Nani’s Ultimate Christmas Guide 2022: Dining And Toasting For Celebrations
Are you ready for Christmas, end-of year feasting and celebrations? Wondering which restaurants to visit, what to order for your upcoming Christmas house party or where to go for after-dinner drinks? Fret not, we got you covered with NANI’s handpicked selection of restaurants, izakaya, bars offering unique Christmas menus and dining concepts! Read on for our ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas and year-end festivities!
Dining Guide
Ohayo Mama San
Source: Ohayo Mama San
Orchard Road has always been lauded for its gorgeous Christmas lighting and decorations. Have you tried counting the number of Christmas trees along the bustling shopping street? Amidst the numerous vibrant restaurants located along Orchard Road, we recommend that you include Ohayo Mama San located at 313@Somerset on your must-try restaurants list.
Ohayo Mama San is perfect for a group of friends or family members with varying food & drinks preferences. For instance, you can have sashimi, sushi, fried chicken karaage, cocktails, and even a luxurious White Christmas High Tea Set featuring festive TWG Red Christmas tea, all under one roof! In addition, there are several sharing platter options such as Holiday Platter, Christmas Kyuden and the popular Around The World Seafood Tower.
Read our full review here.
Ohayo Mama San
Address: 313 Orchard Rd, #01-29, 313@Somerset 238895
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am - 10.30pm. Fri-Sat & Eve of PH 11am to 11.30pm
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Ganko Sushi
Reward yourself with a lavish 10-course omakase set ($250++) at Ganko Sushi. This Christmas, Chef Toshiyuki jazzes up their festive menu with winter’s best harvest in its finest form. The first appetiser (zensai) on the menu is Snow Crab and Sea Urchin with Tosa Vinegar Jelly. Paired with tosa vinegar jelly for an added complexity in texture, the dish boasts robust and natural flavours of the delicately sweet snow crab and luxuriously smooth sea urchin.
Another star dish is Wagyu Beef Steak which is seasoned and seared briefly over high heat. Relish the luscious and buttery fat melting in your mouth. The omakase menu includes a line-up of fresh sashimi cuts such as tender and mildly flavoured Squid Sashimi, elegantly sweet Stripe Jack Sashimi and high-grade Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi.
For the finale, Chef Toshiyuki handpicks premium seasonal Japanese fruits to round up your decadent omakase experience.
Ganko Sushi
Address: 9 Penang Road #01-01 Singapore 238459
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JIDAI Restaurant
Famed for its contemporary spins on French and Japanese cuisines, JIDAI Restaurant drew inspiration from the Yuletide spirit and launched a festive omakase menu. Enjoy a Christmas-inspired omakase experience, with the options of an 8-course ($88) or 10-course omakase set ($108). Mouth-watering appetisers include Uni Umami Bomb, a gratifying burst of umami flavours from Chilean uni and caviar, Oyster with Botan Ebi, fried oyster fritter served with delicately sweet botan ebi. Delightful mains Beyond the festive omakase menu, check out the star creation of Head Chef Darwin; Golden Truffle Black Chicken $68, stuffed with foie gras, aromatic glutinous rice, truffle and chicken jus, topped with luxurious 24k edible gold flakes.
Read our full review here.
JIDAI Restaurant
Address: 9 Circular Road Singapore 049365
Opening hours: Mon 5pm-10.30pm, Tue-Sun 2pm–3pm and 5pm–10pm
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Alice Boulangerie
Source: Alice Boulangerie
Well-known and loved for its exquisite and eye-catching bi-coloured viennoiseries, homegrown Alice Boulangerie presents an alluring new collection of fine pastries- four novel 3D avant-garde entremets ($7-$13) and Alice’s Christmas Log Cake ($85). For the first time this Christmas season, Alice Boulangerie jazzes up their festive spread with generous meat delights such as US Angus Roast Beef ($180 for 1kg) and Kurobuta (Bone-in) Roast Pork ($180 for 1.5kg).
Read our full review here.
Alice Boulangerie
Address: 12 Gopeng St, #01-05/11 Icon Village Singapore 078877
Opening hours: Mon-Sun
Instagram | Facebook | Website (Pre-order)
Tapas,24
Source: Tapas,24
Celebrated for their lively and well-loved Barcelonian concept, Tapas,24 left a deep impression on us, with their ‘organised disorder’ of tapas enjoyment. We visited the Robertson Quay outlet, the ambience was cozy and chill, perfect for a catch up with friends and family during Xmas. The Christmas menu was good, our top picks were Calamares a la Plancha con Vinagreta de Pistacho y Alioli de su Tinta and Tár Tar de Tomate Tomato Tár Tar with toast on the side (vegetarian). Tip: You can bring friends who are on a vegan diet or prefer a meat-free celebration here, they offer several vegetarian options!
If you are visiting Robertson Quay area, you can also hop over to Les Bouchons (fellow establishment of the L’Angélus Group), located a stone’s throw away from Tapas,24. A must-visit if you are hanging out with a group who prefers larger food portions especially steak and free flow fries! We loved our wine-and-dine experience at this French restaurant, do try the heartwarming French Onion Soup! Read full review of Les Bouchons Christmas menu here.
