Experience the joy of the holiday season in and around Philadelphia with help from top-tier local restaurants, from memorable prix fixe menus to festive à la carte dishes crafted by premier chefs. Celebrate Christmas with special offerings for both dine-in and takeaway at popular establishments including Forsythia, Square 1682, Stella of New Hope, The Twisted Tail, and Urban Farmer.
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Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary French restaurant and bar in Old City, is celebrating Christmas with a week-long multi-course dinner dubbed Bûche de Noël, available from Monday, December 18 through Saturday, December 23. Bûche de Noël, otherwise known as Yule log cake, is a French Christmas tradition and is highlighted in Kearse’s spirited prix fixe dinner as the final course. For $95 per person, highlights from this menu include Oysters with uni mignonette and osetra caviar, Wagyu Beef Tartare with Jimmy Nardello peppers, beef fat hollandaise, and black truffle, Scallop Crudo with nori-cured foie gras, preserved lemon, and hazelnut, Escargot with chartreuse almond butter and bergamot croutons, Dry-Aged Rohan Duck Breast a L’Orange with caramelized endive, satsuma, and pistachio, and Nutella Bûche de Noël.
Reservations for Bûche de Noël are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Everyday for dinner service from 5pm – 10pm, and Sunday from 5pm – 9pm, and brunch service on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am – 2pm, with happy hour available Monday through Friday, from 5 – 7 pm, and Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm.
233 Chestnut St, Philadelphia | 215.644.9395 | WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook
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Square 1682, the modern American restaurant and award-winning bar located on 17th and Sansom Streets, is boasting a super-festive à la carte Holiday Menu perfect for those looking for an elevated menu to reflect the joy of the holidays. This thoughtfully-crafted menu caters to all palates and is available exclusively on Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24) from 5 – 9pm and boasts a vast array of menu selections with starters of: Burrata Flatbread ($15) with heirloom tomato, basil, and bang cauda, Duck Wings ($15) sambal, honey, sesame, and lime, and Brussel Sprouts ($14) topped with smoked bacon and soubise. Entrée offerings include: Seared Farro Island Salmon ($30) served with confit potato and coriander yogurt, Red Curry and Roots ($22) bomba rice and coconut milk, Half Jerk Chicken ($32) topped with roasted cabbage and 1682 hot sauce, and 16oz Ribeye ($52) accompanied by brown butter potatoes and horseradish demi, followed by dessert options of blood orange Cheesecake ($10) and Chocolate Layer Cake ($10) topped with a graham cracker crumble and whipped cream.
On Christmas Day (Monday, December 25), Square 1682 will offer its brunch menu from 8am until 2pm featuring highlights such as Steak & Eggs ($22) with NY strip, sunny-side-up-eggs, and breakfast potatoes, Rittenhouse Omelet ($17) comprised of tomato, spinach, caramelized onions, white cheddar, and served with breakfast potatoes, Duck Wings & Waffles ($18) buttermilk waffle served with fried wings, honey, sambal, lime zest, and maple syrup,and Cobbler French Toast ($16) topped with braised peaches and streusel, along with an extensive selection of brunch-forward cocktails.
Reservations being highly encouraged and can be made via Open Table.
Hours of operation: Breakfast Monday through Friday 7am – 11am; Brunch Saturday 8am – 3pm and Sunday 8am – 2pm; Lunch Monday through Thursday 11:30am – 2pm and Friday 11:30am – 3pm; Dinner Tuesday through Thursday 5 – 10pm and Friday & Saturday 5 – 11pm; Bar Sunday & Monday 9am – 2pm, Tuesday through Thursday 9am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 9am – 12am
121 S. 17th Street | 215.563.5008 | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River, is offering a Christmas Eve Brunch on Sunday, December 24th from 11 am to 3 pm. Guests can indulge in delicious brunch offerings including the Smoked Salmon Platter ($20) with a toasted everything bagel, caper, cream cheese, heirloom tomato and red onion, and the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($14) served with pure maple syrup. Additionally, Stella will be offering a selection of holiday specials in addition to it’s à la carte brunch menu. Guests can pair brunch with a seasonal cocktail such as As it Should be ($17) madewith pomegranate, Prosecco and rosemary or Not for the Faint of Heart ($16) with bourbon, hazelnut and cold brew.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday 4 pm-9 pm, Friday 4 pm-11 pm, Saturday 11 am – 2 pm, and 4 pm- 11 pm, Sunday 11 am-2 pm, and 4 pm – 9 pm.
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 | 267.740.2691 | www.stellanewhope.com
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The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live blues joint, will be open for brunch and dinner from 11 am to 9 pm on Christmas Eve with live New Orleans style jazz and piano music by Reverend Chris from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Additionally, for those looking to get in the festive spirit ahead of the holidays, The Twisted Tail is hosting a two-day Holiday Blues Brunch on December 16 and 17 boasting live blues music paired with brunch classics.Reverend Chris will be at The Twisted Tail on Saturday, December 16 from 12 pm to 3 pm playing jazzy holiday tunes on the piano while Grammy nominated Philadelphia Bluesman, Randy Lippincott, will set the mood with festive holiday blues on Sunday, December 17 from 12-3 pm. In addition to The Twisted Tail’s brunch mainstays, such as Chicken & Waffles ($18), Brioche French Toasts ($14) and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict ($17), guests can sip on a special festive Hot Apple Cider ($12) with winter spiced bourbon, topped with cinnamon whipped cream.
Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm; Friday 4 pm – 12 am; Saturday 11 am – 12 am; Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
509 S. 2nd St. | 215.558.2471 | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
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Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel, is offering both dine-in and takeout options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
From 4-9 pm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Urban Farmer will be open and offering a selection of holiday specials from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui in addition to its à la carte menu. Guests can enjoy highlights such as the Pennsylvania Ham ($28) with a maple and stone ground mustard glaze, 1855 Beef Ribeye ($50) with shallot merchant du vin sauce and horseradish creme fraiche, or a slice of Bourbon Pecan Pie ($12) served with cardamom spiced chantilly cream. Reservations can be made here.
For those wanting to enjoy a meal at home without having to spend time in the kitchen, Urban Farmer is also offering a Christmas at Home Package for $200 that feeds 4 to 6 people. The package includes a choice of Roasted Prime Ribeye or a Maple Mustard Glazed Ham, an array of sides including House-made Cornbread, Brussel Sprouts, Yukon Gold Potato Purée and Roasted Winter Vegetables, and the choice of Bourbon Pecan Pie, Dutch Apples Pie or Sweet Potato Pie. Those interested can call Urban Farmer at 215.963.2788 to reserve a package. Packages must be pre-ordered at least three days before pick up. Pick up time will be on December 24th and 25th from 12 pm to 3 pm.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am – 9pm, and Sunday, 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
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-Eleni Sterious