“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat…”
When I think of holiday dining, I can’t help but think of the old nursery rhyme/Christmas carol my grandfather would sing every year. If your goose isn’t getting fat {or, you’ve decided to forgo cooking altogether this year}, you may want to swing by these Westchester restaurants for a meal and a little holiday cheer.
{IntoxiKate Tip! Make sure to make reservations ahead of time!}
Westchester Restaurants Open for the Holidays:
Where to Dine on Christmas Eve
Farmer and the Fish
Open: 5 – 9 p.m.
The Deal: Four-Course Prix Fixe Dinner for $89
Tasting Notes: It may not be billed as the ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes,” but the seafood is certainly the main event on Christmas Eve. The first course is served family style—hot antipasti with grilled shrimp, crab stuffed littlenecks, smoked mussels, and then a little of the farm comes through with a Caesar salad. Second course options include Portuguese octopus with warm potato and pickled shallots or Nantucket Bay scallops with risotto and white truffle. There are great fish options in course four—Artic char with sunchokes, chanterelles and garden leeks or halibut with artichokes and oyster mushrooms. Dessert has a few options including sticky toffee pudding or Meyer lemon tart (um, yum!)
Book Now: 100 Titicus Rd., North Salem, 914-617-8380, www.farmerandthefish.com
Mambo 64
Open: For lunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (5-10 p.m.)
The Deal: Select great dishes off of Mambo’s a la carte menu; paella specials are available.
Tasting Notes: Chef Arlen Gargagliano cooks a variety of traditional Latin American with her little twists—it’s hard to choose between dishes like chimichurri-marinated hanger steak or pernil. My recommendation? Order a few dishes to share for the tables. P.S. Don’t miss the caipirinha. Just make sure to have a DD on hand—Brazil’s national cocktail can leave you real jolly!
Book Now: 64 Main St., Tuckahoe, 914-222-9964, www.mambo64.com
Looking for something to do post-dinner? Check out The Tapp’s Christmas Eve Cookie Swap. From 7 – 11 p.m. the bar will be bar service only, so make sure to bring cookies and the accompanying recipe to share (although it’s not mandatory). Need some “milk” with those cookies? Try the Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout. The Tapp: 17 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, 914-703-6022, www.thetappny.com
Where to Dine on Christmas Day
Benjamin Steakhouse
Open: Starting at 12 p.m.
The Deal: Three-Course Prix Fixe Dinner for $59.95
Tasting Notes: The meal starts off this a little holiday eggnog (the bartenders are more than willing to spike it for you!) and appetizers like lobster bisque or their delicious crab cakes. More your main course, you of course have a prime rib eye steak, but the grilled Chilean sea bass is also available. Benjamin’s traditional desserts round out the evening. I happen to love their apple strudel, but seasonal favorites like pecan pie and cheesecake are also available.
Book Now: 610 W. Hartsdale Rd., White Plains, 914-428-6868, www.benjaminsteakhouse.com
Sonora Restaurant
Open: 4 – 9 p.m.
The Deal: Specially designed Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu for $45
Tasting Notes: Although the regular menu is also available, don’t miss Chef Rafael Palomino’s Chino-Latino holiday menu. Fusion dishes like brasied chicken wonton and scallion Soup and ceviche with yellowfun tuna, ginger, lemongrass and coconut milk offer a break from the traditional turkey and stuffing of the holiday season. Entrees include soy citrus caramelized salmon with arugula enoki and mushrooms in a ginger sauce and sauteed shrimp with black forbidden rice in a mango lemongrass sauce. Leave room for dessert—although it will be hard to choose between churros and flan!
Book Now: 179 Rectory St., Port Chester, 914-933-0200, www.sonorarestaurant.net
Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve
Wolfert’s Roost
Open: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (for dinner) and 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. (cocktail party)
The Deal: Omakase dinner $85; Cocktail Party $65
Tasting Notes: The Irvington hot spot, by Chef Eric Korn of Good-Life Gourmet and Chef Jennie Werts, is delivering not one, but TWO options for New Year’s Eve—score a tasting dinner early in the evening featuring the chef’s selection of their favorite dishes (like wild mushroom bruschetta and fried chicken) or enjoy the cocktail party set later in the evening. Heads up—The Roost has no liquor license, so make sure to BYOB.
Book Now: 100 Main St., Ivington, 914-231-7576, www.wofertsroostirv.com
Char
Open: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Deal: $125 per person
Tasting Notes: Party in Greenwich! The evening starts off with a four-course dinner including options dishes like duck confit, pan roasted chicken, and mini spiced cupcakes. A four-hour open bar with a DJ, dance floor (shake those calories off), and champagne toast at midnight fills the rest of the evening.
Book Now: 2 Water St., Greenwich, CT, 203-900-1100, www.charct.com
MTK Tavern
Open: Party starts at 7:30
The Deal: Four Course Menu for $60 (+ a la carte beverages)
Tasting Notes: Chef Vincenzo DeRaco, formerly of X20, has been shaking things up in the kitchen at MTK, and the New Year’s Eve menu is no different. Enjoy goodies like homemade guacamole, pork shank osso bucco, and bread pudding. The tunes of local band ChopHaus will help you dance your way into the new year!
Book Now: 30 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, 914-218-3334, www.mtktavern.com
