Holiday Meals To-Go Offered Across Austin In 2020
AUSTIN, TX — The coronavirus may have altered our behavior this year, but special holiday meals abound in Austin. Restaurants across the city are offering all manner of Christmas, Hannukah and New Year's Day cuisine for pickup and delivery — moveable feasts to enjoy with loved ones in the safe comforts of hearth and home.
Following are some of the best picks in town:
1011 S Congress Ave.
Austin Mediterranean restaurant Aba is offering several holiday meal specials for pick-up and delivery this season, officials notified Patch. Patrons can make reservations and order the special meals online here. More details on the restaurant can be found here. Patch recently wrote about this acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant, and the story can be accessed here.
Behold, some Aba holiday offerings:
Hanukkah: Celebrate Hanukkah this year with dinner from Aba. Available for all eight nights, enjoy a special holiday menu featuring a twist on traditional favorites like Smoky Garlic Hummus, Village Salad, Matzo Ball Soup, Potato, Parmesan & Brussels Sprout Latkes, Roasted Brisket with pine nut gremolata, Thyme Roasted Carrots and Labneh; and Rugelach. Available for groups of 2, 4 or 6, and the cost is $48.95 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Order by noon the same day for pick-up through Dec. 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Virtual Holiday Dinner with Chef CJ Jacobson on Dec. 19: Join Aba and Chef Partner CJ Jacobson for a special Virtual Holiday Dinner! Settle in to their private Zoom event, toast to the holiday season with your sommelier-selected bottle of red or white wine from Rhone Valley, France and enjoy live acoustic guitar. The dinner features a mezze feast including Charred Eggplant Spread, Crispy Short Rib Hummus w/ House Bread, Local Greens Salad with tahini vinaigrette, Harissa Shrimp Cocktail, Roasted Chicken Tagine (demo included!) and Isot Double Chocolate Cake. Cost is $85, plus tax, per person, plus a 3 percent event fee. The dinner is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. Order by Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. for pick-up or delivery on Dec. 19 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve: This year, enjoy a Christmas Eve feast from Aba. Just for the holiday, Chef CJ Jacobson has created a menu including specials like Wild Mushroom Hummus; Stracciatella with Persimmon; Grilled Chicken Kebab with Lemon Dill Rice; Braised Short Rib with gunpowder spiced potatoes, barberry glaze and tamarind jus; Crispy Brussels Sprouts; Thyme Roasted Carrots and Labneh; and Isot Double Chocolate Cake. Available for groups of two, four or six, and the cost is $48.95 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Order by Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. Pickups and deliveries are on Thursday, Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Year's Eve At Home: This year, celebrate New Year's Eve at home with Aba! Toast to 2021 with a Mediterranean feast. Menu items include Marinated Feta & Olives, Smoky Garlic Hummus with House-bread, Truffled Stracciatella, Shrimp Cocktail with Harissa Cocktail Sauce, Filet Mignon w/ Truffled Potatoes, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Isot Double Chocolate Cake. And there are an assortment of NYE party favors included to help kick off the celebration. Cost is $79.95 per person, available for parties of two, four or six. Order by Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. Pick-up and delivery on Dec. 31 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
New Year's Day Brunch At Home: Celebrate the New Year with a Mediterranean Brunch at home with Aba! The menu includes Seasonal Berries, Muhammara with House-bread, Jerusalem Bagel with Smoked Salmon Spread, Short Rib Shakshuka, Strawberry Drop Biscuit with Strawberry Sumac Chantilly Creme. Full bottles of wine and cocktails to-go will also be available. Cost is $35.95 per person, available for groups of two, four or six. Order by Thursday, Dec. 31 by 2 p.m. Pick-up and delivery on Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The potato, parmesan and brussels sprout latkes from Aba. Courtesy image.
BAKERY LORRAINE AT DOMAIN NORTHSIDE
This holiday season, Bakery Lorraine will offer a selection of festive desserts perfect for sharing. Offerings include the bakery's apple cranberry pie made with a unique fusion of fresh ingredients and perfectly dusted with Christmas spice. A twist on the classic apple pie, the Dutch apple pie is made with four types of fresh apples and topped with a delicately crafted apple assortment. And the bakery's legendary Whiskey Pecan Pie offers an extra kick of Jack Daniels No. 7 Whiskey. All holiday pies are available for $26.
