Christmas Dinner at Scarpetta
Don’t know where to enjoy your Christmas feast this year? Try some of our favorite restaurants, listed here:
AZUL
Head to Azul {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288}, in the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and indulge in an impressive, four-course feast. These prix-fixe dinners feature inventive plates like Foie Gras Torchon with bee pollen, kumquat, pomegranate, coffee, and popover; Bichotan Grilled King Crab with yakitori, coconut-lime, Thai chili, and persimmon; and Suckling Pig with swiss chard, apple cider, quince, and mustard. A kids a la carte menu will be available for children 12 and under. Azul is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. It’s priced at $125 per person.
LA MAR BY GASTON ACURIO
Also in the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, La Mar by Gastón Acurio {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8288} serves up haute, creative Peruvian cuisine. On Christmas Eve, La Mar will offer an assortment of Christmas Eve dishes on its a la carte menu, like Pastel de Choclo with beef, mushrooms, artichokes, fontina cheese, huancaina sauce, or Cordero, Colorado rack of lamb, huacatay, tandoori, fingerling potatoes, zucchini, parsnip, and seco sauce. Then, come back on Christmas Day for La Mar’s famous Sunday champagne brunch. Brunch has three price points: it is priced at $85 per person for unlimited champagne and brunch, $120 per person for premium entrees (including unlimited Charles Heidsieck champagne), and $35 per child ages 6-12. La Mar is open for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Christmas Day brunch from Noon to 3:30 p.m.
IZZY’S FISH & OYSTER
On December 24, head to Izzy’s Fish & Oyster {423 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.397.8843} for the restaurant’s Feast of the Seven Fishes. Start with the On the Rocks plate with Bay scallops, Shiro Shoyu, yuzu, Florida avocado, and Key Lime, and move on to other fish courses, like Oysters on the Half Shell with Champagne Mignonette and Linguini with clams, chili, lemon, and breadcrumbs. Finish it up with dessert: Grandma Celia’s Lemon Meringue Pie is sure to be delicious. Izzy’s Fish & Oyster will be open on Christmas Eve from 6 p.m. to close. Dinner is priced a $65 per person and $100 per couple, and wine pairings for each course are available for $25 per person.
STRIPSTEAK BY MICHAEL MINA
This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, go to StripSteak by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, for a three-course, holiday-inspired prix-fixe menu. Start with Roasted Baby Beets with Acacia honey vinaigrette, candied hazelnuts, blue cheese, balsamic, and watercress; and move on to the main course, Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with Malabar peppercorn, fingerling potato confit, and parsley mustard purée. For dessert, enjoy a true Christmas treat: warm apple crumble with eggnog ice cream. StripSteak by Michael Mina is open from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is priced at $75 per person.
SCARPETTA
Another Fontainebleau spot, Scott Conant’s haute Italian locale, Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4660}, is serving up a rustic, yet elegant holiday dinner with a nod to Italy’s famed Feast of the Seven Fishes. Available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this four-course feast centers around the sea. On the menu? Cioppino with mussels, clams, prawns, and shellfish brodo; Tagliatelle with lobster, crab, concentrated tomato, and pickled ramps; Seared Snapper with spiced fennel purée, fregola nero, and salsa verde; and for dessert, Salted Caramel Budino with rum chantilly and gingerbread. Scarpetta will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dinner is priced at $75 per person.
BULLA GASTROBAR
Head to Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107}, which one location in Coral Gables and another in Doral, and indulge in a Christmas-inspired dinner market menu leading up to the big day. While the restaurant won’t actually be open on Christmas Day, leading up to December 25, guests can order a la carte holiday-esque dishes like Ensalada de Pollo y Gabon, Croquetas, Sopa de Mariscos Navideños, and a Coquito cocktail.
PISCO Y NAZCA
This holiday season, Pisco y Nazca {8405 Mills Drive #206, Kendall; 305.630.3844} is offering a special market menu for a Christmas-style dinner, including plates like Ceviche Tropical, Arroz con Pollo, and for the main drink, a Christmas in Miami cocktail. While the restaurant won’t actually be open on Christmas Day, guests can order these holiday dishes a la carte from now until December 24.
DB BISTRO MODERNE
If you’re looking for a haute Christmas Eve meal, look no further than Executive Chef Clark Bowen’s three-course, prix-fixe dinner at db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown Miami; 305.421.8800}. Choose from seasonal starters like Lobster Soup with lobster ravioli, tarragon, and butternut squash; Endive and Escarole with spiced nuts, orange segments, and Parmesan; Roasted Beets with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese; and more. For the main event, try the Spaghetti Chitarra with King Crab, fennel, and saffron, or perhaps the Duck Breast with sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and duck jus. The Steak Frites with supergreen spinach, pommes Pont-Neuf, and shallots are a guaranteed delight, and for a sweet ending, try the Bûche che de Noel Nouveau: a mix of passion fruit crémeux, macadamia nuts, and pineapple sorbet. Reservations for Christmas Eve dinner can be made between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. To make a reservation, call 305.421.8800.
PALME D’OR
When you want to go all out for a holiday, there’s nowhere better to go than the Biltmore Hotel. Go to Palme d’Or {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}, the Biltmore’s French restaurant, for a five-course Christmas Eve menu prepared by none other than the talented Chef Gregory Pugin. While there, nosh on haute plates like La Fume, smoked salmon with Golden Yukon Potatoes, salmon egg, and cream fraîche; La Truffle Blache D’Alba with Beaufort Tortellini, chestnuts, ham, and Alba White Truffle; La Traditionnel Bûche de Noel, or traditional Christmas cake; and more. This Christmas Eve dinner is priced at $125 per person, and another $75 per person for wine pairings for each course.
QUATTRO GASTRONOMIA ITALIANA
This upscale Northern Italian eatery, located right on Lincoln Road, has a special menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, both of which feature seasonal Alba white truffles. Guests of Quattro Gastronomia Italiana {1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.4833} can order from the a la carte menu or choose a few Christmas specials: like antipasti like Fonduta Tartufata con Crostini, Fontina cheese fondue, poached egg yolk, and toasted biova croutons; Tartare Di Filetto All’Albese, tartar of filet mignon, artichoke salad, and crispy Parmigiano Reggiano; Tagliolini Delle Langhe Al Burro Montato, “langhe” tagliolini in Italian butter sauce; Robespierre Di Filetto Con Porcini, thinly sliced beef tenderloin with sautéed porcini mushrooms; and more. The Christmas menu is available on December 24 and 25, from Noon to 11:45 p.m.
VAGABOND KITCHEN AND BAR
On Christmas Eve, Vagabond Kitchen and Bar {7301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 786.409.5635} is celebrating Christmas Eve with a special four-course menu created by Chef Roberto Dubois. For the first course, enjoy a delicious Lobster Bisque, and for the second course, choose from plates like Foie Gras Terrine, Dive Scallop Gratin, or Endive Salad. The third course has three tasty options: a 12-ounce New York Strip Steak, a Miso Sea Bass, or an Herb Roasted Duck Breast. To end the night on a sweet note, wrap up dinner with one of two desserts, either a Dark Chocolate Bar or Pumpkin Cheesecake. Reservations for Christmas Eve dinner can be made between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., and is priced at $69 per adult and $35 per child under the age of 12.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor