What Restaurants In New York Are Serving Christmas Dinner?
You cooked and cleaned for your Thanksgiving feast (or maybe you went out), but why put yourself out on Christmas when there are so many fantastic and internationally inspired dining options in the city? Treat yourself (or have your family treat you) to one of these fantastic meals to celebrate the holiday in style.
db Bistro Moderne (55 West 44th St) will serve a three course Christmas Eve prix fixe. Highlights include Seared Foie Gras with gingerbread, salt roasted pear, honey-duck jus; Hamachi Crudo with Hawaiian hearts of palm, chives, American caviar; Risotto alla Zucca with roasted squash, aged balsamic vinegar and sage; Truffled Capon with pommes buerre noisette, brussels sprouts, jus perigueux; and the inamous DB Burger Royale: a sirloin burger, braised short ribs, foie gras, shaved fresh black truffle, parmesan bun, with pommes frites. Dinner will take place 5-11pm, $68/person with an additional $45 wine pairing.
Cafe Boulud (20 East 76th Street) will also have an three course prix fix filled with black and white truffles! French festive dishes will include Winter Squash veloutè with pain d'épices croutons and celery leaves; squab en croûte with quince purée, toasted pistachio and fresh mâche; Striped Bass en Paupiett with pommes purée, holland leeks, and sauce meurette; and a classic duo of dry aged beef served with spinach subric, crispy horseradish, pommes anna, and shallot jus. For dessert, the Buche de Noël will include a vanilla biscuit, chestnut mousse, caramel ice cream. Dinner will be 5:30—9pm, for $155/person.
Gradisca Ristorante (126 West 13th St) is offering a special Cenone menu, consisting of di magro dishes—fish only (an Italian tradition!)— on Christmas Eve. Antipasti will include Vongole Gratinate all'Origano, baked littleneck clams stuffed with seasoned breadcrumbs and oregano, roasted red pepper, meyer lemon zest, and parsley puree; Brandade di Baccalà Mantecato alla Ligure, Atlantic salt cod mousse on toasted brioche; and Alici Fresche Marinate, marinated white anchovies, quinoa fritters, pickled red onion, saffron aioli and arugula. Entrees will feature Tortelloni di Ricotta e Prezzemolo ai Gamberetti, a homemade ricotta and parsley tortelli with sauteed Atlantic shrimp, cracked black pepper, lemon zest; a traditional Zuppa di Pesce made with Atlantic swordfish, mussels, and shrimp in a tomato stew,with potatoes, carrots and fennel; and Passera di Mare Croccante, a crispy Pacific flounder filet with lemon, remoulade and radicchio salad. Reservations available 5:30-11:00pm and the prix-fixe is priced at $75.
Wallsé (344 W. 11th St.) will serve a four course Christmas menu of festive Vienese dishes. The holiday spread begins with Warm Smoked Salmon with apples and American Sturgeon Caviar or Foie Gras Terrine and Chicken Liver with Black Winter Truffles and grapes, followed by Vienese classics such as Wiener Schnitzel with Potato-Cucumber Salad and lingonberries or Venison Rack with Celery Root Mushroom Strudel and elderflower sauces. Other dishes include Roasted Christmas Goose with red cabbage, semolina dumplings and poached pears or Lobster with Fennel, Spätzle and a tomato saffron sauce. Chef Gutenbrunner's traditional Christmas cookies as well as a Dark Chocolate Tart with Gingerbread Ice Cream, Schlag and Rum Ice Cream, or Salzburger Nockerl with Rumtopf and Cassis Sorbet will be available for dessert. Reservations on December 24 from 5-11pm and December 25 from 11am-10pm, for $125 or $220 with wine pairings.
Aquavit's Nordic Christmas smörgåsbord, the Julbord is a bountiful spread featuring signature Christmas dishes like julskinka (Christmas ham) and pepparkakor (ginger snaps), Swedish meatballs and matjes herring alongside smörgåsbord classics complimented by a cup of the aromatic, mulled wine glögg. The feast is avilable 11:45am-9:00pm on Christmas Eve for $88/person.