Tapas,24
Address: The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, #01-04, S238252
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-12am. Closed on Mon
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Gram Cafe & Pancakes
Famed for their fluffy soufflé pancakes, Gram Cafe & Pancakes presents Winter Wonderland Premium Soufflé, served with a side of Fresh Coconut Cream Swirl. Do not miss their special Christmas concoctions; Coconut Frappé and Lychee Rose Frappé.
Go Holly Jolly with two sumptuous sharing platters if you crave for some savouries before having sweets. We recommend Gram Jolly Platter which consists of Meaty Beef Patty with Toasted Brioche Burger, Grilled Chicken with Toasted Brioche Burger, Crisp Baked Mini Chicken Drumsticks, Honey Grilled Mid Chicken Wings, Spicy Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers, Maple-Smoked Duck Breast Served on Greens. Alternatively, go for Gram Holly Platter if you prefer salmon and fried chicken delights!
Source: Gram Cafe & Pancakes
Bag a Limited edition Christmas Box ($21.90) home, all for yourself or share with your friends and family! It includes 4 lovely pancakes with generous cream fillings; Blueberry Cream Cheese, Tropical Coconut, Raspberry Yogurt, and Japanese Yuzu Citrus.
Gram Cafe & Pancakes
[Waterway Point outlet] 83 Punggol Central, 01-64, Waterway Point, S828761
[VivoCity outlet] 1 HarbourFront Walk, 02-110, VivoCity, S098585
Instagram | Facebook | Pick up and Delivery
En Group
Source: En Group Facebook
Did you know that this major Japanese restaurant chain operates several popular restaurants whose names end with “En”? This Christmas, several of their brands including En Dining, Ka-En Grill & Sushi Bar, Tamago-En, Kiwami and Monster Curry have launched exciting festive menus ranging from sumptuous dine-in bundles to wholesome sharing platters for takeaway. If you are a fan of buffets, visit En Dining for an En-tertaining Christmas feast priced from $65++ per pax. Enjoy best of meat and seafood with Santa’s Meat & Sushi Platter $69 from Ka-En Grill & Sushi Bar.
En Group Christmas Giveaway (across 10 brands)
En-tertain yourselves with EN Group this festive season and win prizes! Capture all 10 brand characters and stand to win $300 dining vouchers*! Event runs until 2 Jan 2023.
How to particpate?
En Group
Instagram | Facebook | Website
Takeaway and Delivery
RE&S
Source: RE&S
Indulge in a Heartwarming Christmas Feast by RE&S, available for takeaway at participating brand outlets such as Ichiban Boshi, Ichiban Sushi, Kuriya Japanese Market, Gokoku Japanese Bakery (for logcakes only).
Gather your family and friends for a heartwarming Christmas Feast in the comfort of your own home. RE&S - owner and operator of multiple Japanese F&B outlets such as Ichiban Boshi and Kuriya Japanese Market, presents a sumptuous Christmas Feast menu for your upcoming parties and gatherings. Look forward to generous sharing platters, delectable mains and festive log cakes to complete your year-end celebrations.
RE&S Christmas Feast menu is available for takeaway or delivery. Place your orders online or in-store (at Ichiban Boshi, Ichiban Sushi and Kuriya Japanese Market outlets) from now until 30 Dec 2022, and collect by 2 Jan 2023. Do note that you have to order 3 days before date of collection.
Read our full review here.
RE&S Participating Stores
Ichiban Boshi | Ichiban Sushi | Kuriya Japanese Market | Gokoku Japanese Bakery (for log cakes only)
Pre-order Online
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Châteraisé
Xmas Premier Rouge
Source: Châteraisé
What’s Christmas without lovely sweets and log cakes? Châteraisé, renowned patisserie from Japan, brings you their best cakes and bakes for this festive season. Their 2022 Christmas Collection features 3 new cakes in addition to their seasonal favourites, all made with handpicked premium ingredients- including Hakushu spring water, milk and eggs from selected partner farms in Japan.
Our top pick is Xmas Premier Rouge (15cm, $52), made with a decadent centre of bright strawberry, raspberry and cassis jelly, sandwiched with a layer of sponge before it is enriched with cream cheese mousse. It all sits on a bed of feuilletine chocolate and a base of dacquoise before it is glazed to shiny perfection with red glacage and topped off with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Read more about their Christmas collection here.
Buy a cake and win a trip to Hokkaido!
From now until 20 December, stand a chance to win a tour package to Hokkaido including air tickets and a 3D/2N stay at Châteraisé Hotel when you make a paid reservation for a Christmas whole cake (from $34++)! This promotion includes online and in-store reservations and 3 lucky winners will be picked. Don’t miss this chance to win a very special Christmas gift!
Chateraise
Instagram | Facebook | Website (Pre-order)
Toasting Guide
KI NO BI x Last Word Christmas Pop-Up
Source: Kyoto Distillery
KI NO BI (’The beauty of the seasons’), produced by Japan's celebrated Kyoto Distillery, launches a special pop up event in Singapore from now until 1 January 2023. At Last Word- food and cocktail bar along Purvis Street, four specially curated KI NO BI cocktails are available exclusively at $26++ each.
This Christmas, Kyoto Distillery unveiled a limited-edition gin- KI NO BI Edition G, for the first time in Singapore. Only 120 bottles of KI NO BI Edition G are available in Singapore, including limited quantities for purchase at the pop up event. KI NO BI Edition G boasts of warm buttery oak and wood spice aromas, with hints of vanilla and burnt toffee. Visit the event and experience the gin’s full and chewy finish, beautifully balanced between oak, caramel and tannin.
In conjunction with the pop up experience, KI NO BI is also organising a series of guest shifts, gin tastings and cocktail masterclasses led by distinguished bartenders and mixologists including KI NO BI Global Brand Ambassador Marcy Sakuma, Amanda Wan Winchester, Kelvin Wong, Shawn Chong, Alson Tian and Josh.
KI NO BI x Last Word Christmas Pop-Up (until 1 Jan 2023)
Address: 8 Purvis St #02-01 Singapore 188587
Opening hours: 5pm - 12 am daily
KI NO BI Instagram | KI NO BI Website | Last Word Instagram
Book tickets for Gin Tasting Masterclass
Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya
Source: Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya
Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya recently introduced the popular Japanese quick drink culture- Choinomi（チョイ飲み）specially for diners looking for quality alcoholic drinks and snacks at best-value prices. You might have tried their well-loved mazesoba, (Japanese dry mixing noodles) at Menya Kokoro outlets. At Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya, you can grab a drink, settle in, and get comfortable as the dining space transforms into a cosy izakaya for the night. PS: The full mazesoba soba menu is still available at night.
Their best-value light bites start from just $2.90! Our picks were Tebasaki $5.90 (chicken wings) and Mini Sukiyaki Bowl $7.90. We recommend to order their Sobatea Highball $11 made with earthy notes of buckwheat from Hokkaido. It is light, boasts low sugar and carbs, perfect for ladies!
Drinks Promotion (exclusively for dine-in only)
(1) Get a sake sampler set with 5 different sakes (100ml each) at just $48.00 (UP $54.90)!
Each set also comes with a complimentary mouth-watering side of choice worth at least $4.90. (2) Enjoy a refreshing Sapporo Draft Beer at only $5.00 (UP $11.00) until 31 December 2022 only.
Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya @ 100AM
Address: 100 Tras Street #02-10, Singapore 079027
Operating hours: Mon-Thu 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm. Fri 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9.30pm
Sat 11am to 9.30pm. Sun 11am to 9pm (Last order is 30mins before closing)
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Roku Gin x Chuan by Nutmeg, Fizzy Dayz and GOHO
This Christmas, celebrate a Japanese winter with 11 new festive-inspired Roku Gin cocktails. In collaboration with Chuan by Nutmeg, Fizzy Dayz and GOHO, Roku Gin presents one-of-a-kind yuletide drinks for all to enjoy.
Chuan by Nutmeg
From left to right: Pine Nut Negroni, SS G&T, Cinnamon Raisin Punch, Jasmine Gingerbread Sour
Source: Roku Gin
The bar at Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, a pioneer of Sichuan cuisine, Chuan by Nutmeg presents four cocktails imbued with the festive spirit. Check out unique and refreshing cocktails ($24 each) incorporating Roku Gin with bold elements such as Sichuan pepper, ginger and cinnamon.
Chuan by Nutmeg (Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant)
Address: 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624
Opening hours: 3pm - 10.30pm daily
Instagram | Facebook | Website
Fizzy Dayz
From left to right: Uvava, First Glow of Xmas, Noggie Noggie, Mulled Me Up
Source: Roku Gin
Fizzy Dayz is a new diner bar situated on Purvis Street serving delicious highball tipples and diner style bar grubs. Embrace the festive season with four rich, sweet, innovative and robust cocktails.
Fizzy Dayz
Address: 24 Purvis Street, Singapore 188601
Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 4pm – 12am
GOHO
From left to right:Blueberry Fizz, Guava & Fig, MerryBerry
Source
GOHO is a cozy bar and restaurant celebrating contemporary Kaiseki cuisine, highlighting the culinary techniques of Japanese cooking, as well as the excellent craftsmanship of Japanese cocktails. To complement the yuzu in Roku Gin, each of GOHO’s cocktails incorporate a citrusy element.
GOHO
Address: 53A Duxton Rd, Entrance via RAPPU, Singapore 089517
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm–12am, Sat 12pm-2pm and 6pm-12am, Sun 12pm–2pm and 6pm–10.30pm
Instagram | Facebook | Website
All of the above cocktails are available from now until 31 December 2022.
About Roku Gin
Roku Gin embodies the Japanese philosophy of monozukuri craftsmanship, highlighting a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. It is complex and multi-layered, well-balanced and perfect for any occasion. Created by Japanese artisans using only the freshest ingredients, it combines eight traditional gin botanicals with six unique Japanese botanicals cultivated over the four seasons.
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