We can literally hear the jingle bells ringing at this time of the year. After a long year working hard, this is the time to slow down the pace and wind down. Afterall, it is an art to appreciate the finer things in life such as spending more time with your loved ones by treating them to a good meal or getting them some gifts during this festive season.

theRantingPanda team has put together some of our recommendations if you are still mulling over the ideal venue for your Christmas Feast or gifts. One word of advice, book soon and get it soon before it is too late.

Festive Feast @ Edge

Edge is one of our favourite restaurants for buffets in Singapore to date and it has introduced some delightful festive treats this year end season. It is by no chance that Edge has recently won the acclaimed Best Buffet accolade at the Epicurean Star Award 2014 organised by the Restaurant Association of Singapore. Expect to savour Christmas delights such as the Honey and Pineapple-glazed Gammon Ham, Special Christmas Terrines, Crispy Spice Pork Knuckle, Spiced Lamb Short Ribs, Traditional Roasted Turkey with Festive Trimmings, and a variety of sweet treats such as Aniseed Ginger Vanilla Cheese Logcake and Fruit Minced Pie.

The Festive menu at Edge is available from 1 December 2014, priced at $58 per adult for the Festive Lunch, from $78 per adult for Festive Dinner and at $178 per adult for the Festive Champagne Brunch.

If you are already thinking of a lavish feast for this New Year’s Eve dinner, the exclusive Champagne Dinner at Edge will be available at $218 per adult.

For more details on the festive offerings and prices at the Edge, do visit Pan Pacific website. Photo courtesy of Pan Pacific Singapore.

Imaginery Friends Afternoon Tea @ Pacific Marketplace

Pacific Marketplace has launched a festive afternoon tea set this season, inspired by the characters from local author Melanie Lee’s whimsical book Imaginary Friends: 26 Fables for the Kid in Us. Be prepared to enjoy treats such as Octopus Mirin Quiche with Bonito Flakes (Olivia the Overachieving Octopus), Grape and Leek Panna Cotta (Greta the Grouchy Grape and Lucy the Lively Leek), Durian Puff with Spiked Meringue (Dan the Dowdy Durian Man), and Cheese Cake with Turkish Delight (Freda the Friendly Froyo). Our favourites was the cutely designed tea-infused chocolate milk pralines, with flavours such as Earl Grey, Lavender, Jasmine and Chamomile.
Imaginary Friends Afternoon Tea is priced at $58 for two adults, and is available daily from 17 November to 31 December 2014, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Photo courtesy of Pan Pacific Singapore.

Festive Goodies @ Pacific Marketplace

Thinking of where to satisfy your Christmas treats and log cakes this season for your party? From November 2014, you can choose from Christmas Log Cakes ($60 for 1kg) from flavours such as Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate Yule to Aniseed Ginger Vanilla Cheese, Traditional Roasts such as Honey-glazed Ham with Granny Smith Apple and Raisin Chutney ($128 for 2kg), Roasted Turkey with Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing, Giblet Gravy and Cranberry Sauce ($148 for 4.5kg), Roasted Beef Rib Eye with Nutmeg-scented Brussel Sprouts and Truffle Jus ($148 for 2kg) as well as the 2014 Limited Edition Cinnamon-glazed Gammon Ham with Persimmon Chutney ($158 for 2kg).
Aniseed Ginger Vanilla Cheese Log Cake
Roasted Turkey with Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
The Festive Goodies is available from November 2014 to 25 December. Photos courtesy of Pan Pacific Singapore.

For more details on the offerings, do visit the Pan Pacific Website.

1872 Clipper Tea Co: A Season of Magic

We are huge drinkers of tea, therefore it is no surprise that we are drawn to The 1872 Clipper Tea Co’s launch of its festive tea blends. The trio of exciting tea blends are whimsically named as Shoemaker’s Elves, The Nutcracker and Rudolph. The Shoemaker’s Elves ($15) is a merry blend of green tea, orange peel and sweet cinnamon, The Nutcracker ($15) is a blend of black tea and white chocolate, while the Rudolph ($15) is an enchanting blend of Rooibos, cocoa and caramel. For more value for money, we would recommend getting the gift set for the three tea blends, available at $38.

Now you have some inspiration for gift exchange?
Photo courtesy of The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

Where:
Serving tea drinks and snacks, alongside a retail selection:
PasarBella – A Farmer’s Market @ The Grandstand

Retail only:
Tangs Orchard, Basement 1
Robinsons Orchard, Basement 1
Gardens by the Bay
Night Safari Village Craft
Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Peninsula Boutique

The Peninsula Hotels Group SnowPage has recently made its festive debut at The Peninsula Boutique Singapore this Christmas, featuring a range of limited-edition souvenirs and gift boxes.

