Category: Food

Where to go to have a festive holiday feast

Several Granite State eateries will have their doors open for limited hours on Christmas Eve (Saturday, Dec. 24), and a couple of them plan to serve you on Christmas Day as well. Check out this list of where you can go to celebrate the holidays with a special festive feast. Did we miss any holiday meals that you know of happening at a local restaurant? Let us know at [email protected] and we’ll include it in the next issue.

• Enjoy a special chef’s Christmas cheer menu at Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) during several designated days in December with seatings from 4 to 8:30 p.m. The gardens will be professionally lit with holiday decorations, and the multi-course menu will feature a variety of a la carte items to choose from. The Colby Hill Inn is also hosting a Christmas high tea event on Sunday, Dec. 18, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per person and includes a first round of mimosas, followed by your choice of holiday-inspired cocktails or the famous “Cosmic Christmas punch.” All attendees will receive free entry to the Inn’s Winter Wonderland Barn Market, held the same day from noon to 7 p.m. and featuring local crafters and live music.

• A Feast of the Seven Fishes at Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) will be on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. in its great hall. The dinner will be served buffet-style with several chef-attended stations, featuring items like fra diavolo, lobster and crab-stuffed sole, baked clams casino, hake puttanesca, a pasta station with various sauce options and accompaniments and an Italian dessert station with tiramisu, cannolis, chocolate mousse cups, biscotti, Italian cookies and other assorted treats. A cash bar will also be available. The cost is $95 per person (21+ guests only) and reservations are required.

Special Christmas Eve meals

• Christmas Eve Dinner at Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) is happening on Saturday, Dec. 24, with seatings from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. A three-course prix fixe menu will be served in the Inn’s dining room, followed by a grand dessert buffet and cash bar in its great hall. The menu will feature your choice of an appetizer (pistachio and chevre croquettes, braised lamb and ricotta ravioli, crispy calamari, Dunk’s Mushrooms bisque, seared scallop “BLT” or black garlic French onion soup); a salad (local kale and Swiss chard or chicory and beet); and an entree (grilled filet mignon, Robie Farm pork tenderloin, herb-grilled swordfish loin, short rib pappardelle, savory mushroom Wellington, rosemary-rubbed Christmas rib roast or New England seafood pot au feu). The cost is $110 for adults and $55 for children ages 10 and under. The Inn’s Trattoria Fondi will also be open for breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, serving its regular menu in addition to some specials.

Special Christmas Day meals

• Christmas Day Buffet at Salt Kitchen & Bar (Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, 373-6566, saltkitchenandbar.com) is happening on Sunday, Dec. 25, with seatings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in its ballroom. The menu will include deluxe chilled salads, a New England raw bar, fresh seasonal fruit displays, a Belgian waffle station, an artisan cheese display, a deluxe carving station with herb-crusted prime rib, seasonally composted hot entrees, an Italian antipasto station and a Christmas dessert display. The cost is $89.95 per person and $26.95 for children under 12.

• Christmas Dinner at Salt Kitchen & Bar (Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, 373-6566, saltkitchenandbar.com) is on Sunday, Dec. 25, with seatings from 1 to 9 p.m. The three-course holiday menu will feature signature options like sous vide New York strip steak, seared scallops, brown butter-roasted halibut and wild mushroom ravioli. The cost is $69.95 per person and $26.95 for children under 12.

• Christmas Dinner at The Wild Rose Restaurant (Stonehurst Manor, 3351 White Mountain Hwy., North Conway, 356-3113, thewildroserestaurant.com) is on Sunday, Dec. 25, with seatings from 2 to 8 p.m. The four-course dinner includes your choice of appetizer and Caesar salad, along with your choice of an entree, the eatery’s signature sourdough bread, seasonal vegetables, dessert, coffee and tea. Available appetizers include scallops wrapped in bacon, shrimp cocktail, Jonah crab cakes or apple cider pumpkin bisque. Available entrees include roasted turkey, aged and pit-smoked prime rib of beef, the Wild Rose (shrimp, scallops, lobster and Jonah crab meat served with a garlic basil Parmesan cream sauce and tossed with house tomato rose fettuccine), grilled rack of lamb, filet of cod with a lobster cream sauce, roasted half duck, Faroe Island salmon or pumpkin ravioli. Featured desserts will be flourless double dark chocolate torte, vanilla bean creme brulee, blueberry cheesecake and chef-made caramel pecan ice cream. The cost is $78 per person and reservations are required.

