Top picks for Christmas dining – at home or out!

Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve festivities will again be a little different for many of us this year. But if you’re anything like us, you’ll be feeling very ready to celebrate the holiday season! And happily there are loads of options for great Christmas meals in Hong Kong. Planning your Christmas dining early will definitely be a wise move. So whether you’re planning on cooking a roast turkey at home or heading out to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, we’ve done the legwork to bring you a great guide to Christmas dining. Enjoy!

Christmas Dining at Hotels

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

As always, LMO has a huge programme of seasonal F&B and wellness offerings this year, across its six stylish restaurants and bars that include the two Michelin-starred Amber, sommelier-led SOMM, and stylish MO Bar.

For dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, Amber is offering a four- and eight-course option, with seating at 5.30pm and 8pm respectively, while SOMM has four- and six-course options at those same times.

Both restaurants have multi-course arrangements for Christmas Day lunch, too, including free-flow drinks options; or you can head to MO Bar on 25 December for an à la carte menu and free-flow festive cocktails, champagne and more.

The fun rolls on for a few more days after Christmas thanks to the quirks of this year’s calendar, with Boxing Day options for lunch and dinner on 26 December, and then it’s back around to Sunday brunch on the 27th!

As for a New Year’s Eve celebration, head to the MO Bar Countdown Party, featuring DJ Serge and free-flow snacks. And there are other great wine and dine options at the hotel for the holidays, including at Sushi Shikon and Kappo Rin. Plus, we like the sound of PDT’s Festive Turkey Dinner on 24 and 25, with a full turkey spread and 90 minutes of free-flow American wines, sparkling wines and more.

Need more? You can also get Christmas treats at LMO Festive Delicatessen on the hotel’s online store. Plus, The Oriental Spa has all sorts of special events and treatments throughout the month.

2132 0033 | lmhkg-restaurants@mohg.com | mandarinoriental.com/landmark

The Langham, Hong Kong

The Langham has it all this Christmas: traditional menus, live carols, ballet, Santa Claus visits and more. At 6pm, from 18 until 26 December, enjoy carols in the lobby (plus a free mulled wine just after 7pm). Young ballerinas are performing an excerpt from The Nutcracker at 3.15pm on 12 and 19 December. And Santa spreads some Christmas cheer at midday and again in the evenings from 18 to 26 December.

Food-wise, there’s a Festive Afternoon Tea on most days in December at Palm Court, while at The Food Gallery, you can enjoy a buffet spread of freshly shucked oysters, seafood on ice, roast US tom turkey, Italian style porchetta, barbecue grills and more. There’s also a three-course festive menu at Main St. Deli, and Christmas set brunches and dinners at Bostonian Seafood & Grill.

Why not make it a staycation? There’s a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in each of the hotel’s suites, with a one-night stay starting from HK$1,388 including breakfast for two, plus lunch for two at Palm Court. Available until 2 January.

tlhkg.festival@langhamhotels.com | langhamhotels.com

Rosewood Hong Kong

Rosewood has a whopping seven bars and restaurants, so you won’t be short of seasonal fare! Flagship Cantonese resto The Legacy House has special eight-course festive dining menus on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, including the option of a premium option in a private room. CHAAT is offering a spiced and aromatic holiday menu, also on 24 and 31 December, plus a nine-course lunch on Christmas Day. Elsewhere, HENRY has celebratory meals on various days and nights that highlight its reputation for amazing steaks, and you’ll find distinctive afternoon teas and dinner menus at The Butterfly Room.

If it’s a seasonal tipple you’re after, DarkSide (which featured on the 2021 list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars) has Christmas cocktails and a soothing “All The Way Mulled Wine” featuring Remy Martin VSOP, cherry dessert wine, spices and ginger. It’s a soulful and sultry live jazz night on New Year’s Eve, from 8pm to 1.30am (book early!).

rosewoodhotels.com/en/hong-kong

Christmas Dining at Restaurants

ALTO

ALTO’s top-floor, top-drawer views lend themselves to an indulgent Christmas feast, and the six-course Christmas dinner menu (24 and 25 December, from $688) sounds like a winner. Highlights include foie gras, poached lobster, roasted British turkey with sides, braised beef cheek and poached pears with Christmas pudding ice cream. There’s also a Festive Brunch option on 25 and 26 December (11.30am-3pm, from $488, minimum two diners) featuring unlimited sharing starters, a seafood course, a main – including turkey, of course! – and a dessert. Free-flow drinks are an extra $228, with everything from rosé and sparkling to Espresso Martinis.

The restaurant is hosting a New Year’s Eve Dinner, too, available on 31 December from $888. Dishes include Iberico pork collar with mustard mashed potato and smoked bacon gremolata, with an Opera Cake with hazelnut and bitter chocolate.

Prefer to dine at home? ALTO’s Festive Turkey Takeaway Set ($1,888) is available all December and can feed four to six people. It includes British slow-cooked turkey with sausage stuffing and all the trimmings, plus side dishes like 18-hour slow-cooked salted beef, and sticky toffee pudding.

