Yule Be Sorry to Miss These Beijing Christmas Dinners
Christmas is only a few days away, which means that those of us returning home are flapping around wildly trying to buy suitable family gifts that we haven't already bought twice, while those of us staying in Beijing are sitting languidly at work wondering if the Christmas mood will ever in fact kick in this year. Anyway, ho ho ho and all that. Sing it with me, people!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
For RMB 168 (plus RMB 150 for free-flow), Home Plate are offering diners turkey, smoked hog, mashed potatoes, honey carrots, green beans, and bourbon cornmeal pudding, plus a free welcome drink of mulled wine, prosecco, or a soft drink. Good boys and girls (and drunk adults) also have the chance to chit chat with Santa.
Both Q Mex and Q Mex Taqueria have the same Christmas meal, including roasted pumpkin soup, chipotle glazed ham and grilled turkey breast, and cheese flan topped with Jamaica syrup and coconut flakes (RMB 188). Alternatively, grab a sharing platter with the aforementioned meats plus chargrilled skirt steak (RMB 218). There'll also be drinks deals (tequila Christmas, anyone?) as well as automatic entry into a lucky draw if you order either of the above options.
In the Zhangzizhong-adjacent hutongs, 3 Little Pigs is whipping up a humungous Christmas feast with everything from fois gras and fig jam canapes, baked spinach and cheese dip, roasted chicken and gravy, smoked glazed ham, candied sweet potato mash, rum glazed baby carrots, green bean casserole, duck fat roasted new potatoes, pumpkin pie, and "something chocolate," all for RMB 260. I think we just gained 10 pounds reading that.
Signature's Restaurant at the Kempinski invites you to enjoy classic dishes like a golden goose with cranberries, pie, Christmas log cakes, and action stations for crepes, cotton candy, and waffles. Buy a ticket for a chance to win in their Christmas lucky draw.
To escape the city this Christmas, head to the Brickyard in Mutianyu where they'll hold their annual Christmas retreat. There'll be cookie making for the kids and jazz for the adults before settling into a country buffet supper, including holiday greens, pesto pasta salad, cassoulet, slow-roasted beef, root vegetables and gravy, vegetarian kedgeree, homemade bread, and Christmas cake. They're also doing Christmas Eve, if you'd prefer.
For a cozy Christmas dinner, head to favorite Italian restaurant in the hutongs, Mercante, where they'll be serving a five-course dinner set (plus optional wine pairing for RMB 250). Their sister restaurant Fiume is also getting into the Christmas spirit with a three-course meal and wine pairing for the same price.
Migas has prepared a festive, traditional, and Mediterranean-style Christmas dinner this year with the likes of French oysters with gazpachuelo, escudella Catalan-style winter soup, stuffed baby squid with ink hollandaise sauce, Australian Wagyu beef, and wine-poached pear tatin with vanilla ice cream.
O'Steak has prepared two Christmas menus this year packed with an array of starters, mains, and desserts. Their lucky draw also looks promising, including bottles of wine, foie gras terrine, special gifts from Comptoirs de France and Café de la Poste restaurant, as well as vouchers for O'Steak.
N'Joy at Nuo has a Christmas-themed lunch (RMB 388, 11.30am-2pm), brunch (RMB 598, 11.30am-2.30pm), and dinner (RMB 988, 5.30-9.30pm) prepped for this festive season spanning their usual surf-and-turf options and a range of desserts. Add free-flow Deutz Champagne during any of the meals for RMB 298.
Get an early start this Christmas with Tianmi Bakery's Christmas takeover at Arcade. They'll serve savory dishes such as slow-cooked brisket, creamy mashed potatoes, honey balsamic carrots, ginger green beans, and cornbread as well as sweets like banana pudding, vanilla cheesecake, and gingerbread cookies.
Kerry's Kitchen put together a Christmas buffet with turkey, Christmas ham, and a neverending supply of desserts (see above). For an additional RMB 200, get free-flow wine, beer, and juice. There'll also be live music and a lucky draw with the opportunity to win hotel stays.
The Local invites you and all your friends to book a hulking Christmas feast good for eight to ten people. For RMB 2,280, you'll get a 15.5lb turkey and all the trimmings (enquire for veggie options). They're also offering individual meals for Christmas and Christmas Eve lunch (noon-3pm) and dinner (6-8pm) for RMB 348.
Photos: BBC.com, courtesy of the organizers
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