Whether you’re planning a festive feast at home, or heading out to celebrate, your Christmas dining options are seemingly endless this holiday season. Here’s our roundup of Singapore’s Christmas culinary highlights.
DINING OUT
BABA CHEWS BAR & EATERY
Setting: Housed within the former Joo Chiat Police Station in the culturally rich Katong neighbourhood, Baba Chews Bar and Eatery is serving up a festive kind of tok panjang (Peranakan for “feast”) this holiday season.
Spread: The restaurant’s going all out with a weekend brunch (every weekend in December except 24 and 31 December; $38 per adult) featuring specialities such as yakitori, beef rendang buns and nasi lemak – and a festive Eve and Day brunch (24, 25 and 31 December, and 1 January 2018; $48 per adult) with an all-you-can-eat selection of cold cuts, cured meats, bakery and confectionary items, and hot brunch items prepared à la minute – we like the sound of the chef’s special 63-degree Celsius sous vide egg and the roti jala pancakes. There’s also a Christmas Eve dinner ($58 per adult) with seafood on ice, charcuterie, cheese and desserts; highlights include turkey breast “assam curry” (a two-kilogram turkey slow-baked with tamarind, homemade rempah and creamy curry sauce), crackling pork belly “panggang” (satay-marinated pork belly cooked sous vide then slow-baked, and served with pickles and vegetables), and fiery blue pea vongole pasta (a spicy sea clam pasta in blue pea flower-infused cream).
Secure a spot: Call 6723 2025 or email hello@babachews.com.sg | babachews.com.sg
Don’t miss: Baba Chews’ festive takeaway items include the aforementioned assam turkey breast ($78) and panggang pork belly ($78), plus chendol log cake ($63) made with gula melaka mousse, red beans, pandan jelly, coconut cream and grated coconut, among other special holiday offerings.
Baba Chews Bar & Eatery
#01-01 Katong Square, 86 East Coast Road
CONRAD CENTENNIAL SINGAPORE
Setting: This award-winning luxury hotel is located in the buzzy CBD area, just minutes from Marina Bay.
Spread: For the month of December, Oscar’s is rolling out a festive buffet lunch and dinner, which features holiday specials like honey and pineapple-glazed boneless smoked ham with spicy apple sauce, a whole turkey with stuffing, and a variety of log cakes, alongside the restaurant’s regular offerings. From dinner of 23 December to Christmas Day, the buffet is further enhanced with traditional beef wellington and roasted USA maple duck with tamarind, kumquat and star-anise sauce. Lunch starts from $63++, brunch from $148++ and dinner from $76++ per adult. Top up $50 to enjoy unlimited champagne!
For something lighter, enjoy a cosy tête-à-tête over afternoon tea ($46 per person with a glass of champagne) at the Lobby Lounge. Until 29 December, you can try festive treats like mini bagels with roasted turkey, traditional fruit cake and mini Christmas log cake. There’s also a fab high-tea buffet ($90 per person with unlimited sparkling) on 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31 December, as well as 1 January 2018.
Don’t miss: Indulgent log cakes are available for takeaway, from a fancy (and boozy!) Macchiato Whisky Log to the “safer” option of a Royale Hazelnut Crunch Log.
Secure a spot: For reservations at Oscar’s, visit connoisseur.sg/oscars-christmas or call 6432 7481. For the afternoon tea, book through connoisseur.sg/holiday-tea-time or call 6432 7483.
Conrad Centennial Singapore
2 Temasek Blvd
THE FULLERTON BAY HOTEL SINGAPORE
Setting: This five-star hotel offers splendid views of Marina Bay. You can dine at The Clifford Pier – adorned with monogrammed cloth placemats, cushioned lounge chairs and high ceilings – French bistro La Brasserie or The Landing Point, with a panoramic sweep of the waterfront.
Spread: La Brasserie is hosting a bubbly brunch buffet ($158 per person, with free-flow alcohol) on Christmas Eve, with a buffet spread including foie gras terrine, charcuterie, seafood bisque soup, as well as a carving station with traditional picks like whole roasted turkey, and honey-glazed gammon ham. Don’t miss the cooked-to-order options too – among the list are red wine-braised lamb shank, duck confit and sea bass with truffle béarnaise sauce. The brunch also includes a station for creating your own Bloody Mary cocktails (extra Tabasco, please!).
The feasting continues at The Clifford Pier. Highlights of the Christmas Eve and Day buffet dinner ($98 per person) include fresh seafood on ice, charcuterie, a live cooking station with mouthwatering options like creamy orzo pasta with grated parmesan cheese and truffle with sous vide egg, as well as a carving station serving classic meaty fare like lamb leg, turkey and ham. On Christmas Day, The Landing Point is offering a Festive Afternoon Tea ($49 per person), with bite-sized treats like duck rillettes with orange marmalade on saffron brioche, mince fruit pie and Christmas chocolate praline. Top up $12 for a glass of wine, or go all out with the free-flow option (top up $49).
Don’t miss: There’s a wide selection of festive takeaways available, including the locally inspired nasi lemak turkey ($178), complete with coconut-scented rice, ikan bilis, peanuts, cucumber and shredded egg.
