By Dana Eastland. Feast of the Seven Fishes, the Italian Christmas Eve tradition, has really taken off in the last few years. And why not? Who doesn’t want to eat out on Christmas Eve, and on local, sustainable seafood, no less? Here are some local spots serving traditional seafood dinners on the night before Christmas, and of course, there are even more on OpenTable.
The annual feast at ~A16~ promises a great time, with several courses served family style, including pastas (like saffron cavatelli with mussels, ceci nero, chile, lemon, and chervil) and appetizers. The menu also includes a clam pizza for an $18 supplement. The feast is $100 per person, and beverage pairings are also available for an additional cost. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant.
Of course ~A16 ROCKRIDGE~ wouldn’t miss out on the action. They are also serving a special feast, including cornmeal fried oysters and potato gnocchi with smoked trout, featuring seafood from TwoXSea and Water2Table. Peep the menu here. The dinner is served family style and costs $90 per person—wine pairings are available. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant.
The Little Italy pop-up at MINA’S TEST KITCHEN simply must celebrate the Seven Fishes. Chef Adam Sobel will be offering seven courses served family style, including an opener of fried calamari (of course!), followed by a veritable gluttonous feast of Calvisius caviar with zeppole, lobster Bolognese, and roasted branzino. The dinner is $125 per person, and reservations can be made on the restaurant’s website. 2120 Greenwich St. at Fillmore, 415-625-5469.
The prix-fixe menu at ~LOCANDA~ is family-friendly and includes a menu option for children. The menu offers multiple courses, including insalata di mare, rigatoncini with blue crab and urchin, and salt-crusted red snapper. Tickets are $142 for adults or $60 for children, and wine pairings are available separately.
LUNGOMARE in Oakland has a perfect location for a seaside (or bayside) feast and is offering a special seafood menu for $60 per person, $80 with wine pairings. Select à la carte menu options and a children’s menu will also be available. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. 1 Broadway at Embarcadero West, Oakland, 510-444-7171.
Also in Oakland, DESCO is serving their regular à la carte menu as well as an optional prix-fixe option for $48 or $65. The main course is a traditional seafood stew of clams, Mediterranean mussels, poached octopus, prawns, and baby calamari, served with fettunta (grilled bread with olive oil). 499 9th St. at Washington, Oakland, 510-663-9000.
Two of the pastas from my family’s Cenone/Feast of Seven Fishes—our favorite anchovy and bread crumb pasta is the carb mountain in the front. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
Event Info
Thursday Dec 24, 2015