Pre-order is required at sandshospitality.com/portfolio/alto, and there are pick-up and delivery options.

31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay | 2603 7181

Frank’s

Frank’s Italian American Social Club is presenting fun family feasts this season, while also replicating the Christmas paradise unveiled by NYC’s famous Rolf’s German restaurant each year, with countless ornaments and twinkling lights on the ceiling.

The Holiday Party Menu (daily until 3 January, from $588) features signature dishes with a festive spin, from veal and lobster meatballs to garlic-roasted turkey with bourbon gravy, and sides from cranberry and mash to green bean casserole and brussels sprouts with guanciale. Homemade apple crumble and ice cream provides a sweet finish. Free-flow drinks are available for $250.

Meanwhile, Frank’s Christmas Eve special ($1,250) is a Frutti di Mare seafood and champagne dinner paying homage to the Italian-American “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. It starts with an all-vinyl hip hop listening session at the downstairs bar before you tuck into oysters, Frank’s Buratta, lobster linguine and signature pan-fried lasagna. Then comes king prawn and scallop scampi, and shiitake rubbed prime rib, with an Oreo Cookie Cannoli to finish. An extra $999 gets you a four-hour freeflow drinks package, with festivities continuing to 1.30am.

G/F & 1/F, Harilela House, 79 Wyndham Street, Central | 9097 9730 | frankshk.com

FIAMMA

This is only the second Christmas for FIAMMA, and the restaurant at The Peak is celebrating in style with a four-course Christmas Dining Menu ($588), available all day on 24 and 25 December; à la carte choices are also offered.

Kicking things off is a cod brandade with toasted Carasau bread, and Carnaroli “Acquerello” risotto with pumpkin, Grana Padano and toasted hazelnuts. To follow, you’ll enjoy traditional Italian grilled cotechino sausage with a rich lentil stew, before ending with a festive dessert of Pandoro sponge with mascarpone cream.

Also available is a New Year’s Eve menu on 31 December ($888). Ring in 2022 over plates of Parmigiano crème brûlée with shaved black truffle; Sicilian red prawn carpaccio with burrata, tomatoes and lemon; and Marango beef ribeye with porcini mushrooms. For a sweet finish, there’s almond frangipane with mojito jelly and lemon curd.

Shop G02, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak | 2657 0800

TokyoLima

The ToykoLima team says that their Nikkei brunch and dinner menus will be “X-tra-joyous” this year! Curated by Peruvian Culinary Director Arturo Melendez, each menu features a multi-course selection, from flavourful small plates such as the La Causa, T-3 Salad and Just “Ceviche”, to bigger sharing dishes like Maguro Nuevo with tuna, avocado and tobiko. There’s also Picanha, grilled rump steak covered in anticuchera sauce, Lobster Acevichada, and slow-cooked “secreto” Iberico pork with sweet soy and garlic chips. Finish with Oye Papi chocolate mousse and Free 4 You – a gluten-free orange and almond cake.

Festive brunches (from $498) are available from 25 to 27 December, and 1 and 2 January 2022, from 12pm to 4pm, while Christmas dinners on 24 and 25 December include two seatings (6pm and 8pm, $580/$680) as does the NYE Tasting Menu on 31 December (6pm and 8.30pm, $720/$880).

G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central | 2811 1152 | tokyolima.hk

Buenos Aires Polo Club

The popular Argentinian steakhouse sets the stage for some seasonal revelry with Festín de Navidad, available for dinner on 24 December, and lunch and dinner on Christmas Day ($898).

The five-course menu begins with a selection of entradas for the table, from a platter of Iberian cured meats to a foie gras terrine, followed by a warming lobster bisque with Cognac cream. The mains comprise a stunning prime rib, a signature Chateaubriand and an indulgent Boston lobster with chimichurri and lemon (add $388), with the feast accompanied by classic sides such as rich mascarpone and brown-butter mash, creamy provoleta mac ‘n’ cheese, and Padrón peppers with lime and sea salt. Unwind in the welcoming comfort of the restaurant’s lounge for a warming tipple, where the bar staff will cater to your every whim.

7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central | 2321 8681 | bapoloclub.com

SPIGA

With its design evoking the cinematic splendour of 1950s Italy, SPIGA makes for some memorable Christmas dining. The restaurant’s five-course Christmas Tasting Menu (24 and 25 December, $688) features amberjack carpaccio with cannellini beans, pumpkin tortelli with aged Parmigiano Reggiano and foie gras, and grilled black cod with shaved black truffle. The stunning sweet finish is pictured here: yoghurt chocolate mousse with roasted banana, yuzu caramel cream, and hazelnut sponge.

Meanwhile, the popular Festive Italian Brunch Buffet (25-27 December, $418) is served from 11.30am to 3pm, with authentic Italian specialities, freshly shucked oysters, a roast carving station, an indulgent dessert buffet, and a choice of a pasta or pizza main. A two hour free-flow option is $240 per person and includes prosecco, white and red wines, Peach Bellinis, Aperol Spritzes and bottled beers.