Secure a spot: For more information, visit fullertonhotels.com/the-fullerton-hotel/festive-dining
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
80 Collyer Quay
GRAND HYATT
Setting: This luxury hotel in the heart of Orchard is a cool, welcoming oasis, and all five of its restaurants are offering festive dining specials, with artisanal hampers and takeaway menus also available.
Spread: Mezza9 has a festive à la carte menu on offer up to Christmas, culminating in a grand Christmas Eve dinner buffet and a Christmas Day brunch ($188 and $248, inclusive of free-flow alcohol). The former includes Tasmanian smoked king salmon, slow roasted Butterball turkey and whiskey-flambéed plum pudding. Brunch the next day features international dishes served at six live kitchens, from Chinese, Japanese and Thai food to grilled seafood, and an array of desserts and Christmas cakes. StraitsKitchen, meanwhile, presents authentic local Chinese, Indian, Malay and Peranakan classics at a Christmas Eve dinner buffet, and lunch and dinner buffets on Christmas Day. There’s fried rice with blue swimmer crab, tiger prawns in salted egg yolk, and chilli crab, plus slow-roasted turkey and over 20 desserts including a pandan log cake.
The Grand Hyatt hits party mode for New Year’s Eve, with five different buffets, plus a “Back to the 80s – Discotech” countdown party in the hotel lobby; buffet prices vary, but nearly all of them include tickets to the party, with free-flow champagne and desserts from 9.30pm till late. (Standalone party tickets are $108.)
Pete’s Place, 10 Scotts and Oasis all have various buffet specials for Christmas and NYE too.
Secure a spot: For more information or reservations, call 6732 1234 or visit singapore.grand.hyatt.com
Grand Hyatt
10 Scotts Road, Singapore
JAMIE’S ITALIAN SINGAPORE
Setting: Whether you’re taking in the harbour view from the VivoCity location, or people-watching at the Orchard branch at Forum the Shopping Mall, you’ll find equally delicious fare at both Jamie’s locations.
Spread: Through 1 January 2018, both outlets are doing three-course lunches ($49 per person) and dinners ($69.90 per person), each inclusive of a glass of bubbly on arrival. For lunch, look forward to such specialties as porcini mushroom soup with black truffle, pumpkin arancini stuffed with pecorino cheese, and chicken ravioli with sage butter and honey-toasted chestnuts, plus Jamie’s Fantastic Festive Salad with burrata, roasted squash, toasted pine nuts and pomegranate seeds. For the Ultimate Dinner Feast, expect options like baked nut roast – quinoa, squash, mushrooms, apricot, spinach, arrabbiata sauce and veggie parmesan – oven-roasted sea bass, and dry-aged sirloin steak with truffle butter, accompanied by brussels sprouts, rosemary potatoes and marinated tomatoes. Save room for sweet treats like the festive dark chocolate tart and Jamie’s black forest panna cotta!
Secure a spot: VivoCity, 6733 5500; Forum The Shopping Mall, 6655 7676 | jamiesitalian.sg
Don’t miss: Jamie’s Italian Christmas hampers ($160) – inclusive of a cookbook by Jamie Oliver, a bottle of Prosecco Frizzante Rizzardi DOC, panettone, amaretto cookies, breadsticks, a set of four Jamie’s Italian napkins and a $60 dining voucher – make great holiday gifts! Customised hampers are available, too. To place an order, email sales@jamiesitalian.sg
Jamie’s Italian Singapore
#01-165/166/167 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-01/04 Forum Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road
INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE
Setting: With a name that symbolises wood-fires and glowing embers, Ash & Elm is a striking-looking restaurant with a European vibe, adjacent to the InterContinental’s beautifully restored Lobby Lounge.
Spread: There’s a lavish line-up of Christmas eats at Ash & Elm, with festive lunches and dinners throughout December (including a special Christmas Eve Dinner, 7-11pm on 24 December; $168 with unlimited Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne, wine, beer, cocktails and more). Three culinary theatres will serve braised beef cheek with mulled wine sauce, roasted turkey with chestnuts, gingerbread-and butter pudding and more.
Ash & Elm is also hosting a series of Festive Champagne Brunches, which add unlimited premium seafood, caviar, festive charcuterie and more to the feast, complemented with unlimited Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne (3, 10, 17 Dec, $158 per adult; $25 December, $168 per adult; $31 December, $138. Prices include free-flow alcohol).
You can also enjoy a last soiree of the year at a decadent six-course New Year’s Eve dinner, with highlights including duck foie gras terrine, Boston lobster and truffled brie de meaux, with paired wines and bubbles to send the year off in style (7-11.30pm, $128 per adult).
Secure a spot: Call 6825 1008 or visit singapore.intercontinental.com.
Don’t miss: Takeaway items available from the hotel’s Festive Shoppe include everything from gourmet roasts to special chocolate sandwich biscuits. Enjoy a 15 percent early-bird saving if you order by 10 December.
Intercontinental Singapore
80 Middle Road
LE MÉRIDIEN SINGAPORE, SENTOSA
Setting: Located right in front of the iconic Merlion in Sentosa, this upscale hotel is offering a festive menu peppered with Italian-inspired flavours this year.
