Passover, which celebrates the Jewish exodus from Egypt, starts at sundown April 8 and continues for the next eight days. While some Jewish restaurants, like the 2nd Avenue Deli and Rectangles, will be closed, many others are hosting seders on the first and second nights (April 9 and 10) or adding special dishes to their menus:
Abigael's on Broadway: This Garment District kosher is hosting prix fixe seders on the first and second nights; it's also selling meals to go (8:30 PM; $117 per person; click here for menus and more information).
Capsouto Frères: Continuing its 22-year tradition, this TriBeCan French bistro is offering authentic Sephardic (non-kosher) first- and second-night seders complete from the cantor down to the haroset. All proceeds go to American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (6:30 PM; $150 minimum per seat; 212-966-4900).
Commerce: Offering à la carte Passover dishes ranging from housemade matzo bread to truffled matzo ball soup, this West Villager is celebrating for all eight days (prices to be determined; 212-524-2301).
Dos Caminos: Though this Mexican Park Avenue South isn't offering a seder, on Saturday, April 4, it's hosting a three-hour tutorial on cooking a Mexican-style seder, which includes lunch and drinks (11:30 AM–2:30 PM; $65 per person, includes lunch, cocktails, recipes and a cookbook; 212-331-0328).
JoeDoe: Celebrating a "progressive Passover," this funky East Villager is offering an early four-course seder including dishes like stuffed matzo ball soup, "Dr. Rita's Brisket" and a special Passover cocktail called the "Drunken Pharaoh" made of Manischewitz fused with bourbon and fresh lemon, completed with a sugared matzo rim (April 7; $45 per person; 212-780-0262).
Payard Bistro: François Payard’s UES bistro is offering Passover options to go, including almond-coated, double-dipped caramel and dark chocolate–covered matzo ($5) and holiday petit fours ($26 per pound), and is also hosting three-course kosher-style seders on the first and second nights featuring a decadent matzo ball soup with white truffle oil ($45 per person; 212-717-5252).
Prime Grill: This Midtown kosher steakhouse is offering first- and second-night seders consisting of four courses and four glasses of wine for both private parties and the general public (8:30 PM on April 8, 8:45 PM on April 9; $125 per adult; $65 per child; 212-692-9292).
Sammy's Roumanian: This long-standing Lower East Side spot continues its Passover tradition with two first- and second-night seders that include a 20-minute Haggadah (prayer book) reading, loads of traditional food and drink as well as live entertainment (5 PM and 8:30 PM; $89 per person; 212-673-0330).
Savoy: For those looking for a Sephardic celebration, this SoHo standard is focusing on the cuisine of Syrian Jews for its four-course feast (6 PM and 6:45 PM on April 8, 6 PM on April 9; $95 per person; 212-219-8570).
Tabla: Floyd Cardoz brings a "New Indian" approach to the holiday for his annual second-night seder at the Madison Square Park standout. Though it features communal seating and a Haggadah reading, this six-course celebration certainly won't be like your bubbe's (6 PM; $95 per adult; $50 per child under 12; 212-889-0667).
Telepan: Bill Telepan's eponymous UWS New American is offering a four-course, non-kosher take on traditional seder dishes both nights ($65 per person; 212-580-4300).
Toloache: For all eight days of the holiday, this Hell's Kitchen Mexican is serving special Passover-inspired dishes like Mexican matzo ball soup for $10 and tacos de brisket made with matzo tortillas for $13 (212-581-1818; see the à la carte menu here [PDF]).