20 restaurants you can book your Christmas meal at this year

Tables at popular restaurants are being snapped up this Yuletide season. But fret not, there is still time to make reservations. REBECCA LYNNE TAN and EUNICE QUEK list 20 restaurants offering various cuisines, from Spanish to Indian, as well as traditional Christmas buffet spreads.

SPANISH

CATALUNYA

What: Catalunya will be introducing five Christmas items to its regular menu. Available for both lunch and dinner and priced from $14 to $55 each, they include Catalan Style Stuffed Chicken ($55++) packed with spinach, pine nuts, mini corn and mushrooms, served with shallots, trumpet mushrooms and chicken stock reduction; and Codfish And Artichoke Rice ($55).

For New Year's Eve, feast on a seven-course set menu ($488++ a person) that will include dishes such as Carabinero Red Prawn (right) and Porcini Mushroom Canelon with white truffle.

Where: The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay

When: Christmas dishes, Dec 19 to 28, noon to 2.30pm (Monday to Saturday), 12.30 to 4pm (Sunday), 6 to 10.30pm, daily. New Year's Eve dinner, 6pm till late

Info: Call 6534-0886 or e-mail reservation@catalunya.sg

UNA

What: Tuck into the festive three-course set dinner ($55 a person) that includes either an oyster fritter with seaweed mayonnaise, or pig trotter and bacon on toast; followed by grilled salmon in pine shard with pine nut and parmesan pesto, or slow-roasted lamb shoulder. For dessert, choose between lemon verbena cream with charred lemon and meringue, or a chocolate and coffee mousse.

For the Christmas Day Brunch ($55 for an adult, $32.50 for a child), expect a Spanish market with live stations. Items will include appetisers, seafood, meats, paella, tapas and dessert. For the main course, diners can choose one of five dishes.

Where: 1 Rochester Park

When: Dinner, Dec 1 to 24, 6 to 11pm (Monday to Saturday), closed on Sunday; Christmas Eve Brunch, 11am to 4pm

Info: Call 6773-0070, e-mail una@onerochester. com or go to una.sg

SEAFOOD

PINCE & PINTS

What: Get your claws on the new festive dish - lobster thermidor (right) - at lobster restaurant Pince & Pints. A whole lobster (600g to 650g), with de-shelled claws, is baked with a creamy mixture of parmesan, thyme, Dijon mustard and brandy. It is served with a side of sauteed brussels sprouts with bacon, almond flakes and pomegranate, and potato gratin.

Limited to 20 portions a day and priced at $58++. No reservations accepted.

Where: 32/33 Duxton Road

When: Till Jan 3, 5 to 11pm (weekday), noon to 11pm (Saturday)

Info: Call 6225-7558

FISH & CO

What: It is seafood galore with Fish & Co's Caroling Fish'mas Platter ($59.95). The platter features prawns, mussels and scallops cooked in a tomato broth. It comes with soup and drinks for two.

Where: All outlets including Jurong Point, Bugis Junction and 313@Somerset

When: Till Jan 4, various opening hours

Info: Go to www.fish-co.com

INDIAN

D'BELL

What: North Indian meets Western cuisine in D'Bell's Christmas offerings with classic roasts and fusion dishes. The three-course lunch set ($25++) features a choice of salad or soup, main course and dessert.

Main course options include tandoori turkey roulade with cranberry pulao, shah jahani lamb kebab curry and spinach and ricotta ravioli.

For dinner ($48++), more options are available, such as Irish oxtail stew (above), masala lamb chop and a trio platter starter with beef ball shaslik. A vegetarian dinner menu is also available.

Specially for Christmas Eve, there is a buffet spread ($65++ for adults, $35++ for children) complete with a meat carving station featuring oven-roasted whole turkey with chestnut stuffing and desserts.

Where: 43 North Canal Road

When: Dec 15 to 31 (lunch set, 11.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays); Dec 15 to 30 (dinner set, 6 to 11pm from Monday to Thursday, 6pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday); Dec 24 (Christmas Eve buffet, 7 to 10.30pm); closed on Sunday

Info: Call 6536-4046 or go to www.dbell.sg

TANDOOR

What: Tuck into turkey with a tandoor twist at Tandoor Restaurant. The tandoori turkey ($108++) is marinated in aromatic Indian spices, grilled and finished off in the tandoor. It is served with potato and dried fruit stuffing, vegetables and cranberry chilli sauce.

