Best Christmas Menus In NY

By Carly Petrone

Don't have plans on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Whether you're looking to celebrate with a Feast of Seven Fishes, prix fixe brunch, or a family-style dinner, here are 10 ways to enjoy a meal during the holidays in NYC.

Nickel & Diner
1 Howard St.
New York, NY 10013
646-870-6100
www.nickelanddiner.com

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Enjoy a festive prix-fixe Christmas Eve brunch at Nickel & Diner for just $40. From 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. guests can nosh on an assorted pastry basket, choice of cocktail/fresh-squeeed OJ, choice of entrée, and coffee/tea. Want to really splurge? For $90, a bucket of Moet & Chandon minis will arrive at your table. Now that's a reason to celebrate.

Rice & Gold
Hotel Bowery
50 Bowery
New York, NY 10013
646-630-8055
www.riceandgoldnyc.com

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Head downtown on Christmas Eve and take advantage of the special Dim Sum menu over at Rice & Gold. Chef Dale Talde is cooking up favorites like Pastrami Pot Stickers, Smoked Salmon Fried Rice, Shrimp Toast Latkes, and Rabbi's Ramen (includes matzah balls!). And don't forget the Shmaltz Roasted Ribeye with black pepper au jus and creamy wasabi. Fill up on all these delicious bites from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

L'Amico
849 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10001
212-201-4065
www.lamico.nyc

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L'Amico is pulling out all the stops for their Christmas Eve prix fixe menu. Start out with Parmesan Sformato, prosciutto, and green onion before moving on to antipasti. Options include Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio, Italian Chicories, or Lobster Vellutata. Primi choices include Risotto with black trumpets, hen-of-the-woods, and garlic-sage butter, Saffron Stracci, and Cappelletti with veal & prosciutto. Make sure you leave room for the secondi course, which is your choice of Ember-Roasted Filet Mignon, Sourdough-Crusted East Coast Halibut, or Roasted LI Duck Breast. Top it all off with one of their sweet creations like Clementine-Amaretto Cake, Monte Bianca, or a Milk Chocolate Bonet. Menu costs $98 with a wine pairing option for an additional $65.

Gato
324 Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10012
212-334-6400
gatonyc.com

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Gato in Soho is serving up a Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes worth celebrating. The first course features a tasting of three appetizers including Shrimp & Salt Cod Fritter, Crispy Oyster, and Yellowtail Crudo. Guests can choose one item from the second course menu like Roasted Octopus, Black Sea Bass, and Whole Prawns. The main third course options are Paella, Handmade Black Squid Ink Pasta, and Steamed Halibut. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth by enjoying a selection from their full dessert menu. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m.

Davio's Manhattan
447 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-661-4810
www.davios.com

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Celebrate Christmas Eve with a special Feast of the Seven Fishes at Davio's Manhattan. This prix-fixe menu is priced at $65 per guests and boasts a range of Italian specialties like Chilled Seafood, Baked Clams, and Barramundi with mussels, Maine lobster, and spicy San Marzano tomatoes. Their regular a la carte menu will also be available. And don't forget to cheers to a happy and healthy year with a glass of wine or a specialty holiday-inspired cocktail. Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. – 10 pm.

Vandal
199 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
212-400-0199
www.vandalnewyork.com

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If you're thinking of ordering Chinese take out on Christmas evening, think again and head over to Vandal. Chef Chris Santos has come up with a decadent Chop Suey Paradise specialty menu that includes everything from Duck Confit Eggrolls to Cantonese Style Flounder. Guests can also fill up on Crispy Pork Fried Rice Cakes, BBQ Spare Rib Tips, and Spicy Crab Fried Rice. You definitely won't go home hungry!

Benjamin Steakhouse Prime
23 E. 40^th St.
New York, NY 10016
212-338-0818
www.benjaminsteakhouse.com

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Lucky for you, Benjamin Steakhouse Prime will be open on Christmas Day. They'll be offering an $79 per person prix fixe menu that features highlights like Lobster Bisque, Italian Burrata, and Filet Mignon. There's also rich entrees like Bone-In Ribeye and Montauk Swordfish to consider. Sides include Prime Home Fries, Creamy Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Creamless Creamed Spinach, and Broccoli. And it wouldn't be a holiday meal without a decadent dessert. Choose from New York Cheesecake, Flourless Chocolate Cake, or Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream. The best part? This meal comes with a complimentary glass of Holiday Eggnog (non-alcoholic also available).

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill
55 Water St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-473-9555
sugarcanerawbargrill.com

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Kick back on Christmas Day and enjoy a hearty meal at Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill in DUMBO. Specialities that day include butternut squash & shaved black truffle risotto and crispy quail with chestnut hash & port reduction. Try out their Pan Seared Foie Gras with speculoos brioche & candied persimmons and don't forget dessert. Their Mont Blanc – chiffon cake, chestnut cream, chestnut candies, and coffee ice cream – can't be beat. Take in the magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline and toast to a wonderful holiday.

Tavern62 by David Burke
135 E. 62^nd St.
New York, NY 10065
212-988-9021
tavern62.com

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Tavern62 by David Burke is proudly serving Christmas Day prix fixe menu from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. For $85, guests can dive into delicious specials like Chef Burke's Christmas Spiced Beef with Yorkshire pudding, Roasted Lobster Steak with celery root puree, black honey, and lobster oil, and Chocolate Whiskey Pudding and Baked Alaska for two. If you want to impress your date on Christmas Day, this is the place to do it. Call for reservations.

Lincoln Square Steak
208 W. 70^th St.
New York, NY 10023
212-875-8600
lincolnsquaresteak.com

See More: NYC's 10 Best Steakhouses For Prime Cuts, Surf 'N Turf And More 

If family-style meals seem more appealing this Christmas then make a reservation at Upper West Side's Lincoln Square Steak. Their new Family Style Italian Menu is made up of traditional dishes like Baked Clams, Fried Calamari, Chicken Parm with Rigatoni Vodka, Linguini with White Clam Sauce, and Mac & Cheese. There's also lighter options like Caesar Salad, Mozzarella Tomato & Basil, Sauteed Spinach or Asparagus, and Chicken Scarpariello. Add on a glass of Merlot or a celebratory flute of champagne to celebrate this special occasion. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m.

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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.