7 spots for 7 Fishes: Where to go in Westchester, Rockland for traditional seafood meal
For those who celebrate Christmas, the classic holiday foods of ham, fruitcake, eggnog, and candy canes are annual traditions. But for many Italian-American families, it also means seafood. Specifically, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a massive, seafood-packed meal on Christmas Eve adheres to the Catholic tradition of avoiding meat on certain days.
So where can you go to enjoy this iconic feast? Many Westchester and Rockland spots offer options for takeout or dining in. A sampling follows.
Cornetta's Restaurant, Piermont
This being a seafood-centric eatery, you can order what you want from the menu. There's nothing specific for the Feast of the Seven Fishes but the restaurant is open Christmas Eve and has everything from tuna to mussels to calamari, salmon and shrimp. 641 Piermont Ave., 845-359-9852, cornettas.com
Augustine’s Salumeria, Mamaroneck
Make your reservations for dine-in service on Christmas Eve. The Italian restaurant, a 2023 Michelin Bib Gourmand, will have their regular menu along with plenty of fish specials. That means grilled octopus with red onion, cured olives, pine nuts, raisins, and a chili vinaigrette or mussels with ciauscolo, fennel, fennel pollen, and smoked cherry tomatoes. 213 Halstead Ave., 914-315-6541, augustinesny.com
Bread & Brine, Hastings
This seafood spot has traditionally done a family-style dinner for the holiday and this year is no different with a $75 per person meal featuring fried calamari, oysters, baked clams, shrimp scampi, and spicy rigatoni with lobster fra diavola. The meal is from 4 to 8 p.m. and the regular menu is not available. 19 Main St.,914- 479-5243, breadandbrinehoh.com
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Fin & Brew, Peekskill
A four-course menu is planned for Dec. 24 at this waterside perch where you'll enjoy, among other dishes, a scallop sushi, mussels, pasta with lobster and crab, and a main course of salmon. The "Deck the Halls" dessert is a caramelized white mousse with yuzu cremeux and sesame praline. 5 John Walsh Blvd., 914-788-4555, finandbrew.com
Freddy's, Pleasantville
Get half or full trays to go at this eclectic modern tavern with items like Baked Clams Oreganata, Crabcakes, Tuna Tartare and Branzino. Freddy's also offers lots of veggies such as roasted root vegetables, creamed spinach and spaghetti squash. 472 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, 914-408-0048, freddyspleasantville.com
Norcina, New City
The holiday catering menu at this Italian spot includes baked stuffed clams, seared octopus, linguine and clams, stuffed calamari and more. The restaurant is open Christmas Eve until 5:30 p.m. and closed Christmas Day so order soon. 186 N. Main St., 845-638-8030, norcinanewcity.com
Underhills Crossing, Bronxville
Choose from a five-course, $165 per person prix fixe menu or opt for a la carte options (a limited regular dinner menu will also be offered). Dishes include caviar, peekytoe crab, wild Montauk bass and more. 74 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, 914-337-1200, underhillscrossing.com
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 7 Westchester, Rockland NY restaurants for Feast of the Seven Fishes