Bakery Lorraine also is offering its once-a-year treat, Buche De Noel ($48), handcrafted with edible whimsical art chaning yearly. The treat features a fluffy vanilla mousse, cherries and a dreamy chocolate sponge cake saturated in a special kirsch syrup.
All items can be pre ordered in-store or online through the Bakery Lorraine website. The last day to place a preorder will be Friday, Dec. 18 for Christmas Eve pickup. The Buche De Noel is available for pickup through Dec. 31. Items will be available for preorder at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio and Austin. Visit the Bakery Lorraine website for more details.
The Bakery Lorraine yule log, in all its mouth-watering splendor. Courtesy image.
Hill Country Galleria
Celebrate the holiday Argentinian style via Buenos Aires Cafe. The eatery is offering a holiday dinner for four-plus for $180 plus tax. The feast consists of:
Pre-order by Dec. 22 by calling (512) 441-9000 or (512) 994-0662, with pick-up on Dec. 24 by 4 p.m.
17 W. 4th St.
The Capital Grille is offering a three-course family-style dinner for takeout, featuring Roasted Whole Beef Tenderloin with choice of Butter Poached North Atlantic Lobster Tails or Scampi-style Jumbo Shrimp, salad, sides and its signature brûlée-style Cheesecake for dessert. The restaurant is also offering two takeout options for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. First, the restaurant is offering a four-course dinner with selection of either Whole Rack of Bone-in Filet or Kona Crusted Bone-in Prime Rib, New England Clam Chowder, salad, sides and dessert. Guests may also order Holiday Sides at Home, with elevated classics such as Lobster Mac ‘N Cheese and Hoisin-Glazed Brussels Sprouts among other seasonal staples. Each option serves four to six. Additionally, The Capital Grille is offering two Holiday Grille Boxes for at-home chefs, featuring hand-cut steaks ready to prepare at home. Options include Surf and Turf with four lobster tails, four 10-ounce filets and The Capital Grille Signature Steak Sauce; or Bone-in Porcini Ribeye with four 22-ounce cuts, porcini rub and a bottle each of extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic. For more information or to place an order, visit TheCapitalGrille.com.
Various locations
During the upcoming holidays, enjoy Family Bundles from Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, featuring scratch-made classics to feed the entire family. Guests can select from entrées like House-Smoked Baby Back Ribs, hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, Grilled Salmon or a combination of these guest favorites — all of which include two family-sized sides and a half-dozen signature Honey Butter Croissants, starting at $24.99. Guests can also add beer, wine or cocktails to go, where permissible, such as Cheddar’s Texas Margarita or Painkiller. To order online for curbside pickup, visit Cheddars.com or download the Mobile App.
7301 Burnet Rd., Suite 101
New-school shabu-shabu restaurant DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya is now open for daily dine-in service at reduced capacity with safe social distancing. The restaurant will offer a chef selects menu, including two omakase and a menu of curated sake pairing options and beverages to add to the experience. Reservations are highly recommended, and available via Resy or by calling (512) 298-6289. DipDipDip will continue to offer its Pop-Up Shop at the DipDipDip Ice Cream window seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can order dipping sandwiches, such as the new chicken karaage sandwich, rotating milkshake flavors (can be made boozy), and assorted artisanal ice cream pints to-go. Open daily, Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Photo by Jane Kim courtesy of DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya.
301 E. 5th St.
9400 B Arboretum Blvd.
Eddie V’s is offering a luxe four-course holiday dinner for takeout, featuring choice of entree, Chilled Gulf Shrimp Cocktail Style; Classic Caesar Salad; elevated accompaniments such as Truffled Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Asparagus, Three Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes; and a Bananas Foster Butter Cake for dessert. Entrée selections include Chilean Sea Bass or Herb-Roasted Tenderloin. Dinners serve either two or four to six people and are available to order for pickup on December 23, 24, 30 or 31. Additionally, guests who make a gift card purchase of $500 or more will receive an elegant martini set and an additional gift card worth 10 percent of the purchase. For more information or to place an order, visit EddieV.com.