Roman's (243 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn) will serve a Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve. The menu will include fried baccala, spot prawns with oranges and olives, sardines in saor, crab brodetto, linguini with clams, and a whole roasted fish. $65/person.
ilili Restaurant (236 5th Ave) is offering a four course prix fixe Christmas Eve menu featuring two mezzas, one entrée and a dessert. Chef Philippe Massoud's signature dishes include ilili's famed Brussels Sprouts (served with grapes, fig purée, walnuts and mint yogurt), Semolina Gnocchi and a Dry Aged Roasted Duck Breast. Lebanese-inspired sweets on the menu include an Eggnog Cheesecake with Cranberry Sorbet and Labne ice cream as well as a Candy Cane Buche de Noel with Peppermint and Cocoa Nibs. $68/person, 5:30-10:30pm.
Tribeca's Austro-German Blaue Gans (139 Duane St) will serve a three-course dinner with festive options like a foie gras terrine, lobster ravioli, traditional Christmas goose, roasted cod with Brussels sprouts, and gingerbread parfait. $75/person
Gotham Bar & Grill (12 E. 12th St) will serve a special four course Christmas Eve prix fixe. Guests will choose from a variety of dishes, including Gotham favorites such as Chef Alfred Portale's Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with japanese cucumber, shiso leaf and sweet miso, asian ginger vinaigrette; roasted beet and goat cheese salad with tangerine, toasted hazelnuts and shaved fennel citrus vinaigrette; and pheasant and foie gras terrine with black trumpet mushrooms, sicilian pistachio and brioche toast. Classic entrées will also be available, such as Miso Marinated Black Cod served with shitake mushrooms and sticky rice in a soy lemongrass ginger sauce; 28 Day Dry Aged New York Steak with dijon mustard custard and vidalia onion rings, bordelaise sauce; and Grilled Rack of Lamb alongside swiss chard, roasted cipollini and potato puré in a rich lamb reduction. $115/person, optional $80 wine pairing with each course.
Aldea (31 W 17th St) is having a three course Portuguese and Mediterranean dinner with options like foie gras terrine with charred-pickled pear, mackerel crudo marinated in vinho verde and shiso, mussel soup with poached wild mushrooms and fennel, suckling pig with clams, venison leg with white corn grits, arroz de pato with duck confit and chorizo, along with a selection of holiday desserts. $85/person, $145 wine pairing
Clement's will serve a five-course Christmas Eve menu featuring holiday favorites like Foie Gras Terrine with Christmas pudding and quince; Chestnut Tortellini with white truffle and parmesan cream; and Venison with juniper, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. Live carolers will also be present as you enjoy sweets like sticky toffee pudding or chocolate nutcrackers. $185/person, $225 with wine pairings. $65 for children under 12, seatings at 5:30pm and 8:30pm.
Felice 83 (1593 1st Ave) is planning Christmas Eve specials including Baccala mantecato (a savory spread of whipped salt cod) over polenta finished with chives ($14), Ravioli tortello with lobster served with red wine demi-glace and cauliflower puree ($26) and Cacciucco (an Italian fish stew) with branzino, shrimp, octopus, sea scallops, calamari and clams in a tomato broth ($34)
Hearth (403 E 12th St) will host its annual Feast of the Seven Fishes The Feast of the Seven Fishes which includes baccalà montecato, octopus carpaccio, ceci bean soup with shrimp, linguini and clams, cacciuicco with black bass, calamar, and mussels, and a chocolate panna cotta for dessert. $92/person.