Open on Christmas Eve

• 900 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (50 Dow St., Manchester, 641-0900, 900degrees.com) will be open until 6 p.m.

• Airport Diner (2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040, thecman.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Alan’s of Boscawen (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631, alansrestaurant.com) will be open until 6 p.m.

• Americus Restaurant (LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Bar (28 Burnham Road, Hudson, 943-5250, find them on Facebook @thebar.hudson) will likely be open until about 7 p.m.

• The Barley House Restaurant & Tavern (132 N. Main St., Concord, 228-6363, thebarleyhouse.com) will be open until 5 p.m.

• The Bistro at LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Buckley’s Great Steaks (438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-0995, buckleysgreatsteaks.com) will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., serving its regular menu in addition to some seasonal specials. Reservations are being accepted now.

• Chez Vachon (136 Kelley St., Manchester, 625-9660, chezvachon.com) will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• CJ’s Great West Grill (782 S. Willow St., Manchester, 627-8600, cjsgreatwestgrill.com) will be open until 5 p.m.

• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve at its Concord and Merrimack locations, with gift card sales available until 4 p.m. The Lincoln and Windham locations will be open that day for gift card sales only (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lincoln and from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Windham). The Common Man’s Company Store in Ashland will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while its Claremont restaurant will be closed.

• Copper Door Restaurant (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677; 41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033; copperdoor.com) will be accepting reservations until 8 p.m. at both locations.

• CR’s The Restaurant (287 Exeter Road, Hampton, 929-7972, crstherestaurant.com) will be open from 4 to 8:30 p.m., serving an a la carte menu with holiday specials and its most popular dinner items. Reservations are required.

• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880, thederryfield.com) will be open until 6 p.m.

• Epoch Gastropub (The Exeter Inn, 90 Front St., Exeter, 778-3762, epochrestaurant.com) will be open during its normal dinner hours, from 5 to 9 p.m.

• The Farm Bar & Grille (1181 Elm St., Manchester, 641-3276, farmbargrille.com) will be open until 3 p.m.

• The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (40 Andover Road, New London, 526-6899, flyinggoose.com) will be open until 5 p.m.

• Foster’s Boiler Room (231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764, thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., for dinner and gift card sales.

• Fratello’s Italian Grille (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022, fratellos.com) will be open until 8 p.m.

• Friendly Red’s Tavern (22 Haverhill Road, Windham, 437-7251, friendlyredstavern.net) will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (270 Granite St., Manchester, 232-3323; 524 Nashua St., Milford, 673-3939; 707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 883-7333; giorgios.com) will be open until 4 p.m. at all three locations.

• Granite Restaurant & Bar (The Centennial Hotel, 96 Pleasant St., Concord, 227-9005, graniterestaurant.com) will be open for dinner from 4 to 8 p.m.

• Hanover Street Chophouse (149 Hanover St., Manchester, 644-2467, hanoverstreetchophouse.com) will be open from noon to 3 p.m., serving its regular menu.

• Lakehouse Grille (281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221, thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar (212 Main St., Nashua, 595-9334, mtslocal.com) will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., serving its regular menu in addition to some seasonal specials. Reservations are being accepted now.

• Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, 644-3535, murphystaproom.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

• Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House (393 Route 101, Bedford, 488-5975, murphystaproom.com) will be open until 8 p.m.

• The Pasta Loft Restaurant & Brewing Co. (241 Union Square, Milford, 672-2270, pastaloft.com) will be open until 7 p.m.

