Cuisine And Traditions From Around The World

Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Christmas? Curious about what they dine on? While we’d love to take you around the world in 80 plates, here are a few local favorites serving up an international fare this holiday season.

Ovelia Psistaria

In Greek culture, most families choose oven-roasted pork, lamb, or goat to serve on this special day. To celebrate in style, Ovelia will offer a slow-roasted goat (either whole or halved), available for pre-order and take-out only. For sides, order their beloved spinach pie or perfectly oven-roasted lemon potatoes, which is a staple in Greek cuisine. Finally, treat yourself to the Greek version of mulled wine, called Enomelo; a seasoned hot drink made with anise, orange, and cinnamon. Cheers!

34-01 30th Ave | 718.721.7217 | @oveliapsistaria

Dulce Cultura

You can’t have a traditional Mexican Christmas without Tamales. A labor of love, they’re time-intensive, but every household prepares them with due diligence in honor of its tradition and meaning. Tamales are wrapped in corn husks, with few regions using plantain leaves instead, and the corn carries significance dating back to Mesoamerican times. The tamales are generously filled with tender meat, mostly beef or pork, and whatever else you want to include: Onions, poblanos, and different sauces. Dulce Cultura offers Tamales on their menu all year round. However, you can find a few extra special ones during Christmas. Feliz Navidad!

42-20 31st Ave | 914. 829.8801 | @dulceculturany

Chingri

This hip Thai Restaurant will be open on Christmas Day, so mark your calendar if you’re planning on relinquishing everyone’s cooking duties. For the families that celebrate Christmas, the meal usually consists of seafood. Why? Fish signifies good luck and abundance and is traditionally reserved for special occasions. Chingri will offer an Asian-style, holiday-inspired menu created by their skilled head chef, from Thailand, from December 20th to December 25th. The dishes will include a Tom Kha Kai soup, a creamy coconut soup with just the right amount of spice for $6.95, and a wonderfully vibrant and tasty mango salmon for $26.95. Talk about good luck!

30-78 Steinway St | 716.902.3430 | @chingri.restaurant

Oliver’s

Why do we eat turkey? It’s a tradition that actually began in England with monarch Henry VIII, according to the legends told. If you’re looking for a very traditional Christmas meal, then Oliver’s is the place to be for Christmas Eve! They offer an elaborate Prix Fixe on Christmas Eve. The dinner starts with a welcome drink and one of their appetizers of either mixed greens or butternut squash soup. Then, an entree choice of ham or turkey, with the option to get a combo if you can’t decide! For dessert lovers, the last course will consist of a pumpkin cheesecake or a pecan pie—that’s worth celebrating!

37-19 Broadway | 718.806.1476 | @oliversastoria

Sac’s Place

A wonderful Italian-American tradition is the so-called Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Sac’s Place will serve just that the days leading up to Christmas. The owners of Sac’s, Anthony and Domenico Sacramone are very proud of their culinary heritage handed down from their mother and have an exquisite menu planned for this year’s celebration. As a starter, you can choose between Newfoundland mussels in either a marinara or pinot grigio sauce, fantastic fried calamari, or a dozen littleneck clams oreganata, baked with bread crumbs, olive oil, lemon, and chardonnay. For your second course, which is traditionally pasta, a creamy Lobster Crab Ravioli or Linguine Frutti de Mare are in order. Followed by an entrée choice of baked North Atlantic Salmon, battered Fluke Filet Francese in a light lemon sauce, a pan-seared Scrod in a crushed tomato Chablis sauce, or the Fish of the Day. Buon Appetito!

3511 35th Ave | 718.204.5002 | @sacsplace