Dine Out On Christmas Eve In Boston
Year after year, we go into the holiday season with the best of intentions when it comes to holiday gift shopping. For whatever reason, getting everyone's gifts purchased before the mad rush of Christmas Eve is seemingly impossible. The silver lining? All of that running around on Christmas Eve builds up an appetite and these restaurants have you covered with delicious brunches, lunches, and dinners to get you through the day.
From the team behind Bergamot, BISq in Inman Square spreads a good amount of holiday cheer on Dec. 24 with their signature whole animal dinners. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the menu includes a choice of appetizer (currently beef heart tacos or ceviche and roasted mushroom salad), a whole roasted animal like suckling pig, whole roasted chicken, fish, or vegetarian option. Adorn the whole animal dinner with a scrumptious side dish, and, of course, a dessert! The cost of the dinner sans wine pairing is $70.
Bergamot will also be serving a special holiday menu.
Chef Tony Maws never lets a holiday pass by without a resounding collection of joy and specially curated menus. This year, both of his restaurants, Craigie on Main and Kirkland Tap and Trotter, are offering special menus from 5 to 9 p.m. At Kirkland Tap and Trotter, family-style meals make dinner easy on groups. Hot buttered rum, egg nog, and spiked hot chocolate will be churning away at the bar to keep your spirits warm. At Craigie on Main, as always, you can expect elevated cuisine with unique and sometimes daring twists on classic French dishes.
Mandarin Oriental in Partnership With Bar Boulud
Boston's Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street senses a need for a respite during the holiday shopping craze. In partnership with Champagne Taittinger and Bar Boulud's pastry chef, Robert Differ, guests can take a break from the crowds in the lobby lounge. Begin with a glass of Champagne Taittinger Brut La Francaise, then be taken on a tea-focused journey with freshly baked English-style scones and classic French pastries by Differ. From melange Anglais superieur English black tea to thé vert au Jasmin green tea, that locally harvested cranberry and season currant scone with Devonshire cream will truly transport you. Should you be in the mood for something a bit more filling, Waldorf chicken salad and a selection of finger sandwiches are also available.
Afternoon tea and Champagne is served from Wednesday to Friday, 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m. Price is $65 for adults and $35 for children.
Met Back Bay is going in big this holiday season. From Christmas Eve until New Year's Day, the team led by executive chef David Daniels presents a rack of Australian lamb with truffle potato gratin, shaved Brussels sprouts, and lamb jus. Other highlights on the menu leading up to New Year's Eve include lobster carbonara, bone-in dry-aged sirloin, and veal Parmesan. On New Year's Day, the restaurant will be open for brunch, which will include their much-loved Crafty Mary Bar.
The highly anticipated new opening by chef Jody Adams is making a strong showing this Christmas Eve with a brunch to blow all others out of the water. Mediterranean treats await in this beautiful restaurant, from sweet things like cinnamon buns with pomegranate and baked French toast to savory items like the sea trout and poached eggs with a biscuit. Could there be a better brunch option casually waiting as you battle the elements of the Prudential Center and Boylston Street? Make a reservation and definitely order for the Eggnog Flip, a special Christmas cocktail with high west double rye and house-made egg nog. Yes, please.
For those of us doing that last-minute shopping among some of Somerville's cutest local stores, Posto in Davis Square has a five-course prix-fixe meal for $65, not including an optional wine pairing. Hold true to Italian tradition with a rendition of Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Beginning at 5 p.m., the menu includes a trio of antipasti, olive oil-poached halibut, salt cod tortellini, seared snapper with lobster risotto, and a choice of dessert.
Chef Will Gilson and his team love the holidays. Reservations are available at Puritan & Co. between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. for a three-course menu priced at $45. Lobster and bay scallop bisque, duck confit and sausage, and a baby beet with burrata salad make up the first-course options. The main course selections include roasted swordfish, skillet-roasted chicken, braised beef short rib, and pumpkin agnolotti. For dessert, find a simple assortment of delectable treats, cakes, tarts, pies, and ice creams.
A new addition to the Met Restaurant Group family, Saltie Girl has taken on a whole new stride in Boston's food scene. Leading the tinned-fish revolution, Saltie Girl is a perfect — might I say "must" — for a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve. In addition to a stellar, eight-course, prix-fixe menu offering warm or chilled oysters with seared foie gras, baked clam stuffies, fried fisherman's box whole roasted loup de mer, and more, Saltie Girl will be accepting reservations for the first time ever. With only one 8 p.m. seating, 30 lucky diners will get their names on this VIP list. You do not want to miss this opportunity.
Tapestry
Located in Fenway's hopping restaurant scene, Tapestry will be celebrating this Christmas Eve with a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. Chefs Meghann Ward and Kevin Walsh present an eight-course feast featuring olive oil-poached tuna, fried smelts, braised octopus, and more. The reservation-only meal will be available from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The price is $65 a person with an optional wine pairing.
The Aquitaine Group is rolling it out this year during the holidays. Each of its eight restaurants is serving up a series of special menu additions with a very special menu on Christmas Eve. At their South End location, diners are invited to enjoy à la carte offerings like their truffle and egg yolk ravioli, roti agneau longe (lamb), and other such delights by chef du cuisine Bob Krajewski. With the newly refurbished interior... you'll feel just like you're in Paris and in fact... rumor has it, a lucky couple actually ended up their following a particularly eventful meal at this Bar À Vin.