A SWIMMING IDEA

You've heard of the Feast of The Seven Fishes, but do you know the history behind it? The Italian Christmas Eve tradition draws from the early Catholic observance of eating fish on holy days and the number seven based on the overwhelming amount of times it occurs in the Bible.

However, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that the Feast of The Seven Fishes became popular thanks to Italian-American families rekindling old traditions.

This year, Sassetta celebrates its inaugural seven-course feast with a contemporary point of view. 

“It’s like a trip back in time when we do the feast at home,” says Executive Chef Mat Urban. “My in-laws are second-generation Italian, and while this isn’t a tradition I grew up with, it’s especially cool for me to cook it now.”

Chef Mat's menu offered only on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24 will feature some of the classics, such as Pasta Vongole with clams swimming in white wine and garlic butter and Cioppino with mussels, clams, white fish, and calamari in a fennel tomato broth. More modern takes, such as Scallop Crudo with beet sauce, meyer lemon vinaigrette, and black radish, delight the eye as much as the palate. 

The Details: Sassetta at The Joule, 1530 Main Street. $130 per person; $65 for children 12 and under. Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24. Advanced reservations recommended. Complimentary valet. Make your reservation here.