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.
A more American-style Christmas set dinner is available at the Gallery or Robin's Grill, both located on the second floor. The Gallery will have a set menu (NT$2,500) that includes pumpkin veloute with basil and king crab tortellini, lobster thermidor with winter truffle and mini asparagus and Robin's salad. For the main course, patrons can choose between grilled rib eye steak with three peppers, Anna potatoes, wild mushrooms and glazed winter vegetables or turkey with chestnut stuffing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, candied yam, glazed vegetables and mash potatoes. As with its counterpart downstairs, the dessert includes iced Yule log kirsch and griotttes with gingerbread sauce, coffee or tea, and Swiss Christmas cookies. Each guest will also receive a complimentary glass of champagne and a gift. Robin's Grill set menu (NT$2,750) is the same as the Gallery's, except for the addition of Charlotte of langoustine and tuna with avocado and ikura dill sour cream as an appetizer. For reservations call (02) 2523-8000. The Grand Formosa Regent is located at 41 Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市中山北路二段41號).
The Lobby Lounge in the Grand Hotel will have a set menu (NT$1,500) that includes baked seafood with herbs fillo, oxtail soup and a choice of either beef medallion with bordelaise sauce or roast turkey with gravy. Rounding out the meal is Christmas cake with brandy sauce and coffee or tea. For reservations call (02) 2886-8888 X1231 or 1232.
The Cafe in the Grand Hyatt will be serving up an American style buffet (NT$1,300 for both lunch and dinner on Dec. 24) that includes whopping amounts of turkey. For reservations call (02) 2720-1200 X3198 or 3199. The Grand Hyatt is located at 2 Songshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路2號). Another American style buffet (NT$980) can be found at Story Tea House at the Landis Hotel. For reservations call (02) 2596-1898.
The chefs at Paris 1930 have created a French Christmas set dinner (NT$3,800) feast that includes a glass of champagne. Courses include amuse bouche, warm salad of lobster, chorizo crusted smoked sablefish, scallop, foie gras, licorice sherbet and rack of lamb. For reservations call (02) 2597-1234. The Landis is located at 41 Minchuan E Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市民權東路二段41號).
Christmas Eve will find the Rainbow Terrace on the 16th floor of the Howard Plaza serving up a buffet dinner (NT$1,200 on Dec. 23 and NT$1,999 on Dec. 24) that includes duck liver mousse, herb roast turkey, honey-roast ham with lilac and a smorgasbord of Christmas breads and desserts. For reservations call (02) 2700-2323. The Howard Plaza is located at 160 Renai Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市仁愛路三段160號).
The Sherwood's Toscana Italian Restaurant will have a "glamorous" Christmas dinner (NT$3,200) celebration with party masks and hats where patrons can enjoy live music while chowing down on a variety of classic Western treats that include appetizers like duck foie gras from France, prociutto ham on tomato toast from Italy and crab and avocado salad with tarragon and lemon from Australia. The main course is roasted prime tenderloin — Wellington style — served with pearl onions, baby zucchini and a thyme-flavored sauce. Dessert is souffle, creme brule and Douceur chocolate. For reservations call (02) 2718-1188 X3001. The Sherwood is located at 12 Zhonghsiao E Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝東路一段12號).
Front Page Bar in the Imperial Hotel will have a Christmas set menu (NT$1,200) and the Tomatina Cafe is offering a Christmas buffet (NT$650). For reservations call (02) 2596-5111. The Imperial Hotel is located at 600 Linsen N Rd, Taipei (台北市林森北路600號).
Christmas Gift Baskets and Goodies
For those choosing to entertain at home over the Christmas season, hotels throughout Taipei are offering a variety of Christmas hampers to meet their needs. Order should be made three days in advance. The Cake Shop on the first floor of the Far Eastern Plaza has gift hampers ranging in price from NT$980 to NT$6,880. Orders can be made by calling (02) 237-8888 X5867. From Santa Clause gingerbread (NT$260/200g) to turkeys (NT$2,700/5kg), The Cake Shop also offers a mind-boggling array of Christmas goodies to compliment the Xmas atmosphere.
Not to be outdone, the Grand Formosa Regent's azie bun is offering gift baskets and treats, both from Europe and America. The roasted turkey basket (NT$2,750) has the largest bird weighing in at 6kg and comes will all the trimmings, which includes a turkey cookbook with creative ideas for leftovers. Call (02) 2523-8000.
Having just opened in October, The Boutique situated in the Grand Hyatt hotel lobby offers a wide selection of seasonal gifts, hampers and desserts. For more information call (02) 2720-1200 X3198 or 3199. You can also visit the hotel's excellent Web site at www.clubhyatt.com.tw.
The Landis' Gourmet Corner currently offers a turkey hamper (NT$2,650) that includes cranberry sauce, gravy and seasonal vegetables as well as other jolly yum-yums and holiday hampers. Call (02) 2597-1234. The Sherwood is currently offering a limited variety of Christmas treats at Toscana Gourmet Corner, information for which can be found by calling (02) 2718-1188, X3001.
The Taipei Times wishes everyone a merry Christmas. Eat, drink and be merry.
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