On the night before Christmas, all over town, Boston’s best chefs will be hunkering down…perfecting menus of delectable bites, to be sure every diner has a magical night…see what your favorite restaurants have planned for the holiday at Aquitaine, Avila, Black Trumpet Bistro, The Café at the Taj, Clink, Craigie on Main, dante, Davio’s, Davio’s Patriots Place, The Fireplace, Grotto, L’Espalier, Lumiere, Meritage, The Metropolitan Club, Pesce Blue, Pigalle, Red Rock Bistro, Sandrine’s, Sel de la Terre Back Bay, Sel de la Terre Long Wharf, Sel de la Terre Natick, Sensing, Sherborn Inn, Spiced Pear, Top of the Hub, Tremont 647 and UpStairs on the Square.
Aquitaine
It’s pretty much business as usual at the original Aquitaine this Christmas Eve. Chef de cuisine Matthew Gaudet will be opening the restaurant for lunch from 11:30am-3:00pm for diners who can enjoy a long lunch on the eve of the holiday, and for dinner from 5:30-10:00pm. He’ll be serving his standard, delicious bistro fare enhanced by a few seasonal, holiday-inspired specials. Call Aquitaine at 617.424.8577 for reservations.
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Avila
Though the menu at Avila pulls from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Greece, this Christmas Eve chef Rodney Murillo turns to the Italian culinary tradition hosting his very own Feast of the Seven Fishes. Reserve a table at this Theater District gem for a five-course seafood-laden menu. Murillo gets all seven fishes represented in the first four courses so pastry chef Tom Ponticelli is off the hook for dessert. Dinner, which costs $55 per person, can be paired with wines for an additional $20. They’re accepting reservations at 617.267.4810.
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Black Trumpet Bistro
Black Trumpet Bistro will be serving a special holiday menu from 4:00-8:00pm on Christmas Eve. Get all cozy in the downstairs dining room or secure yourself a window seat upstairs and enjoy chef Evan Mallett’s fabulous cooking looking out over Portsmouth Harbor. Call 603.431.0887 to reserve your table.
The Café at the Taj
The Café at the Taj opens their doors for dinner from 5:30-11:00pm on Christmas Eve serving a three-course prix fixe from Franck Steigerwald. The menu, which includes choices like butternut squash veloute with seared scallop; and seared sea bass with tomato compote basil and lime beurre blanc sauce, costs $80 per person. To book a table – perhaps one looking out over the Public Garden or elegant Newbury Street – call 617.598.5255.
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Clink
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, chef Joseph Margate will pamper you this Christmas Eve. His a la carte menu at Clink includes all sorts of seasonal goodies with which to warm up – Kuri squash soup with Maine shrimp and candied pumpkin mousse; or braised wild boar with potato gnocchi, turnips and currants. If you’re forsaking the holiday this year or ducking out after you’ve hung the stockings by the chimney with care, book a table to enjoy the Margate Christmas Eve treatment. Call 617.224.4004.
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Craigie on Main
It’s pretty much business as usual at Craigie on Main this Christmas Eve. They’ll be serving chef-owner Tony Maws’ regular menu, enhanced by some seasonal holiday accents here and there, right up until 9:00pm. They’ll also be serving drinks at the bar until 1:00pm. For all the details, call 617.497.5511.
dante
Spend the night before Christmas at dante – chef-owner Dante de Magistris will be compiling some of his family’s traditional holiday dishes (handed down to him from his Nonna) into a four-course menu with traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes items as well as choices for diners who aren’t feeling fishy. Available from 4:00-8:00pm, the menu costs $75 per person or $100 with paired wines. Call 617.497.4200 to make your reservation.
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Davio’s
Christmas Eve diners at Davio’s are in for a treat – co-executive chefs Eric Swartz and Stephen Brown are putting the finishing touches on their Feast of the Seven Fishes menu, which will available in addition to the regular menu. In just four courses, the twosome are able to include seven types of seafood. Reserve a spot to enjoy this Italian tradition. Dinner costs $65 per person and you can reserve your seat easily enough, just call 617.357.4810.
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Davio’s Patriots Place
This Christmas Eve, chef Paul King welcomes diners to the Patriots Place outpost of Davio’s with his full a la carte menu as well as a five-course tasting menu. The prix fixe, priced at $65 per person not including tax or gratuity, is available from 5:00-8:00pm and can be paired with wines for a total of $95. Call Davio’s Patriots Place at 508.339.4810 for reservations.
