the mandarin oriental
The MO is adding a sweet sparkle to its festive feasts with new confections in lieu of the traditional log cake. There’s the Noël Crème Catalan, which combines muscovado frangipane, banana compote and crème Catalan. The Christmas Joy treat sees a fruity medley of pink guava and peach compote, vanilla and yuzu mousse, balanced with almond Pain de Gênes. The Ruby Cocoa, which takes the shape of a cocoa pod, has layers of raspberry mousse, raspberry chocolate cremeux and chocolate almond cream. Perfect as gourmet gifts or for ending your Christmas dinner on a sweet note.
However, if you prefer robust and savoury flavours, you can count on the hotel’s rotisserie for Christmastime favourites. Crackling Iberico pork loin and traditional roasted Christmas turkey are always good for when you’re enjoying a dram. But we’re salivating at the image of the Australian grass-fed ribeye roast, above.
The Mandarin Oriental is at 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, tel. +65 6338 0066. The festive counter at the hotel lobby opens from 4 to 26 December. For orders, email [email protected] or call +65 6885 3081. For restaurant reservations or dining enquiries, email [email protected] or call +65 6885 3500.
Capella Singapore
Want to go away for a bit without hauling the whole family on a plane? This sprawling resort on Sentosa island is the answer. Capella Singapore presents a luxurious respite from the city during the hectic holiday season. And with festive meals lined up from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, it’ll be like enjoying a private Christmas season at home, except you don’t have to do any of the work.
Guests can expect an indulgent range of traditional festive highlights — classic turkey, roasts, ham, pies, gingerbread confections, et al — from the Chef’s Table. There are also unique meals offered at The Knolls or at Cassia. Oh, while you’re there, don’t forget to book a session at the resort’s excellent Auriga Spa.
Capella Singapore is at 1 The Knolls, Sentosa, tel +65 6377 8888. For full details of the menus, see here.
Kitchen Language Catering
Still, if you prefer a traditional gathering at home, consider reducing your workload with help from Kitchen Language Catering. The catering arm of Refinery Concepts is offering a choice of three curated buffet menus: Season of Joy ($42+ per person), Treasure Trove ($46+ per person; prepared from a halal-certified kitchen) and Lovely Christmas ($58+ per person). A minimum order of 25 persons applies.
All menus offer a range of traditional and flavourful Christmas dishes and desserts. To make it more fun, you can add live stations, where festive favourites are prepared on the spot by professional chefs. Both halal and non-halal options are available with a top-up starting from $12+ per person.
For full menu items and alternative party ideas, see here.
Mitzo restaurant and bar
If you’ve had one too many turkey-and-ham meals, try this instead. Mitzo‘s five-course set menu showcases executive chef Nicky Ng festive take on Cantonese dishes. The appetiser platter is an ensemble of truffle and sesame mayonnaise prawn, creamy pomelo lobster claw and a side of the restaurant’s signature crispy pork belly. The main course of wagyu beef cheek is slow-cooked to tender perfection and flavoured with garlic, dried chilli and Sichuan pepper for a fiery kick. Next comes a hearty black pepper turkey fried rice that offers true “wok hei”. The meal ends with a refreshing coffee-coconut granita with caramel jelly served with custard sesame pancake.
But what’s a Christmas meal with an eggnog equivalent? Head bartender Azlam Kadir’s answer is Santa’s Roots, a ginseng and cinnamon-infused bourbon tipple mixed with Licor 43, chocolate bitters, lemon juice, goji berry syrup and topped with egg white and pinot noir foam.
FOC Pim Pam
In true Spanish fashion, FOC Pim Pam will be encouraging its guests to feast, drink and make merry in the most relaxed way possible. No stuffy formalities here. Just a chance to step into Spain’s buzzy Bodega atmosphere.
At Christmastime, there will be festive feasts of Christmas-themed tapas, ginormous paellas, live stations and a food parade featuring Segovian slow-roasted suckling pig. Not to be outdone, the bar team will serve up a free flow of sangria, cava, selected beers and G+Ts.
Honouring the Spanish custom of gobbling 12 “lucky grapes” while counting down through the last 12 seconds of the year, FOC Pim Pam is offering the 12-grape ritual kit accompanied by chocolate ‘turrón’. There will also be a host of yummy treats prepared by chef Javier Vicenti, so you can line your stomach well ahead of the party.
FOC Pim Pam is at 442 Orchard Road, 01-29, tel. +65 6100 4242. For full details of the spreads and parties, see here.
Don’t miss Parts Two and Three of our Festive Feasting round-up.