Food Events

Looking for someplace to dine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Here are restaurants that will be open on the holiday, plus other Food Events in New Jersey.

The following restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve, Agricola Community Eatery, 11 Witherspoon St, Princeton, will serve a prix-fixe menu from 5 to 9 PM. Reservations: 609-921-2798.

Ama Ristorante at Driftwood, Driftwood Cabana Club, 1485 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, is accepting reservations for Christmas Eve from 5 to 10 PM offering a special holiday menu along with the regular a la carte choices. Reservations: 732-530-9760.

The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, is offering three festive dining options for Christmas Eve. Executive chef Corey Heyer will present a special three-course, prix-fixe dinner in the dining room from 4 to 8 PM; $95; $45 for children under 12, plus tax and gratuity. An elaborate buffet will be offered from 4 to 8 PM; $69; $35 for children ages 6 to 12; $15 for children ages 2 thru 5, plus tax and gratuity. Seatings for children under age 2 are complimentary. Santa Claus will be making a special visit with treats for children of all ages. An a la carte lunch will be served from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. Reservations: 908-766-0002.

Blu, 554 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, will be offering its regular a la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Reservations: 973-509-2202; BYO.

Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar, Westin Governor Morris Hotel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, will offer its regular a la carte menu from 5:30 to 10 PM on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, they will offer a three-course menu from 12:30 to 9 PM for $68; children under 12, $34. Reservations: 973-451-2619.

For Christmas Eve, Chakra, W 144 Rt 4 E, Paramus, will be offering its a la carte menu from 4 to 9 PM. The restaurant is closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Reservations: 201-556-1530.

Crystal Springs, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, will offer three options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations at the Grand Cascades Lodge. Crystal Tavern will offer a three-course menu ($48, $78 with wine pairing) from 5 to 10 PM Christmas Eve and 11AM to 10 PM on Christmas Day. The a la carte menu will also be available. Springs Bistro will serve a four-course Italian Christmas menu ($54, $84 with wine pairing) along with its a la carte menu from 5 to 10 PM on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Restaurant Latour will be serving its regular five-course ($115) and seven-course ($145) tasting menus, either the vegetarian Harvest or meat and seafood Grazing, with optional wine pairings. Restaurant Latour will be open 5 to 10 PM on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reservations for all the restaurants can be made by calling 855-977-6473 ext 2. For more information and online menus, visit the website.

David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, will be open Christmas Eve from 4 to 10 PM; bar opens at 3:30 PM. A three-course, prix-fixe menu will be offered for $90, exclusive of tax and gratuity. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will be open from noon to 8 PM; bar open at 11:30 AM with a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $90 exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-842-8088.

Fascino, 331 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, will be open Christmas Eve offering its new a la carte menu with some winter seasonal specials. Reservations: 973-233-0350; BYO.

The Fig Tree, 306-308 Park Ave, Hoboken, will be serving its seasonal dinner menu from 5 to 11 PM on Chirstmas Eve. Reservations: 201-420–0444.

Girasole, 3108 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, will host the Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner ($65) on Christmas Eve along with its regular menu. Reservations: 609-345-5554.

Grissini Ristorante, 484 Sylvan Ave, Englewood Cliffs, will offer the traditional Italian-American Feast of the Seven Fishes (nine courses, $75) on Christmas Eve along with the a la carte menu. Reservations: 201-568-3535.

A special a la carte Christmas Eve dinner will be offered at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, One East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, from 3 until 8 PM. Reservations 201-445-4115.

Next Door, 556 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, will be serving its regular a la carte menu on Christmas Eve. Reservations: 973-744-3600; BYO.

A Seven Fishes Dinner will be served on Christmas Eve at The Orange Squirrel, 412 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield; $70 plus tax and 20% gratuity. Reservations: 973-337-6421.

The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton, will be open Christmas Eve from 5 PM, offering a three-course dinner for $85; children’s menu $32. Reservations: 609-924-1707.

The Pluckemin Inn, 359 Rt 206 South, Bedminster, will be open Christmas Eve with seating from 4 to 8 PM; three courses, $70; four courses, $80; prix-fixe options are available. Reservations: 908-658-9292.

Ram’s Head Inn, 9 West White Horse Pike, Galloway, will offer a four-course, prix-fixe dinner on Christmas Day. Reservations and information: 609-652-1700.

On Christmas Eve, Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 S, Red Bank, will offer a three-course menu ($80), four-course garden menu ($80), six-course menu ($100, with wine pairing $160), and a child’s menu ($32). Reservations: 732-345-9977.

A $30 prix-fixe menu will be available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Rosa Mexicano, Riverside Square, 390 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack. Reservations: 201-489-9100.

Celebrate Christmas Eve at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Ave, Rumson, (732-933-9272) from 4 to 9 PM with a special, holiday-inspired menu created by executive chef Bob Belt. The American grill with its waterfront views is all decked out in holiday style with thousands of twinkling lights.

Serenade, 6 Roosevelt Ave, Chatham, will be open Christmas Eve offering a three-course dinner from 4 to 9 PM; $79; children 10 and younger $35. Reservations 973-701-0303.

Through December 24, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, 70 Kingsland Road, Clifton Commons on Route 3 East, Clifton, will offer the Feast of the Seven Fishes; $45, with wine pairing $65. Reservations: 973-661-2435.

Zylo, W Hotel, 225 River Street, Hoboken, will be offering a special brunch from 10 AM to 4 PM and a four-course menu for $65 from 4 to 9 PM on Christmas Day. Reservations: 201-253-2500.

OTHER FOOD EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
VEGAN/GLUTEN FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER COOKING CLASS

A menu consisting of roasted cauliflower, leeks and wild mushroom gratin, smoked tomato-infused quinoa & Yukon cakes with mint pea pesto and crisp kale, oven-roasted haricot vert and asparagus with warm shallot, sun-dried tomato and white-balsamic vinaigrette and lastly a decadent chocolate cake with peppermint, chocolate ganache and drunken berries will be taught at Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge. 6:30 PM; $95. Reservations: 732-727-9444.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
ARE YOU COOKING ON NEW YEAR’S EVE?

Learn how to make beet-and-goat cheese terrines, bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese and fried rosemary, roasted nuts with seasonal herbs and lemon, mint pear and proscuitto crostini, beet deviled eggs with pickled beets and chive, chicken wings with sticky Asian sauce at a New Year’s Eve Appetizers and Canapes cooking class that will be taught at Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge. 6:30 PM; $$95. Reservations: 732-727-9444.
*********
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

Read more Table Hopping articles.

By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

Required
Required not shown
Required not shown