With the Christmas holiday occurring on Tuesday this year, expect many restaurants to change their operating schedule in the days leading up to the holiday itself.
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A deliciously wicked soap opera in Edwardian dress, “Downton Abbey” has captivated the imagination of the American public. To celebrate the series' third season's debut, WGBY-TV, Channel 57, the Springfield-based PBS outlet, has partnered with the Log Cabin Banquet and Meetinghouse in Holyoke to present a Masterpiece Ball.
The gala, scheduled for Jan. 5, will begin with high tea and cocktails at 6 p.m.
In addition to a five-course dinner featuring early 20th-century cuisine, the Ball will include commentary by food historian Darra Goldstein, a silent auction, a 1920's style dance demonstration, a period fashion show, and an advance screen of this season's first episode of “Downton Abbey.”
Dancing to live music provided by a ballroom orchestra will also be featured; a by-reservation-only Manor Table will offer dinner service by liveried footmen.
Guests are encouraged to dress in period or formal attire.
Log Cabin Executive Chef Michael "Mick" Corduff has drawn his inspiration for the dinner he's preparing from menus served on RMS Titanic, the sinking of which was a pivotal event in Downton Abbey's first season plot line.
Tickets for the Masterpiece Ball, which start at $100 per person, can be purchased online at www.wgby.org/downtonabbey or by calling Marie Waechter at (413) 781-2801, ext. 247.
With the Christmas holiday occurring on Tuesday this year, expect many restaurants to change their operating schedule in the days leading up to the holiday itself.
Nearly all, of course, will be closed on Christmas Day itself and almost as many will close down early (or won't operate at all) on Christmas Eve.
A few area eateries will be further extending their Christmas holiday, having already announced they'll be closed on Sunday.
The after-holiday period from Dec. 26 through New Years Day is typically a popular time for dining out, so making reservations, when that's an option, can be a wise precaution.
Chandler's Restaurant at the Yankee Candle Flagship in South Deerfield has several kid-focused events planned for the upcoming holiday vacation.
On Saturday, Chandler's will be hosting one of its popular Fancy Nancy Luncheons. Scheduled for 11 a.m., the get-together is billed as a mother-daughter "dress-up" event.
A Teddy Bear Tea is slotted in for Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. The menu includes fruit and veggie nibbles, miniature sandwiches, and two-bite sweets as well as tea and hot chocolate. Cost to include is $8 for children, $10 for adults (not including tax or gratuity).
There's even a Kid's New Years Eve celebration at Chandler's. Held during the day on Dec. 31 (the event starts at 11 a.m.), the festivities include interactive live entertainment, noisemakers, and an apple cider toast at noon. Participants order off Chandler's regular luncheon menu.
Reservations for any of these events can be made by calling (413) 665-1277.
Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. will be offering a number of holiday dining options on Dec. 25, with all the property's restaurants open for business that day.
Todd English's Tuscany will be serving a four-course Christmas dinner, while Ballo Itatian Restaurant and Social Club will be featuring a special menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas with a tropical feel will be on tap at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, while Seasons Buffet will be showcasing a number of season specialties.
For more information on holiday dining at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com/dining.
Though the Farm Table at Kringle Candle in Bernardston will be closed on both Christmas and New Years Day, the restaurant recently put a new seven-day-a-week operating schedule in place.
The Farm Table serves lunch and light fare on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.; on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday dinner hours are observed until 9 p.m.
Sunday the restaurant does business from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with brunch served until 2:30 p.m.
The Farm Table's reservation desk can be reached at (413) 648-5200.
Fiscal cliff notwithstanding, the restaurant industry is bullish about its 2013 prospects, with the National Restaurant Association forecasting that job growth in food service will outpace hiring across the economy as a whole.
That prognostication suggests that recruitment and retention of employees will become more challenging in the year ahead.
High levels of unemployment over the past several years have reduced labor headache for restaurant operators, with annual turnover rates among hourly food service workers at around 60 percent compared to the more-typical 80 percent level.
However, as the economy improves, albeit slowly, more employment options will become available, and food service workers previously reluctant to quit restaurant jobs will leave in greater numbers.
Of course, the industry as a whole, with its high profile opposition to health care reform and minimum wage increases, does itself no favors on the employment front.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College's hospitality and culinary arts program and has over 35 years of restaurant and educational experience. Please send items of interest to Off the Menu at the Republican, P.O. Box 2350, Springfield, MA 01102; Robert can also be reached at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com
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