101 Red River St.
Impress without the stress while enjoying dishes created by the hotel’s acclaimed culinary team. From turkey and honey glazed ham to apple tarts or bourbon pecan pie — let the landmark property’s talented team help usher in the most magical time of the year. Service for four is priced at $199, and service for 8 costs $379. Pickup date is Dec. 24 between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Fairmont Austin. Learn more and preorder here.
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Austin.
Hill Country Galleria
FoliePop’s is offering a decadent festive dessert, the Bûche de Noël, or a French Yule Log. This is a reimagined version of the traditional Christmas dessert by Executive Pastry Chef Antoine Chassonnery, FoliePop's officials tell Patch. The body of the Bûche is a mix of chocolate mousse, Madagascar vanilla cream and salted caramel with pecans, topped with three chocolate hazelnut pops and three mango & passionfruit pops. All of this sits on a crunchy honey and hazelnut biscuit base. Available now for pre-order through the website, the Bûche De Noël costs $75 and feeds six people. Due to the intricate handcrafted process, the dessert is available for pre-order only until Dec., with pick-up is available through Dec. 31 at the FoliePop's Factory, adjacent to the dine-in space.
Photo by Nicola Gell courtesy of FoliePop's.
1703 S. 1st St.
Fresa's has launched pre-sales for its holiday tamales. The restaurant is taking pre-orders and pick-ups will be on Dec. 22, Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 at the South First location, 1703 S. 1st St., in South Austin. Patrons can order online at fresaschicken.com or by phone at (512) 915-0362.
Here are the delicious details:
Holiday Tamale Meals: One Dozen Tamales served with Charro Beans, Mexican Rice, Salsas and Queso or Guacamole. Black beans and white rice are also available.
Chicken Tinga Tamales $32.
Black Bean and Cheese Tamales $30.
Just Tamales served with salsas: Chicken Tinga $22 dozen and black bean and cheese $20 dozen.
Fresa's has desserts too: Mexican Wedding Cookies for $9 a dozen and brown butter fudge brownies at $14 a dozen.
Image courtesy of Fresa's.
Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St.
This New Year’s Eve, the acclaimed Garrison will celebrate with the launch of its highly anticipated pop-up dinner series that features a decadent, six-course tasting menu, complete with wine pairing options. Pricing:
$125 per person (6 p.m. seating) | +$45 with wine pairing.
$155 per person (9 p.m. seating)| +$45 with wine pairing.
Dedicated to open flame, wafting smoke and the highest-quality meats, seafood and local produce, Garrison is acclaimed for the extraordinary experience and spirit of culinary exploration it presents to guests. Served by the truly passionate, and prepared by the most skilled, flavors start with superior ingredients that are defined by unique preparations.
Recognized as a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner for its wine program, Garrison redefines dining in the heart of Austin. Stay tuned for information and dates for this exceptional pop-up dinner series leading up to Garrison’s re-opening in early 2021.
WHEN: Dec. 31 (two seatings: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
WHERE: Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St.
Photo courtesy of Garrison.
1023 Springdale General 1D
For the end of the year celebrations, reknowned pastry chef Julie Myrtille has imagined a buche and desserts, sweet and savory, classic or gluten-free offer to accompany your festive meals. High-quality artisanal pastries are available to make your holidays a success. Celebrate this holiday season with the chef's Buche de Noel to treat your family.
BÛCHE DE NOËL
Triple chocolate yule log (gluten-free): This log was firts created in 2017, and its popularity has grown ever since. The irresistible, all-chocolate treat comprises an Almond Dacquoise sponge, white chocolate mousse, milk chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse.
The Nutcracker Yule Log: Launched in 2019, this version was inspired by Tchaikovsky's ballet by the same name. This delicious log consists of a genoise biscuit soaked in homemade vanilla syrup, crunchy praline and praline mousseline cream.
