Festive Feasts

If the holidays have you checking your list for meetups with old friends, family heading into town, coworkers to toast the year’s successes with, or even special memories for the kiddos, not to worry. Tallahassee’s restaurant scene is abuzz with merrymaking. From special events and festive decor to new menu offerings and long-held traditions, there’s something for everyone.

One place that’s sure to light up your holiday celebrations is The Edison Restaurant, located in the historic Old City Electric Building in Cascades Park. The restaurant is known for its upscale regional cuisine, and executive chef Morgan Stumpff will tempt those looking to outsource Thanksgiving cooking with something new this year. The buffet will include Coca-Cola-glazed ham and sage, rosemary, and brown-butter roasted turkey along with such sides as country-style stuffing, collard greens, gouda grits, roasted fall vegetables, and homemade cranberry sauce. Reservations are recommended for the meal, which will be priced at $45 per person. “It’s a very good value,” says Stumpff, who notes the price excludes alcohol but includes options for those who prefer fish or steak over the more traditional entrées. “We want everyone to have a nice holiday meal.”

The Edison will also host Brunch with Santa December 21. Stumpff prepares plenty of sweet treats for little ones but says the Cajun Caviar—smoked trout roe served atop deviled eggs—is a showstopper for adults. (edisontally.com)

Photos courtesy of Charlie Park

Elaborate decor helps to make spirits bright. Also overlooking Cascades, Charlie Park complements its remarkable views with garlands along the bar and the terrace, ornate wreaths, and two Christmas trees. The lounge “becomes a sparkling wonderland with almost 100 ornaments hanging from the ceiling,” says Emily Lee, the restaurant’s sales and marketing manager. Though Charlie Park is closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, holiday-inspired drink specials are offered throughout December. On New Year’s Eve, the terrace at Charlie Park offers the best views in town to watch the two fireworks displays at Cascades Park, and there will be four options for a ticketed event: dinner, late-night unlimited bubbles, a combination of dinner and unlimited bubbles, or a cocktail and midnight toast. Tickets are limited and go on sale December 1.
(reservecharliepark.com)

Photo by Dave Barfield

The Huntsman keeps similar hours, with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. But it’s still a fantastic option for intimate and crowd-pleasing holiday gatherings, says executive chef Daniel Renninger, because the fine-dining establishment has “offerings that straddle Chinese, German, Italian, Indian,” and vegan options. He says they put their best on the plate and into their service “without taking [themselves] too seriously.” For New Year’s Eve, The Huntsman offers a prepaid five-course prix fixe menu (featuring both a traditional and vegan experience) for $125 plus tax and gratuity, with optional wine pairings also available. (huntsmanrestaurants.com)

Photos by Jasmine Shirah Courtesy of the Lodge

If classic is how you like your holidays, then The Lodge at Wakulla Springs is the place to be. Located in Wakulla Springs State Park and surrounded by 6,000 acres of pristine forest, The Lodge was constructed as a grand hotel in 1937 by financier Edward Ball. In a dining room named for its founder, The Lodge hosts buffet-style Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners. The dress is casual, and the dining spills out into the lobby; limited private dining rooms are an option for larger parties. Offerings include all the classics: roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, bread, and desserts with soft drinks and bar service as well. “If you can imagine it at your grandma’s house, that’s what we are serving,” says Jennifer Bryant, assistant general manager of The Lodge at Wakulla Springs. The holiday gatherings require a reservation and typically sell out.
(thelodgeatwakullasprings.com/dining)