These Central Jersey restaurants are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The season of giving may be rewarding, but it sure isn't easy. Between buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house and planning gatherings with family and loved ones, there isn't a lot of time to do much else — especially spend hours in the kitchen.
However, these Central Jersey restaurants can take a little off your plate — literally. They're open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner, so you can take at least one night off this holiday season.
Catherine Lombardi, New Brunswick
Christmas Eve
Inspired by the co-owner's Italian grandmother's living room and favorite family recipes, it's only suitable that Catherine Lombardi is open Christmas Eve to serve the Feast of the Seven Fishes in its red-walled dining area where a fireplace is always near.
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The $90 four-course menu includes options such as baked shrimp with crabmeat stuffing, spaghetti with anchovy black olive sauce, and stuffed calamari with red sauce. The regular a la carte menu is also available. Seatings are available from 3:30 to 8 p.m.
Go: 3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick; 732-296-9463, catherinelombardi.com
Chez Catherine, Westfield
Christmas Eve
With French specialties like escargot, steak tartare and boeuf au poivre, Chez Catherine has been a celebratory restaurant destination since it opened nearly half a century ago. But this year, things are going to be a little different. Although Chez Catherine will be open for Christmas Eve, it will be closed for the following three days, a rarity for the busy restaurant.
"I do believe that once in a while even though we work in the restaurant business, we have the right to celebrate Christmas with our regular family, especially after almost two dreadful years due to the COVID-19," said owner Stephane Bocket. "My staff will be able to enjoy some more free time with their families, as will I."
On Christmas Eve, Chez Catherine will be open from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m. with their regular, three-course $75 prix fixe menu and $90 four-course menu. Options include dishes such as Dover sole, roasted chicken breast, Black Angus New York strip steak and pan-seared duck breast. Some specials will also be available, including truffles, caviar and other delicacies.
Go: 431 N. Ave W, Westfield; 908-654-4011, chezcatherine.com
The Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick
Christmas Eve
It may be chilly outside, but it's always cozy the Frog and the Peach, even inside its heated Garden Room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Visitors can enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner here this holiday season, as well as in the restaurant's other brick-lined and wood-detailed spaces.
The Frog and the Peach, which has been called the best restaurant in the state, will offer the holiday meal from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner. Visitors can choose from the restaurant's regular a la carte menu, as well as from a selection of specials such as Point Pleasant lobster cannelloni and grilled venison loin.
Go: 29 Dennis St., New Brunswick; 732-846-3216, frogandpeach.com
Grain House at the Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
Christmas Eve
With original beamed ceilings, fireplaces, hearths and rustic décor, the Grain House at the Olde Mill Inn offers just the kind of warmth you're looking for to escape that December chill this Christmas Eve.
The restaurant inside the Olde Mill Inn will offer a buffet from 4 to 8 p.m. for $68 per person. Dishes include cider-basted turkey with cornbread stuffing, apples and leeks; sweet potato mash with praline crumb topping; and eggplant rollatini with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
Go: 225 Morristown Road, Basking Ridge; 908-221-1150, oldemillinn.com/grain-house
Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge
Christmas Eve
Acclaimed Heirloom Kitchen, which is run by a former "Top Chef" contestant and offers an everchanging four-course prix fixe menu, is often a destination for celebrations due to its high-end fare and cozy digs.
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On Christmas Eve, Heirloom Kitchen will offer a three-course prix fixe meal for $95 per person from 3 to 8 p.m. Due to the nature of the restaurant — the menu changes weekly and features hyper-seasonal ingredients — the menu will not be finalized until later this month.
Go: 3853 Route 516, Old Bridge; 732-727-9444, heirloomkitchen.com.
Lambertville Station, Lambertville
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
It's not easy to find a restaurant serving on Christmas Day, but the doors of Lambertville Station will be open on the holiday as it offers both an a la carte menu and a buffet in its ballroom. The restaurant, which is located in a historic train station, will also be open on Christmas Eve with its regular menu.
On Christmas Day, the $60 per person buffet will be served from noon to 6 p.m. It has options such as made-to-order pasta, crab-stuffed flounder, a roasted turkey carving station, butternut bisque and freshly-baked rolls. The a la carte menu, served from noon to 7 p.m., offers entrees for $22 to $46 per person with selections including rack of New Zealand lamb, glazed ham, holiday turkey, vegan meatloaf and roast duck.
Go: 11 Bridge St., Lambertville; 609-397-4400, lambertvillestation.com
Ninety Acres, Peapack
Christmas Eve
There's been a lot happening at Natirar, the estate that formerly belonged to the king of Morocco. Several of the property's luxury homes have been completed, and a hotel and spa is currently being constructed. But to some, Ninety Acres — the estate's farm-to-table restaurant — will always be the gem of the lush acreage.
Ninety Acres will be open Christmas Eve from 4 to 8 p.m. with a three-course meal for $105 per person. Menu options include slow-poached Natirar egg, grass-fed filet mignon, celery root and chestnut soup, and dark chocolate peppermint tart.
Go: 2 Main St., Peapack; 908-901-9500, natirar.com/i/downloads/Christmas_Eve.pdf
Orchard Park, East Brunswick
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Surrounded by sycamore trees engulfed in twinkling lights, Orchard Park — a New American restaurant on the grounds of a 15-acre French country estate — is a holiday spectacle in itself. (And it's also the neighbor of largest animated light show in the state.) But on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the eatery owned by celebrity chef David Burke will be serving its own holiday cheer.
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The regular, a la carte menu will be served for Christmas Eve dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. with to-be-determined specials. An also to-be-determined Christmas Day pre-fixe menu will be served from noon to 8 p.m. for $85 per person.
Go: 670 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick; 732-554-5714, orchardparkbydb.com
Stone House at Stirling Ridge, Warren
Christmas Eve
With stone walls, ceilings with exposed wood beams, and candlelit chandeliers, the Stone House at Stirling Ridge brings holiday ambiance any time of year.
On Christmas Eve, the New American destination will serve a three-course dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. for $65 per person. The menu will include options such as chicken liver mousse, shrimp cocktail, short rib, Niman Ranch pork chop, pear crostata and white chocolate bread pudding.
Go: 50 Stirling Road, Warren; 908-754-1222, stonehouseatstirlingridge.com
Summit House, Summit
Christmas Eve
The Summit House is known for putting modern twists on classic American dishes, and it'll do just that when it's open for Christmas Eve dinner.
The three-course prix fixe menu, which will be served from 2 to 7 p.m. for $95 per person, includes options such as braised pork shank, Barnegat scallops, lobster bisque, prime rib and petits fours.
Dinner will be served on white tablecloths in the eatery's warm space, outfitted with wood floors, stone walls and black-and-white tile surrounding the bar.
Go: 395 Springfield Ave., Summit; 908-273-6000, summithousenj.com.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Central Jersey restaurants open on Christmas Eve, Day