Buche de Noel pre-ordering is offered through Dec. 17. with pickup at the bakery on Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2:30p.m. and Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The bakery is closed on Christmas Day. E-Boutique : www.juliemyrtille.us. Blog : www.juliemyrtille.com.
Image courtesy of Julie Myrtille Bakery.
2713 E. 2nd St.
The restaurant in October launched the dining experience "Omakase Club" after being closed for several months during the pandemic. The dining experience features three different set menus to choose from, with options that suit vegetarians and pescetarians. Kemuri has also revamped its space to operate only on the covered patio space, with tables spaced at a minimum of six-feet apart in compliance with physical distancing provisions. With the typical holiday gatherings likely not a possibility for many this year, Kemuri Omakase Club is a great option for an intimate and special way to celebrate the holiday season.
Each evening, there will be three omakase sets to choose from, including “O-niku Omakase,” a smoked meat-focused menu; "O-sakana Omakase,” a pescetarian-friendly menu; or the "O-yasai Omakase," a vegetarian menu. True to omakase-style dining, dishes and menus will rotate periodically to showcase what is in season and in production in the kitchen. The Tatsu-Ya Beverage team has developed a curated menu of cocktails, sake, whisky and shochu — including options for beverage pairings with each omakase.
The Omakase Club previews redefined, elevated dishes from Kemuri’s revamped menu, which is slated to feature an à la carte menu and options for omakase service, at a later time. Reservations for a limited number of seatings each night online via Resy or by calling (512) 803-2224. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
As part of the restaurant's new precautions, the entry has been moved to the west side of the building, in the back of the parking lot. More information about the new procedures for guests and staff can be found here.
Photo by Jane Kim courtesy of Kemuri Tatsu-Ya.
Mueller / Aldrich Street
L'Oca d'Oro will be celebrating the holidays with special holiday subscription bags, perfect for holiday meals or to give as gifts. The Christmas bag will include several standards from their Feast of the Seven Fishes, the traditional Italian Christmas dinner, with housemade Bucatini and anchovy butter and Baccala Mantecato (whipped salt cod).The New Year's offering will be an elegant dinner featuring the sort of luxe items you'd expect dining at L'Oca d'Oro on the last holiday of the year. More details to be shared on their social media pages. Both holiday subscriptions are available as meals for 2 or 4 people and with optional wine add-ons. More info at table22.com/loca-doro.
Various locations
This holiday season, Olive Garden is offering the convenient Italian favorites with its Bake at Home Family Meals. Choose between two chilled and ready-to-bake family favorites — Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells (serves 5 starting at $39.99) or Classic Lasagna (serves 6 starting at $44.99) — served with a jumbo house salad, bottle of signature Italian dressing and one dozen ready-to-bake breadsticks. Complete your holiday celebration by adding wine To Go, starting at $15 a bottle. Order online and have your meal delivered safely, right to your car at www.OliveGarden.com.
Hill Country Galleria
Items to order include: Smoked ham, 6-8 pounds, feeds 16-21 people; $80 smoked whole brisket, 7-8 pounds whole and unsliced, feeds 18 to 21 people; $179 smoked turkey breast, four pounds, feeds 8-12 people; $69 smoked whole turkey, 9 to 11 pounds, feeds 10-12 people; $69 10-inch pecan, pumpkin or buttermilk pies only available for Christmas at $24 each. Ordering details:
Pre-order by calling (512) 263-4060 or online (nationwide shipping also now available).
Pre-order deadline for smoked ham, whole smoked brisket, whole turkeys, turkey breast and 10-inch homemade pies available through Dec 20.
Orders must be picked up between Dec. 21 through Dec. 24 (choose at checkout). Must be picked up by 3 p.m. on Dec. 24.
11800 Domain Blvd., Suite 700
Yard House is helping guests make the most of home game day watch parties this holiday season with its Tailgate Takeout Pack featuring signature chicken nachos, wings (traditional, boneless or Gardein, with choice of sauce) and a choice of two pizzas for $50. For more information and to order online, visit YardHouse.com.
This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch
