With Christmas quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about where to order your Christmas bird or reserve a spot for that romantic dinner. Read on for a comprehensive rundown of what is available in Taipei.
Dinner — Hotels
For those who wish to celebrate in an intimate, relaxed setting, Christmas dinners and parties can be found at hotels, pubs and bars across the capital. Unless otherwise noted, all prices are subject to a 10 percent service charge and menus are for Dec. 24.
Photo courtesy of Grand Formosa Regent Taipe
The Grand Hyatt Taipei swings into the Christmas spirit with an appearance by Santa Claus and a performance by a Christmas choir in the lobby from 7pm to 8pm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The hotel’s Bel Air Bar and Grill will serve up a traditional seven-course Christmas dinner (NT$3,500) on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 that includes smoked duck terrine, sweet corn cappuccino soup, poached cobia, traditional Christmas turkey or grilled US beef tenderloin and dessert. Ziga Zaga will offer an Italian-style dinner (NT$2,800) on Dec. 24 that includes asparagus salad, cheese tortellini with roasted pumpkin seeds, and sage and roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing, sauteed spinach and cannelloni beans and dessert. Cheers offers a casual Christmas dinner (NT$2,200) on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 that includes pan-seared scallops, pumpkin soup, roast turkey with bread stuffing and glazed sweet potatoes with Brussels sprouts and smoked bacon. 2 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路2號2樓), tel: (02) 2720-1200 X3198.
Roast turkey and honey-glazed ham are among the items in Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei’s Christmas dinner buffet (NT$1,600) at the Rainbow Terrace. The hotel’s Champs Elysees restaurant will feature a salad bar (NT$680) and a semi-buffet (NT$1,080), while Le Louvre offers a candlelight buffet dinner of turkey and roast beef (NT$1,300). A French Christmas Eve set menu (NT$1,990) is available at the Rosewood. 160, Renai Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路三段160號), tel: (02) 2700-2323.
The Sherwood Taipei’s Toscana Italian Restaurant will present a six-course dinner set (NT$9,999 for two) consisting of Spanish aged ham with sweet melon and arugula, black truffle broth with shark fin, pan-fried lobster served with braised scallop in white wine, oven-baked boneless chicken served with porcini ravioli, pan-fried US wagyu beef with champagne mushrooms and chilled strawberry, and rhubarb soup with vanilla-seed ice cream and pistachio for dessert. The price includes a bottle of Pol Roger Brut NV Champagne. 111, Minsheng E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市民生東路三段111號), tel: (02) 2718-1188.
Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt
The Antoine Room, a French restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel Taipei, will serve up a traditional turkey dinner (NT$3,600) with all the fixings or a grilled US wagyu rib-eye steak (NT$4,800), either of which comes with poached Boston lobster topped with caviar and pan-fried goose liver with radish. Kitchen 12, a casual restaurant, offers a spicy mustard roast beef dinner (NT$1,280) that includes a buffet. Pizza Pub will serve a set meal (NT$2,200) of grilled US beef rossini with port wine truffle sauce or roasted cod with basil green oil, tomatoes and olives. The set meals also include a cold appetizer of salami, prosciutto and mushrooms, and Sicilian-style clam soup. All Christmas meals are available on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. 12, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路一段12號), tel: (02) 2321-1818.
Marco Polo Lounge, located on the 38th floor of Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, will serve a five-course dinner (NT$3,800) in a romantic environment that offers stunning views of eastern Taipei. The menu includes foie gras, lobster cannelloni, a choice of beef tenderloin with truffles or pan-fried dorade served acqua pazza for the main course, and dessert. All window seats have been reserved. 38F, 201 Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路二段201號), tel: (02) 2376-3156.
Robin’s Grill on the second floor of the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei will serve up a carnivore’s feast from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25. There are three set menus, including roast turkey with chestnut mushroom stuffing (NT$3,200, NT$2,600 on Dec. 25), grilled US rib-eye steak and prawns with sweet potato puree and morel sauce (NT$3,800, NT$3,200 on Dec. 25), and grilled Australian sirloin steak and scallops with sweet potato puree and chanterelle sauce (NT$4,500, NT$3,800 on Dec. 25). All set menus include seared duck liver and red wine pear with coconut milk sauce, seafood bouillabaisse, salad bar, Maine lobster and wild mushroom sauce, chocolate snow ball with walnut ice cream, fresh chocolate truffle and a glass of red wine. On the hotel’s first floor, Azie Bun serves an intimate feast (NT$1,680) on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. The menu includes scallop tataki stuffing with scallop tartar and raspberry vinegar, tomato soup with herb virgin olive oil, pan-fried rib eye with zucchini or pan-fried salmon with tomato sauce and squid risotto, and a lychee dessert. 41, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市中山北路二段41號), tel: (02) 2523-8000.
The Sunworld Dynasty Taipei Hotel will have a buffet dinner on Christmas Eve that includes a magic show. Santa will be on hand for picture taking. Unfortunately, it has canceled its tradition of inviting fortune-tellers to predict what’s in store for its guests. The hotel’s Le Parc Cafe offers a buffet dinner (NT$1,200) of Western and Asian dishes, including sliced turkey and roast beef. Diners dressed in green or red receive a 10 percent discount. 100 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路100號), tel: (02) 2719-7199 X3310.
Across town, the Landis Taipei Hotel is offering a French menu at Paris 1930 (NT$4,000) on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. It features fresh oyster, foie gras cappuccino, lobster with truffles, baked honey-glazed pigeon, veal with truffles and strawberry biscotti served with chocolate balls. 41, Minquan E Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市民權東路二段41號), tel: (02) 2597-1234.
Dinner — Restaurants
Carnegie’s will offer an all-day Christmas turkey spread that runs from Dec. 19 to Dec. 24, except for Christmas Eve. The set menu (NT$490 for lunch and NT$680 for dinner) includes roast turkey with sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes and traditional Christmas pudding. For Carnegie’s Christmas Eve dinner (NT$1,500), the entree selection is a traditional English turkey set or prime Angus rib-eye steak or grilled salmon, with unlimited house wine between 6pm and 9pm. On the same night, it is holding a “Not So Silent Night” (NT$500, free for those eating dinner). The price of admission includes one drink. Those who dress up get in for free and have a chance to win NT$5,000 for “blingiest” costume, sexiest Santa costume or the “booby prize” for funniest costume. A Christmas Day dinner set is also available at NT$880. Whole roast turkeys and side dishes can be ordered for takeout (NT$3,200) beginning on Dec. 19, or for eat-in (NT$5,800). 100, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市安和路二段100號), tel: (02) 2325-4433.
Continuing a fine tradition, On Tap offers the best price for a traditional Christmas dinner that the Taipei Times came across. The three-course set meal, which will be served from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26, consists of soup, turkey with all the trimmings, home-made mince pie or chocolate brownie for dessert plus a glass of wine or beer for NT$700. The pub’s “12 Beers of Christmas” promotion runs from Dec. 19 to Dec. 30, during which On Tap will offer a different beer special from 6pm to midnight each day. 49, Ln 308, Guangfu S Rd, Taipei City (台北市光復南路308巷49號), tel: (02) 2741-5365.
Jake’s Country Kitchen in Tianmu offers a traditional Christmas dinner (NT$900) on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 that includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, pumpkin pie and a glass of white wine. 705, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 6, Taipei City (台北市中山北路六段705號), tel: (02) 2871-5289.
Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill will serve up a traditional Christmas dinner (NT$1,050) of roast turkey or prime rib, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce, followed by apple pie for dessert. 8 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路8號), tel: (02) 2778-8800.
An old Shida favorite, Grandma Nitti’s continues its long tradition of offering Christmas nourishment on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Two set menus are on offer, including turkey (NT$800) and roast beef (NT$800). Both are served with all the trimmings, pumpkin or apple pie and a glass of house wine. 8, Lane 93, Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路93巷8號), tel: (02) 2369-9751.
Capone’s has five Christmas dinner options available, including duck confit with goose liver gravy (NT$1,580), grilled US rib-eye steak (NT$1,680), pan-fried cod and king prawn with lobster sauce (NT$1,680), grilled US filet mignon with pan-fried goose liver (NT$1,880) and a surf-and-turf of lobster and filet mignon (NT$1,980). All dinner options include a glass of champagne, appetizer, salad, soup, sorbet and dessert. 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號), tel: (02) 2773-3782.
The Brass Monkey is offering a four-course Christmas dinner (NT$750) on Christmas Eve starting at 5pm. The dinner menu includes creamy pumpkin soup with sauteed mushrooms, Norwegian-style salmon as an appetizer, a choice of one of three entrees — herb-roasted rack of veal or roasted spring chicken with risotto or roasted sea bass with risotto — and Verona cheesecake with cranberry sauce for dessert. The cost includes a glass of wine, standard beer or spirit. There are only a few spaces available for the dinner, so book soon. A Christmas Eve bash starts after dinner, including a Sexy Santa competition, with the winner taking home NT$5,000. Ladies wearing red or white get in for free before 10pm and drink for free from 9pm until midnight (those who don’t dress up pay NT$150 to get in). Gents in red and white pay NT$150, which includes one drink (NT$300 without red and white). After 10pm, guys pay NT$300 (includes two drinks) and ladies pay NT$150 (includes free drinks until midnight and one drink coupon). 166 Fuxing N Rd, Taipei City (台北市復興北路166號), tel: (02) 2547-5050.
The Tavern, a sports bar, offers a Christmas buffet (NT$900) that includes appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail, a salad buffet and hot dish items such as Virginia ham, roast New Zealand rib-eye steak, beef lasagna and roast turkey and cranberry sauce. 415, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段415號), tel: (02) 8780-0892.
Wendel’s, a popular German bakery and bistro, has a turkey dinner (NT$5,400) that includes a 5.5kg roast turkey in sherry gravy, glazed chestnuts, Brussels sprouts, a homemade baguette and dessert. The dinner is offered at two locations: 5 Dexing W Rd, Taipei City (台北市德行西路5號), tel: (02) 2831-4415, and 28, Ln 260 Guangfu S Rd, Taipei City (台北市光復南路260巷28號), tel: (02) 2711-8919.