• The Puritan Backroom Restaurant (245 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 669-6890, puritanbackroom.com) will be open until 4 p.m. both inside the restaurant and for takeout.

• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) will be open during its regular business hours at all four locations — the Manchester location is open 24 hours, while the Concord location is open from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, and the Londonderry and Nashua locations are both open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• The Red Blazer Restaurant and Pub (72 Manchester St., Concord, 224-4101, theredblazer.com) will be open until 6 p.m., according to function coordinator Tamra Burke.

• Route 104 Diner (752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120, thecman.com) will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Second Brook Bar & Grill (1100 Hooksett Road, Unit 111, Hooksett, 935-7456, secondbrook.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the bar will remain open until 5 p.m. that evening.

• Surf Restaurant (207 Main St., Nashua, 595-9293, surfseafood.com) will be open from 4 to 8 p.m., serving its regular menu in addition to some seasonal specials. Reservations are being accepted now for any size party.

• T-Bones Great American Eatery (25 S. River Road, Bedford, 641-6100; 404 S. Main St., Concord, 715-1999; 39 Crystal Ave., Derry, 434-3200; 77 Lowell Road, Hudson, 882-6677; 1182 Union Ave., Laconia, 528-7800; 311 S. Broadway, Salem, 893-3444; t-bones.com) will be open until 5 p.m. at all of its locations.

• Temple Street Diner (200 Temple St., Nashua, 521-7133, templestreetdiner.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will also be accepting special orders for lamb shank, baked ham or 12-ounce boneless steak dinners.

• Tilt’n Diner (61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204, thecman.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Wild Rose Restaurant (Stonehurst Manor, 3351 White Mountain Hwy., North Conway, 356-3113, thewildroserestaurant.com) will be serving its regular dinner menu from 5 to 8 p.m.

• The Wild Rover Pub (21 Kosciuszko St., Manchester, 669-7722, wildroverpub.com) will be open until 7 p.m.

• Zachary’s Chop House (4 Cobbetts Pond Road, Windham, 890-5555, zacharyschophouse.com) is scheduled to be open its regular hours, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Open on Christmas Day

• Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, 644-3535, murphystaproom.com) will open at 5 p.m. that evening.

• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) will be open during its regular business hours at all four locations — the Manchester location is open 24 hours, while the Concord, Londonderry and Nashua locations are all open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Where to get your full meals, desserts and more to go

Whether you’re bringing home festive pies and cookies or a full holiday feast, local restaurants, caterers, bakeries and other businesses have you covered.

• All Real Meal (87 Amherst St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is taking orders for Christmas meals in two sizes (serving four or eight people) — they include slow-cooked turkey breast with gravy, brown sugar ham, cranberry almond green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, homestyle cornbread, pecan pie cheesecake and bacon herb hash brown quiche for Christmas morning. Ordering early is requested, as quantities are limited. Orders will be delivered fresh to your door on Friday, Dec. 23.

• Ansanm (20 South St., Milford, 554-1248, ansanmnh.com) is inviting you to enjoy a taste of Haiti at home with its holiday dinner menu. Entrees available to order include poule nan sos (stewed chicken), janbon (pineapple-glazed ham), griot (fried pork) or legumes (stewed vegetables) — each comes with rice and mixed vegetables, and a mixed greens salad with tomatoes, peppers, shallots and a citrus vinaigrette. You can also order various items a la carte, like macaroni au gratin (baked macaroni), bannann peze (fried plantains) and djon djon mushroom rice; as well as desserts, like gateau anana (pineapple upside-down cake) and gateau au beurre (Haitian pound cake). Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23 — all orders will be served cold with reheating instructions at the time of pickup.

• Ayottes Market (100 River Road, Hudson, 883-5235, ayottesmarket.com) is taking orders for pies for the holidays (flavors include apple, blueberry, chocolate cream, pecan and pork), as well as homemade breads (banana, cranberry and zucchini). Order by Dec. 14.

