The 2012 Christmas Dining Guide: Go Big or Go Home

For some, Christmas is a cozy gathering of friends and family, with great conversation and maybe even some space for contemplation. If you want to escape the crowds, we've got your best tips for ordering in. On the other end of the spectrum are huge blowout galas in Beijing's most blinged-out ballrooms. I mean, we're talking tickets that'll set you back about a month's rent, but that include stays in suites and chances to win vacations to Vienna and tech gadgets galore. And that's before we talk about the insane buffet spreads and endless champagne.

Again, a reminder that both takeout and gala dinners require advance reservation, so plan accordingly. If it's been a big year for you, go ahead and go nuts.

For the more mid-range Christmas feasts, see our other Christmas Dining Guide here.

In all our scouring (in case you can't tell, we've been quite comprehensive), we haven't come across any alternative celebrations (Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, anyone?). So if you know of any, please let us know in the comments below.

TAKEAWAY

Brussels
Get a 6kg turkey (that's about 13 lbs) with gravy and cranberry sauce for RMB 880. A similar-size turkey including enough sides for ten adults is RMB 1,480. Call Kenn Bermel (134 8880 4794) for more details. Brussels (6591 9525)

Chef Too
Roast turkeys run RMB 880 (12-14 lbs) or RMB 1,280 (18-20 lbs) on their own, or you can get them as set meals for RMB 1,280 or RMB 1,980, respectively. Choices for sides include sweet and mashed potato, cranberry jelly, gravy and stuffing sausage. Pies available, too. Order at cheftoobeijing@yahoo.com or call 6591 8676/6591 2520.

GO BIG!
(All events on Christmas Eve unless otherwise noted)

Dec 22
Starry Night Christmas
International buffet with free-flowing beer and wine, plus lucky draw and live entertainment. Top ticket includes one night's stay in an Executive Room, breakfast included. RMB 3,388-5,388. China World Summit Wing (6505 2299)

Dec 24
Christmas Eve at Grill 79
Six courses by the brilliant chef Ryan Dadufalza, including glazed river trout and braised Iberico pork cheek, plus his delightful roasted foie gras with peanut butter and jelly. Includes wine pairings and a glass of champagne. RMB 2,088+15%. Grill 79, China World Summit Wing (6505 2299 ext 6424)

2012 Exclusive Christmas Eve Party
Christmas buffet dinner, free-flowing sparkling and house red and white wines, live entertainment and lucky draw. RMB 2,688-3,988 (some packages include one night stay). 6-10pm. Traders Hotel Beijing (6505 2277 ext 25)

2012 Stylish Christmas Eve Party
Celebrate the season in style with a buffet dinner of Chinese delicacies, free-flowing house wines, lucky draw and door prize. RMB 988. 6-10pm. The Oriental, Traders Hotel Beijing (6505 2277 ext 25)

2012 Fantasy Christmas Eve Party
Buffet dinner including Angus strip loin and a glass of sparkling wine, plus freeflowing house wines all night. RMB 888. 6-10pm. T-Bazaar, Traders Hotel (6505 2277 ext 25)

Aroma Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet
Enjoy a lavish dinner buffet with free-flow soda, beer, wine and champagne. RMB 1,118+15%. 6-10.30pm. Aroma, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8161)

Barolo Christmas Eve Set Dinner
Experience Christmas Eve with a 5-course Italian set dinner at Barolo. All diners will enjoy one glass of welcome champagne upon arrival. RMB 1,228+15%. 6-10.30pm. Barolo, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8151)

Christmas Eve
Dinner buffet, home-brewed mulled wine and a pile of gifts for lucky draw. RMB
1,288+15%. 6-10pm. Grand Millennium (8587 6888)

Christmas Eve Buffet at East 33
Traditional Christmas buffet with other festivities like games and lucky draw. RMB 1,088+15%. 6.30-10.30pm. East 33, Raffles Beijing Hotel (6526 3388 ext 5171)

