Awesome International Holiday Feasts in NY
One of the most wonderfully unique things about New York is its incredibly international dining scene. And that extends to the holidays, when there’s really no need to limit yourself to meals inspired by the expected American, British, or even French or Italian traditions. So from a Jewish (Chinese Christmas) at Parm to a Scandinavian Smorgasbord at Aquavit and a Greek feast at MP Taverna, here are a few places where you can experience Christmas culinary customs from around the world… without actually having to leave NYC.
Jewish Christmas at Parm
It’s a time-honored tradition for Jews to go out for Chinese food on Christmas, but who would have expected the Italian-American Parm to get in on the action (shouldn’t they be doing the whole Feast of the Seven Fishes thing)? But hey, if Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone want to expand on their regular Sunday special with holiday dishes, like Fried Wonton Skins with Hot Mustard, Charred Broccoli with Fish Sauce, and Char Sui Spare Ribs over Sausage-studded Fried Rice, we’re perfectly game to eat them.
Read MoreRussian Christmas at The Russian Tea Room
With red booths, green walls and gold just about everything else, The Russian Tea Room screams over-the-top Christmas cheer, even when it’s still the height of spring. But come the holiday season, the festive décor is brilliantly pushed to the Nth degree, including twinkling Spruces, a golden tree laden with Fabergé-inspired Venetian glass eggs, and a 15-foot revolving bear aquarium, alive with fish. And oh yeah, there’s the food, too. A three-course, $105 prix fixe includes dishes fit for a Czar, like Tea Room Red Borscht, Chicken Kiev with Fig Compote and tender Sour Cherry Blintzes. But since it’s Christmas, we say spend the $10 supplement on the Gold and Caviar Parfait with layers of Nougat Cream, Toasted Almonds, Chocolate Sauce and 24-Karat Edible Gold.
Read MoreNordic Christmas at Aquavit
Modern Nordic food may be all the rage, but we’d just as soon spend Christmas at one of New York’s original Scandinavian spots, the elegant Aquavit. The Michelin-starred restaurant will be offering their Grand Julbord (a massive holiday Smorgasbord) for $88 per person, which includes a spread of Julskinka (Christmas Ham), assorted hot and cold Herrings, Gravlax and Salads, Bloody Marys made with Aquavit, and a complimentary cup of traditional Glögg (Spiced Mulled Wine).
German Christmas at Loreley
Why not raise a glass of Gluhwein this Christmas, a hot mulled beverage traditionally served in German holiday markets? The spicy, clove-scented wine is included in the $25, three-course Christmas feast at Loreley, a genial restaurant and beirgarten on the Lower East Side. Celebrants will also enjoy a seasonal salad or soup, like hearty Potato with Smoked Bacon and Croutons, followed by Teutonic favorites like Sauerbraten with Dumplings, Eisbein-braised Pork Shank Sauerkraut, Goulasch with Spaetzle, and of course, a Schlag-topped Apple Strudel for dessert.
Greek Christmas at MP Taverna
It was a gutsy move for Michael Psilakis to open a branch of MP Taverna in Astoria, Queens, a central hub of Greek culture in New York. But it’s the perfect place when you’re craving classic Cypriot specialties, like Lamb Sausage and Grilled Branzino, served in comparatively more upmarket surroundings. So gather the family for an affordable, but festive Christmas Eve prix fixe; three Mediterranean courses for only $29.95. Options include Butternut Squash Soup with Pine Nuts, Chestnut Manti with Brown Butter and Sage, Braised Pork Shank with Orzo and Feta, and Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Dill, followed by a Chocolate-Halvah Brownie or Yogurt with seasonal, jewel-like Fruit.
Mexican Christmas at Fonda
You’ll find unique food fusions all over New York, but we can’t imagine that you can celebrate a Mexican-Swedish Christmas anywhere else but at Roberto Santibanez’s Fonda. Inspired by his several trips to Stockholm, the chef has supplemented his regular menu from December 18th-30th with intriguingly multi-ethnic dishes, like Kale and Roasted Jalapeno Soup topped with Dill Crema, Salt Cod (also known as Lutefisk) with Cured Poblano Peppers, traditional Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry-Chipotle Sauce and a Warm Apple Tart sprinkled with Saffron. What to drink with it? A glass of Guajillo-infused Aquavit, of course!
Read MoreJapanese-Korean Christmas at Takashi
What could be more festive than gathering your family around a Christmas table with a smoking hot grill set right into the center? They’ll love charring their own beefy bits of Short Rib, Belly and Shoulder, or for particularly adventurous eaters, Liver, Heart and Tongue. And a variety of elegant specials will help make your seasonal supper even more celebratory, like Savory Chestnut Crème Brulee, Egg en Cocotte with Blue Crab and Caviar, and Madagascar Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream topped with a boozy Eggnog Sauce. I don’t know about you, but we’re in.
Spanish Christmas at Manzanilla
The tapas craze is in full swing in New York, but if you’re looking for authentic Andalusian bites, make a beeline for the recently opened Manzanilla, from Michelin-starred chef Dani Garcia (formerly of Calima, in Spain). A four-course, Christmas Eve dinner will only set you back $95 (a great deal considering one of those courses includes five different sharable tapas, like Pulled Oxtail Brioche, pickle and apple-topped Oysters, and Garcia’s infamous Squid Ink Croquettes). And that’s just for starters: You’ll also choose from dishes, like Seafood Soup with Lobster, a Duo of Duck with Muscatel Sauce and Root Vegetable Terrine, and La Luna de Marbella; a crescent moon-shaped White Chocolate pastry with a Mandarin-Yuzu center.
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