Spread: The Christmas buffet dinner ($98 per adult on 24 December; $88 per adult on 22 and 23 December) features delectable dishes like classic bruschetta served with olives, tomatoes and basil, three-cheese lasagne with sausage and spinach, osso bucco (a Milanese signature made of veal shanks, vegetables, white wine and broth), and braised chicken arrabbiata. For a taste of the holiday classics, visit the live stations offering Christmas roast turkey and honeyglazed ham. Then, indulge in Italian-inspired sweets including Christmas panettone, Sicilian cannoli, limoncello tart with amaretti cookie crust, tiramisu and the show-stopping éclair croquembouche (choux pastry balls) carousel. Top up $30 to enjoy free-flow sparkling wine and beer for the ultimate festive celebration!
Secure a spot: Call 6818 3305 or visit lemeridiensingaporesentosa.com. Until 20 December, enjoy a special early-bird discount of 20 percent with advance payment on dining reservations. Children aged six and below dine for free, too.
Don’t miss: The Christmas Day lunch ($68 per adult).
Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa
23 Beach View, Sentosa
MASONS
Setting: The lush and historic grounds of Gillman Barracks, just off the AYE near Labrador Park MRT, make for a great location for a chilled-out celebration, and the aromas of beautiful food, mulled wine and a live Christmas tree will be the icing on the cake.
Spread: Available for lunch or dinner from 1 to 31 December, and for dining groups of any size, Masons Festive Set Menu is great value at $48 for four courses (or $60 with a glass of homemade mulled wine). Diners can choose from a range of appetisers including truffle mushroom espuma, smoked salmon and crab parfait, and king prawn with an eggplant mousse and crustacean sauce. After a mixed berry sorbet cleanses the palate, it’s time for Christmas traditional roasted turkey breast, served with all the trimmings and a generous drizzle of cranberry sauce. Alternatives include a robust red wine-braised beef cheek with bacon, and a vegetarian mushroom and russet potato millefoglie. To finish, there’s a mini Christmas pudding served with brandy butter, Masons minced pie, and a vanilla and cognac gelato shooter. And don’t go home without trying the traditional homemade mulled wine ($16) – Christmas in a glass!
Secure a spot: Call 6694 2216 or email info@masons.sg.
Masons
8 Lock Road, Gillman Barracks
ME@OUE
Setting: The only spot on the island with three distinct menus – Japanese, French and Chinese, all prepared in an open-concept kitchen – Me@OUE boasts sweeping views of the city’s financial centre and Marina Bay, with design by award-winning Japanese firm Super Potato.
Spread: Here’s a festive menu with a difference: seven courses paired with Macallan whisky, one of the most sought after single malt whiskies in the world. Until 31 December, you can tuck into Chef Sam’s fascinating line-up of dishes, from Hélie Farm Saint-Vaast Oysters (sourced from the oldest oyster basin in Normandy), which pair perfectly with Macallan 12 Fine Oak with its complex aromas of heather honey and fruit, to South African spiny lobster served with salted egg yolk, pumpkin and Jamón Ibérico crisp (Macallan 12 Sherry Oak for this one). There’s also the likes of a visually stunning dish of Alaskan black cod in a brewed-for-hours saffron jus, plus Kumamoto A4 wagyu beef (the “caviar of meat”), and a dessert of Oregon blue cheese crème brûlée. The seven-course menu is priced at $158, plus $68 if you want the whisky-pairing option.
Secure a spot: Call 6634 4555 or visit me-oue.com.
ME@OUE
OUE Bayfront Rooftop, 50 Collyer Quay
MON BIJOU
Setting: Located in the heart of town, this modern French bistro offers a respite for shoppers with its array of hearty mains, dainty pastries and delectable desserts.
Spread: You don’t have to spend a fortune to celebrate Christmas in style. From 8 to 25 December, look forward to Mon Bijou’s special Christmas three-course set ($24.90), which gets you a starter or soup, one main and a dessert. Start with cold pasta with smoked salmon and caviar or a comforting bowl of cauliflower soup with crispy hash and florets. Then, grub on turkey roulade with emmental cheese and smoked ham or roasted sea bass with mussels and onions.
If you’re feeling extra peckish, opt for the wild mushroom risotto with poached egg and chives instead. Don’t miss out on dessert; a safe choice is the Christmas tree brownie with vanilla ice cream, or the cinnamon star mini chocolate log cake with mushroom meringue. Still hungry? Top up $5 for an extra salad or soup, while an additional $3 gets you a Christmas blended drink on top of the set.
Secure a spot: Call 6739 6738 or email monbijou.ohs@millenniumhotels.com.
Mon Bijou
#01-19/20 Claymore Connect 442 Orchard Road
MUSEO
Setting: Located in Sentosa Cove, this snazzy space offers East-meets-West fusion cuisine against a gorgeous backdrop of the marina.
Spread: Available from 18 to 25 December, Museo’s Christmas menu includes a four-course ($95) and five course ($105) set meal. Begin with a soup or salad – we’re eyeing the creamy asparagus soup with roasted bacon and herbs, or the refreshing pomelo seafood salad. Entrée options include a boiled half Boston lobster and chicken roulade served with asparagus, sautéed mushroom and truffle cream sauce. Round up the celebration with a sweet dessert; the chocolate ball with frozen pistachio nougat – served with butterscotch sauce – sounds amazing, or go for the date-and-bread-butter pudding with red bean, molasses and vanilla ice cream.