• The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for several seasonal items for the holidays, including hot cocoa pie, eggnog cake and Yule logs, in addition to a variety of scratch-baked fruit pies, pastries and more. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe (436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-5929, buckleysbakerycafe.com) and Buckley’s Market & Cafe (9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522) are taking orders for a variety of specialty seasonal items for the holidays, including cakes (red velvet cake, Santa’s milk and cookies cake, dark chocolate peppermint cheesecake, and hot cocoa or peppermint white chocolate Yule logs); as well as eight-inch pies (pecan, apple or chocolate cream), Parker house rolls or gingerbread loaves, and assorted breakfast or pastry trays. Additionally, Buckley’s of Hollis is taking orders for appetizers (shrimp cocktail platters, petit crab cakes, raspberry baked brie, antipasto vegetables, New England baked stuffed clams and spinach artichoke dip) and meats (cranberry and apple-stuffed boneless pork chops, boneless prime rib roast, filet mignon or crab-stuffed shrimp). Order by Dec. 18.

• Brookdale Fruit Farm (41 Broad St., Hollis, 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com) is taking orders for scratch-baked pies for the holidays, with flavors that include apple, pecan, pumpkin, blueberry and more. The farm stand will be open until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24.

• Brothers Butcher (8 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 809-4180; 142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 577-1130; brothers-butcher.com) is taking orders for several types of roasts for the holidays, including boneless prime rib and tenderloin and strip loin roasts, in addition to spiral hams, stuffed pork loin (with traditional bread stuffing or apple cranberry stuffing), boneless pork loin and gravies sold by the quart (port wine demi glaze, au jus, pork and beef gravy or turkey gravy). Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23, as well as Saturday, Dec. 24, until 1 p.m.

• The Cake Fairy (114 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 518-8733, cakefairynh.com) is taking orders for pies (eclair, apple and chocolate cream), small chocolate whoopie pies, cheesecakes (plain, strawberry and peppermint bark), assorted cookie trays, Danishes, breakfast breads and jumbo butter cookies. Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and first-come, first-served items will also be available out of the bakery case.

• Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items to go for the holidays, including appetizers (smoked salmon terrine, pizzetti with port-poached figs, Gorgonzola and balsamic glaze, brie en croute with raspberry and thyme, artisan cheeses with fruit and cured meats, and poached shrimp with a traditional cocktail sauce); entrees (pork ballantine stuffed with savory sausage, herb and apple stuffing, or roasted beef tenderloin with a horseradish cream sauce); and sides (garlic mashed potatoes, butternut squash, roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and thyme, carrot confit, sauteed haricot verts with slivered almonds or apple cider reduction). Order by Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, from noon to 3 p.m.

• Cherry Bomb Cookie Co. (Exeter, find them on Facebook @cherrybombcookieco) is taking orders for a variety of specialty decorated sugar cookies, with seasonal designs that include Santa Claus, gingerbread men, snowflakes, sleighs, Christmas trees and more. Ordering is available through Dec. 23, but recommended by Dec. 19 to ensure shipping before the Christmas holiday.

• Chez Vachon (136 Kelley St., Manchester, 625-9660, chezvachon.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include chocolate cream, apple, pumpkin, blueberry, Key lime, banana cream, lemon meringue and more, as well as savory pork or salmon pies) and cakes (flavors include strawberry cream, pistachio cream, apple spice, chocolate cream, cookies and cream and more). Order by Dec. 20.

• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; Route 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for special holiday feasts to go, featuring your choice of glazed ham or herb-roasted prime rib dinners that serve four to six people — each comes with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, pesto green beans, maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, Parmesan-crusted dinner rolls, sweet bread and cheesecake with mixed berry compote. Additional items are also available to order a la carte, like spinach-artichoke dip and crackers, peel-and-eat shrimp cocktail, roasted turkey breast, green bean casserole, glazed baby carrots, Common Man macaroni and cheese, pecan pie, and a quart of Common Man-made vanilla ice cream. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, or Saturday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for Christmas ham dinners with all the fixings, including mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans and dinner rolls, with two sizes available (serving two to four people or four to six people). You can also order pies in a variety of flavors (pecan, coconut custard or blueberry cream cheese pie), as well as assorted muffins, cinnamon rolls and steak and cheese egg rolls. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Crosby Bakery (51 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 882-1851, crosbybakerynh.com) is taking orders for eight-inch or 10-inch pies (flavors include apple, apple crumb, blueberry, banana cream, cherry, coconut cream, chocolate cream, coconut meringue, mince, pumpkin and pecan); assorted rolls and breads, with the option to add whipped butter or maple cinnamon butter; savory specialties, like gorton, meat pie, salmon pie, sandwich platters, Boston baked beans and potato or macaroni salads; and seasonal holiday specialties, like six-inch Yule log cakes, seven-inch Boston cream pie, frosted angel cakes, pastry and cookie platters and more. Order by Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. Pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Crust & Crumb Baking Co. (126 N. Main St., Concord, 219-0763, thecrustandcrumb.com) is taking orders for six-inch or nine-inch pies (flavors include pumpkin, Key lime, vegan gluten-free blueberry coconut crisp, Black Forest, apple streusel, forest berry crumb, maple bourbon pecan, chocolate cream, maple cream and coconut cream); cakes (flourless chocolate torte, chocolate raspberry layer cake, hazelnut Boston cream pie and eggnog rum mousse cake); cheesecakes (chocolate mint or vanilla); tarts (fresh fruit or mocha turtle); assorted pastries and breakfast items (cinnamon buns, sour cream coffee cakes, scones, dark gingerbread tea cake and more); and some savory items (French Canadian tourtiere, pork pie with apple, rosemary and sweet potato, broccoli pepper jack quiche, spinach, tomato and feta quiche or bacon cheddar quiche). Order by Dec. 15. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 22, Friday, Dec. 23, or Saturday, Dec. 24 — indicate your pickup time when placing your order.

• Dancing Lion Chocolate (917 Elm St., Manchester, 625-4043, dancinglion.us) has all kinds of specialty chocolate bars available in the shop, as well as bonbon sharing boxes, drinking chocolate and other products. The shop also offers holiday croissants, which can be reserved online for pickup on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m.

• The Flying Butcher (124 Route 101A, Amherst, 598-6328, theflyingbutcher.com) is taking orders for a variety of holiday roasts, in addition to boneless leg of lamb, boneless turkey breast and various a la carte sides, like maple bourbon sweet potatoes, cilantro lime asparagus, garlic pepper green beans, roasted root vegetables, horseradish cream sauce and more. Order by Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is taking orders for a variety of specialty seasonal items for the holidays, including decorated Christmas cookies, cinnamon cranberry cookies, gingerbread cookie kits, assorted chocolates, cheesecake samplers, Christmas Yule log cakes, gingerbread tortes, fruit turnover trays and more. The whole menu will be available to order online, in store or via phone until Dec. 15. Beginning Dec. 16, there will be a limited holiday menu only, and online ordering will also end on Dec. 15. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Fresh Chef Press (775 Canal St., Manchester, 716-7197, freshchefmp.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for the holidays, including honey-baked spiral-cut ham, Italian sausage stuffed mushrooms and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, as well as nine-inch quiches (plain, veggie, bacon and veggie, bacon and cheddar or ham and swiss), cookie platters, cheesecake bites and more. Order by Dec. 16.

• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (270 Granite St., Manchester, 232-3323; 524 Nashua St., Milford, 673-3939; 707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 883-7333; giorgios.com) is offering its full regular catering menu for the holidays, through about Dec. 20, owner George Sklavounos said.

• Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) offers a variety of seasonal sweet treats around the holidays, like milk, dark and white chocolate Santa Claus molds, cake bites, advent calendars, cocoa bombs and more.

• Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) is taking orders for special holiday dinners to go, featuring your choice of peppercorn and rosemary-glazed ham, roasted chicken breast with chimichurri, beef tenderloin with roasted garlic jus or cauliflower steak with pumpkin hummus and roasted vegetables. All non-vegan dinners come with potatoes au gratin, spiced glazed petite carrots, and seasonal mixed greens with a cranberry sage vinaigrette. You can also add house-made brioche Parker house dinner rolls (with or without whipped molasses honey butter) and desserts, like holiday Yule log slices and apple galettes with salted caramel. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23 — all orders will be served cold with reheating instructions at the time of pickup.

• Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant (233 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) is taking orders for family meals for the holidays that include your choice of whole roasted turkey with gravy, prime rib au jus or baked ham — each is available in multiple serving sizes (feeding two to six or six to 10 people, as well as 10 to 14 for the turkey dinner) and comes with whipped potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, dinner rolls and your choice of a dessert pie, along with some additional accoutrements depending on the meal package you choose. Order by Dec. 20. Curbside pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and individual dinners will also be offered for takeout from the regular menu.

• Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee Shop (376 Central Ave., Dover, 742-6029, harveysbakery.com) is taking orders for a variety of seasonal items, like gingerbread cookies, festive cakes and cupcakes, traditional fruit cake, Christmas tree Danishes, pork and chicken pies, filled finger rolls, petit fours, brownies, cream puffs and more. You can also order eight-inch or 10-inch pies (flavors include apple, pumpkin, pecan, cherry, chocolate cream, coconut cream, banana cream and more) and assorted dinner rolls available by the dozen. Order by Dec. 15.

• Local Baskit (10 Ferry St., Suite 120A, Concord, 219-0882, localbaskit.com) is taking orders for some specialty appetizer to-go kits, as well as “season’s eatings” hostess gifts and “grazing baskits.” Order the grazing baskits by Dec. 21. The appetizer kits can be ordered through Dec. 22, or until they sell out. Season’s eatings hostess gifts, meanwhile, will be available to order until Local Baskit closes for the day on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 1 p.m.

• Loon Chocolate (The Factory on Willow, 252 Willow St., Manchester, loonchocolate.com) has all of its artisan chocolate products available for sale inside the shop it shares with 603 Charcuterie, which is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Loon Chocolate and 603 Charcuterie are also hosting a special holiday market on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when more than two dozen local and regional vendors will be showcasing their products.

• Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) accepts orders for both hot-and-ready and take-and-bake trays of macaroni and cheese, as well as macaroni salads, assorted green salads, desserts and more. Placing orders at least 24 hours in advance is appreciated.

• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) is taking orders for several seasonal items for the holidays, including traditional French-Canadian meat pies, 10-inch carrot cake or apple crumb cheesecake, and dinner rolls by the dozen or by the half-dozen. Order by Dec. 16. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, or Saturday, Dec. 24, by 5 p.m.

• Osteria Poggio (18 Main St., Center Harbor, 250-8007, osteriapoggio.com) is taking orders for a variety of seasonal flavors of pies for the holidays, like eggnog, white chocolate peppermint cream, spiced cranberry apple and pumpkin pecan. Other items available to order in their Christmas to-go package include deviled eggs, pineapple candied pork belly, sweet potato casserole, five-cheese baked macaroni and cheese, white balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower au gratin, brown butter carrots and caramelized onions and mushrooms. Order by Dec. 18.

• Queen City Cupcakes (790 Elm St., Manchester, 624-4999, qccupcakes.com) is taking orders for all kinds of seasonally inspired gourmet cupcake flavors, like chocolate-covered cherry, candy cane creme, gingerbread snickerdoodle, eggnog, red velvet Oreo and coconut snowball, as well as vegan and gluten-free gingerbread spice cupcakes. Order by Dec. 21. Pickups will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) is taking orders for its specialty homemade desserts for the holidays, including multiple flavors of 10-inch pies, double-layer cakes, “Dinah fingers” (homemade Twinkies), eclairs, whoopie pies and more. Orders can be placed online with at least a 24-hour notice in advance of pickup.