For smaller servings, order the turkey pankhi (turkey with lightly spiced cream cheese) and turkey raan ($38 each, good for two people). The turkey dishes are also available for takeaway (order three days in advance).

Continue feasting on Christmas Day and Dec 28 with the Festive Lunch ($48++ a person), which includes roast tomato and bell pepper soup with cream cheese; and homemade zaituni naan (naan topped with olives) with turkey masala.

Where: Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, 11 Cavenagh Road, basement 1

When: Tomorrow to Dec 30, noon to 2.30pm, 7 to 10.30pm, daily

Info: Call 6733-8333

ASIAN

IKYU

What: The contemporary Japanese restaurant in Tiong Bahru will have a 12-course festive menu ($180++ a person) over Christmas and New Year. Dishes include Canadian oyster with caviar; Hokkaido scallop with winter truffle; Champion Miyazaki Wagyu Tataki; and Mini Kaisendon with toro tartare and uni (right). Available for lunch and dinner.

Where: 5 Yong Siak Street

When: Dec 23 to Jan 3, 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6 to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday

Info: Call 9663-2003, e-mail ikyu@ikyu.com.sg or go to www.ikyu.com.sg

FEAST@EAST BUFFET RESTAURANT

What: Indulge in a Peranakan-themed Christmas buffet (above) at The Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel in East Coast. There will be a spread of local and Peranakan delights, such as ayam buah keluak, chicken rice and laksa, as well as Peranakan-style roast turkey.

Lunch on weekdays is priced at $50++ for adults, $25++ for children and $40 nett for senior citizens, while dinner is priced at $52++ for adults, $26++ for children and $42 nett for senior citizens.

Where: Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, 50 East Coast Road, Roxy Square, level 3

When: Till Jan 1, noon to 2.30pm, 6 to 9.30pm, daily

Info: Call 6340-5665 or go to www.grandmercureroxy.com.sg

BLUE LOTUS CHINESE EATING HOUSE

What: The Chinese restaurant's seven-course festive menu, priced at $58++ a person, includes a choice of starter, seafood, meat and noodles or rice. Dishes range from crispy fried salmon coated with salted egg yolk and lime zest (above) to live prawns poached in Chinese wine and herbs.

Where: Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, 01-13, Sentosa Cove

When: Dec 1 to 31, dinner only, 6 to 10pm, daily

Info: Reservations must be made two days in advance. Minimum of 10 people. Call 6339-0880, e-mail info@bluelotus.com.sg or go to www.bluelotus.com.sg

EUROPEAN/WESTERN

MORSELS

What: Chef-owners Bryan Chia and Petrina Loh are whipping up a festive five-course dinner featuring dishes such as duo of house-smoked gammon ham, smoked pineapple jam and asparagus with Tall Boy house-smoked turkey, celeriac potato mash and burnt brussels (above). The dinner costs $128++ with a complimentary housepour (add $60++ for wine pairing).

Where: 35 Mayo Street

When: Dec 23 and Christmas Eve, two seatings a night at 6.30 and 8.30pm

Info: Call 6396-6302 or go to www.morsels.com.sg

EARLE SWENSEN'S

What: Specials at Earle Swensen's include slipper lobster vol-au-vent ($32.90), oriental roasted garlic chicken ($22.90) and turkey breast supreme trio ($26.90). Complete your meal with Joy in a Jar ($12.90, $14.90 for takeaway, left), a dessert filled with chocolate brownie, bananas, strawberries and vanilla and thin mint ice cream.

Where: Two outlets at VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 02-117; and Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, 03-11

When: Till Dec 31, 10.30am to 10.30pm daily

Info: Call 6272-3306 (VivoCity) or 6734-7712 (Jem)

ITALIAN

SENSO RISTORANTE

What: The Christmas set lunch, which has two- and three-course options, includes dishes such as creamy pumpkin soup with pan-seared foie gras, vanilla oil and toasted hazelnuts; and braised turkey breast with cranberry sauce, sauteed brussel sprouts and mushroom ragout.

