It's crazy, I know, but Christmas is really nine days away. If you’re not feeling up to making a full Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal in the kitchen, Madison restaurants have you covered.
Whether you want to dine out on either holiday, or bring home some take-and-bake delights to enjoy at home, here’s how local restaurants are making your season a little brighter.
Take-Home Meals
Bar Corallini – The Italian restaurant is offering a take-and-bake Christmas Lasagna for $85 that serves 6-8 people, along with sides like salad, tiramisu, even canned negronis. Order by Dec. 17 for pickup before Christmas Eve.
Bonfyre American Grill – This restaurant is offering a full family meal with your choice of short ribs, baked atlantic salmon, turkey breast or prime rib, along with salad, sides and dessert. Or you can order a la carte to enhance your meal at home. Order by Dec. 19.
Heritage Catering – Heritage’s Holiday To-Go includes for $85 per person a dinner of prime rib, ginger-molasses cake for dessert, salad and starters, and you can add on Yorkshire pudding or deviled eggs. Pick up on Dec. 23 for Christmas, or Dec. 30 for New Year’s.
Ollie’s Madison – Chef Dave Heide is offering full take-home meals for two people or for a family, including gluten-free or vegan options. Pick up on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve Specials
Cento – This Italian restaurant is going all-out on Christmas Eve. Not only is Executive Chef Edwin Ramirez offering a specialty menu with entrees and cocktails available only that night, but it’s the last day to enjoy his Feast of the Seven Fishes five-course menu paired with Italian wines.
Lucille – What better way is there to celebrate Christmas Eve than on the final night of Lucille’s Miracle on King Street pop-up, featuring yuletide decor and specialty Christmas-themed cocktails, like coconut hot chocolate and a “Christmapolitan.”
Merchant – Just down the street from Lucille, Merchant is keeping its Christmas Nightmare popup going until New Year’s Eve, with a nightmare cocktail rotation that includes a Spirit of Sandy Claws, a Two Faced Nog and several holiday mocktails.
Cafe Hollander at Hilldale – Cafe Hollander is closing at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, but before they do they’ll serve up a special Danish-style brunch. For an extra-wintry experience, reserve one of their heated domes!
Open on Christmas Day
The Statehouse at the Edgewater Hotel – Spend Christmas Day dinner at Madison’s elegant hotel, with a full menu that includes ham and prime rib, gingerbread tiramisu, and chocolate peppermint pot de creme as well as the Statehouse’s regular menu.
Parkway Family Restaurant – Since it opened in 1990, this restaurant on Fish Hatchery Road off the Beltline has been open Christmas Day, serving breakfast faves, a senior menu and a full kids’ menu.
Taigu Noodles – Not only is this restaurant on Old Middleton Road offering sweet and sour chicken and Dan Dan noodles on Christmas Day, but they’re staying open even later than usual on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Taj Indian – Christmas Day would be a great time to check out Park Street’s brand-new Indian restaurant and cocktail bar, which is taking reservations all day.
Great Dane Pub & Brewing – After all the presents are opened Christmas morning, head out to any Great Dane location, which will be open from 3 - 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
