The Feast of the Seven Fishes has become a Christmas Eve tradition for Italian-Americans, based on the Catholic practice of refraining from eating meat on that night. Why seven? There's no definitive answer. In fact, not everyone limits themselves to that number. Some feasts will feature 10, 12 or 13 dishes. Aren't you glad we cleared all that up?
Regardless of where you fall on the number of fishes or the celebration's origins, there are plenty of iterations of the feast taking place at restaurants around Washington beginning Dec. 1 and continuing through Dec. 24.
Al Dente
3201 New Mexico Ave. NW
When: Dec. 1-24
What's on the menu: A seafood tasting menu with seven fish dishes, plus dessert. Courses include whipped salted cod, canellini bean soup with mussels and balsamic-glazed salmon.
Price: $45
Reservations: 202-244-2223
G by Mike Isabella
2201 14th St. NW
When: Dec. 17-20 and Dec. 22-24
What's on the menu: A five-course prix fixe meal, including seafood salad, snow crab arrabiata and roasted oysters.
Price: $65
Reservations: 202-234-5015
Alba Osteria
425 I St. NW
When: Dec. 18
What's on the menu: Family-style meal at La Tavola da Roberto Donna, the new 10-seat counter inside the restaurant featuring the cooking of the longtime Washington chef.
Price: $65
Reservations: events@albaosteriadc.com
Dino's Grotto
1914 Ninth St. NW
When: Dec. 18-24
What's on the menu: Up to 11 kinds of fish in five courses. Dishes include grilled seafood salad, "wedding soup of the sea" and shrimp alla scampi.
Price: $49-$59
Reservations: 202-686-2966
Bibiana
1100 New York Ave. NW
When: Dec. 24
What's on the menu: Five courses, including grilled eel, fried shrimp and black spaghetti with sea urchin.
Price: $65
Reservations: 202-216-9550
Fiola
601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: Dec. 24
What's on the menu: Seven fish courses, plus panettone for dessert. Featured fish include eels, scallops and lobster.
Price: $160
Reservations: 202-628-2888
Lupo Verde
1401 T St. NW
When: Dec. 24
What's on the menu: Seven fish dishes, plus dessert. The menu includes swordfish carpaccio, spaghetti with anchovies and almond-crusted halibut.
Price: $85
Reservations: 202-827-4752
Osteria Morini
301 Water St. SE
When: Dec. 24
What's on the menu: Zuppa di pesce, a seven-fish Italian stew, made with lobster, clams, sea urchin, prawns, mussels, scallops and striped bass.
Price: $37
Reservations: 202-484-0660