Almond's (12 East 22nd St) 6th Annual Christmas Eve Pig Roast will feature three sucking pigs (from upstate New York) roasted by Chef Jason Weiner and his team in the restaurant's hearth. They will be served alongside a selection of seasonal sides, like herbed sourdough spaetzle, cabbage and caramelized apples. The restaurant's regular a la carte menu will also be available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pajama Program, a not-for-profit that provides new, warm pajamas and books to children in need in the United States, and around the world, many who are waiting to be adopted. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant: 212.228.7557. $31/person, 5 to 9:30pm.
Soho's Back Forty West (70 Prince St) is hosting a Chinese banquet in honor of Jewish traditions on Christmas Eve; the family style meal will be a festive non-denominational dinner, intended for everyone celebrating the holiday, the end of the shopping season and for anyone who is just looking for a fun night of delicious food. The menu includes Steam Buns with Star Anise Pork and Shrimp Chive Dumplings; Manila Clam Hot Pot with Chiles, Ginger and Scallions; Tea Smoked Duck; Whole Steamed Black Bass; Crispy Suckling Pig; BBQ Fried Rice; and Jewish desserts like New York Style Cheesecake with "Concord Hotel" Grape Sauce; Apricot Rugelach; Chocolate Babka; Clementine Ice and house-made Fortune Cookies. $65/person, champagne and cocktails by the glass.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Chelsea Market's Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina (75 9th Ave) will offer a selection of holiday menu items a la carte, from a Roasted Chestnut Porcini Ravioli, to the Mini Pandoro with Persimmon Gelato and Warm Chocolate, a quintessential Italian Christmas treat that hails from Verona, complete with an 8-pointed star shape and dusted with powdered sugar to resemble the snowy peaks of the Italian Alps during Christmas. 11am-11pm, $15-47.
Midtown Bistro Lexington Brass (517 Lexington Ave) will be serving a three- course prix-fixe menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including; Chestnut Soup with white truffles; Salmon with chestnut puree, brussels sprouts hash and bacon; Lamb Loin with turnips and apricot glaze. 3:00pm to 11:00pm, $49/person.
After unwrapping the gifts under the tree, treat yourself to dinner at KTCHN (508 West 42nd St) on Christmas Day. The prix-fixe consists of a Warm Artichoke Clafouti, followed by Salmon Carpaccio and Parsnip Veloute Soup. For your main course choose from a Slow Cooked Chicken Breast or a Black Trumpet Mushroom Crusted Beef Filet Medallion and top your decadent meal off with a delightful Bouche de Noel for dessert. $45/person, additional $20 for wine pairing, 5-8pm.
Marcus Samuelsson's acclaimed Red Rooster Harlem (310 Lenox Ave) will serve a Swedish holiday prix-fixe menu, inspired by St. Lucia, a festive December holiday in Sweden. The meal includes glögg (mulled wine); an appetizer of Market Greens or Gravlax with pickled beets, fennel & espresso mustard; a Holiday Plate including Swedish Meatballs with lingonberries; Swedish Ham with stone ground mustard; Janssen's Temptation (traditional potato casserole); and Braised Green Cabbage. Dessert is Princess Cake, a Swedish sponge cake with marzipan and whipped cream. Fresh St. Lucia buns and Gingersnaps are included. The regular a la carte menu will also be available. $55.00/person, 11am-9pm, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
At Manzanilla (345 Park Ave S), Gramercy's Spanish brasserie, two-Michelin starred chef Dani Garcia creates a unique and flavorful menu of Spanish cuisine. This Christmas Eve, Garcia is offering a prix-fixe dinnerincluding tapas for the table to share, followed by three courses and an additional shared dessert for the table. Sample dishes from the tapas portion of the festive dinner include Croquetas de Sepia y de Cocido, black squid ink croquettes and cocido croquettes, Montadito de Rabo de Toro, Manzanilla's famed pulled oxtail brioche, and Fluke Crudo with enoki mushrooms al ajillo. First course highlights include Milhojas de Foie Gras y Queso de Cabra, caramelized goat cheese and foie gras terrine with green apple, Carpaccio de Pulpo Templado, warm octopus carpaccio with piprrana vinaigrette, and Vieiras, pan-seared scallops, cauliflower puree, tarragon. The main course features dishes such as Lubina Salvaje, pan-seared wild stripe bass, cava sauce, caviar and crushed potatoes, Cochinillo, suckling pig terrine, butternut squash, orange puree, and Duo de Pato, duo of duck, muscatel sauce with potato, carrot and parsnip terrine. Dessert will conclude the meal with sweets like Manzana Caramelizada, caramelized honey crisp apple, walnuts and sour cream ice cream, and Leche Frita, fried milk with Pedro Ximenez and raisin ice cream. $95/person.
