Eat your heart out with these Christmas feasts

Eating a meal that is both satisfying for your heart and satiating for your stomach with your loved ones beside you is pretty much a mandatory tradition of Christmas these days. If you’re still at a loss for where the best culinary treats are to be found, here are some of the best Christmas feasts in town.

Zest by Konishi

Mixing together the flavours and culinary techniques of Japan and France is the speciality of two Michelin-starred executive chef Mitsuru Konishi, who helms the Central-set Zest by Konishi. The nine-course Christmas Eve tasting menu features dishes like sesame rusted Chu-Toro served with Wasabi mousse, Kawahagi fish served with Kristal Caviar and Tosazu sauce; Slow-cooked Wagyu beef consommé, and you can also add a five-glass wine pairing to your meal for an additional HK$780. This nine-course fusion menu is sure to make you fall in love with the flavours of Japan and France this Christmas eve. For reservations call (852) 2715 0878. www.zestbykonishihk.com

Location: 28/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong

Price: HK$1,880 + 10% per person

Big Sur

If your way of partaking in Christmas feasts is savouring a dinner in the comforts of your home, then Woolly Pig’s Big Sur is a great choice. Their Christmas Turkey Family Takeaway Set stars a 4.8kg whole roasted turkey smoked with herbs. It will be served with sourdough gravy along with cranberry and pickled peach condiment. The takeaway set comes with other side dishes including pork and cornbread stuffing; Brussel sprouts and kale with chestnut butter and crispy onions; roasted carrots and glazed with chili and honey; goose fat roasted potatoes. Following it all is the house-made Christmas apple and raisin pie and Christmas Bon Bon crackers for dessert. It also has dine-in option which will have 10-percent service charge for Christmas. Place your order before December 20 via email (events@woollypighk.com) to enjoy an early bird offer. www.woollypig.com.hk

Location: 22 Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Price: HK$1,700

China Tang

Treat yourself to a hearty meal for this festive month at China Tang with their December Special Set Menu. From Pan-fried Scallop with Maitake Mushroom and Black Truffle to Wok-fried Diced Wagyu Beef with Asparagus, you will find China Tang’s iconic dishes. There is another menu specially created for the last week of the month – the Christmas and NYE menu – which ups the culinary ante with generous servings of the restaurant’s signature dishes like Pan-fried Blue Lobster in Yuzu Sauce and a free bottle of Champagne to highlight the festive spirit. www.chinatang.hk

Location: Shop 4101, Level 4, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Price: HK$1,388 + 10%

Hugo

Indulge yourself in the taste of Europe with Hugo’s Christmas Eve six-course set dinner prepared diligently by Executive Sous Chef Josef Gallenberger. The menu will include Bretagne Blue Lobster and Abalone, Venison Essence, Lemon and Thyme crusted French Rascassee, Chocolate Poached Aubrac Beef Tenderloin and French Foie Gras Nuggets and more. The dishes prepared by the German born chef are sure to give your taste palate a merry experience during the eve of this Christmas. Call (852) 3721 7733 or click here to make your reservations.

Location: Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

Price: HK$1,898 + 10% service charges

Arcane

Arcane, tucked into the quiet corner of Central’s On Lan Street, has prepared a festive five-course meal that will impress your taste buds and your guests’ too. Starting from its Japanese fruit tomato with burrata, rocket pesto, pine nuts and marfuga olive oil to the Yuzu and lemon posset, blood orange and yoghurt ice cream, white chocolate tuile at the end, the menu only consists of Arcane’s best dishes. If European fine-dining with an Asian twist is your thing, this could just become one of your most memorable Christmas feasts yet. Click here to make your reservation. www.arcane.hk

Location: 3rd Floor, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong

Price: HK$1,555

Ecriture

Celebrate this Christmas by feasting with your family in the two Michelin-starred restaurant Ecriture. A seven-course dinner menu ‒ Sea Urchin Duck Foie Gras, Hokkaido Scallop, Grenailles Potatoes and White Truffle, Brittany Blue Lobster, Venison and Caviar, Amaou Strawberry and, Mikan will be served on Christmas Eve. The next day the French cuisine will be serving a five-course lunch menu ‒ Sea Urchin Duck Foie Gras, Brittany Blue Lobster, Poularde Du Patis, Quince and Mikan. Guests can also add seven glasses of wine to their dinner or lunch with additional charges of HK$1,280. In addition to treating your taste buds with executive chef Maxime Gilbert’s dishes, enjoy the view of the skyline from the windows as you savour this most sumptuous of Christmas feasts. www.lecomptoir.hk/ecriture

Location: 26th floor, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

Price: Christmas Eve Dinner Menu: HK$1,988; Christmas Lunch Menu: HK$1,288 (+10% service charges for both)

Not so Poultry: The Best Takeaway Turkey Dinners for a Fuss-free Thanksgiving

You might be an American expat or you might be a born and bred Hongkonger looking for an excuse to party. Either way Thanksgiving is right around the corner and nothing shows gratitude to friends and family than hosting them for a proper turkey dinner. But cooking is a hassle and it can end up taking you away from the very people you’re trying to spend more time with. Gafencu has compiled a list of the best take-home Thanksgiving turkey dinners so that you can sit back and relax with your loved ones… and a glass of wine, of course!

Big Sur
“The noblest ranch in Utah” has been busy at their smoker and is ready to bring you an applewood smoked turkey, parmesan and butter mashed potatoes, sourdough and apple stuffing casserole, roast carrot and kale salad, sour cream and a signature three-herb gravy. If you’ve still got room, then dig in to a slice of their family style pecan pie for afters. Big Sur is only serving up 30 of these so best hurry!
Serves 6 – 8
Available for pick up at: Staunton St, Kowloon and Lantau locations
Order by: 19 November
Price: HK$1600
Dine in option also available at Staunton St location from November 21 – 23
Order from events@woollypigconcepts.com.hk.

JOIA
For an elegant and yet truly traditional thanksgiving feast, JOIA bar and lounge can supply turkey, mac & cheese, baked cauliflower, stuffed peppers and two kinds of mashed potatoes. If you’re still hankering for a taste of the USA, there’s even pumpkin pie for dessert. Even the fussiest of feasters will find something to please their palette.
Serves 5 – 6
Available for pick up at JOIA bar and lounge, Roof Level Elements, Kowloon
7 days advance booking required
Price: HK$1680
Order at contactus@joia.co.hk

Porterhouse
Famed for their steak and seafood Porterhouse are branching out to birds. Their comprehensive dinner includes a roast pumpkin starter followed by lemony turkey, bacon-fried brussels sprouts, green beans and spinach with shallot gravy, followed by a sumptuous pecan and pumpkin pie served with mascarpone and cointreau foam. You really couldn’t ask for more.
Serves 8 – 9
Available for pick up at Porterhouse, California tower, Central
Order by: 25 November
Price: HK$2328
Dine in option from 19 – 25 November
Order at porterhousehk.com

city’super
Trust the favourite of Hong Kong denizens hunting for western cuisine to bring us the broadest possible range of Thanksgiving dinners – from traditional turkey and super traditional lobster to rule book-burning sushi platters. We love their “Best of city’super” package which features an organic UK sourced turkey, caviar, foie gras, a cooked seafood platter, a luxury selection of vegetables, a lobster bisque, cheese platter, a lemon peel cake and vintage Phillipe Gonet champagne. We might have a little trouble squeezing into our festive frocks but we think it’s worth it!
Serves 6 – 8
Available for pick up at: Harbour City Tsim Sha Tsui, ifc Mall Central, Times Square Causeway Bay and New Town Plaza Sha Tin
Order by: 19 December
Price: HK$7988
Order at online.citysuper.com.hk/

Text: Alice Duncan

Restaurant review: With wholesome Cali cuisine, Big Sur brings a slice of California to Central

The moment you enter Big Sur, you’d be forgiven if you thought you had accidentally landed in a barbecue joint right in the middle of sunny California! From its blue and blonde timber interiors to the signature Californian bear head sculpture at the entrance, Big Sur resembles a traditional Californian diner even before you take a look at the menu!

Big Sur offers 14 different types of craft beer

What draws you in at this newly opened restobar at SoHo is not just its warm interiors, but also the rows and rows of beer taps – 15 to be exact – located strategically near the entrance! That’s right, Big Sur boasts 15 different taps that serve 14 rotating craft beers, created by Hong Kong’s Young Master Brewery, as well as a tap-served gin and tonic.

Look out for unusual brews like Orange is the New Black, a decadent limited-edition release with ‘roasty’ coffee notes and Fake Juice, a fruity IPA that’s perfect for spring.

If cocktails are your preferred poison, head to Big Sur’s cocktail section. You may be pleasantly surprised to find your favourite cocktails being given a healthy makeover with fair-trade craft spirits and fresh-pressed fruit juice. The only loophole? You may end up quite tipsy as these ‘guiltless’ tipples taste more like juice and less like alcohol, coaxing you to drink more than you otherwise would! We speak from experience…

Big Sur’s mixed BBQ plate is soul-fulfilling

To match the well-stocked bar, Big Sur offers a wholesome menu to boot. Executive Chef Conor Beach draws from his American heritage to plate up a contemporary barbecue cuisine in typical Cali style, with a healthy dose of Latino fare to match. We were particularly impressed by the Baja Taco (HK$50 each) and the Whole BBQ Fish (HK$290), which combined hearty and healthy in a sumptuous duet.

For the dessertarians in the house, we’d recommend the Texas ‘Sheet’ Stack Cake (HK$90), a wholly decadent affair in chocolate cake, dark chocolate glaze, pecans, walnuts and pistachios, topped with whipped cream.

Oh, and did we mention that Big Sur doubles up as a breakfast and lunch destination for office-goers and the weekend crowd alike? In other words, whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, Big Sur’s doors are always open for you from 9am till late.

For reservations, call (852) 2529 3001 or click here.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay