A Time for Cheer

Bangkok
For that truly once-in-a-lifetime, on the river extravaganza, The Front Row recommends reserving the ultimate spot for the magnificent fireworks display that Bangkok always puts up: soaring high above the fireworks in your own helicopter thanks to The Peninsula Bangkok package:‘First-Class Fireworks’. The 45-minute chopper ride (take-off is at 11.45pm sharp) comes with a one-night stay in the luxurious two-bedroom Duplex Suite with its antiques, artworks, Minstrels Gallery and landscaped terraces. Prior to the fireworks and the chopper ride, enjoy a five-course dinner in the suite created by Executive Chef Stefan Leitner, including free-flow Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne. The menu features Petrossian caviar, poached Brittany lobster, sea urchin from Hokkaido, home-made lamb Agnolotti with black winter truffles, Japanese A5 Wagyu steak and Golden Chocolate. The package, for up to four guests, includes an en-suite Peninsula Champagne breakfast, round-trip limousine transfer within Bangkok, and Margy’s Haute Couture facial treatment. The ‘First-Class Fireworks’ package is priced at THB 1,000,000++ (of which THB 188,000 will be donated to Operation Smile ‘in your name’). Call The Peninsula Bangkok on +02 020 2888 or email pbk@peninsula.com.

The Peninsula Bangkok’s one-million-baht New Year’s Eve package

Inner city party hub Red Sky at Centara Grand at CentralWorld plans on welcoming 2021 with a six-course dinner by Chef Christian incorporating Oscietra caviar, foie gras, Maine lobster, Japanese Omi Wagyu tenderloin, Black cod, and a complimentary glass of G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne, as well as free access to Red Sky’s Countdown Party (THB 7,555++ per person. Special: Free one-night stay at the hotel for the first 15 bookings).

You could also be at Yao Rooftop Bar, Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, for their Ultimate Countdown package from 8.30pm onwards with a fireworks display overlooking the city skyline. Free flow beverage package (THB 5,888++ per person) offers unlimited champagne, wine, beer and other spirits. Or book a table for two with a bottle of Champagne or wine priced at THB 5,888++. The New Year’s Eve Set Dinner (5pm – 8pm) is at THB 3,888++ for two persons.

Celebrate Christmas at 57th Street (Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit ; main picture: Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar) with the longest Christmas Day bu­ffet in town at THB 1,990 net per person (THB 2,490 net per person including free-flow wine, local beer and soft drinks). For a White Christmas celebration head to the District Grill Room & Bar. Book your spot for the #ISURVIVED2020 New Year’s Eve dinner buffet at 57th Street for THB 2,950 net per person. A THB 1,200 ++ supplement per person gets you unlimited red, white and sparkling wine, cocktails and spirits. While The District Grill Room & Bar offers the culinary sophisticate the chef’s special “Hall of Fame” menu that includes his signature tomahawk covered in 24K gold leaves or the 48-hour slow cooked Australian Wagyu Stockyard chuck Roll. Countdown to 2021 at Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar with live music. Ticket to the Countdown Party on 48th and 49th floors is at THB 1900++ per person, including two glasses of sparkling wine. Or sign up for the THB 3900++ per person five-course menu on the 45th floor, including complimentary glass of champagne and access the countdown party on the 48th and 49th floors.

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok has one-night stay packages for the New Year’s Eve that includes entry to the poolside countdown party for THB 4,399 net while a one-night stay including entry to countdown celebration at the Sky Lounge starts at THB 6,999 net.

The Sukhothai Bangkok has a special evening planned for the revellers. New Year’s Eve Dinner at La Scala is at THB 3,200++ per person (food only) and THB 5,200++ per person (with wine pairing). While Celadon has two options: six-course (THB 2,200++ per person) and nine-course (THB 2,900++ per person). And at theClub Lounge,1-3 January 2021, you can indulge in the New Year’s Chocolate Buffet at THB 1,300++ per person. You might also want to check out their festive hampers; perfect New Year’s gifts. Call +662-344-8888 or email promotions@sukhothai.com

Capella Bangkok offers New Year’s Eve ‘Under the Stars’ package, starting from THB 52,888++ per room for two. The package includes complimentary room upgrade, New Year Eve’s dinner, live entertainment, late checkout and more. For dining options try Côte which is crafting an exclusive year-end menu:‘Signature Mauro Colagreco Celebration Dinner’, while Phra Nakhon hosts an enchanting interactive feast with shared courses and live stations. Both at THB 16,000++ per person (wine pairing extra). Both restaurants will also host special New Year’s Day lunches on 1st January to start off 2021 in style. All dinner packages on December 31, 2020 include countdown celebration at the Courtyard with entertainment and firework display by the river.

Hong Kong
The utterly romantic Dear Lily restaurant and lounge bar, reminiscent of a Parisian flower shop has a four-course Christmas menu (from HK$588 per person) of Jerusalem artichoke soup, choice of beef short ribs and salmon tartare, platter of roast turkey and roast beef, and a spiced pumpkin cheesecake or a Dear Lilly Heart (raspberry and white chocolate).

While Michelin-starred Duddell’s has festive takeaway clay pPot options: Chef Li’s modern interpretations of the age-old clay pot tradition – Lamb Clay Pot (HK$628), Braised South African Three-Head Abalone with Three Yellow Chicken Clay Pot (HK$1,488), Giant Mottled Eel Clay Pot (HK$888), and Chinese Preserved Meat Clay Pot (HK$468). Also check out their Christmas brunch.

From top left: Christmas turkey at JW Marriott Hong Kong; view of the harbour from the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour; Duddell’s modern take on the traditional Chinese clay pot, Japanese for Christmas; Dear Lilly Heart dessert; bottled cocktails from Penicillin; Fumi festive menu

Smoke & Barrel is offering The Takeaway Turkey Menu at HK$1,888 (serves six to eight). The Christmas Day dine in menu is at Hk$588 per person and the Christmas Picnic is HK$288 per head (roasted turkey, pork & apricot stuffing, gravy, mashed potato, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel sauce).

PorterHouse has a festive dinner boxed up too for HK$2,000 with a six-kg organic turkey served with pickled lemon and cranberry sauce, and sides of Brussels sprouts, mashed potato, roasted pumpkin and chilli broccoli.

Fumi has a Japanese take on the festivities with its festive menu for four at HK$1,680. On the menus is: Hokkaido King Crab Meat Salad, Grilled Miyazaki Chicken Thigh Salad, Sashimi Platter, Seared Sushi, Soup, A4 Miyazaki Beef Sirloin with BBQ, Chopped Toro with Japanese Leek on Sushi Rice and seasonal Fruits platter.

Or you could go Spanish with a delivery from La Rambla. Dinner for eight is at HK$4800 with complimentary Sangria de cava. In the box: seafood paella, Angus ribeye, traditional suckling pig, pulpo, cod fish fritters, churros and a lot, lot more. Menus for two and four also available.

The culinary team of JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong has several festive takeaways but we recommend the Cantonese fare from Man Ho to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Highlights include double-boiled fish maw soup with conch and dendrobium orchid, braised dried 30-head Yoshihara abalone with oyster sauce, smoked soy Ping Yuen chicken with tea and brown sugar, as well as sautéed lobster fillet with matsutake mushroom and cabbage. Plus festive specialities for Christmas and New Year including Christmas turkey and ham.

As for libations, think Penicillin – large-batch 500ml bottled cocktails (HK$500 per bottle) that include signature mixes such as the ‘Alexander Fleming’ (ecoSPIRITS whisky, galangal-honey syrup, pom-beet shrub and mezcal); ‘Something Clear’ (goat milk whisky, clarified citrus, ginger honey wine and smoky flame), ‘Goose Negroni’ (wild gooseberry bitter, roselle vermouth and coconut NIP gin) and ‘Modernist Science’ a blend of bread vodka, fermented koji-pineapple and cheddar cheese liqueur.

DiVino Wine Bar & Restaurant pulls out all the stops on December 31 with a Havana themed party with a selection of rum based cocktails. Their four-course gastronomic adventure priced at $688+, begins with mojito-cured salmon & Oscietra caviar and bilinis followed by a Canaroli risotto, rum & avocado and a choice of Glacier 51 cod fillet or Thomas Farm AUS beef tenderloin medallion served for the mains. The DJ kicks in later to get revellers into the Cuban party mood.

The Farmhouse at Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong has re-launched the takeaway buffet “Box Buffet” for dinner. Each set, priced at HK$188 net, comes with a chef’s salad, a dessert, and a takeaway box to fill up with favourites from the hot dish section. Pay extra to enjoy chilled lobster, sushi and sashimi platter at HK$88, cold cut and cheese platter and the seafood platter. If you choose to spend NYE on The Farm, Chef Keith will be dishing out New Zealand black mussels cooked to order, spit-roasted whole pork on the terrace as well as live charcoal roasted tandoori specialities. Tableside service features Australian prime rib roast with Chef Keith’s signature green pepper and cognac sauce. The Italian section features truffle Casarecce finished in a parmesan wheel (first seating 5.30pm –7.30pm at HK$738; second seating 8pm to 10.30pm at HK$788. Add HK$350 per person extra for the ‘Late Ticket’ – free flow beverage package from 10pm–11.5pm at Cruise.

Singapore
The iconic Raffles Hotel is almost a Christmas tradition. Acclaimed chef Anne-Sophie Pic at La Dame de Pic has on the Christmas degustation menu her signature creations: Berlingots – pasta parcels filled with French cheese fondue, sea urchin from Hokkaido, blue lobster from Brittany and Wagyu beef. Prices are SG$ 348 per person; SG$ 218 for wine and sake pairing.

Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen at the Marina Bay Sands is pouring glassfulls of festival warmth with a twist on the Christmas classic – mulled wine made with merlot, orange, cinnamon, star anise and clove at SG$17++. Of the cocktails for the season selection, a standout is ‘Under the Mistletoe’ made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, cranberry, rosemary& sage syrup and cherry bitters (SG$22++). Christmas lunch and dinner is priced at SG$79++ per person.

From the left: Mulled wine at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen; Brittany lobster at La Dame de Pic; traditional Christmas at The Knolls, Capella Resort

Ring in the New Year at the one-Michelin star Cut by Wolfgang Puck with a four-course menu at SG$325++: oysters, Hokkaido scallops, Maine lobster, wagyu /Angus beef and more.

The Knolls at Capella Resort has a traditional British four-course Christmas Eve dinner (SG$158++per person). Start with a chestnut velouté followed by an Alaskan king crab salad and then the star: honey-rosemary brined roast turkey with bread stuffing and cranberry sauce. The five-course New Year’s Eve dinner is for SG$158++ per head.

For an at home celebration, put a Peranakan twist on the festivities with a Nonya-inspired takeaway from The Blue Ginger of ayam panggam roast chicken (SG$38) or stop by Culina at Como Dempsey for whole roast turkey, glazed hams, oysters and more.