Season's Eatings
Having all your loved ones together for a grand holiday dinner may be the goal. But the reality is you have to make sure you have a vegetarian option for your brother, remember to not use milk in the gravy because of your lactose-intolerant mother-in-law, and figure out which one of your nephews is allergic to nuts.
It’s a lot.
What if everyone could have exactly what they wanted this year for dinner and you didn’t have to make one trip to the grocery store? It’s not a Christmas miracle, it’s going out to eat.
A number of restaurants (centrally located!) still have availability on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hotel restaurants are often your best option, usually offering a bit more flexibility on times. Act fast, though, as reservations are filling quickly.
While you’re making reservations, you may want to book for New Year’s Eve, too. It’s not too early to think about next year!
Coppin’s at Hotel Covington
638 Madison Avenue Covington
Dinner served Friday – Saturday, 5–10 p.m.
hotelcovington.com/dining/coppins
Coppin’s, in Hotel Covington, is approachable, intimate, and comfortable with a sense of style and sophistication. Their culinary team is dedicated to sustainable sourcing of meat, fish and game and working with regional and local farmers and artisans to provide seasonal variations. The restaurant serves breakfast through dinner.
Council Oak Steaks and Seafood
Hard Rock Casino, 1000 Broadway
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 5 – 11 p.m.
www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com/dining/council-oak
Must be 21 to enter casino
The newest steakhouse in town includes a side of fun at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.
The namesake for the restaurant comes from an actual tree located on the Seminole Tribe of Florida reservation in Hollywood, Florida where ceremonial and official tribal business is conducted. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is the parent entity of Hard Rock International.
Along with great starters, from bacon and green apple salad to jumbo crab cake and classic French onion soup, the restaurant has dry aged for 28 days 100% U.S.D.A. bone-in prime ribeye, New York strip, porterhouse, and rack of lamb along with lobster, scallops, king crab, and shrimp.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood
21 E. Fifth St.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Holiday prix fixe menu available Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
www.mccormickandschmicks.com/cincinnati
Conveniently located across the street from Fountain Square, McCormick & Schmick’s is renowned for fresh seafood and shellfish but also aged steaks, garden fresh salads, and decadent desserts.
The prix fixe menu starts with mixed greens, classic caesar or clam chowder, with salmon or cobia, filet mignon or lobster as an entree, and cheesecake, chocolate silk or apple pie for dessert.
Metropole @ 21c Museum Hotel
609 Walnut St.
Christmas Eve, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Three course prix fixe menu for $70 per person
www.metropoleonwalnut.com
Executive Chef Vanessa Miller takes a modern spin on classic French and Italian cooking. Focused on local and seasonal offerings, her Metropole menu is prepared with the goal of creating a social experience for guests at the forefront.
The menu starts with your choice of avocado and radish salad, parsnip and fennel soup, or crispy devilled. The hearty entrees – wine braised short rib, smoked mushroom pappardelle, seared branzino – are followed by your choice of maple smoked persimmon or chocolate and caramel for dessert. You can add a $5 “side” and donate to Freestore Foodbank.
Morton's The Steakhouse – Carew Tower
441 Vine Street Carew Tower Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday, Dec. 24, 4–9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 25, 12 – 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec 31, 4 p.m.– Midnight
www.mortons.com/cincinnati
Morton's The Steakhouse, the nation's premier steakhouse group, specializes in classic, hearty fare, serving generous portions of USDA prime aged beef, as well as fresh fish, lobster and chicken entrees. Though the restaurant has prix fixe menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day featuring a winter salad, chateaubriand served with baked corn soufflé, sour cream mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach, plus dessert.
The full menu will also be available.
Ruth's Chris Steak House at The Banks
100 E Freedom Way, Suite 160 Cincinnati, OH 45202
www.ruthschris.com/cincinnati/
Friday, 2 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
New Year’s Eve, 3 – 9 p.m.
Ruth's Chris Steak House serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy their New Orleans-inspired appetizers, steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. Celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve to enjoy an unforgettable holiday dinner.
Ruth's seasonal classics prix fixe meal, includes a starter, entrée, a personal side and dessert.