Traveling on Christmas?
Road Trips Foodies who’ll be on the road on Christmas know that it’s sometimes difficult to find that special meal (and, sometimes it’s difficult just to find a restaurant that’s open for business!). Here are some suggestions:
Arizona (Scottsdale): At Trader Vic’s at Hotel Valley Ho, Christmas dinner takes on the flavor of the islands with classics like breast of pheasant, herb-crusted prime rib or roasted salmon from the Chinese oven, along with fabulous starters and desserts. Here,‘s the holiday menu, served from noon-8 p.m. on Friday, December 25, 2009. Call ahead for reservations, though: 480:421-7799, so you don’t pull off the highway and find that they’re already full!
Illinois (Chicago): Mercat a la Planxa, in the Blackstone Hotel, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, featuring their usual tapas, steaks, seafood, cured meats, and cheeses from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. In addition to the regular menu on Christmas Day, there’ll be a special Holiday Feast tasting menu. on Christmas Day. The Blackstone’s at 638 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Call 312:765-0524.
New York (New York City): Murals on 54th, 63 West 54th Street, New York, New York, is serving a Christmas Brunch from noon to 4 p.m. that’s free for children 5 and younger.
England (London): The Butlers Wharf Chop House, 36e Shad Thames, London SE1, England will be open both Christmas Eve and for lunch on Christmas Day.
France (Paris): Au Bon Accueil, 14, rue de Monttessuy, Paris, France, is serving a five-course Christmas lunch menu both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Italy (Rome): The traditional Italian Christmas Eve menu features fish, and that’s what you’ll find in each course of a seven-course dinner at Casa Bleve, Via del Teatro Valle, 48-49, Rome.
(and, a tip of the Road Trips Foodie’s hat to Gisela Williams of The New York Times for some of these suggestions)