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East Village Offers Plenty of Dining Options on Christmas

By Patrick Hedlund | December 24, 2010 9:23am | Updated on December 25, 2010 10:51am

By Patrick Hedlund

DNAinfo News Editor

If New York is the city that never sleeps, than the East Village is the neighborhood that always eats.

The streets may be a little quieter than usual this weekend because of Christmas, but the area's myriad restaurants will still be buzzing with activity to serve all those in search of a holiday feast.

And while Christmas may mean different things to different people — turkey or ham for traditionalists, Chinese food for Jews, or dirty-water dogs for tourists — all can agree they're never at a loss for options.

Here's a rundown of East Village restaurants featuring special menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, for those who don't want stuff a bird in the oven.

Hearth

A traditional family-style Italian dinner is on the menu at this Tuscan-inspired restaurant on Christmas Eve. The four-course, $65 prix fixe "Feast of the Seven Fishes," which is rooted in the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on holy days or Fridays, features clams and salted cod, white anchovies and grilled calamari salad, shrimp and mussel stew, and fried flounder. Top it all off with cannoli and chocolate budino pudding, and then hurry over to midnight Mass to atone for your gluttonous ways. Hearth, 403 E. 12th St. near First Avenue, 646-602-1300.

Zum Schneider

The popular Alphabet City beer garden, which for a decade has served up traditional German suds and schnitzel, arranged a seven-course, $35 prix fixe Weihnachtsessen Christmas Eve menu that includes apple-turnip soup, goose with pretzel and bratwurst stuffing, pan-fried carp filets, and traditional German Christmas cake. Be sure to wash it all down with any of the restaurant's two-dozen-or-so beers to keep you in the holiday spirit. Zum Schneider, 107 Avenue C at East 7th Street, 212-598-1098.

Kajitsu

For neighborhood herbivores, this Japanese restaurant serves the ancient vegetarian shojin cuisine traditional to Zen Buddhism, and is offering a nine-course, $90 prix fixe menu on Christmas Day including grilled walnut sesame tofu and daikon sushi. The restaurant makes its own soba noodles daily in house, and serves green tea from a 300-year-old company based in Kyoto. And since Kajitsu translates to "day of celebration," it seems an appropriate place to settle in for the holiday. Kajitsu, 414 E. 9th Street near First Avenue, 212-228-4873.

Northern Spy Food Co.

This critically hailed year-old New American restaurant is featuring a three-course, $40 prix fixe menu on Christmas Eve that includes chestnut soup with wild mushrooms and spiced pumpkin seeds, roasted pork loin with herbed spaetzle or seared Long Island striped bass, and gingerbread cake with eggnog ice cream. And for those with a conscience, don't worry — the emphasis at this small restaurant is on locally sourced ingredients. Northern Spy Food Co., 511 E. 12th Street near Avenue A, 212-228-5100.

Zerza

For those wanting entertainment to accompany their holiday indulgence, this Moroccan restaurant is featuring Christmas Day belly dancing to go along with your stuffed stomach. Zerza has a three-course, $25 prix fixe menu including codfish tagine, chermoula salmon with cranberry couscous, lamb tagine Mrouzia, Chicken Bastilla and more. The belly dancing starts after 10 p.m., so plan for a late reservation. Zerza, 308 E. 6th St. near Second Avenue, 212-529-8250.

Candela Candela

This Cuban-Italian restaurant offers the best of both culinary traditions, but let's be honest — you're really there for the mojito bar. Choose from classic Italian items like bruschetta and penne a la vodka, or experience more Latin flavors with dishes like empanadas and ceviche. The restaurant has a Christmas Day three-course, $35 prix fixe menu, and live jazz begins at 7 p.m. Candela Candela, 92 Second Ave. near East 5th Street, 212-529-2563.

Katz's Deli

Sure, it'll be packed with tourists hoping to sit at the same table as Harry and Sally, but you can ever go wrong with pastrami on rye at this legendary deli. The Lower East Side staple is open 365 days a year, and for those hoping to export a taste of old New York, Katz's carries a variety of pre-made packages for shipment across the country. Katz's Delicatessen, 205 East Houston St. at Ludlow Street, 212-254-2246.