What It’s Like To Spend Christmas Eve In A New York Restaurant (Instead Of At Home)
Fourth Course: Lemon Granita with Persimmons and Pomegranate, Sicilian Sesame Cookies, Panettone
Citrus was a great final note after a meal full of salty and briny seafood, and the granita was thick enough not to feel like a slushie, as they sometimes do. Slicing the persimmons like this was a beautiful aesthetic touch, and its sweetness contrasted with the icy citrus and surprising, tart crunch of pomegranate. It would’ve been a perfect way to end the meal, but there was still more.
The sesame cookies were my favorite because I love sesame seeds. I am the girl who gets a sesame bagel every single day and eats it while blogging my first post. So eating two of these pleased me immensely. The panettone reminds me any sort of sweet Christmas bread, and I would’ve been fine without it. But those cookies! After the dessert course, like I mentioned, I saw other people getting bread and requested some for us. This prompted my brother and I to discuss how it’s easier to ask for special attention like this as a woman. We agreed it’s interpreted as less invasive if I’m the one asking for bread than if he is. But we got the bread, ordered one more cocktail, and went home.
Though it wasn’t the same as sitting down to a meal at home, my brother and I got the chance to have a long conversation over a three-hour meal. The restaurant was cozy and the service was excellent. Best of all, there was no drama, no tension, and no passive aggressive comments. I can say without hesitation it’s one of the best Christmas Eves I’ve ever had, and I’m strongly considering this move as a possibility next year as well. Sometimes the most non-traditional aspects of our lives end up being what we treasure the most. Merry Christmas!