You blinked at Thanksgiving and now Christmas is here. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, cooking a festive feast may not be high on your hierarchy of holiday needs this time around.
If that’s the case, then let these Hamptons restaurants and fancy food hubs do the heaving lifting for you.
Art of Eating, 264 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton, 631-267-2411, take out
Husband-and-wife catering pros Cheryl Stair and John Kowalenko’s are helping East Enders celebrate the holidays with their iconic catering to-go menu. Featuring an array of seasonal dishes complete with savory staples and sinfully good sweet treats, menu items are both classic and contemporary, and sure to please any crowd. Items run the gamut, ranging from pigs in a blanket with a horseradish mustard sauce, to lobster and corn chowder, to slow-roasted, bone-in Berkshire hams to slabs of roasted organic salmon, and so much more. Holiday orders must be placed by Friday, Dec. 19, for pick up on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Orders can be made by calling 631-267-2411 or by clicking here.
Nick & Toni’s, 136 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-3550, dine in
For Christmas Eve, the iconic East Hampton eatery is pulling out all the stops, offering a special four-course prix fixe menu from 5 to 9 p.m. Led by executive chef Joe Realmuto and chef de cuisine Courtney Sypher-Barylski, the menu will feature excellently prepared Northern Italian dishes that are both rustic and refined, and totally inspired by what’s in season. To take a peek at what’s in store, click here. Equally impressive are desserts hand-crafted by pastry chef Kelsey Roden. Think a classic chocolate bûche de noël, warm pistachio frangipane crostata and ricotta budino. Girl, you fancy! $145 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A special “Bambini Menu” will also be available for children ten-and-under and will cost $50 per kid. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or calling the restaurant directly at 631-324-3550.
The Golden Pear, multiple locations, take out
A Hamptons tradition for nearly four decades with locations in downtown Southampton and East Hampton, chef Keith Davis and his team will offer up a special catering menu for the holidays, perfect for any style shindig you’re throwing. Pick from platters of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, bowls of freshly prepared salads, classic hors d’oeuvres and canapes, over half a dozen fish, chicken and steak entree selections, and handmade desserts and baked goods Service staff and delivery is available. Call 631-697-2149 or email [email protected] to place your orders.
Fēniks, 75 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-283-9323, dine in
New to the Hamptons resto scene this year and helmed by veteran chef/restaurateur Douglas Gulija and partner Skip Norsic, Fēniks will offer a special Taste of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve for $150 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Locally sourced menu items are slated to include Montauk Pearl oysters, steamed local black sea bass, yellowfin tuna tartare and sautéed striped bass. There will be one seating between 6 to 6:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary and may be booked at this here.
Bell and Anchor, 3253 Noyac Road, Sag Harbor, 631-725-3400, dine in
Perched above Mill Creek Marina and open on Christmas Eve, owners David Loewenberg and chef Sam McCleland offer New American, seafood centric-fare to Noyac diners, and beyond! With starters ranging from myriad raw bar options to soups, salads and deftly prepared small plates, Bell and Anchor also features elegant riffs on Bouillabaisse, surf and turf, whole steamed lobsters, steaks, burgers, pasta and vegan dishes. Book reservations here.
R.aire at the Hampton Maid, 259 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-728-4184 dine in and take out
Host your holiday happening, with help from R.aire’s Spanish-inspired, tapas toting menu. Take home the experience with half trays of smokey eggplant dip, codfish croquettes, and mushroom fideuà (Spanish short cut pasta), plus oodles upon oodles more. Each tray is designed to feed between 8 to 12 people. Pickup will be available between noon and 3 p.m. the day before the holiday. Or, if you’re looking to have a cocktail party, a buffet-style served dinner or a three-course, sit-down meal on-site, chef Alex Bujoreanu’s menus include both traditional holiday spreads blended with touches of his signature Spanish-style fare. Additions include craft beer and wine options. On-site holiday parties can be booked by emailing [email protected]. The all-inclusive, full-service, in-house catering starts at $60 per guest. Take a look at R.aire’s holiday brochure here.
Canoe Place Inn & Cottages (239 Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-763-6300), dine in
The oh-so cozy Tavern at Canoe Place will host Christmas Eve dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m., with four courses for $115. In addition to the roasted oysters, American wagyu sirloin and buttermilk whipped potatoes, there’s an extra risotto course available for an extra “what the heck, it’s Christmas?” supplemental price. Live jazz will be provided by the Steve Einerson Duo.Book your seat here.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811, dine in
Take a ferry ride over to Ram’s Head for a $95 prix fixe Christmas Eve feast that brings out the festive trimmings with a tightly curated three-course menu sure to please all the palates in your brood. Reserve by calling.
Lulu Kitchen & Bar, 126 Main St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-0900, take out
From ribeyes to rainbow trout, Lulu has the recipe for seamless at-home hosting success, offering three food packages featuring several of their wood-fired food items along with comfort food classics and Mediterranean-influenced fare. Email [email protected] to place orders.
Gigi’s, 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-1771, dine in
Settle in for a scenic holiday meal, as Gigi’s — the new on-site restaurant located at Gurney’s Resort at The End that opened this past June — gears up for Christmas (Eve and Day) dinner sure to highlight the richness of locally sourced produce and seafood, while simultaneously offering top-notch steakhouse classics. Reservations are available through Open Table here.
American Hotel, 45 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-3535, dine in
An East End institution, the American Hotel is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day serving their signature old-school-French-meets-new-age-American cuisine. While regular lunch service occurs as normal on Christmas Eve, a special prix fixe will be offered from 5 to 10 p.m. Then, on Christmas Day, the resto is open from noon to 8 p.m. serving a special prix fixe menu only all day long. Book your reservations here or give them a ring at the number above.
Almond Restaurant, 1 Ocean Road, Bridgehampton, 631-537-5665 , dine in
Push the envelope as they might, Almond likes a healthy dose of tradition just like the rest of us, but on their terms. Their 25th annual Christmas Eve traditional suckling pig roast, served with seasonal accompaniments, all for $49, is one of their longstanding traditions, and perhaps the best part is, it’s always for a good cause. This year, a portion of the revenue from Christmas Eve will be donated to OLA of Eastern Long Island. Founded in 2002, OLA of Eastern Long Island, Inc. (Organización Latino Americana) is nonprofit Latino-focused advocacy organization working in the five East End towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold and Shelter Island. The regular à la carte menu will also be available. Hours on Christmas Eve are 5 to 9 p.m. Give ’em a call to book your resy or click here.
The Birchwood of Polish Town, 512 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-727-4449, dine in
A cozy, old-time Riverhead staple, the restaurant and catering hall is offering a special Christmas Eve buffet dinner for $59.95 ($29.95 for children up to 10 years old). Offerings include a deluxe carving station, cold antipasto station, raw bar, hot appetizers, homemade soups, Polish specialties, Viennese desserts complete with a chocolate fountain and plenty of kid friendly options. Drink specials include $5 draft beer and select wines. Seating times are from 2 to 7 p.m. Tax and gratuity not included.
Vine Street Café, 41 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-3210, dine in
Cruise over to Shelter Island for a country-chic Christmas Eve dinner at Vine Street. Owners and husband-and-wife chefs Terry and Lisa Harwood are experts at crafting memorable, seasonally charged comfort food classics, sure to have you satisfied until long after Santa hits your home.
