The Great Christmas 2011 Guide: Dining Out Extra!

For the record, I'm pretty sad that Hanukkah isn't big in China. Ditto for Kwanzaa. And all the other other-denominational holidays that I'm forgetting (Festivus!). But, y'know, if you think of Christmas as just a day for people to be extra-nice and to eat a lot, surely everyone could get on board with that. Here are some suggestions for eating out on Christmas Day, and a couple more for Christmas Eve (our previous Christmas Eve dining out post here).

CHRISTMAS EVE

Barolo Chef Gianluca creates a magnificent five-course Christmas feast. RMB 1,288+15%(includes champagne). 6-10.30pm. Barolo, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8777)

Cepe Five delicate courses of Italian-influenced dishes. RMB 988+15%, RMB 1,588+15% (includes wines). Cepe, Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street (6629 6996)

Eudora Station Traditional Christmas feast featuring music from the Greg Carroll Band. RMB 988 (VIP), RMB 598, RMB 198 (kids). 6pm-midnight. Eudora Station (8599 6666 ext 6528)

Fratellifresh Chef Ivan Fargnoli presents a seven-course Italian Christmas feast. RMB 688+15% (includes glass of Veuve Clicquot). 6-10pm. Fratellifresh (5863 8203)

Le Pré Lenôtre Six courses of sumptuous French cuisine. RMB 2,488 per couple (includes welcome champagne). 6-11pm. Le Pré Lenôtre, Sofitel Wanda Beijing (8599 6666 ext 6528)

Tadka Four courses of exotic Indian paired with wine. RMB 288. 7-10pm. Tadka, Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast (5927 8328)

Terra Festive Christmas menu with a Latin twist. RMB 218 (two courses), RMB 258 (three courses); add RMB 210 for free-flow beer or bubbly. 6-11pm. Terra (6591 9148)

CHRISTMAS DAY

BLD Cafe

International flavors and festive sweets. RMB 398+15% (includes wine, beer, eggnog and Veuve Clicquot), kids 6-12 half price. 11.30am-3pm. BLD Cafe, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5863 8223)

China Grill

Christmas overlooking the city. RMB 1,388+15% (includes wine pairing), RMB 1,088+15%. 5.30-10.30pm. China Grill, Park Hyatt Beijing (8567 1234)

Garden Court

Gifts for the children, Veuve Clicquot for the adults, traditional roast turkey and Christmas puddings for all. RMB 498+15%, RMB 598 +15% (includes free-flow champagne). Noon-4pm. Garden Court, St. Regis Beijing (6460 6688)

Greenfish

Kid-friendly brunch featuring a vast seafood spread and Santa in attendance. RMB 388+15%, RMB 488+15% (includes free-flow champagne and house wine). 11.30am-2.30pm. Greenfish, Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street (6629 6990)

Kerry's Kitchen
Specializing in South-East Asian food, Kerry's Kitchen will also bring hams, turkeys, roasts and puddings to the buffet. Santa will bring gifts for all the children, and there's a lucky draw for the adults. RMB 688+15% (includes free-flow house wine and beer), RMB 288+15% (kids under 12). Noon-3pm. Kerry's Kitchen, Kerry Hotel (8565 2088)

Kranzler's

Buffet featuring live lobster and roast goose. RMB 488 (free-flow selected wines and beer), RMB 188 (kids). 11.30am-3pm. Kranzler’s, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre (6465 3388 ext 4222)

One East

Three-course American Christmas set lunch menu, including roast turkey and flaming puddings. RMB 388+15%, add RMB 288 for free-flow Mumm champagne. One East, Hilton Beijing (5865 5030)

SALT

Roast turkey, pork and foie gras, with pumpkin cannelloni to finish. RMB 218 (two courses), RMB 258 (three courses), add RMB 210 for free-flow beer and bubbly. Noon-10pm. SALT (6437 8457)

Seasonal Tastes

The food, music and champagne never stops at this indulgent all-day buffet. RMB 588+15% (includes free-flow champagne). 11.30am-10.30pm. Seasonal Tastes, Westin Chaoyang (5922 8880)

Sureño

Five courses, plus antipasti. Choice of five mains, including a vegetarian option. RMB 388+15%. 11am-3pm. Sureño, the Opposite House (6410 5240)

Terra
Festive Christmas menu with a Latin twist. RMB 218 (two courses), RMB 258 (three courses); add RMB 210 for free-flow beer or bubbly. 6-11pm. Terra (6591 9148)

Vasco's

Santa might just stop by this indulgent buffet. RMB 488+15% (includes free-flow champagne and Glϋhwein), kids 6-12 half price. 11.30am-4pm. Vasco’s, Hilton Wangfujing (5812 8888 ext 8411)

VIC

Sleep in then treat yourself to brunch. RMB 528+15% (includes soft drinks and juice), RMB 598+15% (includes French wine, beer and glass of champagne). Noon-3pm. VIC, Sofitel Wanda Beijing (8599 6666 ext 6521)

Yu
Unlimited Cantonese dim sum. RMB 388+15% (includes free-flow beer and house wine). 11.30am-2.30pm. Yu, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8161)

Photos: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre and Hilton Beijing Wangfujing

Comments

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The Veggie Table has one for RMB 208, and Lily's has a turkey dinner for RMB 109.

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Susan Sheng
Assistant Dining Editor

Sounds like a better deal ... but, I'm afraid it's got to be the traditional turkey dinner for me - being so far from home and family and all that, need to grab a bit of boring tradition wherever possible :-). Any other offers?

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Hey Tom,
Both SALT and Terra do! 2 courses - 218, three courses 258 - And they are serving way more than turkey and cranberry jam - seriously, does any one really enjoy dry turkey and blah pudding for Xmas? (Terra is going South-American style with Roast Suckling Pig yummmmm...) - you can also add free flow...

Anyone found a Xmas dinner (25th December) for less than 280 RMB? Expensive hotel offerings aside, here's what I can find: Stumble Inn Christmas dinner 280 RMB, Blue Frog 280 RMB, Flamme 280 RMB, The Filling Station 280 RMB - three courses, no drinks included (give or take a glass of mulled wine). Bah humbug. What gives with the 280? It's only a bit of turkey and a few spuds.

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