Prefer a light bite? Here you’ll also find a wide range of exotic flavours like lavender prawns and chicken liver bacon rolls, all served in elegant transparent cups – great for small eaters!
Secure a spot: Call 6734 8066 or visit mu-se-o.com.
Museo
#01-22 Quayside Isle 31 Ocean Way, Sentosa Cove
OSTERIA MOZZA
Setting: Located in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Osteria Mozza highlights celebrity chef Mario Batali’s twist on Italian cuisine. This classy spot – recognised on San Pellegrino’s list of the 50 Best Restaurants on the continent – is known for its excellent execution of heavenly pastas like linguine with clams, pancetta and spicy chilies, as well as main courses like grilled wagyu beef tagliata.
Spread: On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, make it an ItalianAmerican celebration with a six-course chef’s tasting menu ($188 per person), which presents the finest and freshest creations including tortellini in brodo with white truffle and blue crab; mascarpone ravioli with lobster butter; and a sweet delight of warm apple crisp with hot ginger gelato and crème fraiche. Up the ante on the celebration by opting for a Riserva wine pairing (top up $120 per person) – you won’t regret it!
Secure a spot: Call 6688 8522 or email mozza-reservations@marinabaysands.com.
Don’t miss: Osteria Mozza recently launched its large sharing dishes – we’re dying to try the double-cut Tomahawk pork chop with fennel pollen (priced from $142 for 900g) and fried whole New Zealand snapper (from $90 for 800g).
Osteria Mozza
#B1-42, Galleria Level The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE
Setting: Bask in scenic views of Marina Bay and the Singapore Flyer while indulging in delicious Christmas creations.
Spread: Until 26 December, feast on dishes from Edge’s seven live stations, including house-crafted Christmas charcuterie like foie gras torchon. Don’t miss the carving station, where you’ll be treated to classics like a traditional roasted whole turkey, glazed champagne ham and whole roasted Moroccan-spiced baby lamb. Cheese lovers can enhance the celebrations with the Farmer’s Cheese Theatre, which showcases over 30 types of artisanal French cheeses. And you can end your meal on a sweet note with any number of festive sweets, including new creations like the Morello cherry crème brûlée and Araguani hazelnut praline raspberry log cake.
The festive lunch (excluding Sundays) is priced at $68 per person, while dinner starts at $88 per person (Sunday to Tuesday). There’s also a Christmas Eve dinner ($198 per person) and Christmas Day champagne brunch ($208 per person), which comes with free-flow champagne, wines, cocktails and beer.
Secure a spot: Call 6826 8240 or email celebrate.sin@panpacific.com | edgefoodtheatre.com.
Don’t miss: Festive takeaway goodies are available from Pacific Marketplace on the first floor – think honey glazed ham, pastrami-crusted beef striploin and the new local-inspired chendol log cake, filled with delicious layers of gula melaka mousse, red azuki beans, coconut panna cotta and pandan sponge.
Pan Pacific Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard
SENSO RISTORANTE & BAR
Setting: Established in 2000, this fine-dining Italian restaurant boasts a beautiful courtyard and a private dining space perfect for intimate gatherings.
Spread: On Christmas Eve, celebrate with an indulgent set dinner ($128 per person), which includes a glass of prosecco to start the celebration proper. Standout items include lobster and pumpkin ravioli with parsnip cream and Avruga caviar; Mediterranean sea bass fillet with baby beetroot, parsley mousse and saffron sauce; and Delizi di Natale Senso, the restaurant’s modern take on traditional pannettone. If you prefer daytime dining, go for the Christmas Day brunch ($138 per person), where you can expect a decadent display of classic and modern festive dishes of roast turkey, lobster, Norwegian salmon, Australian beef, Italian cold cuts and more, served unlimited together with Ca del Bosco Franciacorta, champagne, wines and beer. And don’t miss the live pasta station!
Secure a spot: Call 6224 3534 or email reservations@senso.com.sg.
SENSO
21 Club Street
SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA
Setting: Centrally located in the heart of Orchard Road, this five-star hotel offers a mix of Christmas classics and Asian-inspired treats this festive season.
Spread: Through 30 December, indulge in a festive lunch ($65 per person; $78 on Sundays) or dinner ($80 per person on weekdays on Sundays; $88 on Fridays and Saturdays) buffet at Marriott Cafe. On Thursdays, the dinner option ($108 per person) gets you free-flow wines, beer, and juices. Not to be missed are sumptuous Christmas delicacies such as roast turkey with fried fruits and chestnut bread stuffing; pan-fried duck foie gras with fig jam and port wine reduction; pork saddle stuffed with prunes and pancetta and bourbon and honey glazed leg ham. For something different, tuck into Asian specialties like the Singapore chilli crab, salted egg prawns and braised pork belly. End the feast on a sweet note with the mulled fruit trifle, eggnog cream pots, madeline mince pies with brandy butter and more! There’s also lunch and dinner buffets available on Christmas Eve ($78 per person; $148 per person) and Christmas Day ($128 per person; $148 per person).
For something lighter, check out Pool Grill’s three-course Christmas set menu ($80 per person) on 24 December (dinner) and 25 December (brunch).
Don’t miss: Holiday takeaway items, from succulent roasts to tempting sweet treats to luxurious hampers. We’re eyeing the Asian salt spiced turkey with Mandarin jus (4.5 to 5kg, $188) and the coffee praline dulcey yule log (1kg, $68)! Order at the hotel forecourt stall by the entrance, call 6831 4708, or order online at singaporemarriott.com/christmas.
Secure a spot: For dining reservations, call 6831 4605 or email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza
320 Orchard Road
STELLAR AT 1-ALTITUDE
Setting: Stellar is the highest restaurant in Singapore (282 metres), so you’ll feel on top of the world even before the celebrations begin, and happily the breathtaking views are matched by the quality of executive chef Christopher Millar’s progressive Aussie cuisine.
Spread: Stellar’s Christmas Day Brunch Buffet (12 noon to 3pm) will leave you more stuffed than a stocking on Christmas morning. Priced at $140 ($60 for children under 12; free for six and under), the spread includes fresh seafood, foie gras, brunch classics, and succulent meats from the Festive Kitchen, from turkey with porcini and truffle stuffing to wagyu short rib; oh, and some amazing desserts, including a black forest pavlova wreath. Add $60 for free-flow prosecco.
If an evening feast is more your thing, the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners (6pm to 10pm/10.30pm) feature five courses of seasonal bounty, from a duet of hand-dived scallops topped with burnt chilli spheres to red wine-poached pear nestled in dark chocolate pudding, plus a live station serving slow-roasted smoked ribeye, turkey and bone-in ham, with all the trimmings.
Secure a spot: Email info@1-altitude.com or call 6438 0410 for bookings, and visit 1-altitude.com/stellar for menus and more information. Don’t Miss: Stellar has a range of take-home gourmet hampers and festive ingredients, from Christmas cookies to roast turkeys.
Stellar at 1-Altitude
Level 62, One Raffles Place
TAMARIND HILL
Setting: Not many restaurants in Singapore have the rustic appeal of Tamarind Hill, which serves traditional and contemporary Siamese cuisine in a stand-alone historic colonial bungalow atop the forested Labrador Nature Reserve.
Spread: Keen to spice up your usual Christmas fare? Tamarind Hill is offering a five-course Festive À La Carte Menu, available from 6pm to 10.30pm every night until 31 December. The cost is $136 per person with a choice of a main course, plus two cocktails or glasses of wine. Things kick off with a festive appetiser platter, featuring tiger prawn satays, pan-seared salmon dumplings, and wagyu beef and foie gras patties. This is followed by a roast turkey salad with roasted rice and chilli sauce, and a tom yam prawn bisque with scallops. For mains, you can opt for Thai-inspired stuffed turkey, pan-roasted barramundi or caramelised pepper pork chop with a mango and black pepper sauce. The meal rounds out with a festive dessert platter, featuring Thai tea tart, coconut ice cream and mango macaron.
Secure a spot: Call 6278 6364 or visit tamarindrestaurants.com.
Tamarind Hill
30 Labrador Villa Road
TARATATA BISTROT
Secure a spot: Call 6221 4506 or email taratata@taratata.sg.
Setting: Nestled in the buzzy Keong Saik locale is this seven-year-old French restaurant, helmed by chef owner Bertrand Raguin.
Spread: From 24 to 26 December, Taratata Bistrot is serving a four-course festive dinner menu ($88 per person). Start with a warm soup – crustacean fans will enjoy the crab bisque with aioli and comté cheese – then move on to your choice of entrée – highlights include Scottish salmon tartare with caviar and duck foie gras terrine with truffle. For mains, seafood lovers can tuck into panroasted seabass fillet with sea urchin and sautéed baby squid in lobster broth reduction. Want something heartier? Go for the black Angus tenderloin and grilled foie gras with truffle, served with potatoes and Reblochon cheese. While you’re at it, top up $70 for a wine pairing – it’s the holidays, after all! And if you prefer something lighter, choose the three-course Christmas lunch ($55 per person), available from 24 to 26 December. Highlights include lobster bisque, beef wellington with sautéed wild mushrooms and black pepper sauce, and chocolate tart with raspberry sorbet.
Taratata Bistrot
35A Keong Saik Road
THE CHOP HOUSE
Setting: Started by the team behind the acclaimed Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, this cosy gastrobar has two outlets – both are ideal for a casual yet intimate Christmas celebration with friends or family. The Chop House at VivoCity enjoys expansive full length windows overlooking the harbour, while the Katong branch is rustic and industrial-themed.
Spread: Known for its diverse menu, with mainstays such as freshly grilled meats, seafood platters and pasta dishes, The Chop House serves hearty grub that everyone can appreciate. Kick things off with brunch on Christmas Day ($58 per person), where you can dig into a three-course meal featuring sliders, eggs, tarts, your choice of main – including burger, pork chop, baby back ribs and steak – and a dessert. The celebration extends to dinner from 23 to 25 December, where you can look forward to an indulgent five-course meal ($65 per person) with mains like roasted quail, blackened seabass and grilled pork chop.
