How to Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Las Vegas

Set a new holiday tradition by taking a page from the Italians with the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Known as La Vigilia in Southern Italy, the dinner typically takes place on Christmas Eve with a seven-course dinner featuring fish and seafood dishes, especially salted cod, smelt, and calamari. Here, a look at five restaurants serving up this feast in Las Vegas.

WYNN LAS VEGAS — Costa Di Mare will celebrate the holidays with a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes menu complete with four courses on Tuesday, December 24, through Wednesday, December 25, for $130 per person.

THE CROMWELL — Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis continues the annual Feast of the Seven Fishes tradition at Giada on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for $120. The dinner starts with an antipasti platter of baccala arancini, Sicilian tuna crostini with sundried tomatoes, and olives, coppa salumi, and EVOO braised octopus. For the second course, diners choose between king crab with angel hair pasta with Swiss chard and taleggio fonduta or spaghetti and clams with lemon gremolata and parmigiano-reggiano. For the third course, diners select grilled swordfish with farro risotto, tiny vegetables, and fennel citrus salad or Hawaiian red snapper with black truffle parsnip “fettuccini,” pea shoots, and lemon crema. For dessert, De Laurentiis is taking a page from her Giada’s Holiday Handbook TV show with zuccotto with almond cherry semifreddo and panettone, or hot cocoa souffle with toasted marshmallow gelato and chocolate sauce.

CAESARS PALACE — Rao’s has a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu with a variety of à la carte seafood specials from chef de cuisine Fatimah Madyun including: Rao’s seafood tower featuring one pound of Maine lobster tail split, three snow crab claws, shrimp, calamari, and more; baked clams; grilled octopus; linguini and clams; lobster and shrimp ravioli; frutti di mare; and pan-seared branzino. This specialty menu is only available on Tuesday, December 24.

SUMMERLIN — La Strega has a modern take on the Feast of the Seven Fishes with chef Gina Marinelli. This interactive dinner party on December 24 will feature seven stations where diners can customize their experience. The stations located around the restaurant feature a crudo cart, fritto misto pizza, baked clams, uni risotto, eel bruschetta, tilefish, and zuppa pescateria. The over-the-top feast will also include desserts and Champagne for $150 per person, tickets can be found on SecretBurger.com.

SOUTHWEST — Locale Italian Kitchen offers a Feast of the Seven Fishes menu starting Wednesday, December 11, through Christmas Eve. The menu features marinated cetara anchovy with Italian butter and crostini, frittelle di baccalà, octopus and potato salad, ahi tuna crudo, baked oysters, seafood ravioli, and Tuscan seafood stew for $75 per person. All courses are served family-style and special wine pairings created to accompany the menu are available at an additional cost.

• Las Vegas Holiday Restaurant and Bar Guide [ELV]