The Dish: Christmas Eve dining options include Almond's roast suckling pig

M.M. Cloutier
·3 min read
Roast suckling pig served family style at Almond on Christmas Eve.
Roast suckling pig served family style at Almond on Christmas Eve.

Of all the places roasting delicious things on Christmas Eve — from turkey to prime rib and even salt-crusted whole fish — Almond on Royal Poinciana Way may be the only one on the island with plans to roast a suckling pig on Dec. 24.

It’s an annual tradition at the restaurant, which now is in its fifth season in Palm Beach.

At Almond’s 20-plus-year-old founding location in Bridgehampton, Long Island, roasting a suckling pig for years has been a Christmas Eve hallmark, so when Almond opened here in 2019, the tradition came south, too.

“Our guests know our team lives for tradition and togetherness,” said Almond co-owner Eric Lemonides. “A good meal with loved ones and not a lot of fuss is what we are all about.”

Individual portions of the whole-roasted suckling pig prepared by Almond’s Palm Beach culinary team will be available for dine-in or takeout on Christmas Eve for $49 a person.

A choice of two side dishes is included, such as roasted vegetables and potatoes (for more information: 561-355-5080; www.almondrestaurant.com).

Outdoor patio dining at Almond.
Outdoor patio dining at Almond.

What other Palm Beach restaurants are cooking on Christmas Eve?

They all are, whether featuring prix-fixe menus, buffets or serving their regular menus, perhaps with a few festive daily specials.

Here’s a taste:

  • Café Boulud: A three-course prix-fixe dinner menu will be offered for $210 for adults and $80 for children younger than 10. Seafood risotto and beef tournedos Rossini are among the entrée selections from which to choose (561-655-6060 or www.cafeboulud.com/palmbeach).

  • Florie’s at the Four Seasons:  A four-course menu, along with an amuse-bouche to whet guests’ appetites, will be served. Menu selections will include truffled beef Wellington and grouper with fennel, mussels and saffron. The menu is $215 for adults and $75 for children ages 5-12 (561-582-2800 or visit www.fourseasons.compalmbeach).

  • The Circle dining room at The Breakers: A lavish brunch buffet will be offered in the historic circular dining room with giant arched windows. The buffet, which will feature numerous festive desserts, is $285 for adults and $100 for children 12 and younger (561-655-6611 or visit www.thebreakers.com).

  • Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers: In the dining room or golf course-view terrace, a day-and-eve three-course menu will be served, featuring steakhouse, holiday and seafood favorites. The menu is $235 for adults and $75 for children 12 and younger (561-655-6611 or www.thebreakers.com)

  • La Goulue: For $150 a person, the French bistro will offer a three-course dinner menu, with appetizer, entrée and dessert selections proceeding after an amuse-bouche. Among the entrees: seared Arctic char, stuffed capon and venison chops (561-284-6292 or visit www.lagouluepalmbeach.com)

  • Trevini: Along with its dinner regular menu on Christmas eve, Trevini, with its indoor and covered terrace seating, will serve such festive Italian dinner specials as Maine lobster and squid linguini fradiavolo ($56) and house-made tagliolini with sea urchin, basil oil and baked cherry tomatoes ($32).

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Christmas Eve specials available for those dining out