Secure a spot: For reservations at VivoCity, call 6396 9262; for reservations at 112 Katong, call 6443 1011.
Don’t miss: A wide range of tipples, including original cocktails and icy craft beers, are available on tap
The Chop House
#01-161/162, 1 Harbourfront Walk (Vivocity) #01-13, 112 East Coast Road (i12 Katong)
WOOLOOMOOLOO STEAKHOUSE
Setting: Inspired by the laid-back, food-loving ethos of Australia, this steakhouse is popular for its premium steak selection and Aussie-inspired offerings. The stylish space boasts expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out to panoramic views of the cityscape.
Spread: Available from 24 to 26 December, the Christmas set lunch ($68 per person) features specialties like oven-roasted Australian quail, squid ink fettuccine with spanner crab meat, grilled Australian sirloin and pan-seared Atlantic halibut fillet. For dessert, choose from a selection of festive treats – we’re eyeing the warm Christmas pudding with rum and raisin ice cream, brandy snap and vanilla sauce, and the vanilla crème brûlée with mixed berries, crispy meringue and raspberry coulis.
If you prefer dinner, there’s also a four-course set dinner option ($128 per guest) on 24 and 25 December, which includes mouthwatering picks like Hokkaido scallop tartar with Avruga caviar, beetroot and passionfruit coulis, as well as potato and leek soup with truffle oil and shaved winter truffles.
Secure a spot: Call 6338 0261 or email woo-singapore@wooloo-mooloo.com.
WOOLOOMOOLOO Steakhouse
2 Stamford Road, Level 3 Swissôtel The Stamford
THE ST. REGIS SINGAPORE
Setting: Dine in the ultra-luxe setting of this five-star hotel located at the quiet end of Orchard.
Spread: Kick off the festivities with Brasserie Les Saveurs’ Christmas Eve champagne brunch ($228 per person with unlimited premium alcoholic beverages), which starts with fresh seafood paired with appetisers and delicious canapes including beef cheek croquette with spiced plum chutney. Next come the made-to-order selections, including oven-baked seabass with ratatouille roulade, Lyonnaise potatoes and lemon-caper ravigote; turkey breast “Ballottine” filled with pork sausage and dried figs; and turkey leg salad with Roma tomatoes, avocado, braised red cabbage and turkey jus.
Feasting continues with an exquisite five-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner at LaBrezza ($208 per person with wines), where you can tuck into delicious mains like homemade beef and chicken tortellini with thyme, butter emulsion and shaved truffle, along with an oven-roasted rack of lamb. Then, round things up with a serving of traditional panettone with warm Chantilly cream.
Secure a spot: Brasserie Les Saveurs, 6506 6860; LaBrezza, 6506 6884
Don’t miss: The hotel has tons of holiday takeaway options, including home-cured salmon with green pea, mango salsa and brioche; whole roasted turkey with butter brussels sprouts, glazed chestnuts, caramelised yam, cranberry-orange compote and giblet gravy; and orange-glazed gammon ham with buttered vegetables, mashed potato and Cointreau and kumquat sauce. Visit stregissingapore.com/festive2017 for more details.
The St.Regis Singapore
29 Tanglin Road
DINING IN
BAKER & COOK
This year, artisan bakery and foodstore chain Baker & Cook is keeping things simple with its line-up of festive classics, including a Pacific Christmas fruit cake ($48), a post-dinner treat baked with rumsoaked fruit and decorated with candied fruits and nuts. A great Italian pick is the chocolate panforte ($14), a delicious chocolate, candied fruit and hazelnut cake that goes equally well with red wine or espresso. Or, go for the Christmas biscotti ($9.50), an addictive snack featuring cranberries, orange zest and a hint of aniseed. You also won’t go wrong with the German stollen ($25), based on a traditional recipe made with almond marizpan and rum-soaked raisins, while the B&C gingerbread cookies ($6.50) are a popular choice with the kids. Heading out for a Christmas house party? Customise a hamper by choosing from the store’s range of products, then get one of the friendly staff to wrap it up!
To order: Call any of the seven locations across the island (see bakerandcook.biz for contact details).
CAFÉ 26
Who said Christmas can’t have a healthy spin, or at least a salad side dish? Australian family-owned salad dressing, sauce and marinade brand Café 26, which recently launched here in Singapore, has six different preservative-free products to enjoy, including Café 26’s Original Salad Dressing, Tangy Salad Dressing, Caesar Salad Dressing, Oriental Salad Dressing, BBQ Rib Sauce and Marinade, and Smokey BBQ Sauce and Marinade – all of which can add some extra flavour to the holiday table, whether you’re dressing a festive salad or marinating a piece of meat.
To buy: Café 26 dressings and sauces can be purchased at Swiss Butchery at Tanglin Post Office and Greenwood, Taste at Holland Village, Taste Original at HarbourFront Centre, and Farm Fresh Foods at City Square Mall. For more information, visit cafe26.com.au or vrescano.com.sg.
