’Twas the night before Christmas (and New Year’s)
I appreciate your kind emails regarding my list of Thanksgiving-friendly eateries in this column a few weeks ago. Now see what you’ve done? I feel obligated to give you a rundown of who’s doing what (and where they’re doing it) on Christmas Eve/Day and New Year’s Eve/Day. This list is by no means exhaustive, because (1) some restaurants wait until the last minute to break the news, and (2) I am allotted only a few paltry drops of ink per week, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. But you can find phone numbers, reservations links and additional holiday listings at RehobothFoodie.com. There I go again, wasting my precious ink on that guy.
The diminutive yet pleasing 14 Global in Bethany Beach is offering a choice of three or four courses on New Year’s Eve - plus the equally pleasing sounds of Paul Cullen on the guitar. The festivities end around 11, so you can scurry home to watch the ball drop in your bunny slippers. The place is small, so reservations are a must.
The traditional New Year’s bash at the Atlantic Sands ballroom will feature a five-hour open bar (gadzooks!), live music and lotsa noshes for $198 a couple. Again, let them know you’re coming. Yet another five-hour open bar (ambulances will be standing by…) can be found at Baywood Greens Clubhouse, accompanied by three courses, live music and lots of paper hats and stuff. Advance tickets only, and make sure you’re sure: They’re nonrefundable.
Blue Moon on Baltimore Avenue serves a holiday dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve, and then turns right around with a four-course New Year’s Eve repast for $100 for the dining room, or add entertainment in the atrium for $60 more. Jump-start 2014 with brunch Jan. 1 from 10:30 a.m. ‘til 2 p.m. (I might see you there.) Or, trek a few blocks west for the New Year’s Day brunch at Bramble & Brine. After that, Joe and Meghan are going home to detox (you know, bunny slippers and all that), so no dinner at B&B New Year’s Day. I still don’t know when those kids sleep.
The Buttery in Lewes is serving Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners. As you would expect, reservations are required if you’ve got a hankerin’ for Chef Aaron Berg’s great vittles. Back on The Avenue, it’s always a party at Dos Locos, and this year Joe and Darryl are keeping it simple. Their mantra? “No cover. No prix fixe. Just fun!” Men of few words, those Dos Locos boys. Around the corner, Pete Borsari and his newly branded Pond will be rockin’ with the sounds of Cherry Crush. Again, just show up and flash your ID.
Hooked Seafood at Midway has two seatings on New Year’s: Arrive at 4 and get five courses for $69, or sit down at 8 for a one-hour open bar, five courses, live music and all the festivities for $145. New Year’s wouldn’t be New Year’s without the traditional dinner and party at Just In Thyme. Call for details. Slightly south at Port Dewey, host extraordinaire Mitch King is pulling out all the stops for New Year’s Eve. Also call for details.
The proverbial Dewey Way of Life hinges on the New Year’s Eve Bash at The Starboard; $29.99 gets you a big buffet, a champagne toast, silly hats and coat check to boot! Sports fans: Dial things back a week and enjoy Christmas dinner starting at 5 at Summer House, surrounded by about 350 TVs, each and every one tuned to some variant of ESPN.
New Year’s at Touch of Italy in Shore Plaza has been sold out for weeks, but there are still a few seats at the Lewes location. On the Boardwalk, join the crystal, china and lace tablecloth crowd at Victoria’s Christmas Day buffet, New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner and New Year’s Day brunch. Reservations are part of the experience. And wait ‘til you see the decorations!
Many people love Chinese food on Christmas. Who would’a thought!? So Shawn and Danielle Xiong’s Confucius will be open and ready for the bah-humbug club on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Think out of the box! Who needs turkey and dressing when there’s Szechuan string beans and hot pepper pork waiting for you on Wilmington Avenue?
Have a fun and filling holiday!
