Here it is, the Highlight of the year! The holidays are upon us. I’m not sure how much you are in the mood to cook after you mastered Thanksgiving, but I know I’m definitely making reservations for Christmas Eve. If you are ready to let someone else take over in the kitchen, then here are a bunch of restaurants that are doing some amazing things via a Prix Fixe menu. I have dined at all the following restaurants, and I can vouch for absolute yum. Some of these menus are for Christmas Eve, some for Christmas Day, some are for both. Reservations will run out quickly, so don’t hesitate!
Bar Boulud
Well, it looks like it will be another year in which we cannot celebrate the holidays in France. But hey, that shouldn’t stop us from eating a great French meal for Christmas. Bar Boulud has a modest $70 three course menu with items like Consommê De Boeuf, Lobster Salad and Beef Wellington Rossini. This sounds like a deal you cannot beat!
For more info on Bar Boulud click here
Benjamin Prime
Steakhouses always seem so festive for the holidays! Benjamin Prime is up there in that department and is always ready to spoil you for the occasion. For a mere $85 per person you can indulge in an Eggnog followed by Lobster Bisque, Filet Mignon, Rack of Lamb, accompanied by creamless creamed spinach and topped off with Cheesecake! That’s of course besides lots of other goodies on the menu!
For more info on Benjamin Prime click here
Dirty French
More French food you say? Ok, Dirty French it is. For $98 per person you can dine like French Royalty! Choose from items like Fois Gras, Scallops, Steak Au Poivre, Etouffée, or Tarte on a three course menu. Everything sound simply divine. This is what you need!
For more info on Dirty French click here
Gato
Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay owns this Mediterranean restaurant, and it sports a healthy mix of rustic charm and swankiness. For Christmas Eve you can indulge in four courses for the price of $110 per person. The menu lists items like Crispy Oyster, Black Sea Bass, Paella and a selection from the full dessert menu. I’m positive you can’t possibly go wrong with a reservation here.
For more info on Gato click here
Marea
You want a Michelin starred restaurant for Christmas. I understand. It’s the time to REALLY spoil yourself this year. You worked hard, you deserve it. So Marea has your name all over it. It will run you $175 per person, and it might just be the best $175 ever spent. The menu is chuck full of oysters, caviar, lobster, octopus, truffles, aged sirloin, veal and plenty of dolci. Yes. Do it.
For more info on Marea click here
Mercer Kitchen
This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in New York. It’s from the genius mind of Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, just a touch more casual than his usual FiDi establishments. For $98 you will be treated to three courses with menu items like Crispy Salmon Sushi, Black Truffle and Fontina Pizza, Seared Scallops, Roasted Poulet Rouge Chicken, Tarte Tatin or Citrus Panna Cotta.
For more info on Mercer Kitchen click here
Pinch 75
Go ahead. Throw tradition to the wind. Let’s do Chinese for Christmas. Why not. Pinch 75 participates with the Holiday craziness, and offers a three course menu for (of course) $75 per person. Dumplings, Peking Duck, Pork Ribs, all the usual yumminess will be served.
For more info on Pinch 75 click here
Russian Tea Room
Does Santa live in Russia? He just might. Baby it’s cold out there. Russian food seems almost like the obvious choice for Christmas. It’s so European and snwoy, and the Russian Tea Room is so pretty and Christmasty. I love this place. It will cost you $125 to dine like a Czar. Have Borscht, Blincik, Beouff Strognoff, Kulebyaka, and assorted sweet from a three course menu. Sounds delightfully foreign and delicious.
For more info on The Russian Tea Room click here
Temple Court
This is one of the most beautiful restaurants in New York. If you’re not only looking for great food, but also for ambiance, this is it. Chef Tom Colicchio owns this grand eatery, and I’ve never had a bad meal under this umbrella. Travel downtown and treat yourself to Appetizers like Hamachi Crudo or Potato Gnocchi, Entrees like Lobster Thermidor or Duck L’Orange, desserts like a Gingerbread Yule Log. All this for $125 per person for three courses. You’re gonna love it.
For more info on Temple Court click here
Tuome
Tuome is a fairly new spot in the city, and here you will be served new American cuisine. Innovative and simple, taste is in the forefront here. The Christmas menu runs at $82 per person for three courses, and some of the menu item choices entail Quail with soy sauce and mizuna, Wagyu Beef with Chinese broccoli or a Beignet with Goat’s Milk Caramel. This menu is imaginative and modern.
For more info on Tuome click here