Atrium DUMBO (15 Main St, Brooklyn) is offering diners 5-course seasonal and market-driven menu including canapes like Oyster Royale and Truffle Deviled Egg; Winter Squash Soup with gingerbread croutons and celery leaf; Tuscan Kale Salad with roasted root vegetables and toasted almond; and Fluke Crudo with beets, miso and radish; Garganelli with baby carrots, parmesan and winter black truffle; Market Vegetables with braised swiss chard, roasted beets and shallot jus; Roasted Monkfish with celeriac, charred leek and dill oil; Maine Diver Scallops with baby spinach, glazed salsify, hazelnut and lemon brown butter; Prime Angus Steak with rainbow swiss chard, pomme puree, trumpet royale mushrooms; Roasted Lamb Saddle with spiced yogurt, fried eggplant and herb salad; and Buche de Noel for dessert. $65/person, $40 additional wine pairing.
Fresco by Scotto (34 E 52nd St) is offering a lovely Christmas Eve prix fixe menu, where diners can enjoy one appetizer, one entree, one dessert and shared appetizers for the table. To start, your table will enjoy a Grilled Pizza Margherita and Antipasto. Following, choose from a variety of appetizers such as Fritto Misto with fried shrimp, calamari, zucchini and yellow squash, Seafood Salad or Eggplant & Zucchini Pie. For the main course, feast on the Braised Shortribs of Beef, served with pan roasted vegetables and wild mushrooms, creamy parmesan polenta and Barolo wine sauce or Spiced, Seared & Sliced Yellowfin Tuna with pan roasted porcini mushrooms, sugar snap peas, baby turnips, crisp gnocchi and porcini mushroom broth. Desserts range from Traditional Italian Cannoli to a decadent Brownie Fudge Sundae! $80/person (beverages, liquor, tax and gratuity not included and the children's menu is $40 per child), 4:30pm to 11:00pm on December 24th.
Francois Payard's FP Patisserie (1293 Third Ave) will serve a three-course Christmas Eve meal including Eggs Cocotte with creamed spinach and toasted whole grain bread; Goat Cheese Tart with caramelized onions.; Roasted Chicken with foie gras, wild mushrooms and shaved black truffles; Seared Salmon with a butternut squash puree, roasted turnips, carrots and mushrooms in an apple cider reduction; and Chef Payard's Bûche de Noël, a selection of chestnut pear, dark chocolate mandarin, louvre or chocolate caramel variations. $38/person 5:30-8pm.
On Christmas Day, The National (557 Lexington Ave) is serving a three-course prix fixe menu that includes one starter, one main, one dessert and shared sides. Take a bite of Diver Scallops with Broccoli, Chanterelle, and Sturgeon Caviar Sauce or Grilled Branzino served with Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Pumpkin Seeds. From 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas Day at Marc Murphy's recently opened restaurant, Kingside (124 W 57th St). To start, indulge in Seared Foie Gras served with toasted brioche and sauterned-soaked grapes, and then for your entrée have Seared Long Island Duck breast with duck confit and kabocha squash hash. Don't forget to order a side of Roasted Broccoli with pomegranate seeds and crispy shallots, and their Brandied Cherry and Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding for dessert. $95/person from 4pm-11pm, regular a la carte menus will also be available all day from 7am-11pm.