COLD STORAGE
For a fuss-free celebration, check out Cold Storage’s Extravagant Christmas Feast ($189.95), which feeds eight to 10 people. This ready-to-eat package includes a medium Butterball turkey (around 4.5 to 5.4kg) with a dried fruit stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey sauce, a rib-eye roast beef (1.3kg) with black pepper sauce, a Burgers’ Smokehouse spiral ham (4kg) and a Roscoff onion tart (600g). And, with every purchase of the feast, you’ll get a free backpack cooler bag to keep the meat fresh, as well as a complimentary cheeseboard and wine decanter. Just follow the reheating instructions, and you’ll have a hot and delicious meal in no time!
To order: Orders must be placed by 20 December. Though Cold Storage is not offering delivery, there are over 40 outlets island-wide where you can order and collect from. Visit coldstorage.com.sg for information.
GREENWOOD FISH MARKET (QUAYSIDE ISLE)
Heads up, seafood lovers: this market and bistro’s holiday takeaways will leave you spoilt for choice. Tuck into the two-tiered cold seafood platter ($79), an impressive spread that features half a steamed Boston lobster, marinated yellow fin tuna with furikage, freshly shucked oysters, New Zealand green lip mussels, clams, cooked tiger prawns, and the bistro’s in-house cold smoked salmon cured using apple-wood logs. Oyster fans can also tuck into a seasonal array of their favourites flown from across the world, including varieties such as Mary Point and Golden Mantle from Canada, Gillardeau from France, Coffin Bay from Australia and Baron Point from the US.
Another highlight of the Christmas specials at Greenwood Fish Market is the whole Scottish farmed Atlantic salmon ($4.90 per 100g), available poached or smoked. If you’re feeding a crowd, go for the Grande Platter ($538), a seafood and roast prime rib platter that serves 10 to 16 people.
To order: Pre-order at least two days in advance by calling 6467 4950 or emailing greenwood_bistro_alan@yahoo.com.sg. Collect your goodies from #01-04/05 Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, Sentosa Cove.
HUBER’S BUTCHERY
Known for its wide range of meats – poultry, veal, beef, hams and more – and generous selection of gourmet cheeses, dried goods and oils, this family-run shop is a familiar favourite for meat lovers. This Christmas, Huber’s Butchery is offering a selection of bone-in, semi-bone or boneless hams, homemade turkey stuffings and chipolatas, as well as lamb or vegetarian haggis ($16.30) from Scottish brand Macsween. Popular picks include the premium skin-off, cooked honey-baked ham ($47 per kg) and cooked chicken chipolata ($22 per kg). For something a little special, don’t miss the butchery’s own chipolatas – they come in unusual festive flavours like gingerbread-flavoured pork ($29 per kg), and venison, bacon and red wine ($31 per kg). You can buy in the knowledge that more than 90 percent of Huber’s meats and meat products are growth hormone-free; the sausages are also made with natural casings and without any fillers. Plus, you can get some handy tips and even recipes from the expert butchers!
To order: Order online at hubers.com.sg. Both delivery and pick-up options are available. All Christmas orders must be placed before 8pm on 15 December.
HEIMATSTERNE
From 4 to 25 December, you can look forward to a wide array of festive sweets and desserts from German brand HeimatSterne, available at Takashimaya’s Christmas Food Bazaar at Level B2. Expect a neat selection of European sweets and desserts like traditional German Nueremberger Lebkuchen and gingerbreads in decorative tins, as well as delicious cakes such as raspberry cream slices and Black Forest gateau, which make for an easy addition to your dessert table. If you’re hosting a younger crowd, the selection of chocolate Santa Clauses, decadent donuts and muffins will sure please anyone with a sweet tooth.
Tight on time? HeimatSterne’s thincrust, stone-oven pizzas are a fab option for a fuss-free festive feast. Topped with European tomato chunks, sundried tomato, mozzarella and Edam cheese, plus Italian oregano and basil, the Margherita is a popular choice for any gathering. The best part? Baking time is just 15 minutes! If you’re looking for a gift to bring to a party, check out the gift hampers (priced from $60), which feature ice cream, hand-harvested wines, truffle pralines and more.
To buy: Visit Takashimaya’s Christmas Food Bazaar, shop online at hs.direct or email contact@faust.asia.
INDIAN SPICEBOX
If you’re plannin an unconventional Christmas dinner at home, try whipping up an all-Indian feast! Have a go at this flavourful cuisine with the ultra-useful Spicebox kit ($105), which features a fun cookbook with easy-to-follow recipes, as well as nine types of organic spices, sourced from small farms in India. This unique concept by Indian Spicebox allows you to easily recreate popular dishes like tandoori chicken, all in the comfort of your home. For dessert, try your hand at baking some warm and comforting chai-spice muffins, or the apple crumble recipe from Indian Spicebox founder Namita’s cookbook for kids, The Magic Spicebox. With just a quick trip to the market for fresh ingredients, you can whip up a healthy yet satisfying Indian feast for your party! The Spicebox kits are the ultimate Christmas gift, too – and a part of the proceeds from the sale of each kit goes into feeding a hot meal to 10 impoverished children in India.
To order: Get the kit from indian-spicebox.com.
LUCIA CAKES
We can’t rave enough about independent bakery Lucia Cakes’ brownies! Rich, fudgy and full of chocolate flavour, these addictive morsels are hands down among the best we’ve ever tried. Trained in classical French patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu, London, owner and head baker Agatha named her bakery after her maternal grandmother Lucy, who lived in St Lucia’s Lane in Ceylon and was the baker of the family.