On Christmas Eve, satiate your palate with a six-course set dinner with items such as foie gras terrine, black winter truffle and vin santo, served with mango chutney and brioche bread; and pumpkin ravioli with lobster medallion topped with caviar, scampi, espuma and sage.

On Christmas Day, enjoy a Franciacorta brunch ($158++ a person) with a free flow of Ca'del Bosco Franciacorta, prosecco, rose prosecco, house wines and beer, with oysters and truffle dishes.

For dinner, the restaurant is offering a four-course set with dishes such as veal tenderloin medallion (above) with a mushroom fricassee with foie gras truffle sauce and a selection of Italian desserts.

Where: 21 Club Street

When: Dec 8 to 24, and 26, two- and three-course set lunch, noon to 2.30pm (weekday); Christmas Eve, six-course dinner, 6 to 10.30pm; Christmas Day Brunch, 11.30am to 3pm, and four-course dinner, 6 to 10.30pm

Info: Call 6224-3534, e-mail reservations@ senso.com.sg or go to senso.sg

ALKAFF MANSION RISTORANTE

What: Opt for a four-course festive meal on Christmas Eve (lunch and dinner) and Christmas Day (dinner only). The menu includes dishes such as Hokkaido scallop carpaccio with cognac pineapple, fresh figs and black sesame caviar with black truffle (right); and tortellini with red radish and fresh prawns, served in pumpkin cream with stracchino cheese and toasted hazelnuts.

For brunch on Christmas Day ($148++ for an adult, $48++ for a child aged five to 12), expect a free flow of prosecco and more than 25 premium dishes such as a roast turkey, as well as live stations offering made-to-order servings of truffle porcini mushroom risotto, foie gras, and pasta.

Where: 10 Telok Blangah Green

When: Four-course festive set is available on Christmas Eve (lunch and dinner), and on Christmas Day (dinner only), 11.30am to 3pm, 6 to 11pm; Christmas Day Brunch, 11.30am to 3.30pm

Info: Call 6510-3068, e-mail enquiry@ alkaff.com.sg or go to www.alkaff.com.sg

FRENCH

JAAN

What: The French fine dining restaurant features a selection of festive lunch sets (from $78++ for a three-course lunch) crafted by chef de cuisine Julien Royer. Or savour a decadent eight-course Christmas Eve Dinner ($338++ a person, includes a glass of Krug, full pre-payment required) with a variety of dishes such as scallop millefeuille with black truffle, baby leek and shallots; wild brill "on the bone" with seaweed butter risotto; and X'mas Choconuts for a lush finish.

Where: Jaan, Swissotel The Stamford, Level 70, Equinox Complex, 2 Stamford Road

When: Dec 8 to 31 (festive lunch, noon to 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday), Christmas Eve dinner (7 to 11pm, diners can stay to watch the fireworks display)

Info: Call 9199-9008

SAINT PIERRE

What: Indulge in Saint Pierre's festive feasts which include a Christmas Eve dinner ($158++) with dishes such as Homard et Cepes, which features organic egg confit, lobster medallion, cepe mushroom emulsion, white Alba truffle juice; and venison tenderloin with mulled wine pear puree, ratte potato tempura and cranberry marshmallow.

For Christmas Day, tuck into a leisurely roast meal ($88++ a person) which features an all-you-can-eat salad bar, main of turkey wellington with cranberry fig stuffing and a selection of side dishes.

Where: Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, 01-15

When: 5.30pm to midnight (Christmas Eve dinner); 11.30am to 3.30pm (Christmas Day roast)

Info: Call 6438-0887

BUFFETS

ONE-NINETY WOOD-FIRED STEAKS AND SEAFOOD

What: Dine on a spread of delights including festive carvings of roast turkey (right), honey mustard ham and Angus prime rib, with a free flow of champagne for brunch on Christmas Day ($268 a person).

Set menus are available for dinner on Christmas Eve ($158 for a five-course dinner) and New Year's Eve (from $158 for a three-course dinner); while Christmas Day's semi-buffet dinner is priced at $98 a person. For the semi-buffet brunch on New Year's Day ($72 a person), there will be a live Bloody Mary station for those nursing a hangover.