3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central | 2871 0055

Uma Nota

Uma Nota is bringing Dia de Festas to Peel Street, with a Festive Chef’s Menu available every night until 30 December (excluding the 24th and 25th); it features Brazilian fried dumplings, grilled octopus, boneless beef short ribs and more, before a chef’s selection of desserts.

Highlights of Uma Nota’s special dinner Christmas Menu (24 and 25 December, $550) include cured sea bass, crab hand rolls with Baikal caviar, grilled scallops with yuzu, and roasted suckling pig leg with nashi pear purée. Free-flow drinks can be added (from $245), while other Christmas specials include spicy house mulled wine ($75) and bottles of G.H Mumm Champagne (pre-order for $550).

Welcome 2022 with the Brazilian motto “Ano Novo, Vida Nova” (“New Year, New Life”) and with the Réveillon menu (31 December; Early Birds seating, $690; Night Owls, $780). It includes festive favourites and a show-stopping grilled fresh lobster glazed in miso (pictured), before ending with Jardim Amazônico, a vegan mousse made from 62 percent Brazilian single origin Valrhona chocolate.

38 Peel Street, Central | uma-nota.com

The Optimist

Indulge in irresistible Northern Spanish cuisine at The Optimist this holiday season with special multi-course brunch and dinner menus (from $498 per person) that begin with aperitivo and a range of classic tapas, from fresh and juicy Gambas “A La Plancha” to crispy Chorizo “Txistorra”. Guests also have the option of adding a new Seafood Tower of king prawns, oysters, king crab legs and more for brunch, before tucking into Los Platos Principales. The selection of mains includes the fan favourite Juicy Lobster Rice, succulent Chateaubriand and deliciously grilled Spanish-style Suckling Pig, all sure to put a wide grin on your face.

Festive Brunch is available on 25, 26, 27 and 31 December, and 1 and 2 January (12-4pm, $498); the Christmas Dinner Tasting Menu is on 24 and 25 December (6pm, $580, and 8pm, $680), and the NYE Tasting Menu is on 31 December (6pm, $680, and 8.30pm, $790).

G/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai | 2433 3324 | theoptimist.hk

MEATS

If it’s succulent meats and treats you’re after, this Soho resto has just the thing. The five-course Christmas tasting menu ($380 for brunch, and from $480 for dinner) has highlights galore, from smoked pork spare ribs and fish tacos, to hearty mains such as tender porchetta surrounded with crisp, crackling skin and accompanied by romesco sauce, a nostalgia-inducing roast turkey basted in gravy sauce and cranberry jam, and classic beef Wellington in peppercorn sauce. Meats’ staple “Mo’s Millions” dessert is served with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream, bringing a rich finish to proceedings.

Festive Brunch is available on 25, 26, 27 and 31 December, and 1 and 2 January (12-4pm, $380); the Christmas Dinner Tasting Menu is on 24 and 25 December (6pm, $480), and the NYE Tasting Menu is on 31 December (6pm, $480, and 8.30pm, $580).

G/F, 28-30 Staunton Street, Central | 2711 1812 | piratameats.hk

Roganic

Roganic in Causeway Bay is the brainchild of British celebrity chef Simon Rogan, and a cool place for a memorable holiday meal. This year’s Roganic Christmas Feast is available for lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and Day, and celebrates British heritage; there’s roasted chestnut and celeriac soup with smoked eel and apple, pine-cured salmon with caviar and whipped cod roe, and 10-day aged local goose with all the trimmings: goose fat potato, poached baby carrot in orange and star anise, roasted brussels sprouts and more. To end, enjoy a 70 percent chocolate fondant with kumquat and brandy custard, and an eggnog and mincemeat pudding.

The menu is available on 24 and 25 December, for both lunch and dinner, and costs from $1,088 per person.

Shop 8, UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay |  2817 8383 | roganic.com.hk

BaseHall

’Tis the season, and BaseHall is coming with a dose of Christmas cheer! The food hall in Jardine House is collaborating with a charitable retail concept for The BaseHall Christmas Market by The Good Sons, followed by The BaseHall Christmas Party, both on Saturday 11 December.

The Good Sons partners with international charities in events that showcase new brands, vintage curators and independent drinking and dining concepts. The Christmas Market is inspired by the beloved markets of Europe, with individual retail booths featuring locally made gifts, live music, charity auctions and hand-son festive workshops, from Christmas wreath-making to gingerbread decorating.

By evening, the market will transform into the lively BaseHall Christmas Party featuring six-piece band The Carpio Brothers and DJ Miles Slater. There’ll be carols, crackers and even an Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition! And each BaseHall outlet will offer specially curated festive dishes ideal for family-style sharing.

The Market runs from 11am to 4pm, with complimentary entry, and the Christmas Party goes from 5pm to 10pm ($260, including a mulled wine – tickets from Eventbrite).

LG9, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central | fb.com/basehallhk | basehall.hk

 

This article first appeared in the Winter 2021 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.