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The Fireplace
When the weather outside is frightful, The Fireplace is always delightful so spend a warm and cozy Christmas Eve in Washington Square this year. Chef owner Jim Solomon will make sure your belly is full of delicious treats from his special Christmas Eve menu, which includes delicacies like pan seared foie gras over crispy Rhode Island johnnycake and stewed apple cranberry compote; and brown sugar and maple glazed ham over hashed brown potatoes with a golden raisin rum sauce, roasted chestnuts and Brussels sprouts. To add a little comfort and joy to your holiday celebration, they’ll be open from 11:00am to 10:00pm. Make sure you have a reservation by calling 617.975.1900.
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Grotto
Paying homage to the centuries old Italian tradition, chef-owner Scott Herritt hosts his very own Feast of the Seven Fishes at Grotto this Christmas Eve. Herritt’s version, which comes spread over four courses, makes good use of the great abundance of seafood available ’round these parts and costs $50 per person (not including dessert, beverages, tax or gratuity). Grotto will also be serving a four-course menu featuring some signature dishes from the regular menu. Reservations, which are available starting at 5:00pm, are required, so call 617.227.3434 to reserve a table.
L’Espalier
On Thursday, December 24th, chefs Frank McClelland and James Hackney invite guests to relax over a seven-course dinner at L’Espalier. Make it part of your family tradition or incorporate it into your plan for getting some time away from family. Dinner costs $115 per person and will be available from 5:30-9:00pm. Call L’Espalier at 617.262.3023 to secure your spot.
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Lumiere
Come Christmas Eve, celebrate with the folks at Lumiere who will be putting out an inventive and varied holiday spread. For the evening’s a la carte menu, chef Michael Leviton will conjure up culinary memories from his childhood (think potato pancakes and Chinese food) and let his creativity take control. As always, the meal will be brimming with local, sustainable and organic products, just the way they (and their guests) like it. This special a la carte menu will be available from 5:30 to 10:00pm – contact Lumiere at 617.244.9199 to reserve a table.
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Meritage
This year, enjoy a lovely, refined celebration at the Boston Harbor Hotel when Meritage hosts a special Christmas Eve meal. Sup on five of chef Daniel Bruce’s delectable courses for $115 per person and sip on five equally delicious paired wines for an extra $30 per person. Parents need not be afraid to bring the kids – children can delight in a three course meal for $50 each and those under the age of three are completely free. Reservations, which can be garnered by calling 617.439.3995, are available from 5:00 to 10:00pm.
The Metropolitan Club
Searching for some Christmas cheer? Look no further than Chestnut Hill where, come December 24th, chef Todd Winer breaks out of the steakhouse mold, serving up some scrumptious specials in addition to the regular menu at The Metropolitan Club. Call 617.731.0600 to reserve a table.
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Pesce Blue
Chef James Walter puts on a full, fish-laden spread this Christmas Eve at Pesce Blue in Portsmouth, where he celebrates the holiday with a traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner. Book your table between 5:00 and 8:00pm to enjoy four delicious courses for just $55 per person. Walter will also be serving the regular menu if you’re not feeling fishy. Call Pesce Blue at 603.430.7766 – and soon, since the dinner is well on its way to selling out.
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Pigalle
Plan a romantic little Christmas Eve dinner at Pigalle. Chef-owner Marc Orfaly will be serving dinner from 5:00-9:00pm so you can enjoy four fabulous courses and still get the stockings hung by the chimney with care in good time. Orfaly’s prix fixe costs $75 per person. Call 617.423.4944.
Red Rock Bistro
Revel in a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes this Christmas Eve at Red Rock Bistro while taking in the lovely water view. Chef Lee Fannon will be ferociously working away in the kitchen, preparing a four-course, seafood-centric meal for $65 per person. The restaurant will be open for lunch at 11:30am, and dinner reservations will be available between 5:00 and 9:00pm. Make sure you call 781.595.1414 if you want to spend the night before Christmas in Swampscott.