This Christmas, Lucia Cakes is rolling out a holiday brownie box ($42), which includes 36 pieces of brownies in four different festive flavours: gingerbread, macadamia with white chocolate, mint, and orange with cranberries. It’s the perfect gift for a Christmas gathering at a friend’s place – only if you can resist sampling them before the party starts!
To order: Order online at luciacakes.com, at least one day in advance. Place your orders early as only limited batches are available each day. You can opt to have them delivered (for an extra charge of around $5 to $7) or self-collect from the store at 93A Club Street.
RYAN’S GROCERY
For all kinds of organic and gluten-free products, head to this specialty grocer and butcher nestled in a cosy corner of the Binjai Park neighbourhood. Whether you’re organising a full-on meat feast or cooking up a specific festive dish for a potluck, you’ll find all you need at Ryan’s Grocery. If you prefer something traditional, get the classic roast turkey ($148 for around 5.5kg), which comes with chestnut stuffing and cranberry sauce, or go organic instead ($179 for around 4.5kg). A fab alternative is the organic black Angus ribeye roast ($168 for around 2kg), which is grass-fed, free-range and without added hormones, antibiotics or preservatives. Not a fan of turkey or beef? We recommend Ryan’s organic boneless lamb leg roast ($168 for around 2kg), which has a robust and rich flavour.
Not in the mood to cook? Order the Christmas beef ($298) or pork set ($198); both come with roast turkey and honey-baked ham, too. And don’t leave without checking out the range of healthier festive snacks, including non-GMO panettone and gluten-free biscuits.
To order: Order online at ryansgrocery.com or in person at the store (29 Binjai Park).
ONE FARRER HOTEL & SPA
Whether you’re planning an intimate and cosy Christmas dinner at home or throwing an office party, the array of festive takeaway goodies from One Farrer Confectionery will certainly please. This year, the crowd-favourite signature self-encrusted turkey ($148) makes a return with a new twist. Staying true to the hotel’s farm-to-table philosophy, the turkey is marinated with thyme and oregano freshly picked from the on-site urban farm. Other impressive picks include the sous vide barbecued pork ribs ($128), slowbaked Angus beef prime rib ($218) and Madeira-glazed boneless ham ($128). If you’re looking for something different this year, try the roasted traditional turkey percik-style, marinated with fresh lemongrass, turmeric, kaffir lime leaves and other Asian spices. Complementing the savoury treats is a series of sweet picks, including Jivara chocolate hazelnut bûche ($68), whisky pear almond tarte ($48), coffee stollen with cranberries and citrus ($38) and brandy-infused fruit cake with nuts ($38). One Farrer’s festive dining offerings are available for delivery or takeaway until New Year’s Day 2018.
To order: Orders must be placed at least three days in advance, in store at 1 Farrer Park Station Road or online at orders.onefarrer.com by 29 December. Delivery is free for orders above $500, and costs $50 for anything under. Self-collection is available, too.
SHAHI MAHARANI NORTH INDIAN RESTAURANT
For something a little different, we recommend the Christmas specials from this North Indian restaurant, tucked in a corner of Raffles City Shopping Centre. A must-order is the tandoori turkey ($125 for around 4.5kg), marinated overnight and prepared with aromatic spices like fenugreek, cinnamon, coriander and mint leaves, then grilled to perfection in the tandoor (hot clay oven). This spiced up rendition of the classic roast turkey is served with a selection of sauces like mint yogurt and tomato chutney. Or, opt for the other version ($145), stuffed with minced meat biryani – a signature dish at the restaurant. Not a fan of turkey? Consider getting the tandoori chicken ($65 or $85 for the stuffed version) instead.
Another option is the whole leg of lamb ($155 for about 2kg), marinated in a traditional Indian spice paste. This succulent and tender dish – which serves up to eight people – will be a hit with meat lovers!
To order: Order at least three days in advance by calling 6235 8840, and collect at the restaurant (#03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road).
THE MEAT CLUB
Planning a festive feast but tired of lugging around bags of meat? Make your grocery shopping easier with this online service, which brings restaurant-quality, chilled (never frozen) meat and seafood from Australia and New Zealand straight to your doorstep. The Meat Club enables you to enjoy beef and lamb when you want it, without planning for thawing time or trips to the butcher. With the unique packaging technology, the products boast up to 28 days of shelf life in your fridge (10 days for mince). Imagine returning home to fresh meat in the fridge, ready for your party – sounds like something worth checking out!
Build your own pack and select a one-off delivery or join the Auto Pilot plan, where you’ll get a meat pack every four weeks. With no lock-in contract, there are no worries either – you can defer your order, modify your pack or cancel the plan whenever you wish.
To order: Shop online at themeatclub.com.sg or email info@themeatclub.com.sg.
Psst… Enjoy $20 off when you purchase $200 or more this festive season. Simply enter the code “EXPATLIVING” at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.
Looking for more on the festive season?
Gorgeous Christmas gift ideas for kids
How to host an easy Christmas party
This article first appeared in the December 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
