Christmas falls on a Monday this year, a day when most restaurants are closed anyway. That creates some interesting scenarios for diners who wish to dine out for the holiday.
Your best bet is always to find a hotel restaurant as they are open for all holidays. Don't wait to reserve though as they are scooped up fast.
But there is another interesting thing happening and that is a few restaurants that don't normally open on Sunday, will host diners on Christmas Eve. I noticed Cafe Nuovo and Res American Bistro as two of them.
Other restaurants will open for brunch on Christmas Eve, giving diners a chance for an early meal. Maybe that's the best for families and friends with children who want to be home to await Santa's arrival.
There is a nice surprise that the Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes will be offered at sister restaurants Providence Oyster Bar on Federal Hill in Providence and East Greenwich. You can try it with an Asian twist at Yagi Noodles in Newport. All are serving on Christmas Eve, the traditional night for it.
Look over the list, set your plans and make a reservation so you won't be disappointed.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Preserve Sporting Club's Double Barrel Steak
Double Barrel Steak, The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences, 1 Preserve Boulevar, Richmond, (401) 539-4653, will seat diners on Christmas Eve and Christmas for their regular hours of 8 to 11:30 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lunch; and 4:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner. Call for availability.
Avvio Ristorante
90 Hillside Road, Cranston, (401) 942-2900, avvioristorante.com, serves 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Bellini Providence
50 Westminster St., Providence, at The Beatrice, (401) 443-2960, bellinirestaurant.com/providence, will be open regular hours both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Casino Café & Grille
Bally's Tiverton Casino, 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd., Tiverton, (401) 816-6165, casinos.ballys.com, will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. Prime Rib Dinner ($49) and Baked Stuffed Shrimp ($39) are on the menu which begins Dec. 23. Reservations recommended but not required.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
117 Memorial Blvd., Newport, (401) 847-2244, thechanler.com, offers two seatings at Cara at 5 and 8 p.m. with an 8-course blind tasting menu ($225) and in the Chanler Cafe with seatings from 5 to 8 p.m. with a fixed price, 4-course menu ($120). On Christmas Day, seatings are available from 3 to 7:45 p.m. with a fixed-price 4-course menu ($165) with live music.
DeWolf Tavern
259 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 254-2005, dewolftavern.com, reservations are required for dining on Christmas Eve from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Castle Hill Inn
590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800, castlehillinn.com, serves a four-course dinner ($125) on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. For reservations, email dining@castlehillinn.com and include your full name, phone number, number of guests and any dietary restrictions.
Clark Cooke House
24 Bannister's Wharf, Newport, (401) 849-2900, clarkecooke.com, offers a Christmas menu on Christmas Eve (opening at 11 a.m.) and Christmas Day when they open at 5 p.m.
One Bellevue at the Hotel Viking
One Bellevue Ave., Newport, (401) 847-3300, hotelviking.com, will serve a holiday meal of three courses ($79) at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Wicked Good Bar & Grill
At Bally's Twin River Lincoln, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, casinos.ballys.com will be open for dinner noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. A Prime Rib ($46) and Cranberry Pork Loin ($35) are on the menu which begins Dec. 22. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Gail Ciampa - Providence Journal
SOURCE: PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
