An Irishman emailed me to ask about nice places in Stamford for Christmas Day dinner. I'm a former O'Brien, so I've got to help this man from my ancestral home. (That's Ireland to the right, in a photo I took on a trip there 2 years ago. The country is out of control pretty.) I've never really done Christmas in Stamford proper, but I put together a short list, and I am hoping more knowledgeable readers can add info. The criteria: sophisticated but traditional fare at $50-75 a head including wine. Possibilities:Telluride- new American, upscale yet cozy, good quality food.
Napa and Co- like Telluride, it's right downtown, likely to be open, and has excellent food. It's pricey- if you do drinks and appetizers, it will run easily to 75.
In Greenwich:
Greenwich Hyatt- probably open. Nicest hotel in the area, so might be the priciest option.
Ginger Man- good food, less expensive than Telluride and Napa, but food not as interesting. Ginger Man is cozy has a nice fireplace.
I don't hear great things about Long Ridge Tavern, I don't love Mackenzie's food... so this is all I can come up with who might have a nice Christmas dinner!
Ok Off topic but.....WHO! perverted "Downtown Stamford" into "Stamford Downtown". Impagine saying.."Los Angles Downtown". Unnatural.
ReplyDeleteThe buses in Stamford say "Downtown Stamford" on their displays.
I agree on Mackenzie's - yuck. We have been waiting to try the Ginger Man....
ReplyDeleteNo way is Napa open on Xmas Day, even though it's in a hotel, it's run by a family.
ReplyDeleteI bet Chinese restaurants are open. Try Ching's Table in New Canaan.
Also not sure it would be open on Xmas, but Market is great. I'm pretty sure the Italian restaurants in town would be closed...Chinese is a good idea, but there's nothing great in downtown Stamford...
ReplyDeleteI hereby decree thee Spamford
ReplyDeleteGingerman (greenwich) over telluride any day! But i don't think either would be open on xmas.
ReplyDeleteNo way is Gingerman better than Telluride.
ReplyDeleteHow about Duo or Plateau, if Asian is an option?
ReplyDeleteI know this sounds crazeee -- but fabulous and fun Christmas dinner at City Limits. Major hidden secret.
ReplyDeleteCity Limits isn't crazy at all! That's a great idea, especially for a crowd of people with varying tastes. I love their bread.
ReplyDeleteGalangal is another good option for Asian cuisine.
I've been to several brunches at the Hyatt and was never impressed.
ReplyDeleteI do like City Limits but don't get there often enough. The only draw-back is the noise for a person who has to wear hearing aids.
Makenzies is garbage. They are also overpriced garbage. At least they run a bar, which stamford needs more of.
ReplyDeleteFour visits to Long Ridge Tavern have left me unimpressed with its food. I really wanted to find something decent, since the atmosphere in the restaurant is very nice, particularly during the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Silvermine Tavern! How much more Christmasy can you get?
ReplyDeletethanks for the suggestions everyone...I guess we need to find a listing of what is open. usually the long ridge tavern will be open and will have a traditional meal. How wrong can you go on that?
ReplyDelete(unless you're my sister)
Chinese is the traditional Christmas food of the Jew...so, being half Jew Ive done that too.
I suppose Ill look towards Telluride, Silvermine, City Limits, or...gingerman?
Isn't that incredibly expensive?
Alot of these places have special holiday menus and you have to book in advance. I don't know if the economy is goign to cut that back, but I somehow doubt it at the higher end places.
I really wouldnt mind bringing in food from wholefoods and just making a fire here and watching movies all day...but Mom likes to go out!
I think I'm hanging in there on Santa's "good list" and in an effort to stay there, I can't recommend Telluride for dinner any longer - PARTICULARLY on a holiday and/or weekend (save Sundays, for half-priced bottles) as the dark-haired disaster bartender on staff tends bar (poorly). My fiance and I were regular patrons for several years and the declining quality of the food and horrific mixed drinks and behavior served up by Liz (?) have driven us (along with the vast majority of the bar crowd) out. Napa does not fail to disappoint; the menu changes regularly so it's hard to pin down a "favorite" dish, but I've never had a poor meal. Aria (Washington Street) has also proven to be a contender with respect to food quality in the downtown Stamford area. The mixed drinks are spotty, but the Northern Italian fare is a force to be reckoned with. I can't say enough good things about the lasagna (no 1" thick layer of mozz - instead, a quattro fromaggio blend), so just try it yourself. If neither of those options are available on Christmas, both Galangal and Plateau are pretty tasty. Good luck!
ReplyDelete