Christmas Dinner in NYC?

Old Oct 22nd, 2016, 09:48 PM
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Christmas Dinner in NYC?

A friend and I are going to spend a few days over Christmas in New York City. We are looking for a festive place - not too stuffy - for Christmas dinner. We are foodies and open to most anything - traditional or otherwise. (Except one of us can't enjoy cheese.) Our price range is up to about $100 per person. We welcome suggestions.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 07:43 AM
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What part of the city are you staying in? Also, are you looking for Times Square type glitzy big NYC restaurant or cozy west village restaurant?
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:46 AM
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If you are "foodies" you might want to avoid Times Square, on Christmas or any other time.

An important decision is whether or not you want a set "Christmas dinner," or want to order off the regular menu.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 12:09 PM
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http://ny.eater.com/maps/nyc-christmas-day-restaurants

Not sure if same restaurants will be on Christmas Day 2016 but this list is a good start. On this list, I love Maialino.

Another good list from 2015.....

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/rest...n-on-christmas
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 12:11 PM
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Here's another list:


http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=6&m=8
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 06:48 AM
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My fave cozy Italian restaurant with outstanding food is Gradisca. It's in the Village on a beautiful tree lined street...that is where my first thought was. I don't know what your traditional dinner is comprised of though!
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 10:07 AM
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An increasing number or major restaurants are open on Christmas Day, and I suspect (strongly) that Maialino will be among them because it's in a hotel. That's a good place to start your search. Or you could look at traditional NY options like Shun Lee Palace. Open Table already has a list of some of the available options that can be booked online.
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Old Oct 29th, 2016, 04:51 AM
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Thanks for all your suggestions. I should have been more clear. We are not looking for a "glitzy big" place - smaller places with excellent food are our style. We are staying in mid-town but we can taxi anywhere for the right food. Maialino and Gradisco look like good options, As long as my friend can order no-cheese dishes. Since the trip is a non-traditional Christmas for us, dinner could be non-traditional as well. (My "traditional" dinner would be roast beef.) we love places that maybe are not too familiar to tourists. We shall review the lists above.
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Old Oct 29th, 2016, 01:53 PM
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My DD is playing at the Red Rooster in Harlem on Christmas day, from 11am - 3pm I think. We will be there for most of it, or until the grandchildren decide they have had enough of listening to their Aunt playing music!!!
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Old Oct 29th, 2016, 04:05 PM
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Nelsonian, sounds like great fun. How is the food?
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Old Oct 29th, 2016, 05:08 PM
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Seems to get good reviews on Trip Advisor. The chef and owner is Marcus Samuelsson who apparently is quite well-known.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Restau..._New_York.html.

The Red Rooster is upstairs, and Ginny's Supper Club downstairs.

The Christmas day gig that my daughter is playing for, is a gospel brunch I think.
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Old Oct 29th, 2016, 06:46 PM
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Google is always there for you.
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Old Oct 30th, 2016, 12:20 AM
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My partner ate at Red Rooster recently and had positive things to say about the place, and the food.
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Old Oct 30th, 2016, 04:24 AM
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I was hoping to get to Harlem to hear nelsonian's daughter on this last trip but couldn't make it happen. That would be an excellent choice.

"We are not looking for a "glitzy big" place - smaller places with excellent food are our style"

My favorite go-to restaurant in walking distance is the West Bank Cafe. I think you would enjoy it.

http://www.westbankcafe.com/

I ate there for Thanksgiving one year and it was simply lovely and the restaurant was filled with locals celebrating the holiday. I go on every trip to the city and have for years. A Fodorite recommended it many years ago and I later learned that a NYC friend - who grew up in the city - loves it too. I ate there twice last week - with a Fodorite and then the next night with two NYC friends. All meals were delicious with excellent service. They do offer a prix fixe menu option that is always delicious along with ordering from the menu. Last week I had the Scottish salmon that was incredible and the chicken which was very good. I've never been disappointed with a meal there. While I was waiting for my friend, I watched a chic grandmother enjoy a meal and time with her handsome grandson. Quiet environs, excellent service, excellent food. Very good cocktails. It would be walking distance from your midtown hotel and is close to the theaters without being in the crazy part of the theater district. Highly recommend it.
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Old Oct 30th, 2016, 06:15 PM
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Wow, I love the feedback I get in these forums. We will be in the city for five days - time for the Red Rooster AND the West Bank Cafe. And some others in this thread. Thank you, Everyone.
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Old Nov 1st, 2016, 07:31 AM
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We have tried a few different places and ended up returning to Jules Bistro in the East Village. We did not want a prix fixe menu which many of the restaurants offer on Christmas day. Jules has live Jazz in the evening. It's a small place, and the seating could be a bit tight, but the food is good, very reasonable and the jazz is a nice extra. For a roomier place, Knickerbocker in Greenwich Village is good.
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Old Nov 2nd, 2016, 06:24 AM
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Not sure the area you will be in exactly. My boyfriend and I made a trip back in August and enjoyed a dinner at Club A steakhouse. It was about $180 for 2 with tip. It was completely delicious.
Not sure if it was just the night we went or what but every table was treated to a free appetizer sampling and a free dessert sampling. Very friendly servers and delicious food!
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Old Nov 3rd, 2016, 07:58 AM
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More recommendations that sound good. We are going to dine well over Christmas.
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 02:25 PM
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My friend loved the idea of Red Rooster. So we have Christmas dinner reservations!
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Old Dec 17th, 2016, 05:48 PM
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I am making latkes for Christmas.
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