To a foodie, it’s not the holidays without a delicious meal. And the best gift of all might be not having to cook it yourself. We found a handful of restaurants throughout NoVA opting to open their doors on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and offer guests a chance to relax on these otherwise busy days. But don’t wait to make a reservation, as these sought-after holiday dining options will fill up fast.
Santé
Enjoy a five-course, Mediterranean-inspired Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City’s new restaurant, which opened in October. Start with an amuse-bouche of tuna tartare or avocado mousse, followed by your choice of lobster bisque or beet-cured salmon. Entrées include salmon en croute, 1855 medallion of filet mignon, or the wildly popular lamb osso bucco. 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington; $89 for adults, $49 for children 12 and under, free for children 3 and under
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern
This 18th century inn will host a five-course “game & seafood dinner” on December 24. Begin the evening with a selection of appetizers, like Oysters Rockefeller from Rappahannock Oyster Company, followed by a lobster bisque, salad, or beets with local cheese. After an intermezzo of cherry cranberry sorbet, it’s time to enjoy the real star of the show—the entrée. Choose from lobster Oscar, surf & turf, a duet of game featuring grilled venison tenderloin and duck leg confit, or stuffed portobello mushroom. 2 East Washington St., Middleburg; $189 per person, $89 wine pairing
Gilbert’s
Gilbert’s will be open Christmas Eve from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with its full dinner menu of wood-fired steaks and seafood, as well as a few specials, including a 12-ounce Kansas City strip au poivre and 6-ounce center-cut filet mignon accompanied by twin Canadian cold-water lobster tails. 6930 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Bastille Brasserie & Bar
Located in Old Town Alexandria, Bastille will serve a three-course Christmas Eve menu of reimagined French classics. Guests may choose from a selection of appetizers, like a warming bisque de homard made with lobster, crème fraiche, brioche croutons, and chives. For the main course, meats and seafood like grass-fed Angus, slow-roasted turkey breast, and Atlantic halibut get delectable French preparations. Or try the risotto à la truffe made with Burgundy truffle and truffle cream. There are several dessert options as well, including, of course, bûche de noël. 606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria; $85 per person, $29 wine pairing
Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita, a new restaurant melding the cuisines of Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Greece that opened in DC’s Logan Circle last month, will serve customers Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The entire menu will be available, as well as a special holiday selection that includes an A5 Wagyu gyro, black forest risotto with winter black truffle, and kunafa with Massaya orange liqueur. 1610 14th St. NW, Washington, DC; menu priced à la carte
Sababa
For the third consecutive year, Sababa will offer its Middle Eastern-influenced Chinese menu it has dubbed “Jew-ish Christmas.” Available for dine-in on December 24 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the menu includes variations of classic Americanized Chinese food, like moo shu brisket, shakshuka “Szechuan” beef, and sesame-spiced cabbage with ginger lime cream. And don’t forget dessert, like Sababa’s lychee-ginger mahalabia, made with lychee pudding, candied ginger, and lychee syrup. 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC; menu priced à la carte
Café 44
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year, but brunch fans don’t have to miss out on their favorite meal of the weekend. Café 44 will host a Christmas brunch weekend from December 24 to 26, with its usual menu of omelettes, eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits, New England lobster rolls, and more, as well as festive holiday cocktails and several chef’s specials. 44 Canal Center Plz., Ste. 401, Alexandria; $35 for pre-fixe three-course menu; à la carte items also available
The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
Nestled along the Potomac River with sweeping views of rolling green hills, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm might provide the relaxing holiday break we all need. Its “winter feast” Christmas Eve menu will delight with a curated selection of hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, entrees, sides, and sweets focused on seasonal, earth-to-table ingredients. 42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville; $150 per person
Feature image, BlueOrange Studio/stock.adobe.com
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