We’d venture a guess that few people are reluctantly moving forward into 2021, clinging to the year that was because it was oh-so great. Instead, we’re feeling a sense of relief throughout the restaurant industry, as proprietors look for the best way to help their hungry and thirsty customers safely celebrate the holiday season.
Much like Thanksgiving was scaled down, your upcoming December holidays—Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, specifically—will probably look much different than in years past. Fewer customers sitting down in dining rooms means more deliveries, takeout orders, and off-site catering requests.
But just as we learned on turkey day, people want to celebrate. We’ve all spent nearly the entirety of 2020 wishing for the end of the year to swiftly arrive. Now that the new year is so close we can taste it, people are going to want to mark the occasion the best way they know how—with ample quantities of food and booze.
Holiday Packages Are Comin’ To Town
NYC restaurants preparing holiday dinner packages are able to do so because they have the supplies necessary to physically get the food onto the customer’s table in a timely and presentable manner. Gourmet meals made to serve multiple guests require some thought, planning, and specific packaging.
Here's how some local restaurants are feeding the merry masses and New Year’s revelers.
Photo Credit: Hutong
Hutong
This contemporary and fiery restaurant on Lexington Avenue believes that no holiday season in NYC is complete without Chinese food. Hutong serves northern Chinese cuisine, along with dim sum and cocktails in an elegant art deco room. The team at Hutong has worked hard during the quarantine to serve customers safely, both for sit-down dining and “Hutong At Home” drop-off catering service. For the holidays, Hutong takes care of the cooking with a special holiday menu, complete with disposable plates and chopsticks.
Photo Credit: Altro Paradiso
Café Altro Paradiso
Altro Paradiso, from acclaimed chef Ignacio Mattos, is the quintessential neighborhood Italian eatery that also happens to serve elegant and inspiring food. Located downtown on Spring Street, Altro Paradiso offers delivery, takeout, and catering for real-deal Italian at home, but also presents customers with a dine-in prefix dinner for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Served in the dining room or on their heated patio, the holiday dinners are simplified and comforting, yet refined and tuned perfectly to an NYC holiday night out.
Photo Credit: Estela
Estela
On East Houston Street between Mulberry and Mott, there’s Estela—a deceptively laidback bistro that recently earned a Michelin star and named one of the 50 greatest restaurants in the world. Also from Chef Mattos, Estela has entered into the delivery world like most restaurants, but also presents dine-in prefix dinners for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The bold, signature style of Estela has grabbed the attention of critics and eaters alike—and they’re ready to expand your holiday palate.
Photo Credit: Aquavit
Aquavit
Midtown’s Aquavit makes another appearance on our site, this time for their expanded holiday offerings. First, there’s Julbord, an especially elaborate family style meal served only during the Christmas season. This holiday meal encompasses four days of brunch service and two evenings of dinner service, along with an all-day Julbord on Christmas Eve. Aquavit also presents a special Christmas Eve menu for lunch and dinner, as well as a very special “Christmas To Go” menu for customers that wish to stay home for the holidays.
Get Your Supply Orders In With Sam Tell
Let’s help customers shut the door on 2020 by doing what we do best—provide service and hospitality no matter where the party takes place. It’s crucial that your restaurant is prepared with all the possible catering and party supply needs.
Don’t delay. Click here to download our Catering Supplies Catalog or contact your Sam Tell sales rep today!
