4 Best Restaurants to Celebrate the Holidays

From Malvern to Philadelphia, here are the best places to enjoy your holiday.

All photos by Nina Lea Photography.

‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings—and whether you’d like to opt out of cooking for an evening or are looking for somewhere to take out-of-town visitors, there are plenty of restaurants ready to help you celebrate.

Paramour

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Wayne’s Paramour invites you and your family to dine with them on Christmas Day. In addition to the à la carte dinner menu, executive chef Eric Goods will prepare a festive four-course prix fixe menu featuring holiday cuisine that will get you into the spirit of the season.

The menu includes chestnut velouté with shaved foie gras torchon and poached pears; heirloom sweet potato and spinach salad with Shellbark Hollow Farm feta, pumpkin seed and pomegranate vinaigrette; slow-roasted Lancaster goose with wild rice, fire-roasted acorn squash, mustard greens and goose gravy; and a cranberry pecan pie with dark chocolate sorbet. Find the full menu at www.paramourwayne.com.

Guests opting for the special prix fixe menu can highlight each course by adding an expertly chosen wine pairing by the sommelier, or allow him to help you find a new favorite from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list.

Paramour’s special Christmas menu is $65 per person with optional wine pairing for an additional $35 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. The menu will be offered Friday, Dec. 25, from noon–8 p.m.

Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling (610) 977-0600.

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139 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, www paramourwayne.com.

White Dog Cafe Haverford

Visit White Dog Cafe in Haverford to celebrate the holidays in delicious style this season. On Thursday, Dec. 24, enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner from the regular menu from 5–8 p.m.

On Thursday, Dec. 31, ring in the New Year with dinner served from 4:30–10:30 p.m., including seasonal specialties and plenty of bubbly to toast the end of 2015.

On Friday, Jan. 1, from 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., join White Dog for its first annual pajama brunch. The person with the best PJs will win a $100 gift certificate to the Hope Chest in Haverford Square.

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Reservations for all three celebrations can be made online.

White Dog Cafe, 379 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, (610) 896-4556, www.whitedog.com.

Restaurant Alba

Malvern’s Restaurant Alba is serving up a Christmas-to-go menu that has our mouths watering. We’re talking duck confit, truffle mashed potatoes, lobster Caesar salad and more. Order by Friday, Dec. 23 and wow your guests this Christmas.

On New Year’s Eve, enjoy a four-course prix fixe celebratory meal ($80 per person). Spots are filling up fast, so call the restaurant for reservations at (610) 644-4099, as they are not booking New Year’s Eve online.

Perhaps the best option for celebrating the holidays with Alba’s seasonal menu is to take advantage of the three-course, $25 per person regional luncheon menu. This month is focusing on the Piedmont region of Italy and is offered Tuesdays through Fridays from noon–2 p.m. and Saturdays from noon–3 p.m., for a limited time.

7 W. King St., Malvern, (610) 644-4099, www.restaurantalba.com.

Pop-Up Tiki Garden, Bud & Marilyn’s

If you can’t get away to the islands, let the islands come to you for the holidays. From now until Wednesday, Dec. 23, visit Philly newbie Bud & Marilyn’s to get a break from the winter chill at a Holiday Pop-Up Tiki Garden featuring an island-inspired menu. Bud & Marilyn’s backyard garden has been transformed into an island escape with a tropical motif, wooden totems and a thatch roof bamboo bar. There will be heat lamps to keep you toasty.

Bud & Marilyn’s Tiki Garden will be open Monday through Friday beginning at 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon. The entrance, located on Locust Street between 13th & Camac Streets, will be noted by colorful signage to lead guests through Bud & Marilyn’s gated alleyway to the garden. Seating is first-come, first-served and payment is cash only. See food and drink menus online.

1234 Locust St., Philadelphia, (215) 546-2220, budandmarilyns.com.

Main Line Today Restaurant Week returns October 13-26!