The Christmas tableau is incomplete without the ceremonial feast. While everyone extols the importance of crackers, Christmas carols, pudding and recreating the nativity scene, nothing beats the excitement of laidback banquets and sumptuous suppers with the family. Of course, most Christmas dishes have a cult following, including Honey Glazed Ham, Yule Logs and Mince Pies. However, in the ever-evolving Indian culinary scene, there is newer and fancier fare weighing down the Christmas table. So, take a look at the best food deals on offer, devour the luxurious spreads and then wax lyrical about the extravagant fare until the next Christmas.
There is a delectable feast that awaits you on December 24 and it promises to be the highlight of the entire year. It is an unlimited food package that also includes a welcome drink.
Time: 7 pm onwards
Price: Rs 2500, plus taxes, per person
Christmas Brunch
You will be pampered silly at the Christmas Brunch hosted by Olive Bar & Kitchen, where roasts, waffles and pizzas will vie for your attention. There will be an oyster stand where you can nibble your way through Semolina Fried Indian Ocean Oysters, pan grilled Andaman Squid, peppery citrus glazed White Tiger Prawns, a la meunière – Fisherman’s Catch and much more. The dessert counter will give you reasons to get excited about Christmas again as it will showcase a wide assortment of confectioneries including Kouglof (German sweet bread with port wine), Budin (with toffee poached banana and walnut), Paris Brest Paris (with Vanilla Choux and Cherry Cream) and more.
The All American Diner is laying out the red carpet when it comes to a memorable Christmas Brunch. The silver lining on the lavish buffet spread at the diner is a live jazz music session. Festive favourites are generously laid out on the table and include scene stealers like Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey, Roast Pork Leg with Honey and Star Anise, spicy grilled Fish with Dill sauce, Rich Christmas Plum Pudding, Chocolate Peppermint Cheese Cake and a host of other goodies. To engage the kids, there are special activities on offer, which includes tattoo making, pottery and DJ sessions, painting competition, meet the Santa and what have you.
A truly decadent meal is up for grabs on Christmas Eve, as Christmas showstopper dishes across all restaurants of The Leela Palace, New Delhi will be available for you to try A-la-Carte. What is more, you can drop by The Qube for a memorable end to your meal as an eye-popping dessert buffet will be laid out for you to sample.
Date: December 24, 2017
Christmas Day Brunch
Hotfoot it to The Qube, which will offer a whole range of traditional Christmas delicacies for you to savour.
Date: December 25, 2017
Price: Unlimited Alcohol Champagne Buffet @ Rs 6,600, plus taxes
Le Cirque, that is known for pampering patrons with its stylish dining, is also spreading Christmas cheer with festive delicacies and sessions by live entertainers. The icing on the cake is the restaurant’s antipasti stations and unlimited desserts.
Diners can lap up the festive fare on offer, as part of the Christmas Eve dinner buffet at 1911 Restaurant. Expect the usual Christmas suspects like Roast Turkey, Brussels Sprouts, Pork Loin in a blanket, Bread Stuffing, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Sauce on the Western Roast station. Also, sharing space will be Shepherd’s Pie, Grilled Chicken, Celeriac, Blue Cheese Crumble and more. To complement the elaborate Western spread, there will be Asian delicacies, Indian tandoori favourites, Italian specials, salads, desserts and cold cuts.
Christmas Eve: December 24, 2017
Price: Rs 5500, plus taxes, per person.
Price (Kids’ buffet): Rs 2800, plus taxes, per child.
Dinner Buffet Timings: 6:30 pm - 11:45 pm
Christmas Brunch
Indulge yourself with family and friends at 1911 Restaurant, as it will be the venue for a lavish Christmas Brunch on December 25. On offer are Christmas carols as background music as well as components of a traditional feast, including Roasted Lamb and Turkey, Pesto Marinated Chicken, Couscous Stuffed Tomatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Ricotta and Spinach Spanakopita, Spiced Tomato Chutney and Smoked Salmon. The young ones too will be spoilt for choice since the kids' buffet features delicacies like Mini Danish and Hakka Noodles.
Date: December 25, 2017
Timings: 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Price: Rs 4700, plus taxes, per person
Price (Kids’ buffet): Rs 2400, plus taxes, per child
A curated Christmas menu is on offer for a few days leading up to Christmas at Machan, the 24-hour international eatery. Expect sumptuous fare like orange and rosemary brined slow Roasted Turkey, as well as, cinnamon roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash paired with sparkling wine.
Date: 20th – 24th December 2017
Time: 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Price: INR 2900 per person (plus taxes)
Christmas Eve
The Christmas Eve spread promises to be a grand affair with a traditional four-course menu, featuring dishes like Persian spiced lamb shank cooked in port wine and wine glazed winter vegetables with lentils. All these dishes will be paired with Moet & Chandon Champagne and mulled wine.
Date: December 24, 2017
Time: 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Price: Rs 3500 per person (plus taxes)
Christmas Breakfast with Santa
Start your celebrations early with Machan’s Christmas breakfast, and let the young ones have a ball at the kid’s corner. Yuletide hot sellers will be generously laid out, including Mince Pie, Plum Pudding, Ginger Spiced Pudding and textured Yule Logs.
The Verdant Poolside Lawns of the hotel are all set to be the venue for a festive Christmas brunch. The menu highlight will be Roast Turkey with classical accompaniments like cranberry jelly. Giving it the company will be Sweet Potato Casserole and Roasted Apples with Brussels Sprouts.The grand affair will be capped off with unlimited champagne.
Susmita Saha is a Delhi-based Features Writer. She has worked as an Assistant Editor at India Today and The Telegraph and writes on arts and culture, films, travel, food, architecture, design and various other lifestyle subjects. She has seriously itchy feet and plans to tick the world off her bucket list, one burger at a time.
