‘Tis the season for gastronomic indulgence, so loosen your belt buckles in anticipation of our picks for the best Christmas menus and hampers.
BEST MENUS
PARK CHINOIS, MAYFAIR, LONDON
Transport yourself to the Golden Age of Shanghai for an alternative festive treat this season; Brunch Chinois promises fine Chinese cuisine in London’s most opulent dining room.
Fusing traditional oriental dishes with festive British flavours, brunch guests can indulge in the restaurant’s signature black cod or Cantonese duck with orange sauce, with other festive highlights including the pumpkin and roast duck dumplings.
34 MAYFAIR, LONDON
Feast your eyes on London’s most impressive display this Christmas as 34 Mayfair is transformed by florist Jane Wadham with more than 14,000 woven decorations. The food offerings are equally as delectable as the interiors.
Enjoy plates including shrimp tacos and eggs Benedict decadently covered in white truffle and keep an eye out for Santa, he may just visit the restaurant while you’re sipping a festive-spiced tipple.
ALAIN DUCASSE AT THE DORCHESTER, MAYFAIR
Join Alain Ducasse for an elegant Christmas lunch inside the storied walls of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.
A Christmas menu guaranteed to delight includes Parmentier velouté sea scallop and black truffle, confit duck foie gras terrine, Scottish langoustine and fillet of sea bass with gratinated cauliflower and white truffle. Followed by the pièce de résistance; a ‘Jaune des Landes’ capon.
GRAND SALON, BACCARAT HOTEL, NEW YORK
This Christmas Day enjoy some opulence in the crystal bedecked Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel. Their seasonal menu by two Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther features dishes like seared scallops with celery root and black truffle.
If that isn’t enticing enough, other succulent dishes include roasted duck breast, American wagyu beef coulotte “au poivre”, and a buche de noel with Tahitian vanilla creme chantilly and cranberry ice cream.
CAFÉ PUSHKIN, MOSCOW
Each year, Café Pushkin transforms into a magical fairy tale, covered with a thousand lights. This New Year’s Eve guests can delight in compositions performed by Vladimir Kuzmin in the famous “Pharmacy”, “Library” and “Entresol” halls.
Renowned for its staples of noble Russian cuisine, diners with a taste for fish can enjoy dishes including minced pike under tomato puree, smoked Siberian white salmon, Sturgeon caviar with buckwheat pancakes and fried filleted carp with potato and sour cream sauce.
HAMPERS
THE LUXURY BOX, LA FROMAGERIE
London’s most famous ‘Academy of Cheese’ this year presents The Luxury Box with a selection that includes Chaource, Camembert aux Truffes, Beaufort Chalet d’Alpage, Comte d’Estive Grand Reserve, Beaufort Chalet d’Alpage, Vacherin du Haut-Doubs and Colston Bassett Stilton.
The box also includes a selection of Champagnes, wines and ports accompanied with a Welsh handmade oak cheese board and cheese slicer, biscuits, chutney, seasonal jams, chocolate covered almonds, piedmont Hazelnuts and Miel de Pyrénées Honey.
THE ULTIMATE, HARRODS
Treat family and friends to a show-stopping festive spread with The Ultimate hamper. From Champagne and caviar to tea, coffee, fine wines, fresh cheese and cured meats, this cornucopia of Food Halls favourites.
There is more than enough here to enhance any occasion and keep a party satisfied for the 12 days of Christmas.
THE IMPERIAL HAMPER, FORTNUM AND MASON
This gastronomic treasure drove includes pink and golden Champagnes that will keep you going from the morning toast right through to after-dark celebrations and an array of sweet treats from Florentines to Elvas Plums with a selection of nuts and honey.
Elegant Welsh rarebit, Scottish smoked salmon, Glenarm salt aged rib of beef and a tin of Beluga Caviar XX are just a selection of savouries for every Christmas meal over the holiday season.
