Shopping for that perfect present, stringing lights and garland all over the house and (gulp) all that cooking…
Holiday stress can really take a lot out of you. So why not cut back on your growing to-do list and let some of Cleveland’s top restaurants handle the food this Christmas?
These delicious holiday dinners with all the trimmings will remind you — and your taste buds — that this really is the most wonderful time of year. Embrace that “home for the holidays” feeling and check out our round-up of the best spots in The Land to order Christmas dinner to go.
Don’t let the name fool you — this Tremont standout whips up a festive meal fit for the North Pole. Choose between turkey with drippings and gravy or honey-glazed ham slices for the main course and then round out the table with succulent sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. If that’s not enough — and, believe me, we’re not judging — add on a salad or pie a la carte.
If you’d rather skip the cooking this year, try this party landmark’s family pack takeout option (which serves four) available for pickup on Christmas Eve. Chow down on baked ham with bourbon glaze, beef brisket, cheesy potato casserole, a mountain of other sides and, of course, Wagner’s famous sticky buns. It’s not a holiday without ‘em.
Dreaming of a green Christmas? This cafe in Lakewood offers up main dish options like a classic breakfast strata (with tofu of course), chickpea parmesan cutlets or a pot pie packed with carrots, peas, soy chicken, onions and gravy. Save room for dessert with CV’s tiramisu cupcakes or gingerbread blondies. You’ll thank us later.
Sleigh that holiday stress by letting Blue Heron do the cooking. Their Christmas Take & Bake (available for pickup on December 23) comes with filet mignon and Chicken Florentine entrees plus sides like smoked gouda and chive scalloped potatoes; shrimp scampi pasta; and roasted garlic and parmesan broccoli. Finish off the feast with a slice of homemade chocolate peppermint roll.
Owner Zeleke Belete serves up authentic Ethiopian cuisine at this Cleveland Heights hotspot. The best-selling Special Combo platter overflows with beef tibs, spicy beef stew and lots of veggies — all prepared with an intoxicating blend of imported spices. Zoma upholds the Ethiopian food tradition of family-style, communal meals to honor the bonds of loyalty and friendship. What could be more Christmassy than that?
Take the hooley — Irish slang for party — home with food packages in enough shapes and sizes to feed an army of elves. Options include the Irish Dinner Bundle (with stuffed boxty and shepherd’s pie) and the Corned Beef Sandwich Pack (with tons of corned beef, rye bread and Swiss cheese) among several others. The Hooley is never far away — with five convenient locations across Northeast Ohio.