Whether you gather around the Christmas tree, Hanukkah bush or Festivus pole, Richmond has the perfect holiday meal for you, if you know where to look.
Festivus
Enjoy the traditional Festivus meal of meatloaf at Family Meal. (provided photo)
If you need to take a break from the annual airing of grievances, grab a slab of meatloaf, the traditional Festivus dish. May we recommend the variety from Family Meal (1601 Willow Lawn Drive), which comes glazed with Sriracha ketchup and served with everything-flavored mashed potatoes, green beans and mushroom gravy? Or, head to Supper (1215 Summit Ave.) for The Herd: It’s beef, pork and buffalo meatloaf with a tomato, bourbon and honey glaze, served with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Hannukah
The latkes at Perly's Restaurant & Delicatessen. (Provided photo)
As that wise sage Adam Sandler once said, “Put on your yamaka — it’s time to celebrate Hanukkah.” This holiday is one of fried foods galore, most especially latkes. Fortunately, Perly’s Restaurant & Delicatessen (111 E. Grace St.) sells perfectly crisped potato pancakes year-round, whether they’re served as an app with chive sour cream and apricot applesauce, or under a pile of smoked salmon, poached eggs and dill hollandaise at brunch.
Kwanzaa
Jollof rice, stewed chicken, sweet plantains await you at Chef MaMusu's Africanne Restaurant. (Provided photo)
It’s not surprising to find African, African-American, South American and Caribbean cuisine on the table at this holiday, and luckily for Richmonders, there’s a wealth of these dishes to be found under one roof. Opt for Chef MaMusu’s Africanne Restaurant (200 E. Main St.) for flavorful favorites including whole-fried tilapia with onions, Jollof rice, stewed chicken, sweet plantains, jerk chicken, fried bean cakes, and mac ‘n’ cheese. The best news? MaMusu’s caters!
Christmas
A beautiful buche de Noel or yule log at Whisk. (Photo by Phong Nguyen)
If you’re embracing the Christmas spirit, nothing says “festive” like a bûche de Noël, or yule log cake. New bakery Whisk (2100 E. Main St.) is jumping down the chimney with a chocolate sponge cake spiraled around a seasonal buttercream filling, available to order starting Dec. 1. Decorated with meringue mushrooms and sugared cranberries, “they’re going to be very ornamental,” says owner Morgan Botwinick.
