the fish courses. 

Chicago

NoMi Restaurant — Take in the majestic view of Michigan Avenue while enjoying the vast array of dishes offered at NoMi's annual Christmas brunch. 

C-House — Marcus Samuelsson's Chicago restaurant is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including dishes such as oyster stew, prime rib, and gingerbread torte. 

Lockwood — Lockwood is offering a buffet spread on Christmas Day that's fit for royalty, with dishes such as roasted turkey, prime rib, and a host of various salads. 

Washington D.C.

Founding Farmers — Farm-to-table restaurant, Founding Farmers, is offering their full menu of American classics for Christmas Eve dinner. 

Corduroy — Enjoy a hearty meal of seasonal American dishes with Cordoroy's Christmas Day tasting menu. The meal will feature local produce. 

Ardeo + Bardeo — The restaurant will be offering a seasonally inspired Christmas Eve prix fixe menu in addition to their regular menu. 

Las Vegas

Rao's Caesar's Palace — This Vegas outpost of the New York City supper club is serving its own version of the "Feast of the Seven Fishes." Diners will get to choose three courses from an array of dishes from the sea. 

Valentino Las Vegas — Lucky diners at Valentino this holiday season will get to enjoy a five-course tasting menu, including dishes such as octopus carpaccio with uni dressing and a mini bûche de noël. Available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Lobster ME — This all-lobster fast-casual eatery opened on the Las Vegas strip this summer. Since dining at Lobster ME may not be the most homey place to spend the holidays, the restaurant is offering a special home-delivery service for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The offerings include their signature items, such as lobster mac and cheese, lobster rolls, and lobster flatbread. 

Los Angeles

Providence — Chef Michael Cimarusti is offering his take on the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" this Christmas Eve, including dishes inspired by his grandmother and great grandmother. This meal promises to deliver a Christmas Eve dinner for the ages.

Naya Sunset — LA's ultra-trendy Indian hot spot, Naya Sunset, will serve a five-course feast this Christmas Eve, perfect for parties looking to change things up this year. Diners will delight in dishes such as black lentil stew and ginger curry. 

Tavern — Chef Suzanne Goin is offering to take the burdens of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners off your hands this year with Tavern's complete take-away holiday menu. Take away the guesswork by ordering their tasting menu, or put together your own menu by choosing from their array of seasonal offerings. 

Miami

DB Bistro Moderne — Daniel Boulud is offering a selection of specials for Christmas Eve dinner in addition to the regular menu. Indulge your family and loved ones this year with caviar service, foie gras terrine, and black truffle fettucine. 

BLT Steak Miami — In addition to the regular menu, diners can venture to The Betsy hotel for BLT Steak's special holiday dishes, including filet mignon and roast leg of lamb. 

Novecento — For those looking to party the night away this Christmas Eve, Novecento is serving an Argentine feast including three courses and a champagne toast. 

New Orleans

Tujague's — This true French Quarter classic has been delighting New Orleans natives and beyond for more than 150 years, which means they have the holidays down to a science. Diners can expect a traditional Christmas dinner, complete with a Creole flare. 

Commander's Palace — This acclaimed New Orleans family-run institution is the ideal place to spend Christmas Eve for those looking to have a more formal holiday meal. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day. 

7 on Fulton — Traditionalists need look no further, 7 on Fulton will be offering a classic Reveillion menu on Christmas Eve, including four courses, and a lunch buffet on Christmas Day. 

 

New York City

SD26 — For the week leading up to Christmas and through the weekend, SD26 will offer a special prix fixe menu, including traditional Italian dishes in celebration of the "Feast of the Seven Fishes." 

Maialino — In addition to their regular brunch and dinner menus, Maialino will serve ravaiolo al uovo, a ravioli filled with ricotta, spinach, and egg yolk, and served with an optional white truffle supplement.

La Bottega at The Maritime Hotel — In keeping with the nautical theme of the location, La Bottega will offer diners their take on the "Feast of the Seven Fishes," including dishes such as baked clams and seafood salad.  

Philadelphia

10 Arts — Eric Ripert's Philadelphia hot spot will offer a tasting menu on Christmas Eve as well as a second tasting menu on Christmas Day, including specialties such as marinated Kumamoto oysters in shiso-lemon olive oil.

Brandywine Prime — The restaurant will serve a special holiday lunch menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including a vast array of high-end burgers and steaks. 

Mémé Restaurant — This Rittenhouse Square restaurant from chef David Katz will serve a Christmas Eve dinner of roasted goose, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and buttermilk biscuits with sage gravy. 

San Francisco

McCormick & Kuleto's — This Ghiradelli Square restaurant will serve a selection of holiday specials, such as wild Coho salmon with leeks, in addition to their regular menu on Christmas Day. 

Campton Place — This fine dining establishment will host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prix fixe menus featuring dishes with their signature Mediterranean-meets-local Californian culinary style. 

Michael Mina — The acclaimed Michael Mina restaurant will serve two menus on Christmas Eve: a hand-crafted meal featuring locally sourced meats and produce, and a version of the "Feast of the Seven Fishes." 

Seattle

Six Seven Restaurant and Lounge — This restaurant in the Edgewater Hotel will serve a special holiday five-course meal on Christmas Day, including a dessert buffet. Diners will get to enjoy fine dining featuring the seasonal offerings of the Pacific Northwest. 

Hook & Plow — This modern gastropub that specializes in vegetarian fare is offering a three-course meal on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Cutters Bayhouse — Enjoy a stunning waterside view while dining on Cutters' special Christmas Day menu, featuring dishes such as tempura-battered Beecher's cheese and their house-smoked salmon chowder.