If you don’t have an Italian grandmother, you aren’t Italian, or you don’t even celebrate Christmas, the only thing that stands between you and the time-honored Feast of Seven Fishes this holiday season is a reservation. Book them now if you want in, because seats are filling quickly at the handful of restaurants honoring the christmastime tradition. To help you navigate the waters, we’ve put together this guide to seven fishes feasts in Philly. Keep reading to see who’s serving them, and when.
Sbraga
Top Chef champ Kevin Sbraga will riff on the Italian holiday feast at his eponymous restaurant’s chef’s counter. From December 17 through 27, Sbraga will serve a six-course Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner. The cost is $75 per person, and for an additional $50, there’s an optional wine pairing.
Ristorante Panorama
Old City’s Panorama is currently offering Festa dei Sette Pesci nightly, and will continue serving it through December 23. The four-course dinner features the traditional seven fishes in plates like lobster-stuffed housemade ravioli, a fried smelts and scungilli-laden antipasti, and a pan-seared Mediterranean sea bass with tomato, fennel and leek fume. The dinner costs $45 per person, and an optional Sommelier’s Italian Islands Mediterranean wine pairing is available for $30 more.
Amis
Of course the the Vetri Family of restaurants is serving up their interpretation of the Italian Christmas Eve feast, offering a four course meal served family style (naturally) on December 23. The dinner runs $75 per person, seatings are limited, and reservations are required.
Davio’s
The Center City Italian steakhouse is doing it up right, serving their take on the seven fishes feast on Christmas Eve (just like your Nonna), Monday, December 24 from 5 to 11 p.m. The $75, four-course prix fixe will feature sautéed jumbo sea scallop, steamed mussels, and calamari ragu, Maine lobster bisque, and a pan seared Branzino filet.
Avalon and Avalon Pasta Bistro
John Brandt-Lee is serving Feast of the Seven Fishes-inspired dinners at both his West Chester- and Downingtown-based restaurants from Friday, December 21 through Monday, December 24. The $45 dinner ($15 for kids) features five courses, including antipasti with fried smelts, anchovies, calamari and more, plus linguini with shrimp, mussels and crab, and a skate wing entree.
