Yuletide dining choices abound from now till year-end. City News brings you the best eats, whether you’re dining out or at home.
Contributed By Yong Yung Shin
WONDERLAND OF EATS
Set in what was the first army chapel for the British soldiers during WWII, The White Rabbit (39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541, +65 6473 9965) succeeds in capturing a sense of history even as it is modern and chic—original mosaic tiles and wrought iron grills declaring “Ego Te Baptizo” (“I Baptise You”) are accented by the earth-toned seating booths and modern wood paneling. It’s the perfect venue for a magical Christmas season. Highlights from its December menus include the trio of starters Foie Gras Parfait, Toasted Brioche And Shallot Marmalade, Seared Scallop with Wakame Strips and Iberico Ham With Fig, Parmesan And Rocket Leaves, which, together, present a perfect balance of savory, sweet and salty flavors, particularly the creamy foie gras which is accompanied by a sprinkling of whole pink peppercorns. From the Christmas Eve menu, the Roulade Of Turkey with chestnuts, smoked oyster and cornbread stuffing cranberry sauce is an exciting reinterpretation of the classic turkey dish, while the Poached Seabass In Champagne Mushroom Broth With Baby Vegetables from the degustation menu is a simple but comforting dish. The Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding, served with drizzles of caramel and vanilla ice-cream, is one of the best sticky date puddings in town— well worth every calorie. Priced from S$48 for Three-course Festive Set Lunch Menu onwards to S$108 for Christmas Eve Dinner Menu.
HOTCAKES & BANANAS CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
For festive Sunday brunches below S$20, cozy up at Aerin’s Café & Espresso Bar (252, North Bridge Road, Raffles City Shopping Centre, B1-11/12, +65 6337 2231) with options such as Aerin’s Big Breakfast (S$18), Hotcakes & Banana (S$9.50), Ham & Cheese Omelette (S$15) or Spanish Fried Churros (S$9.50). Its three-course Christmas set dinner menu (S$26-S$30) features three main dish options: Oven-roasted Turkey With Walnut And Bread Stuffing, Brussel Sprouts & Cranberry Sauce, Seared Halibut Fillet With Green Pea Puree, Crispy Serrano Ham & Smoked Tomato Sauce and Grilled New Zealand Beef Tenderloin With Potato Croquettes, Arugula & Red Wine Sauce. The set dinner is available from Dec. 19 to 31.
A TURKEY WITH A TWIST
Fancy an Asian twist to your Christmas turkey? Goodwood Park offers an adventurous Poached Soy Sauce Turkey With “Tau Kwa” and Fragrant Rice (S$168 for 8 to 12 pax). Doing what it does best with the king of fruits, there is also the Goodwood D24 Durian Christmas Log Cake (S$42 for 1kg).
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEASTS
With its child-friendly facilities and reasonable prices, Sol Playground (200 Turf Club Road, #01-21 Turf City, Singapore 287994, +65 6467 8681) is bound to be a favorite spot for family festive gatherings.
Its three-course Café Christmas Menu (S$27.90) features Thyme Roasted Butternut Pumpkin With Cream, Pan-seared Lamb Rack served with Parmesan Potato and Mint Jelly or Slow-braised Turkey Breast and Root Vegetables served with Toasted Ciabatta, as well as Spanish Turron—a traditional Spanish Christmas treat made with almond honey and a glass of egg nog. The all-day Christmas Kiddy Meal serves up a choice of Deep-fried Turkey Ham and Cheese Bread Roll or Baked Macaroni With Turkey Ham And Cheese Sauce, followed by a dessert of cranberry buttermilk scone and hot chocolate. S$15 per child.
RUSSIAN DOLL TURKEY
Nothing to fizz up a turkey like beer. Friends Restaurant@Jelita (293 Holland Road #02-04, Singapore 278628, +65 6463 1011) offer a Turducken with Kronenbourg 1664 (S$49 for 5 persons): a Kronenbourg beer-infused creation of boneless turkey breast stuffed with boneless smoked duck breast, boneless chicken leg and pork sausage, wrapped in bacon to keep the layers of meat moist and tender; in other words, a pig in a bird in a bird in a bird in a pig. S$23.90 per person for dine-in.
LOG IN
Breadtalk’s Chocolate Adventure features an assembly of chocolate chiffon, chocolate cream, chocolate chips and meringue. The wintry white Snowy Day, on the other hand, is a fusion of chocolate chiffon and hazelnut cream. For non-chocoholics, the Holly Berry, made of strawberry mousse, vanilla chiffon and fruits, makes a good alternative. All log cakes at S$46. If you’re anticipating young guests at your Christmas party, you’ll not fail to impress with the Snowy Mountain (S$42), an indulgent offering of vanilla bavaroise infused with vanilla beans, luxurious chocolate and mixed berries compote.
GET STUFFED
For delicious value for money, get your Christmas dinner at iWannaGetStuffed (Blk 801, Tampines Ave 4, #01-257, Singapore 520801,+65 6785 4690). S$38 (per person) gets you a four-course meal of seafood chowder, starter of Greek Feta Salad With Prawns, a choice of mains—Roasted Jumbo Chicken Leg, Pan-seared Salmon, Rib-eye Steak With Red Wine Mushroom Sauce, and dessert of Apple Crumble, including coffee or tea. BYO. Also available for takeaway—fully stuffed and garnished Turkey with cold cuts, Baby-back Ribs, Salmon or Leg Of Lamb (good for 15-20 persons) at S$128.
