HOLIDAY BOUNTY

For the next two weekends, top chefs are eager to put festive feasts on plates in China’s capital and across the country, Mike Peters reports.

The Western holiday season that spans Christmas and NewYear’s Day inspires restaurant chefs to try some of their fanciest flourishes of the year. Whether that means giving weekend buffets an extra layer of gloss (and a better class of bubbly) or a special set menu, big holiday spreads are common now in China’s big cities.

And the parties are not just foreigners.

“Chinese people love to gather around food,” says one five-star hotel GM who is moving between properties this month. “They appreciate— and expect— a holiday table covered with food, and like nothing better than a big buffet.”

Such buffets have gotten facelifts in recent years. One hotel’s splendid but long staid brunch, for example, now includes live music, clowns making balloon animals for kids and strolling waiters that bring hot, fresh goodies from the kitchen to tableside instead of simply unloading them on the buffet.

Here is a quick tour of some of the appealing feasting on offer in China’s capital this weekend and next. (Most prices do not includeVAT and service charges, which usually apply.) If you’re not in Beijing, or your favorite restaurant doesn’t appear here, give it a call to see what Santa might be cooking there.

’Tis the season pretty much everywhere. for per adult) and both lunch and dinner on Christmas Day (388 per adult), look for endless oysters, crab legs, lobsters, shrimp, mussels, clams, sashimi, whole roasted turkey, Christmas ham, salads, dim sum and more, including desserts. Free for kids 6 and under; family rates available.

22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district. 010-8414-9820.

Westin Beijing Financial Street

The hotel’s Christmas Day brunch and dinner buffet will serving up all the traditional Christmas favorites including roasted turkey, beef and chicken as well as an array of chilled seafood on ice and an array of sinful desserts. 568 yuan net per person includes a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and free-flow red and white wines, beer, soft drinks and chilled juices. Children 3-12 years old pay 284 yuan net.

Dec 25; 9B Financial Street, Xicheng district. 010-6629-7810.

Opera Bombana

ChefMarino D’Antoniowillbepreparing a six-course Christmas Eve dinner featuring amazing dishes such as marinated Gillardeaux oyster, fois gras de Canardandtraditional tagliolini, among other delectable concoctions. American band The JacksonTwinzwill performlive to set the festive mood. 1,508 yuan (additional 800 yuan for wine pairing). On Christmas Day, Opera Bombana will also have a special brunch.

Dec 24; Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang district. 010-5690-7177.

Migas

Spanish Christmas here starts with roast eel with cauliflower puree and caviar foie gras topped with red-wine veil and macadamia cloud. Migas’ six-course set menu includes delectable dishes from foie gras to Iberian pork. 428 RMB per person (to include wine, add 240). Next week’s New Year’s Eve menu starts at 538 yuan, and includes a ticket to theMigas NewYear’s Eve party.

Dec 24-25, 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district. 0105208-6061.

The Cut

Christmas Eve dinner and ChristmasDaylunchanddinnerwill feature AustralianWagyuMS 5+ filet mignon with gin and juniper gravy, creamy bacon polenta and port-wine shallots, traditional Christmas turkey from the trolley, pan-fried diver scallops. The six-course set menu is 2,188 yuan per couple, including wine pairing.

Dec 24-25; in the Fairmont Beijing Hotel, Yong’an Dongli, Chaoyang district. 010-8507-3618.