It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… well, okay, it has been looking like Christmas for a while here in NYC, but we’ve just put together a list of our 5 favorite festive spots if you are looking for some extra NYC holiday cheer.  Beware, if you hit up too many of these classics, you may just break out into uncontrollable carolling.  Enjoy! 

1. Rolf’s French Bavarian Brasserie:  It does not get more festive than this German (now French Bavarian) eatery located in Gramercy on 21st and 3rd Ave.  Picture yourself dining or drinking inside a giant Christmas tree.  They were nevery really known for their food, but with a new chef (Adalbert Rasemborg) it may be worth a try. Find four more festive faves after the jump…

2. Waterfront Ale House: I know you must be wondering how Waterfront Ale managed to get on this list, but we have to include the birth place of our favorite egg nog ever!  Head to 30th and 2nd Ave  for Sam’s Serious Egg Nog (made with 3 rums + bourbon)- it is by far the most serious egg nog in town  AND you can share this holiday treat, because they serve this magic by the bottle.  Also be sure to try the Anchor Christmas on-tap. Here’s the full beer list from BeerMenus. Bottoms up…  

 3. Pulse at Rockefeller Center:  Now, there is nothing more festive that checking out the tree and skating rink at Rockefeller Center, but who wants to spend exorbitant amounts of money on mediocre food at the tourist trap restaurants surrounding all that holiday goodness?  New York Magazine’s Holiday Guide recommends the “semi-secret restaurant at Sports Club/LA” for a “bird’s eye view of the tree and an Asian accented menu.”  If you gotta do it, check it out at 45 Rockefeller Plaza and 50th Street.

4. Zum Schneider:  People have a tendency to break out in Christmas song at one of our favorite Biergartens on Avenue C and 7th Street.  Maybe that’s because they host a carolling every year, with song book and back up music (Check It Out Here).  Even if you miss the official carolling, Zum Schneider is a fun festive place to knock back some serious steins of German brews and to perform your own drunken rendition of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.

5. Celsius @ Bryant Park: In case you haven’t noticed, there is a giant glass-enclosed two-story, 7,000 foot structure sitting beside the ice-skating rink at Bryant Park, including a huge balcony with outdoor heat lamps. The Buddha Bar team has crafted a “Canadian-themed” comfort food menu replete with menu items such as chili, mac n’ cheese, sliders, “chilly” dogs, fish and chips and more. What holiday would be complete without a lawsuit? Apparently, Bryant Park Grill was none too pleased with the added competition for customers in this economy (here’s more on the “food fight” that erupted in Bryant Park). Don’t worry…Wined & Dined is staying out of this one.

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