MANCHESTER, NH – Looking forward to the holiday celebrations with family and friends, but not being stuck in the kitchen? Relax and make a reservation at one of these restaurants for Christmas Eve or order what you need to make entertaining at home a whole lot easier.
Note: Most restaurants listed have a pre-order deadline, and many are this week. Prices listed do not include beverages, tax, or gratuity. It is best to verify the menu, pricing, ordering deadlines and pick-up times when calling.
Christmas Eve
Spend Christmas Eve at Bedford Village Inn. The menu includes your choice of four courses, and includes dishes like truffled portobello ragout and New England clam chowder as appetizers, butter poached Maine lobster, Niman Ranch pork rack and grilled beef tenderloin as entrees and a dessert buffet in the Great Hall. Seating Times: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the dining room and Corks. Adults $79, children 10 and under, $29. Reservations are required by calling (603) 472-2001.
Campo Enoteca is taking reservations for the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The menu includes five courses with seven different fishes, such as salt cod croquette and a Albacore tuna Bolognese with fresh pasta. Priced at $45 per person. There will not be a children’s menu, but young children can request a plate of pasta with sauce. Reservations required, call (603) 625-0256.
Copper Door is offering a special Christmas Eve menu with your choice of two-courses- $59 per person, three-courses -$69 per person and four-courses – $79 per person. Each course offers a wide selection of choices, like short rib manicotti and tuna tartar for starters, and for entrees: shrimp and scallop carbonara, bone-in New York strip and five-spice roasted duck. This menu is available 4 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Holiday help:
LaBelle Winery will deliver orders of a case or more in Amherst and surrounding towns. Call (603) 672-9898 for details.
Christmas catering:
Angela’s Pasta & Cheese is now taking orders for Christmas. This year’s menu includes salmon and pork pies, side dishes, like spinach and caramelized au gratin potatoes, and roasted mushroom risotto. Orders must be placed by December 19 in the store or over the phone, do not e-mail or fax.
Belmont Hall has a menu of favorites, like scallops wrapped in bacon (50 pieces for $85), chicken teriyaki skewers (50 pieces for $45) and chicken tenders (140 pieces for $85). Entrees include chicken a la king (serves 35 servings for $50), meat lasagna (25 servings for $80) and pork pie ($14).
Celebrations Catering offers an ‘Appetizers at Your Door’ service. For a minimum $300 order, they will deliver and set up for you. The menu includes hot crab meat dip or artichoke parmesan dip with crackers (serves 25 for $50), traditional smoked salmon display (serves 25 for $75), melon wrapped in prosciutto (serves 25 for $50), and sirloin and Cape Cod chicken croissants (serves 25 for $50). There is also a selection of appetizes that need to be heated by host; beef kabobs (serves 25 for $50), pork shao mai (serves 25 for $50) and scallops wrapped in bacon (serves 35 for $100). Looking for something different? Check out their ‘World at Your Door’ menus which include delivery, set up and all paper supplies, silverware and plates.
Golden Rod Restaurant has an extensive menu of hors d’oeuvres and party pans available in half pan (serves 10-15)or full pan (serves 25-30) . Look for scallops wrapped in bacon (40 pcs for $40), spinach pita (40 triangles for $25), and deviled eggs (36 pcs for $25). Party pans include stuffed shells ($30/$60), pastichio or moussaka (full pan only- $38), and American chop suey (half pan for $25). All orders require a minimum of 48 hours notice, be sure and check on Christmas requirements.
Jerome’s Deli in Londonderry offers party favorites like crab stuffed mushrooms, a selection of meatballs and chicken sate skewers. Also check out the extensive menu of entrees, sold in pans that feed 8-12. Look for meat lasagna, chicken Marsala, steak tips au poivre and chicken pesto ravioli.
Johnny Troy’s has a menu of classic Italian dishes, including arangini , available in beef, spinach and three-cheese ($2 ea.), antipasto (half-tray $35, full tray $60), eggplant parmesan (half-tray $28, full-tray $49), and chicken-ziti-broccoli-alfredo (half-tray $42, full-tray $70). Order ahead of time, the restaurant closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Mr.Macs grab a tray of mac & cheese, feeds 8-12 in flavor combinations like lobster mac, shrimp scampi mac, cheeseburger mac and American chop suey, prices vary.
Order pork pie ($14.99) and salmon pie ($16.99) online at Red Arrow Diner a minimum of 48 hours ahead, and pick up at any of their three locations.
T Bones Market has a grab n’ go menu perfect for holiday parties. Appetizers come in two sizes- serving 6-10 and 10-20 people. The menu includes espinaca con queso and chips ($17.50/$31.50), and boneless tenders (450/$90). Entrees include roast turkey dinner with stuffing and gravy ($70/$126), lobster mac & cheese ($80/$144), pot roast with gravy ($90/$126) and chicken pot pie ($85/$153). Call (603) 836-3903 about holiday hours and ordering.
Christmas confections
Angela’s Pasta & Cheese is now taking orders for Christmas. This year’s menu includes holiday shortbread cookies, gingerbread and cranberry orange bread. Orders must be placed by December 19 in the store or over the phone, do not e-mail or fax.
Bakeshop Kelley Street has pastry trays with choices like mini eclairs, cream puffs, cannoli and lemon squares. (24 pieces for $24, 36 pieces for $32 and 50 pieces for $40). Call for holiday ordering instructions.
The Black Forest Cafe is taking orders for holiday desserts. The holiday menu includes pies, cakes and holiday cookies. And for gluten-free, a chocolate cream pie and a white chocolate Frangelico torte. Orders must be placed by December 20.
Dulces Bakery has an extensive menu of cupcakes, plus Spanish sugar cookies, eclairs, and Tres Leches cups. Place your holiday order ahead of time (603) 836-1933.
Finesse Pastries has a holiday menu full of pies, cakes, tarts and specialty items. Look for peppermint cheesecake($26.95/$32.95), a chocolate Buche de Noel ($22.95/$28.95), and a Croquembouche ($4 per person). Pre-orders accepted through December 17.
Kay’s Bakery is taking orders for sweet and savory pies for the holiday. Order by December 19.
No need to bake this year, just order platters of assorted holiday cookies from Michelle’s Gourmet Pastries (2.5 dozen, $15.99 or 5 dozen, $29).
Frederick’s Pastries has an extensive menu of holiday desserts, including a gingerbread torte, eggnog torte, mini whoopie pies and cannoli chips and dip. They also have gluten-less cakes.
Queen City Cupcakes holiday menu includes cupcakes in eggnog, Christmas pretzel, gingerbread spice, cannoli and candy cane crinkle. Pre-order by December 22 for pick up on December 24 from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Order holiday cakes and pies online at Red Arrow Diner. Order any of their more than 30 homemade treats a minimum of 48 hours ahead, and pick up at any of their three locations.
