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’Tis the season of fresh fish.
The Bear’s Feast of the Seven Fishes episode was, to put it mildly, chaos (raise your hand if you’re still scarred). But Vivace’s own renowned annual feast promises zero yelling or drama—just seven courses of flawless fresh seafood dishes.
Now in its 15th year, the dinner began after a group of Catholic priests approached Vivace owner Kevin Jennings with a unique request to put together a special Christmas Eve menu for them. Nee-2005 and quickly establishing itself as a go-to, the Italian destination has become a regular for priests and plebeians alike, with the Feast of the Seven Fishes solidifying it as a go-to for the holidays.
Many Catholics ditch meat on Christmas Eve (and Fridays for that matter… anyone remember fish stick Fridays in the school cafeteria?). And, so, during this one night, nary a meatball or duck breast from Vivace’s usual fare will be found on the feast menu.
The culinary mastermind since the first pastoral plea, executive chef Ian Sullivan took designing a fish-forward menu in stride, adding the challenge of executing some unique and lesser-known Italian seafood specialities. With guests making the pilgrimage each year for seven fresh fishy dishes, he’s deigned never to (gasp!) repeat a dish, putting his heart and, ahem, sole (sometimes literally) into curating the annual feast.
And it’s not just any old seafood dish. “I really enjoy dishes with peasant-style fishes,” says Sullivan. One such dish on the menu this year is Sullivan’s brandade cakes with puttanesca sauce, where humble salted cod is elevated into sinfully delicious delicately fried croquettes.
Other delicacies like a tuna crudo and smoked swordfish salad also appear on this year’s menu—not to mention pasta, natch, in the form of spaghetti with crab and Calabrian chile. So, consider this your divine intervention to make a rez for the pre-holiday feast. $125, $30 for wine pairings, Dec. 24
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