Christmas means many things: but one thing’s for sure, it’s always about the food.
End-of-year celebrations mean different things for different folks. For some, it’s a cosy family dinner around a Christmas tree. For others, all about toasting to meaningful moments with celebratory drinks. And there’s also the option of a laid-back, hearty meal in relaxed setting. Whatever brings out your festive mojo, Swissôtel Merchant Court delivers with all the good food and tipples you could want along the way.
If you’re all about the nibbles and drinks
For those who prefer to be naughty than nice, you’ll dig the tongue-in-cheek cocktails at Crossroads Bar. Get a kick out of the Blushing Santarina (pomegranate, prosecco and gold dust), or indulge in a Santa’s Devotion (Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, double espresso and Kahlua).
Crossroads Bar is known for its Asian-inspired tapas, and special festive additions to the menu include the Christmas Tapas Medley of pork sausage, Hokkaido scallop, prawns and drunken mussels (pictured above). If you can’t resist carbs, tuck into the mini turkey burgers on charcoal buns – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s all about sharing here, so gather your friends for this one!
Tapas is priced from $16 nett onwards, and cocktails are priced at $22 nett.
If you prefer to enjoy a good roast at home
Think family dinner, and picture carving up a roast turkey come C. But this isn’t just any regular roast bird – this Asian-inspired turkey is served with cranberry and kam heong sauce, which is a spicy concoction of dried shrimps, curry powder, shallot, curry leaves, chilli padi, lemongrass, blue ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, sugar and salt.
Treat yourself (and save precious time in the kitchen) for $182 nett for a 4.5 to 5.5kg bird: you can order it from Ellenborough Market Cafe, and let them do the work of roasting your meat to perfection. It works a treat regardless of whether you’re catering for those family members who prefer an Asian palate, or for the adventurous diners who want a change from the usual Christmas roast.
Another fusion takeaway treat is the new ivory Valrhona yule log with pandan roulade, white sesame mousse and azuki red bean. Not only is it pretty as a picture, the unusual mix of flavours means it’s bound to be the talking point at your dinner table.
Ellenborough Market Cafe also offers lunch and dinner, priced at $58++ and $78++ respectively for adults.
If you just want to recline and let the food come to you
Smart casual restaurant Blue Potato oozes laidback vibes – after all, it’s located by the pool and even has an open grill kitchen for you to hear the sizzle of the meats on the barbecue. But casual doesn’t mean you get burgers and chips. It’s Christmas, so you get the works: a four-course meal that gives you a choice of either roasted turkey breast with chestnut stuffing or grilled grain-fed tenderloin for the main. Starter courses include crab louie salad with duck rillettes, micro greens and caviar sesame dressing, and pumpkin bisque. The meal concludes with the traditional yule log cake with fresh berries and ice cream.
The Epicurean Festive Set Dinner at Blue Potato is priced at $88++ per person, and runs from 22 to 31 December 2018.
Found your perfect festive feast? For reservations, call 6239 1847/1848 or email [email protected].
This article is in partnership with Swissôtel Merchant Court