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, 190 Orchard Boulevard, Lobby Level

When: Christmas Eve five-course dinner, one seating, from 6pm; Christmas Day Brunch, two seatings - 11.30 to 1.30pm and 2 to 4pm; Christmas Day Dinner, one seating, from 6pm; New Year's Eve dinner, two seatings - 5.30 to 7.30pm and from 8pm; New Year's Day Brunch, 11.45am to 3pm

Info: Call 6831-7250 or e-mail one-ninety.sin@ fourseasons.com

BASILICO

What: Have a decadent Christmas buffet (below) with items such as slow-roasted turkey with Amalfi lemon and basil; cannelloni stuffed with braised osso bucco; and baked lobsters with winter herbs.

New Year offerings will include squid ink tagliolini with Alaskan king crab and caviar; and juicy wagyu ribeye with porcini mushrooms; as well as a burrata mozzarella bar.

Festive semi-buffet dinner with a choice of mains is priced at $88 a person; Christmas Eve buffet dinner from $89 a person; Christmas Day Brunch, from $91 a person; New Year's Eve buffet dinner, from $99.50 a person; and New Year's Day brunch from $66 a person.

Where: Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2

When: Dec 1 to 23, 26 to 30 and Jan 1, 6.30 to 10.30pm; Christmas Eve buffet dinner, 7 to 10pm; Christmas Day Brunch, two seatings - 11am to 1.15pm and 1.45 to 3.45pm; New Year's Eve buffet dinner, 7 to 10pm; New Year's Day Brunch, noon to 3pm

Info: Call 6725-3232 or e-mail basilicogrm.rsn@ fourseasons.com

GREENHOUSE

What: For Christmas, expect live carving stations with turkey, roast wagyu beef, honey-baked ham, foie gras and oysters. There will also be festive-themed desserts, from stollen to plum pudding.

Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue, Lobby Level

When: Christmas Eve lunch (from $62 an adult, $31 a child), noon to 2.30pm; Christmas Eve international seafood dinner (from $188 an adult, $94 a child), 7 to 10.30pm; Christmas Day champagne brunch (from $104 an adult, $52 a child), two seatings - 11am to 1pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm; Christmas Day dinner (from $98 an adult, $49 a child), 6.30 to 10.30pm

Info: Call 6434-5288 or e-mail rc.sinrz. restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com

10 AT CLAYMORE

What: Celebrate with traditional favourites such as oven-roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry marmalade; roast wagyu beef on the wagon; and gammon ham.

A combination of these items, among other dishes, as well as local favourites such as char kway teow and assam laksa, will be available each day for lunch.

At dinner time, both turkey and wagyu will be available. All items are available on Sundays for brunch.

Weekday lunch is priced at $42 a person, while on Saturday, lunch costs $48 a head. Sunday brunch is priced at $88 a person. Dinner from Monday to Thursday is priced at $72. From Friday to Sunday, it is priced at $78.

Christmas Eve lunch is $72 and dinner $108); Christmas Day lunch is $98 and dinner $108; New Year's Eve lunch is $98 and dinner $108; and New Year's Day lunch is $72 and dinner $88.

Where: Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road

When: Dec 1 to 31, noon to 2.30pm and 6 to 10.30pm; Sunday Brunch, noon to 3pm

Info: Call 6831-6686

CAFE SWISS

What: Head to Cafe Swiss for some Swiss hospitality and traditional yuletide fare. Offerings range from roast turkey and roast pork knuckle (below) to an apple and carmelised pear salad with candied walnuts. Desserts include logcake and stollen. Where: Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road

When: Dec 8 to 24, lunch buffet ($58++ an adult, $29++ a child), noon to 2.30pm (Monday to Saturday), dinner buffet (from $78++ an adult, $39++ a child, excluding Christmas Eve), 6.30 to 10pm (Thursday to Saturday); Christmas Day Brunch ($88 an adult, $44 a child, $138++ with a free flow of champagne), 12.30 to 3pm; dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve ($88++ an adult, inclusive of one glass of champagne; $39 a child), 6.30 to 10pm

Info: Call 6431-6156 or e-mail dining. singapore@swissotel.com

rltan@sph.com.sg
euniceq@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Nov 30, 2014.
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