When Michael Bublé gets so much airtime, it can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming. We bring you a list of treats to help you entertain in style.
Christmas is not the time to be counting calories, neither is it the time to cook if you are not quite Julia Child. To take the stress out of preparing that festive meal, here are some of our top picks for food and drinks.
Festive Roasts
Goodwood Park Hotel
This year, Goodwood Park is giving the traditional roast turkey a local twist by introducing its Roasted Pandan Scented Turkey with Mantou Kaya Nibbles and Housemade Chilli ($238 nett). Fragrant pandan is used in the turkey marinade, resulting in an aromatic and succulent meat with a sweet after note from the honey in the marinade. The turkey comes with Mantou Kaya Nibbles, which essentially are mantou, turkey stuffing and kaya. Round up the indulgence with chilli on the side.
The roast turkey is available for takeaway at The Deli until Dec 26. Orders need to be made five days ahead, with the last booking on Dec 19. Call 6730 1867 or email festive@goodwoodpark hotel. com.
Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Glam up your Christmas with Mandarin Orchard’s Chicken Ballotine with Foie Gras and Black Truffle. The buttery foie gras and generous shavings of black truffle in the ballotine will leave you wanting more. At $98 per 2kg order, the Chicken Ballotine is value for money. Takeaway is available from Nov 22 to Dec 31. For orders and enquiries, call 6831 6272/6320 or email [email protected]. Dine in at two-Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro and savour a specially curated six-course set menu that highlights the Christmas season’s freshest ingredients. Notable items include Chef Kentaro’s festive appetisers, Shisen Hanten Signature Stir-fried Lobster with Chilli Sauce and Stir-fried Kuroge Wagyu Beef.
The festive menu will be available from Dec 23 to 31 at $198 per person (minimum of two persons).
Park Hotel Alexandra
If turkey is not your thing, try its more famous relative, the chicken. At Park Hotel Alexandra, the Spit-Roasted Chicken with Sweet Orange and Aged Balsamic Glaze is absolutely bursting with flavours. The chicken is steeped in a spiced bath for at least 24 hours, then marinated in a sweet orange and aged balsamic reduction before being roasted. For $46 nett, this 1.8kg roast (good for four people) includes roasted vegetables, herbed potatoes and balsamic orange sauce. Orders may be made online at www.parkhotelgroup.com/en/alexandra/festive-takeaway or via telephone at 6828 8880 from Nov 25.
The Fullerton Hotel
Vegetarians can join in the fun at The Fullerton Hotel and try out its Impossible Meat Wellington made from the fully plant-based Impossible Meat. Even meat eaters will not be able to tell the difference. The dish comprises a hearty mound of plant-based meat encased in a crisp golden puff pastry and served alongside Brussels sprouts, roasted potato medley and wild mushroom cream sauce. The Impossible Meat Wellington is only available as part of the festive buffet spread at Town Restaurant. The buffet is available until Dec 30. Price per adult starts from $59++.
Park Hotel Clarke Quay
Instead of roasts, why not have some grills on your plate this Christmas? Cocobolo at Park Hotel Clarke Quay will be having a Festive BBQ Buffet featuring a selection of grilled meats. Be sure to try the tender and flavourful Lamb Rack with Whole Grain Mustard and Rosemary. And while you are at it, grab some Mac and Cheese on the side. At $78++ per adult, the buffet is available on Dec 20, 21, 24, 27, 28 and 31.
Sweet Tidings
Oxwell & Co
Have a very English Christmas with Oxwell & Co and end the year on a sugar high with the restaurant’s Sticky Toffee Pudding Served with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, made according to the owner’s Grandma Barbara’s 70-year-old recipe. Then, wash it down with some classic eggnog made from advocaat, double cream, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, nutmeg and seasonal spices. Oxwell & Co’s festive menu is available from until end-January 2020. Some of the other notable dishes on the menu include the Brussels Sprouts, Braised Rabbit and Crackled Belly of Pork.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel
The Christmas season is never complete without some mulled wine. Enjoy the Feuerzangenbowle, which literally means fire-tongs punch, at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung, located in The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. This drink might be a mouthful to pronounce, but it will warm you up. Don’t forget to get your camera ready to catch how this traditional German drink is made: A rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and dripped into the mulled wine. Also check out the Christmas set menu and buffet brunch at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung, as well as all the other festive offerings from the other restaurants in Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski.
InterContinental Singapore
Count down the days to Christmas with an advent calendar. Comprising 24 sweet treats, InterContinental Singapore’s limited-edition advent calendar features a scent spray, Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut (200ml), TWG InterContinental Singapore Heritage Tea, InterContinental Singapore’s special blend of festive herbs and other sweet treats. The advent calendar costs $428 and can be purchased online at InterContinentalShoppe.sg. Self-collection can be made until Dec 22 at the Festive Shoppe in InterContinental Singapore.
TWG Tea
Well known for its tea-infused patisseries, TWG Tea is introducing its Magic Christmas Tea Log Cakes this festive season. The vanilla mousse log cake has an almond streusel base and is layered with a tropical fruit confit, vanilla
crémeux, white chocolate crisp and almond sponge and is accompanied by a scoop of Vanilla Bourbon Tea ice cream. The chocolateversion has an almond streusel base and is layered with vanilla crémeux, raspberry confit, almond and hazelnut crisp, almond chocolate sponge and topped with hazelnut Chantilly cream. It is accompanied by a scoop of 1937 Black Tea sorbet. The log cakes are available in individual slices or whole (serves eight) and priced at $9.50 and $76 respectively.