GLOBETROTTING EPICURE

Indonesia

With the white sandy beach of Sire and a bonus view of Mount Rinjani, Hotel Tugu Lombok offers guests much needed downtime before the arrival of the new year. Take advantage of the Tropical Christmas Holiday offer. Priced from Rp3,016,528 per room per night (minimum two nights) for the Bungalow category, the package includes a Christmas Eve Dinner for two, daily breakfast, afternoon tea by the beach, and a 15-minute welcome massage. A portion of the revenue will be donated to support the Tugu & Friend’s Library; the library books are accessible to local children. Hotel guests are invited to share their time by attending weekly English classes or donating to the library. Jl. Pantai Sire, Desa Sigar Penjalin, Kecamatan Tanjung, Lombok. Tel: +62 370 6120111

Treat yourself to a spectacular Christmas Day Brunch (Rp1,230,000) at Alto Restaurant & Bar. Located on the 20th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, the elegant surrounding enhances the mood for feasting. Live stations serve up Aromatic Herbs Lamb Leg, Norwegian Salmon en Croûte, and Roasted Rack of Tomahawk. Salads, cold cuts, cheese, seafood, and pastas make up the rest of the buffet spread. Save some room for desserts by executive pastry chef Lorenzo Sollecito. The talented chef has also selected a variety of hampers, cakes, and other sweet treats such as carrot cake and macarons at La Patisserie as takeaways. Capital Place, Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18, Jakarta. Tel: +62 21 22771888

If your idea of a tasty Christmas Eve dinner involves Honey Roasted Ham and a children’s choir singing carols, book a table at Spectrum Restaurant in Fairmont Jakarta. For Rp788,000/ person, indulge in an eye-popping display of classic Christmas favourites and other international dishes. Inspired by fairytales, newly appointed chef Patrese Vito creates a stunning 12-course New Year’s Eve dinner at VIEW Restaurant & Bar. Expect whimsical creations such as Mad Hatter’s Tea (Triple Consomme Tea, Gold, Burnt Onion, Gruyere) and The First Thing You Need is a Pumpkin (Pan-fried Baby Lobster, Caviar, Pumpkin Emulsion, Fairy Dust). Priced at Rp1,600,000, it includes free entrance to the countdown party at K22 Bar. Jl. Asia Afrika No.8, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta. Tel:+ 62 21 29703333

JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta has prepared a selection of takeaway treats. Opt for a golden brown Roasted Turkey (Rp3,300,000) with raisin and prune stuffing as well as the quintessential side dishes of chipotle sausage, honey and thyme glazed carrots, green beans, roasted baby potatoes, giblet gravy, and cranberry sauce. The bovine enthusiast will enjoy the Roasted Australian Rib Eye (Rp4,950,000) accompanied with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, braised red cabbage, sautéed green beans, and red wine sauce. The festive table is not complete without ham, and the Honey Glazed Gammon Ham (Rp4,400,000) here is impressive. Each item is enough to serve six to eight guests. Advance orders recommended. Jl. DR. Ida Anak Agung Gde Agung Kav. E.1.2 No. 1 & 2, Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta.

Tel: +62 21 57988888

With a location next to Jakarta’s business district, Pantja provides an after-work place to drink, dine and unwind. The two-storey bar and restaurant offers a different type of ambience depending on where you are sitting. A dark and sultry dining experience downstairs contrasts with the gloriously lit, red brick arch-ceiling on the second floor. Nibble on rustic homemade Pork Rillettes (Rp80,000) or enjoy heartier servings of Wagyu Picanha (Rp350,000) and Spaghetti with Dungeness Crab, Yuzu, Bottarga, and Basil (Rp200,000) from the wood-fired grill and pasta menu. Lethal punch is the specialty of the house so try this bitter, fruity, and dry Aperitivo (Rp1,300,000) with friends. Give the bar’s take of Dirty Gibson (Rp160,000) and Tiki Collins (Rp140,000) a go. Jl. Senopati No.37, Senayan, Jakarta.

Tel: +62 21 5213010

Waterbom Bali is a leafy oasis in the heart of Kuta. From a vertical slide to a meandering pool river, the sustainable water park offers a variety of attractions to draw different age groups. Foodwise, try the newly renovated The Shack and its next-door sugar hub, Sugar Shack. The 80-seater retro beach shack offers Caribbean-inspired fare cooked over an open-flame grill pit. Share a Half Chicken (Rp117,000) seasoned with Jerk spices or chomp on The Bom Burger (Rp135,000). Adult treats come in the form of a vodka drenched Watermelon Mint Cooler (Rp470,000) served in a whole watermelon. A single day pass to the water park is priced at Rp455,000/adult. Jl. Kartika Plaza Tuban, Kuta. Tel: +62 361 755676

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Fancy a familyfriendly Italian feast at Prego? Enjoy a Christmas brunch at the restaurant on 25 December. Expect a live grill station, among the buffet spread, a visit from Santa and his gift-filled sack, and entertainment for the little ones. The brunch is priced at Rp650,000/ adult and Rp325,000/ child aged six to 12 years old. As for the New Year’s Eve celebration, the resort is throwing a Cirque du Bali themedparty (Rp1,246,500/person). Eat your way around the tasty ‘Around the World’ buffet as the circus troupes and live music entertain you throughout the night. Afterward, make your way to the Beach Lounge where a DJ performance and fireworks await. Dancing with the sand beneath your feet is encouraged. Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua, BTDC Lot N-3, Nusa Dua. Tel: +62 361 771906

Enjoy a sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner at The Laguna, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali. Banyubiru Restaurant will prepare an array of buffet delights featuring locally inspired dishes like Braised Beef Rendang. Christmas classics include Roasted Turkey with Chestnuts, Christmas Stollen, and a sweet Eggnog Mousse. The Noble Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner is priced at Rp850,000/adult and Rp425,000/child aged 3 to 12 years old. On 25 December, bring your little ones for a fun Christmas Day Global Explorer Brunch. While parents treat themselves with Truffle Risotto and Lobster Benedict, the tiny adventurers can go treasure hunting with Santa Claus and his friendly elves. Rp650,000/person. Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua Lot N2, Nusa Dua. Tel: +62 361 771327

The ANVAYA Beach Resort Bali‘s commis pastry chef, Ni Yayuk Nilam Sari, recently won the first prize for Indonesian Sweets and Savouries at the Indonesia Pastry Alliance Championship 2019. You can now try Nilam’s creation at Sands Restaurant. The all-day beachfront restaurant serves up her sweet creations. Have a cuppa by the sea and indulge in decadent éclairs with flavour combinations like Matchared Bean, Chocolate-salted Butter Caramel, and Elderflower–strawberry. Rp74,000/piece. Jalan Kartika Plaza, Tuban, Kuta. Tel: +62 361 759991

The Legian Seminyak, Bali, an illustrious oceanfront resort, has a host of activities lined up for the year-end. Crafted by executive chef Stephane Gortina, The Restaurant offers a six-course Christmas Eve dinner (Rp1,250,000/person). With a violinist and a choir belting out Christmas songs in the background, enjoy the delectable King Prawn with Chestnut Bisque and Steamed Barramundi with Sturia Caviar. Bali’s sultry songstress Eva Scolaro will take to the stage during the New Year’s Eve Bronze Party. Priced from Rp4,088,000/ person. Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak Beach, Bali. Tel: +62 361 730622