Christmas hampers and other goodies
Hotels and restaurants are doing their Christmas duty by offering a variety of hampers and gift baskets. Orders must be placed at least three days in advance. A 6kg bird will typically feed six to eight people.
The Grand Hyatt offers two Christmas hampers: The roast turkey set (NT$4,900) includes a 5kg turkey and the Virginia ham (NT$5,900) comes with a 7kg ham. Both hampers include all the usual trimmings as well as a gingerbread house and assorted Christmas cookies. Tel: 2720-1200X3198
The Deli at the Sheraton Hotel offers four hampers. The basic hamper comes with a 3.5kg roasted turkey, giblet gravy and cranberry kumquat sauce for NT$2,800. The roasted Virginia ham hamper comes with apple sauce and gherkin mustard for NT$2,800, and the roast US beef hamper includes a 2kg roast beef, herbed mushroom cream sauce, horseradish sauce and Lyonnaise bacon with small potatoes for the same price. An additional NT$900 gets you trimmings including corn bread stuffing with vegetables and chestnuts, Lyonnaise bacon and small potatoes, Tex-Mex sweet corn and tomato salsa, garden salad with Caesar dressing and pumpkin bread. A roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings costs NT$3,800. The Sheraton also offers a Christmas gift basket (NT$2,900) that includes a chocolate Christmas house, a Christmas fruitcake, a chocolate and macaroon gift box, caramel almond cookies and more. Tel: (02) 2321-5511 X8373.
Not to be outdone, the Sherwood’s Toscana Gourmet Corner has two Christmas hampers. The Classic Gourmet Turkey Hamper (NT$3,980) features a 5kg sage-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce and gravy, mashed potatoes, beet salad, homemade focaccia bread and a hand-made pumpkin pie. The Deluxe Gourmet Hamper (NT$5,600) is the same plus a bottle of Jeio Valdobbiadene Brut (750ml), an Italian sparkling wine, and a gourmet chocolate gift box. Tel: (02) 2718-6666 X3001 or X3515.
Azie Bun at the Grand Formosa Regent invites visitors to take their photo with Santa through Jan. 1. Each photo costs NT$100 and includes a custom-made frame. The restaurant also offers a Christmas basket (NT$3,500) that includes a 6kg roast turkey, red currant sauce and sweet-and-sour chestnuts with applesauce. The set comes with mashed potatoes, pan-fried zucchini, mixed mushrooms and bread pudding. Eight-inch pumpkin pies by the hotel’s French chef are also available for NT$720. Tel: (02) 2523-8000 X3157.
Jake’s Country Kitchen offers turkeys-to-go ranging from NT$2,400 for a 10- to 12-pound (4.5kg to 5.5kg) turkey to NT$3,400 for one weighing 20 pounds. Jake’s sells side dishes separately, with mashed potatoes at NT$200 per pound, broccoli at NT$250 for four persons, cranberry sauce at NT$120 per can and pumpkin pie at NT$450 each. Or get the full-fledged dinner set, which includes all of the above and feeds 8 to 10 people for NT$5,165. Tel: (02) 2871-5289.
Liz Gastro at the Landis offers an affordable turkey hamper (NT$3,580), which includes a 6kg roast turkey, chestnut and bacon stuffing, chicken gravy seasonal vegetables, freshly made cranberry sauce and a 6-inch (15cm) pumpkin pie. Liz Gastro also offers a variety of desserts on their own, including a gingerbread house (NT$320), a 6-inch pumpkin pie (NT$360) and a 7-inch raspberry white chocolate mousse (NT$650). Tel: (02) 2598-5558.
Wendel’s turkey hamper (NT$4,500) consists of a 5.5kg roast turkey with sherry gravy, glazed chestnuts, Brussels sprouts, log cake, homemade baguette and a bottle of red or white wine. The bakery also offers a broad range of gingerbread cookies, Santa Claus chocolates, advent calendars and nutcracker tins. From now until Dec. 18, Wendel’s offers kids the chance to decorate their own gingerbread house (NT$750, includes a cup of “kiddo punch”). Complete details and class times can be found on their Web site (Chinese and English): www.wendels-bakery.com. Tel: (02) 2831-4592.
Dieting advice
While many people are happy to blissfully pork out over the holiday season, some of us need to be careful not to overdo it. The following Web sites offer tips on how to moderate your Christmas consumption.
‧ Dietitian Juliette Kellow provides 50 excellent reminders on how to avoid over-eating during the Christmas season, from how to make your own stuffing to what items to avoid on the Christmas dinner table (eat the turkey but not the skin, indulge in green vegetables but be moderate when it comes to booze). On the Net: www.weightlossresources.co.uk/food/christmas.htm.
‧ An article called “Enjoy the festivities without gaining fat” on the Health & Wellbeing Web site offers advice on how to motivate yourself and avoid over-indulging. On the Net: health.ninemsn.com.au/dietandnutrition/nutrition/693816/diets-christmas-survivor-diet.
‧ HealthCastle.com lists sensible tips for avoiding certain food and drinks in favor of others. On the Net: www.healthcastle.com/holiday-eating-tips.shtml.
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