Christmas Delights--Written by Sarah Begum
Let’s be realistic, eating out this holiday season in Singapore is going to be chaotic. No matter how early your reservations, you will still find yourself amidst one of the thickest crowds in Singapore.
However, this is still a food review section and as always I will live up to the obligations of reviewing restaurants during Christmas, but first let’s look at the alternatives.
It is something that has been phased out in Singapore for a while, but truly captures Christmas. A Home Cooked Christmas Dinner! Imagine the surprise of your loved ones when they hear Christmas dinner will be at their very own home this year.
With that in mind, let the review part of this article begin. Every year Singapore’s slew of fine dining restaurants never fails to have a Christmas Special.
Including items on the menu, like Honey Baked Ham, Gravy and Stuffed Roast Turkey readymade and already carved for you. It makes Christmas Bliss! Though, nothing can beat a Christmas Buffet.
Surprisingly Christmas Buffets are very wide spread in Singapore, but what really kicks it out of the park is the aesthetics and ambience that not only the restaurant offers, but also the location around it.
Most of these places include restaurants around Orchard, which are very prominently surrounded by Christmas Cheer. The decorations alone will leave you in awe.
Though the fact that it is quite a common restaurant in Singapore might be a turn off, their dishes sing a different carol.
Turkey Triumph, Oceanic Joy and Steak Grandeur are the Christmas goodies featured for the Christmas set’s, which comes with an addition of their Chicken and Chestnut Soup and a dessert called the Passion-choco Bells.
Their attempt at trying to put a twist on the Christmas traditional favourites, was refreshing, however whether or not that is something to look forward to is subjective.
Somehow even in early December, the atmosphere of the restaurant gave off the homiest Christmas feel with elements like decorations, Christmas Jingles and even the cheery holiday spirit in their service. This is why TCC made it on the list of Christmas eateries.
Just a few blocks away, the Checkers Brasserie at the Hilton Singapore offer food lovers a chance to experience an elegant and gourmet Christmas buffet.
The restaurant does truly live up to its expectations through liberal use of ingredients such as caviar and truffle, which are both extremely exclusive and premium, especially for an occasion like Christmas.
As for their roasted meat, it is always juicy and tender, unlike many other restaurants. It is hard to keep meat from drying out, especially in buffets because they sit outside for long hours.
The Checkers Brasserie ensures that you are not disappointed, by having a Chef personally carve for you the meat of your choice while it sits under a heat lamp.
This results in the meat having a lovely crispy exterior while the flesh remains juicy and tender inside. The dining experience here is truly one that is not to be missed, especially during the festivities of Christmas.
Another thing to look forward to this Christmas season is the indulgence of log cakes, gingerbread men and fruit cakes.
The Lounge offers one of the most creative looking Christmas desserts in Singapore, with intricate decorations on a variety of dessert such as their cup cakes, mousses, cookies and the ever so longed for log cakes.
The buffet provides a very convenient and elegant gold tray in which all these treats are displayed. As for the savory items, not much of Christmas was incorporated into their preparations.
However, they are still products of quality which offered a delicious variety of unlikely combination's.
A very memorizing example of this is their seared scallop, which was combined with a mousse made out of cauliflower, dressed with caviar and drowned in coriander dressing.
No matter how much this appetizer might turn off your taste buds now, its depth and flavors can be extremely satisfying as the combination is married together very subtly.
The buffet might contain a wide variety of innovative food, though it is questionable whether or not the price is actually worth a high-tea.
With that closing this Christmas article on food, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and do not forget, the festive season is the only time when we can truly let go of our diets and really go for it, so enjoy eating your hearts out!
Places
TCC (The Coffee Connoisseur)Type: 3-course Lunch and Dinner
Days: 19th Nov (2010) – 3rd of Jan (2011)
Price: SGD $33++ – SGD $36++
Tel: (+65) 6509 6106
Checkers Brasserie
Address: Hilton Hotel, 581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883
Type: Brunch and Dinner
Days: 24th – 25th of December
Price:
Brunch (25th Dec) – SGD $120++ per person
Dinner (24th Dec) – SGD $125++ per person
Tel: (+65) 6730 3390
Chihuly Lounge
Address: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799
Type: Weekend Afternoon Tea Buffet
Days: Christmas Day (25th December)
Timings: 2.30pm - 5pm
Price: SGD $36++ per person
Tel: (+65) 6434 5288
--Edited by Pinky, Nan Ohnmar Tun
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