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Sandrine’s
Give your Christmas Eve an Alsatian twist at Sandrine’s, where chef-owner Raymond Ost is serving a special three-course prix fixe for $55 per person as well as a holiday-themed a la carte menu. Whatever your preference, you’re sure to have a joyous and delicious holiday at Sandrine’s. Dinner will be served from 5:00-9:00pm and reservations can be made by calling 617.497.5300.
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Sel de la Terre Back Bay
Borrowing from the Italian tradition, Sel de la Terre Back Bay hosts a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner this Christmas Eve. The $45 menu, available in addition to the regular menu, will feature all sorts of seafood – shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, tuna, red fish and gravlox – spread out over three courses. Reservations are available from 4:00-10:30pm so 617.266.8800 to make yours.
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Sel de la Terre Long Wharf
Christmas Eve gets a Provencal twist at Sel de la Terre Long Wharf. From 4:00-10:00pm, they’ll be serving an a la carte menu with some festive holiday specials as well as a four-course tasting menu. Dishes that made the cut: rabbit and leek pot pie with seared foie gras and mustard demi glace; and roasted venison loin with dried fruit, potato truffle gratin and caramelized Brussels sprouts. Dinner costs $58 per person. Paired wines cost $35. For more information or to reserve your table, call 617.720.1300.
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Sel de la Terre Natick
Don’t feel like entertaining at home this Christmas Eve? Get cozy at Sel de la Terre Natick instead and you can leave the cooking and dish-doing to the professionals. The restaurant, conveniently located in the Natick Collection if you have a little last minute shopping to attend to will be open for lunch from 11:00am until 4:00pm and then for dinner from 4:00-10:00pm. They’ll be adding some seasonal specials to their regular winter menu. Call 508.650.1800 for reservations.
Sensing
Go for full French immersion this Christmas Eve at Sensing where chef Gerard Barbin will be welcoming diners with an a la carte menu as well as a $75 tasting menu. Snag a table at this waterfront gem, nestled in the Fairmont Battery Wharf, between 5:30 and 10:00pm, by calling 617.994.9001.
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Sherborn Inn
Get cozy at the Sherborn Inn this Christmas Eve. Choose between the casual pub or the more formal and slightly more festive dining room where they’ll be serving a $48 prix fixe menu that includes appetizers, salads, entrees and house-made pastries. The Inn’s own Joseph Lillyman Ensemble will be playing semi-classical and dinner-club music, so book a table anytime before 8:00pm to get in on the pre-holiday fun. Call 508.655.9521 for reservations.
Spiced Pear
Spend Christmas Eve in Newport. Chef Kyle Ketchum is working on a holiday prix fixe worth making a special trip for. Available from 5:00-8:00pm, the three-course menu includes all sorts of holiday indulgences – Hudson Valley foie gras terrine with ginger shortbread crust, brandy cherry compote and petite lettuces; and trio of Berkshire pork with Okinawa sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, buttered cabbage and spiced raisin sauce. Spiced Pear‘s Christmas Eve dinner costs $69 per person ($90 with paired wines) and the views from the dining room are priceless, so book a table asap by calling 401.847.2244.
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Top of the Hub
Don’t let Santa be the only one with the bird’s eye view – spend your Christmas Eve feasting your eyes on fantastic views of Boston from a table at the Top of the Hub. So your taste buds won’t feel left out of the loop, chef Mark Porcaro will be preparing a fabulous three-course prix fixe holiday meal. Dinner, which costs $75 per person ($35 for the little ones under 12), will be served from 5:00-10:00pm. Call 617.536.1775 for reservations.
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Tremont 647
Do something a little different this year come December 24th – the folks at Tremont 647 invite you to join them for a special Christmas Eve Southern style feast. Chef owner Andy Husbands and his band of merry chefs will be pulling out all the stops with their three-course meal filled with delectable dishes like oyster Bienville, cheese baked grits and sweet potato pie. The southern-style goodness can be enjoyed as a prix fixe for $35 per person or a la carte. Call 617.266.4600 for reservations.
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UpStairs on the Square
Have yourself a merry little Christmas Eve meal with the jolly folks at UpStairs on the Square. Chef Steven Brand will be preparing a delicious four-course prix fixe meal with all the trimmings. Dinner, which costs $85 per person (half price for those under 12), will be available starting at 5:30pm in both dining rooms. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday evening – call 617.864.1933 to make your reservation soon.
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