Christmas Eve Dinner
Christmas goes upscale across six courses, starting with a glass of champagne and including steamed lobster, pan-fried foie gras, your choice of salmon or lamb loin and finishing with an apple and ginger sorbet. RMB 1,288+15%. 6-10.30pm. Cepe, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (6601 6666)

Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet
Themed buffet with welcome cocktail and free-flow soft drinks, beer and select wines. RMB 1,288+15%. 6-10pm. Seasonal Tastes, Westin Beijing Chaoyang (5922 8888)

Christmas Eve Festive Buffet Dinner
A culinary journey with music from the Back Yard Band and lucky draw prizes for all. RMB 1,588. Garden Court, St. Regis Beijing (6460 6688)

Christmas Eve Set Dinner
Six courses plus wine pairing for a more intimate Christmas dinner. RMB 1,388+15%. 5.30-11pm. Grange Grill, Westin Beijing Chaoyang (5922 8880)

Christmas Exploration
Chef Mauro Bellodi brings a taste of Europe for a holiday dinner with free-flowing wine and beer. RMB 1,688. Senses and Prego, Westin Beijing Financial Street (6606 8866)

Christmas Fairy Tale
Turkey-carving station, honey-glazed ham and a homemade Yule log in the beautiful Jewel Ballroom. RMB 2,688+15%. 6-10pm. Raffles Hotel Beijing (6526 3388)

Christmas Fantasy Revelry
Seafood display on ice and a roast turkey with all the trimmings in a grand ballroom, plus a chance to win a trip to San Francisco. RMB 3,188-3,588. 6.30-10.30pm. Treasury Ballroom, Westin Beijing Financial Street (6606 8866)

Christmas Gala Dinner
A festive feast with a chance to win a trip to Vienna. RMB 1,688-2,488+15%. Infinity Ballroom, Hilton Beijing (5865 5865/5865 5125)

Christmas Miracle @ Jewel
A six-course Chinese dinner with an innovative twist by Michelin-star chef Andy Ng, including one glass of bubbly. RMB 1,288. Jewel, Westin Beijing Financial Street (6606 8866)

Elegant Delights at Aria
Five-course menu including lobster “cocktail,” chestnut veloute, pigeon breast and your choice of tenderloin or turkey, finished with a gingerbread parfait. RMB 880+15%, RMB 1,280+15% (with wine pairings). 5.30-10pm. Aria, China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 6644)

Gaga Christmas
A non-traditional Christmas: seafood buffet and an Australian Lady Gaga Tribute Show. RMB 1,288-2,888. Crowne Plaza Wuzhou (8498 2288 ext 7204)

Golden Christmas at Conference Hall
Get carried away in a golden Christmas with Santa, lucky draw, a Chinese and international buffet spread and freeflowing sparkling wine, wine and draft beer. RMB 3,688 (regular), RMB 4,188 (VIP), RMB 5,888 (includes one night stay). 6-10.30pm. China World Hotel (6505 2266)

Grand Buffet
Celebrate in style with sparkling wine, lucky draw prizes and Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. 6pm. RMB 988. Kerry’s Kitchen (8565 2088)

Traditional Christmas Eve at Scene a Café
Christmas choir, Santa Claus, lucky draw and a magic show along with eight “scenes” in a buffet “theater.” RMB 988+15%. 5.30-10.30pm. Scene a Cafe, China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 35)

White Christmas at Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel
International seafood buffet, all the Christmas trimmings and a chance to win a 24K gold coin by guessing how many Ferrero Rochers are hanging on the tree. RMB 1,888-2,888. 6.30-10.30pm. Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel (5798 8989)

Winter Wonderland Christmas Eve Grand Gala Dinner
The Ritz-Carlton ballroom will be transformed into a blue, white and silver winter wonderland, and you’re invited to take part with free-flowing wine (champagne in the poshest package), a brimming buffet and rousing entertainment. Don’t miss a chance to win tickets to this extravaganza (see p46). RMB 4,688-6,688+15%. 5-10.30pm. Ritz-Carlton
Financial Street (6601 6666)

Photos: Courtesy of the venues