Any suggestions for a restaurant that serves the seven fishes on Christmas Eve? I'm sure reservations are filling up fast. I know Paradiso and Mamma's serve seven fishes, but looking for other suggestions from you guys.

Thanks!

Dancer

In addition to Mamma Maria and Paradiso, Philadelphia Magazine's December issue included the following Philadelphia restaurants that will be serving the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve:

Ralph's
760 S. 9th St.

Scannicchio's
2500 S. Broad St.

Trattoria Prima Donna
1506 Spruce St.

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Hello Dancer,
My parents still have the seven fishes on Christmas Eve. I know that this is not the answer you were looking for, but I really was unaware that any restaurants actually served a 'Seven fish Dinner'.
I don't live in South Philadelphia anymore, but I come here frequently enough.
I remember years ago my father was interviewed by action news around the Italian market, during the holidays, and they asked him how and why he celebrated the holidays with the seven fish course. All he could tell them was that his father before him did this, and so the tradition continued.
I hope that you find a place. Have a good holiday.

Or try this place, Mio Sogno: http://www.citypaper.net/food/restau...nt.php/id/629/

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Thanks guys, I really appreciate your suggestions and will look into them.

DEPman - how awesome that your father was interviewed on the news! Yes, some area Italian restaurants will do a fixed price Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, for those who may not want to cook that evening.

I used to do the Seven Fishes myself, just like my parents made it, but I used to drive myself crazy to get the meal together and do all the other holiday things. This is our new Christmas Eve tradition the last few years - my husband and I go out to a really nice restaurant for Seven Fishes, and relax and enjoy ourselves. Afterwards, we meet up with friends and go to midnight mass. I'm much less stressed, and my house doesn't smell like smelts for weeks afterwards!

People say that the Seven Fishes represents the seven sacraments, and I know one family that does 13 fishes (to represent the apostles plus Jesus). But your dad was right - we mainly do it because those before us did it.

Have a great holiday to you all, and a delicious seven fishes.

RoseLena's, 1623 E. Passyunk Ave. 215-755-9697
Featured in "This Week in Eats" by Amy Strauss (CityPaper 12/7)

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Two options: Long John Silver or this list from Philly Mag.
(EDITED-oops, sorry...didn't see the abridged list earlier)

Mamma Maria
1637 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-463-6884; mammamaria.info

Mediterraneo
303 Horsham Road, Horsham, 215-672-5595; mediterraneoristorante.net

Paradiso
1627 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-271-2066; paradisophilly.com

Piccolo Trattoria
32 West Road, Newtown, 215-860-4247; piccolotrattoria.com

Positano
21 West Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore; 610-896-8298

Ralph’s
760 South 9th Street, 215-627-6011; ralphsrestaurant.com

Scannicchio’s
2500 South Broad Street, 215-468-3900; scannicchio.com

Trattoria Alberto
116 East Gay Street, West Chester, 610-430-0203; trattorialberto.com

Trattoria Prima Donna
1506 Spruce Street; 215-790-0171

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Its tough finding a 7-fish restaurant, but there are still
plenty of 6-fish places available ...... (and who is counting after five ....)

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Bridget Foy's on 2nd and South also has an excellent 7 fishes