• Roundabout Diner & Lounge (580 Route 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, 431-1440, roundaboutdiner.com) is taking orders for special Christmas dinners to go, featuring your choice of bacon-wrapped pork loin, spiral ham, roasted chicken or baked haddock. You can also order various items a la carte, like Italian or barbecue meatballs, fowl balls (smoked chicken wrapped in bacon), smoked scallops wrapped in bacon, crab cakes with remoulade and stuffed mushroom caps; and assorted cakes and pies (pie flavors include banana cream, coconut cream, apple, chocolate cream, Key lime, pecan, blueberry and German chocolate, while cake flavors include strawberry cream, caramel toffee, coconut cream, chocolate mousse, Oreo Black Forest and chocolate peppermint). Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 24, and will be served cold with reheating instructions.

• Simply Delicious Baking Co. (176 Route 101, Bedford, 488-1988, simplydeliciousbakingco.com) is taking orders for several sweet treats for the holidays, like cherry crumb pie, chocolate cherry cake, carrot cake and salted cinnamon chip cookies, as well as breakfast items like traditional coffee cake and cranberry orange scones. Order by Dec. 17.

• Slightly Crooked Pies (Bedford, slightlycrookedpies.com) is taking orders for a variety of flavors of scratch-made pies for the holidays, including apple, pecan, cherry, blueberry, maple blueberry and chocolate bourbon pecan, in addition to some specialty options, like Sweater Weather (apple and pear with cinnamon and cardamom) and Christmas (apple, cranberry and pecan with orange zest and cloves). Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23 — see website or email [email protected] to arrange a pickup time.

• Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com) is taking orders for special holiday dinner packages to go, featuring smoked ham, salad, cornbread and your choice of sides (mashed potatoes, butternut squash, brown sugar carrots, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn saute and gravy), available in two sizes (serving six to eight people or eight to 12 people). You can also order various meats a la carte, like smoked ham, bacon-wrapped turkey breast with jalapeno and sausage stuffing, and smoked prime rib au jus; as well as nine-inch holiday pies (flavors include apple, cranberry, pumpkin or chocolate cream). Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 23, from 2 to 7 p.m., or on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

• Sweet Caroline (28 Homestead Place, Alton, 875-0263, sweetcarolinebakerynh.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty cakes and desserts for the holidays, including Yule logs, carrot cakes, Holly Jolly red velvet cakes, raspberry mocha white cakes, and assorted cookie platters and holiday cakes. You can also order 10-inch pies — flavors include apple, blueberry, pecan, chocolate cream, pumpkin and lemon meringue. Order by Dec. 13.

• Sweet Love Bakery (20 Main St., Goffstown, 497-2997, sweetlovebakerynh.com) is taking orders for pies (apple, pecan, pumpkin and chocolate creme); cheesecakes (white chocolate peppermint, gingerbread, eggnog, maple bourbon pecan and Bailey’s); cakes (peppermint mocha, eggnog, carrot, gingerbread and red velvet); cookies (candy cane, gingerbread, molasses, chocolate chip, sugar and snickerdoodle); and assorted dinner rolls (white, wheat, and garlic herb). Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Tammaro’s Cucina (469 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 377-7312, tammaros.com) is taking orders for half-sized (feeds six to eight people) and full-sized (feeds 12 to 14 people) trays of home-cooked Italian meals for the holidays, from meat or cheese lasagna to spaghetti and meatballs, chicken or eggplant Parmesan and more. Order by Dec. 18.

• The Traveling Foodie (Merrimack, jrmcateringllc.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include apple, apple crumb, pumpkin and pecan), charcuterie boards, and cookie and brownie platters. A 72-hour advance notice is requested, with free deliveries to the Nashua and Merrimack areas.

