Best Spots for Eating Out on Christmas

Best Spots for Eating Out on Christmas

So, let’s assume your holiday season is as busy as ours is and you just can’t bear the thought of cooking. Trusting a holiday meal for family to someone else can be a tricky, anxiety-inducing process. Well, sit back and let us show you five great spots for five different families this holiday season.
 

Our Family:

The DeWolf Tavern, Bristol

As loved ones get older, one of the tough things for them to give up is holiday tradition. They remember all the family together enjoying a meal that they prepared and wish they could still do it all. But at some point it becomes impractical and we look to new traditions. For our family that new tradition involves chef Sai Viswanath and the incredible DeWolf Tavern. Gorgeous views of Bristol harbor are accentuated by the inventive cuisine going on inside this historic building dating to 1818. Exposed brick and stone walls play off the lush linens in the dining room. The food will be fresh, local and expertly prepared, leaving us time to enjoy the conversation without having to worry about food quality. It’s the perfect new Christmas tradition. 259 Thames St. 254-2005, www.dewolftavern.com

The Cosmopolitan Family:

Centro, Providence

Christmas doesn’t always need to be old-school tradition. Sometimes, sleek and colorful is just what the Day calls for. Centro opened in the Westin Hotel earlier this year and it brought with it an air of big-city sophistication to the Providence restaurant and bar scene. The food at Centro is light, healthy, and Mediterranean- inspired, featuring locally sourced ingredients prepared by Chef Ryan Escude. On Christmas Day Centro is offering a three course meal that includes such highlights as crispy, phyllo wrapped Brie with cranberry chutney and glazed chestnuts; braised short ribs with fettuccini and Grana Padano; slow-cooked Atlantic salmon with a risotto of faro and beets and sweet garlic and peas and their flourless frangelico torte with hazelnut wafer and a sauce of mixed berries. 1 West Exchange St. 2nd floor, 228-6802, www.centroprovidence.com

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The Italian Family:

Sardella’s, Newport

You'll be hard-pressed to find an Irish chef as excited about and talented with Italian food, but Chef Kevin Fitzgerald is that guy. He's been at Sardella's, a family-run Newport institution, on and off since 1983, honing his craft but never losing his passion for the perfect meatball, a tender veal chop or a 16-ounce steak. Sardella's is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, and we suspect that because so many family members work here--in the kitchen, behind the bar, as managers-- the atmosphere is family festive. If you can't decide what to order off the expansive menu, consider this: Chef Fitzgerald always wanted to be a butcher, and loves to cut his own large portions of meat. So we'd suggest the 16-ounce New York sirloin, made extra delicious with a roasted garlic sauce and mashed potatoes. We also love anything covered with their house-made sauce...one taste and it's clear why they go through 11 gallons of this stuff every day. 30 Memorial Blvd. West, 849-6312, www.sardellas.com

The Chanukah Family:

The Asian Palace, Providence

The tradition of Jewish Americans eating Chinese food on Christmas Day dates back a century to New York City, where the Jewish neighborhood abutted Chinatown, and the Chinese restaurants were always open on a day many other Christian restaurant owners decided to close. We have to admit that at the end of a long day of turkey and ham and other savory goodies and sweets, we crave late-night Asian food. We love Asian Palace any day of the year because they are big, clean, and have a great menu of everything from standard Chinese and Thai classics (pad Thai, General's chicken, pork fried rice) as well sushi and more adventurous offerings. There's truly something for everyone here, and it's always super tasty! 1190 North Main St. 228-7805, www.asianpalacedining.com

The Classic Family:

The Shelter Harbor Inn, Westerly

If you are looking for a gorgeous setting with tasty food, then look no further than the Shelter Harbor Inn. The Inn is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year, so you can always count on them in a holiday pinch. The Inn is old, classic New England, with several main buildings featuring beautiful B+B rooms and a large dining room perfect for holiday functions. On Christmas they feature a four course dinner that covers soup to dessert with standout offerings like: Oyster bisque, roasted beet, fennel and watercress salad with a lemon vinaigrette, roast tenderloin of beef and the incredible sounding egg nog cheesecake. Whatever you choose, you will get a stress free meal in a beautiful setting. 10 Wagner Rd. 322-8883, www.shelterharborinn.com

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