It may seem like Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, but now it's time to start getting serious about Christmas dinner. Whether it's the night before or the day of, there are some options around the South Fork for dining out and in to put busy families instantly in the spirit of the season.
Almond
Almond restaurant in Bridgehampton will continue its long-running (23 years) tradition of roasting a suckling pig on Christmas Eve, coming from Roaming Acres Farm this year. The roast pork will be served with seasonal accompaniments for $49. The regular menu will also be available. A portion of that evening's revenue will go to the Pajama Program, which provides new pajamas and books to children in need, many waiting to be adopted, here and around the world.
Dinner will be served from 5 to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day. Reservations can be made by calling 631-537-5665.
Lulu Kitchen and Bar
Sag Harbor's Lulu Kitchen and Bar will have several options for takeout menus for both Christmas and New Year's Eve. And don't forget dessert. The restaurant's pastry chefs will be making a limited amount of buche de Noel cakes in sizes serving from two to four people at $70 and six to 10 people for $130. Their version is a Black Forest-inspired chocolate sponge cake with dark chocolate mousse, brandied cherry, and white chocolate mousse.
The restaurant is offering two full meal choices to go. The first one has baguettes, oysters on the half shell, house foie gras torchon, cowboy ribeye steak, truffle potato gratin, kale and exotic mushrooms, a truffled red wine sauce and the buche de Noel. The second menu consists of baguettes, jumbo shrimp cocktail, oysters, a smoked salmon plate, the chef's mussels, grilled lobster pasta, and the buche de Noel. Each menu costs $350 for two people and $700 for four.
Lulu also has platters of cheese, charcuterie, and raw bar options. It offers canapes by the dozen for $42 with choices like tuna tartare, roasted beet and goat cheese, smoked salmon potato blini, and mini crab cakes. A la carte dinner choices feature lobster Cobb salad, mussels, duck Wellington, skirt steak, lobster pasta, ribeye, roasted miso fluke, rack of lamb, and dry aged duck.
The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve from noon to 3 p.m. and closed Christmas Day. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours before Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Pickup must be made by 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Holiday orders totaling more than $400 will earn a $50 gift card to use during a future visit. Orders or reservations can be made at 631-725-0900 or [email protected].
Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes food store in Sagaponack has special treats to order for holiday meals. Starters like crab cakes, potato pancakes with salmon, and coconut crusted shrimp can be followed by osso buco and roasted goose. Seasonal dessert favorites like buche de Noel, English trifle, sugar plums, stollen, gingerbread cookies, and a chocolate covered cream puff tower, make for a festive finale.
A full menu is on the website along with information on ordering.
The Cookery
The Cookery food store in East Hampton has a Christmas menu for home service with options like a standing rib roast to serve eight to 10 people for $350, a bone-in leg of lamb with garlic and cardamon serving 10 to 12 people for $198, a side of poached salmon with beurre blanc and salmon roe for six to eight people for $185, and a whole beef tenderloin en croute for six to eight people for $185.
Sides are scalloped potatoes with manchego cheese and chives, roasted sweet potatoes with roasted garlic, roasted cardamom beets and orange with chevre, charred roasted brussels sprouts with lardons, garlic and port wine. Each is $22 per pound.
The dessert selections are a yule log for $74, pavlova with cranberry, raspberry, and apple filling with whipped cream for $65, and a classic French Mont Blanc for $72.
Orders will be accepted until Wednesday.