From chocolate pralines to tea bags to an assortment of cookies, there is something for everyone.

Photo courtesy of The Peninsula Boutique

Where: B1-13 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 23880

Festive Feast at Spice Brasserie

Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road will be launching its festive spread with highlights such as Slow Braised Pumpkin Crab in Claypot, Gammon Ham with Peach Sauce, Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce, available for dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

For Christmas Eve dinner, expect extra specials such as Mentaiko Rock Lobster Flambé with Brandy and Oven-Roasted Prime Ribs. Some of the special Christmas desserts include the Traditional Log Cake, Ginger Bread and Christmas Pudding in a dedicated dessert room. There is also a live dessert station where the chef will whip up treats such as Cherry Flambé and Crêpe Suzette.

What is also different from Spice Brasserie is a “Frozen” Disney-themed corner specially designed for children. There will be a mini bouncing castle, balloon sculpting, face painting and many more activities. To cater to the kids’ palate,  there will be delicious bite-sized snacks from a small kids’ buffet counter on the side.
Available from 11 to 31 December. Festive buffet lunch from $42/adult, dinner from $54/adult. Various credit card promotions apply, do check out the PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road website for more information.

Other than the festive buffet at Spice Brasserie, there will also be the Christmas Takeaway Platter which offers a good mix and variety of Christmas delights, such as Roast Turkey Slices, Pork Liver with Chestnut Stuffing and the classic cranberry sauce, well-liked Honey Glazed Gammon Ham paired with Chef’s home-made peach sauce, Cumberland Sausage and Salt-crust Sirloin Beef with Au Jus dip, roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Ideal for a party of six to eight persons, orders are recommended to be placed two days in advance through Spice Brasserie.
Available from 11 to 31 December 2014 at $98.

Photos courtesy of PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Festive Treats

Café Brio at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel will be introducing its Christmas and New Year festive buffet. Expect special treats such as the roulade of chicken stuffed with spinach scallop mousse served with berries coulis and candied fruits, turkey “Emince” with button mushroom, morel cream sauce, aromatic Christmas roast whole turkey with chestnut filling, cranberry jam and gilbert jus and honey glazed gammon ham with apple sauce and pork jus Dine on sous vide of duck leg with butternut squash and caramelised onion, prawn paste marinated turkey meat with curry leaves, oven-roasted herb premium ribeye and the classic Christmas log cake, cranberry and apple crumble tart, Christmas mince pie and festive wine jelly with berries.
Pontini restaurant’s festive menu include highlights such as roasted scallop in herb crust wrapped with Italian sliced “Pancetta”, warm fresh artichoke salad, grain mustard and thyme mousse and chestnut with thyme creamy soup with wagyu cheek stuffed raviolini and deep-fried sage leaves and risotto cooked in “Amarone” Italian red wine, Girolle mushrooms and Ubriaco Venetian cheese. For the main course, pamper your palate with Italian traditional Cotechino, stewed black lentils, purple crushed potato, broccolini and Italian winter black truffle.

Available from 1 to 30 December 2014. 3-course Festive Set menu at $88.00++ per person, 4-course at $108++ person, 5-course at $128++ per person. Promotion is unavailable on 24, 25 and 31 December. The 7-course Christmas dinner set menu at $128++ per person will be available on 24, 25 December 2014 and 31 December 2014 for New Year’s Eve Celebration.

In addition to the festive menu this season at Cafe Brio and Pontini restaurant at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, the festive takeaway selections include the Norwegian smoked salmon platter, oven-baked turkey, honey glazed ham, lasagne, award-winning Executive Pastry Chef, Nicolas Maugard’s signature log cakes and many others.
For further enquiries or reservations, do call 6233 1100 or email dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com

Photos courtesy of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

foodpanda

And if you are looking to host a house party, and puzzled what to be ordering for the Christmas gathering, why not visit foodpanda to order your food!

With selections from restaurants and fast food chains all gathering at foodpanda, you might be too spoilt on choices. From fast food (4fingers, VeganBurg) to Gourmet selections (Bergs, The Rotisserie) to Chinese cuisine (933 Golden Pillow, Yang’s Chicken Rice) to Italian (Ricciotti, Spizza and PastaMania), they seem to have it all!

Photo courtesy of foodpanda

Where: www.foodpanda.sg