Christmas throughout the world is synonymous with giving and receiving presents, spending time with family and friends and eating as much food as possible. Though Christmas has yet to be declared an official holiday in Taiwan, hotels across the island are wasting no time offering a smorgasbord of Christmas treats.
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, the Sherwood, Taipei, is holding its annual Charity Gingerbread Competition at the Breeze Center Square tomorrow afternoon starting at 2pm. Each of the 12 participating teams will use a variety of sweets and gingerbread to construct houses that will then be delivered to hospitals and orphanages. The Grand Hyatt has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation who will offer "donation envelopes" in each of their guest rooms and restaurants, the proceeds of which will go to children in Taiwan suffering from life-threatening diseases.
The Howard Plaza's team of pastry chefs has constructed a two-story fairytale gingerbread house with two large Christmas trees complete with lamps, cherubs and golden tinsel. And speaking of tinsel, the Grand Hyatt has adorned its three Christmas trees of different heights — 5m, 7m and 9m — with 5,000m of the glittering stuff. The award for tallest tree goes to the Grand Formosa Regent; at almost 13m, it stands amongst a winter wonderland reminiscent of a traditional Swiss alpine market place.
The Taipei Times has compiled a list of hotels offering Christmas dinners, hampers and festive goodies. Readers should note that prices are subject to a 10 percent service charge. And though the gift baskets and hampers can all be ordered right now, the dinner specials are on offer Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.
Christmas Dinner
The Marco Polo Restaurant located on the 38th floor of Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel will compliment its stunning views of Taipei with a lavish Italian style semi-buffet (NT$1,450) that includes free-flowing champagne. A modern Italian dinner set menu (NT$2,600) is also available and includes marinated Atlantic king salmon with orange and fennel slaw, goose consomme with foie gras and porcini mushrooms and ricotta and spinach cannelloni in fresh cherry tomato sauce. The main course will be a selection of pistachio crusted cod, white beans, sweet pepper ragu, parsley sauce and marinated grilled beef sirloin with truffle potato cake and jumbo green asparagus. The dessert is an artery clogging Italian pudding with creme Anglaise. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (02) 2378-8888 X5950.
Yi Cafe, located on the sixth floor of the same hotel, offers an "around the world" lunch (NT$1,100) or dinner (NT$1,280) buffet that includes flavors from Japan, India, North America and Europe. For reservations call (02) 2378-8888 X5895. Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel is located at 201 Tunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei (北市敦化南路二段201號).
The Grand Formosa Regent will have an authentic Swiss Christmas feast at its azie restaurant on the first floor. The set menu (NT$2,000) includes Balik-style salmon with roesti potatoes and sour cream, roast pigeon breast with foie gras and wild mushrooms, crepe consomme with celery. The main course is a choice of sage and prosciutto wrapped veal with scampi tails, parmesan risotto and merlot reduction or venison with black truffle, winter cabbage and pasta. Dessert includes an iced Yule log and griotttes with gingerbread sauce, coffee or tea and Swiss Christmas cookies.
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