Stress-free holidays start with relinquishing control, at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
This year I’ve come to a very important realization: I don’t want to be the mom and wife that spends hours in the kitchen preparing recipes passed down from generation to generation while the rest of the family engages in conversations, plays football in the crisp fall/winter weather, and watches sports, parades, and more on the television.
My mom, a mom unmatched by many, did it all. I won’t. Pre-kids, maybe. Now, the littlest desire I had to be a gourmet chef with perfectly plated dishes has dissipated. To me, cooking is a hassle. A time suck. An activity that most of the time takes away from me being able to be present with my children, family, and friends. I’m good with take-out. Delivery has never felt so good (aside from the often inaccurate arrival time estimations). A holiday pre-order? That’s something I can do.
Maybe you’re like me, or maybe you’re in a situation that may not allow for you to cook up an entire meal this year. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Here are my top Columbia picks for ordering out (err, in) this holiday season.
Three Columbia Restaurants Serving up a Fantastic Christmas Meal
1. Sarah Simmons’s City Grit
This is the one my family opted for this year! The full brunch order ($125) serves up to eight guests and the half brunch order ($75) serves four guests. Meanwhile, the full dinner order ($350) feeds six adults and the half dinner order ($175) feeds two to four adults.
Check-out the menus, below:
Christmas Brunch
- Breakfast Casserole // Grits Sourdough, Breakfast Sausage, Provolone, Swiss, Farm Fresh Eggs {Vegetarian Option Available}
- Baked Grits // Anson Mills Heirloom Grits, Sharp Cheddar, Alleppo
- Morning Glory Salad // Mixed Greens, Whipped Feta, Pomegranate, Toasted Oats, Everything Bagel Chips, Citrus Tehina Vinaigrette
- Monkey Bread Loaf // Brioche, Spiced Sugar, Chai Bun Glaze
- Mini Almond Croissants // smallSUGAR Croissant, Frangipane, Sliced Almonds, Powdered Sugar
Christmas Dinner
- Prime Rib // Dijon & Herb-Crusted Rib Roast, Horseradish Creme, Jus
- Potato Gratin // Yukon Gold Potatoes, Mornay
- Creamed Greens // Rogers Farm Collards, Purple Cabbage, Lacinato Kale, Baby Spinach, Shallots, Gruyere
- Butternut Squash // Date Syrup, Pomegranate Seeds, Dill
- Haricot Verts // Brown Butter, Toasted Almonds
- Garden Salad // Freshly Grown Farms Greens, Pickled Red Onion, Candied Sunflower Seeds, Lemon Vinaigrette
- Challah Rolls // smallSUGAR Challah Dinner Rolls, Cultured Butter
- Chocolate Chess Pie // Dark Chocolate Custard, Gingerbread, Chai Cream
Hanukkah Dinner selections like brisket and kugel are also available and already online as half order and full order options between $175-$295.
2. Emilie Blanchard’s Tasty as Fit
3. Vanessa Driscoll’s Honey River
If these three highlights aren’t hitting the spot, Whole Foods has a holiday ordering table set up onsite (or you can reserve a meal by phone or online) for Christmas and Hanukkah entertaining. Keep in mind that “all Holiday Selections orders must be placed a minimum of 48 hours ahead of pickup date and time.”
Whichever you choose, remember to slow down, indulge a little, and share your holiday photos with us!
