New York’s Finest Feast of the Seven Fishes Celebrations
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we’re not just talking about Christmas — we mean Christmas Eve! Because that’s when Italians celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes (otherwise known as La Viglia), a multi-course, seafood-centric extravaganza, commemorating the wait for the midnight birth of baby Jesus. But why should Italians have all the fun? Even if your own family isn’t cooking up a shellfish spread, you can still get in on the under-the-sea action at the following restaurants — from Seamore’s to The John Dory Oyster Bar to The Clam and more!
Seamore’s
Instead of just one night, Seamore’s will usher in La Viglia with a two-week long, Feast of the Seven Fishes series. Starting on December 10th, a new fish-focused special will be offered during each day leading up to Christmas, from Fish Cakes with Curry, Linguine with Clams and Fritto Misto; to Shrimp and Grits, Stuffed Squid, Whole Roasted Porgy, and Creamed Polenta with Monkfish Ragu.
Read MoreFaro
For their first Christmas Eve, this Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree is throwing a fantastic Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, for $100 per person. Expect Kumamoto Oysters with grated watermelon radish to start, followed by Foie Gras and Tuna Bon Bons, Chilled Blue Crab Salad on house-milled bread, Warm Brandade with American paddlefish caviar, Cuttlefish Ink Maharrones with cockles, and Maine Lobster Tail and Lobster Agnolotti, concluded with Almond Cake with luxardo cherries for dessert. If Kevin Addey’s sophisticated Italian isn’t enough of a draw, this briny feast should be.
Read MoreThe Clam
This terrific, seafood-focused eatery from Joey Campanaro and Mike Price is celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes with a five-course prix fixe for $90 a person. Menu highlights at this West Village haunt include Wellfleet Oysters with chili mignonette, Lobster Chowder with yukon gold potatoes, and Spaghetti Fra Diavolo with rock shrimp and mussels, followed by 86 Proof Chocolate Icebox Cake made with bourbon, chocolate wafers, and espresso chantilly.
Read MoreHearth
Chef Marco Canora will offer his annual Feast of the Seven Fishes at the cozy, East Village staple, Hearth, for $96 per person (plus $54 for wine pairings). The festive menu will feature a variety of specialty fish dishes, including Marinated Seafood Salad, Linguine Con Vongole and Cacciucco (a Tuscan fish stew), plus Gingerbread Cake with roasted apples, toffee sauce and eggnog gelato for dessert.
Read MoreVic’s
Vicki Freeman and Marc Meyer’s Italian-Mediterranean in NoHo will welcome in La Viglia with an array of Antipasti, such as fried whitebait, roasted oysters, sea urchin bread and marinated mackerel. A duo of pasta courses will follow, including Fontina Fonduta with American caviar and Linguine with clams, as well as Brodetto with black bass, tomatoes, capers and green olives, as well as traditional Sicilian candies and cookies for dessert.
Read MoreThe John Dory Oyster Bar
Stop by April Bloomfield’s chic oyster bar on Christmas Eve for a six-course seafood spectacular, for $95 per person. Just keep in mind (since she’s a famously meat-centric chef) that many of the courses will tend towards surf and turf, such as Rock Shrimp and Crispy Pigs Ear, Littleneck Clams with Bone Marrow, and Seared Scallops slicked with Foie Gras, which is more than fine with us!
Read MoreThe Red Cat
Inspired by owner Jimmy Bradley’s Italian upbringing, The Red Cat’s Feast of the Seven Fishes will be served family style, with a flurry of tasty courses, including Hamachi Tartare with trout caviar, Nantucket Bay Scallop Ceviche, Crispy Shrimp with brown butter, Housemade Tagliatelle with peekytoe crab, Sauteed Calamari with fennel, Grilled Octopus with white beans, and Grilled Swordfish with quinoa tabbouleh and citrus nage.
Read MoreLa Pecora Bianca
This buzzy newcomer in the Flatiron District is charging $80 per person for their Feast, featuring a traditional, five-course spread of Striped Bass Tartare, Cioppino with clams, mussels, sepia and monkfish, Ricotta Cavatelli with lobster, and Baked Whole Dorade with sunchokes and fennel, followed by Migliaccio Cake topped with the restaurant’s housemade preserves.
Read MoreCheck out My Book – Try This