• Tuscan Market (9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com) is taking orders for several special dinner packages for the holidays, featuring whole roasted turkey, leoncini ham or standing rib roast — each comes with an assortment of sides, complete heating instructions and a meat thermometer, and serves six to eight people. You can also order various in-house butchered meats a la carte, antipasti options; sides, like risotto stuffed peppers, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, mascarpone whipped potato, balsamic roasted carrots and pecorino-stuffed artichokes; and various pastries and desserts, from tiramisu squares and assorted cannolis to traditional ricotta pie and flourless chocolate torte. Ordering with at least a three-day notice is appreciated. Pickups will be available through Saturday, Dec. 24.

• Twelve 31 Events (261 Main St., Tilton; 100 N. Main St., Concord, 818-0012; twelve31events.com) is taking orders for assorted Italian cookies for the holidays, available to reserve now for any day up to Saturday, Dec. 24. Flavors include anisette, ginger, pistachio macaroons, honey walnut and chocolate espresso cookies.

• Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) offers a variety of seasonal sweet treats around the holidays, like chocolate mold Santas, boots and snowmen, peppermint twist bites, white chocolate kettle corn and more. A 2-foot-tall, 13-pound chocolate Santa is also being raffled off online — the winner will be chosen on Dec. 22 and must be available to pick up in store on Saturday, Dec. 24.

• Wicked Good Butchah (209 Route 101, Bedford, 488-5638, wickedgoodbutchahnh.com) is taking orders for boneless and bone-in prime rib roasts, lamb roasts, beef tenderloin, and boneless and stuffed pork loin, as well as Boar’s Head sweet sliced hams. Orders will be accepted right up until Christmas Eve, but ordering as soon as possible is recommended to ensure you get what you want.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

News from the local food scene

• Garden feasts: Longtime television chef Mary Ann Esposito will be at Tuscan Market (9 Via Toscana, Salem) on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to present her newest cookbook, Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook! Released Nov. 15, it’s her 13th book, centered around the home vegetable garden with easy-to-follow planting advice and more than 100 Italian-inspired recipes. During the event, Esposito will be accompanied by Tuscan Brands wine director Joseph Comforti for a special wine tasting. Admission is free. Visit tuscanbrands.com or read more about Esposito’s newest book on page 28 of the Nov. 17 issue of the Hippo — visit issuu.com/hippopress to read and download the e-edition for free.

• Wine and cheese chats: The final Cheese & Corks tasting at Local Baskit (10 Ferry St., Suite 120A, Concord) is happening on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Featuring Kristy Ammann of Dole & Bailey — formerly the owner of Butter’s Fine Food & Wine in Concord — and Ambra Kash of Crush Wine & Spirits, events in this bi-weekly series have included “wine and cheese chats to prepare you for holiday entertaining or cozy winter nights,” according to the event flier. The Dec. 14 event is expected to feature sparkling wines and creamy cheeses, and admission is free. Visit localbaskit.com.

• ’Tis the season: Depending on when you’re reading this, there may still be tickets available to the three-day Christmas festival being hosted at Fulchino Vineyard (187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis) from Friday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 11. Each day features artisan food vendors and craftspeople, a fire pit, hot cider and doughnuts, and family photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Go to fulchinovineyard.com for the most up-to-date details on ticket availability. Tickets are $15 for adults ages 21 and over (all adult tickets will also include one free wine glass per adult and a complimentary wine tasting), $7.50 for attendees ages 12 to 20 and 1 cent for kids ages 12 and under, for counting purposes.

• Whiskey business: Join Steadfast Spirits Distilling Co. (134 Hall St., Unit H, Concord) for its second annual Sip & Shop event on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The distillery will be celebrating the return of its 86-proof peppermint moonshine,and will also be hosting a one-day community shopping event featuring local crafters and other small business owners offering their wares for sale. Admission is free. See the event page on Facebook @steadfastdistilling.