Jetshing's Blog

Not everyone is lucky enough to have family in nearby proximity on Christmas, so making your 2009 Christmas dinner in Beijing count is essential. This Christmas Eve promises to be filled with food and holiday cheer with a range of options to suit your dietary cravings, style and budget.

Just because Santa doesn’t normally come down into the hutong courtyards to stuff stockings with candied haw and mandarin oranges doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in China accordingly.

Santa, gifts and mistletoe aside, the main concern for most is being with close friends if Mom and Dad aren’t here this Beijing Christmas 2009. Keep those blues away by using the time to let your taste buds savor sumptuous favorites that you may tend to enjoy once a year; Christmas time is one to feast and be merry

While some prefer to host a meal in their humble Beijing abodes, others would prefer to leave the cooking up to the experts, or maybe leave the clean-up to someone else. Going out to eat offers you an assortment of food at the price you choose.

Whether you want to dine out in-style or recover financially after your Christmas shopping spree, Beijing will give you a few options.

This 2009 Christmas dinner in Beijing offers roast turkey to BBQ or Indian curry and sushi as well as everything in between.

If you just got done mailing Christmas presents from China to ship home, then you might be looking for a more frugal option.

Enjoy dinner in an old, distinctly Beijing-style renovated courtyard at Bed Bar with their roasted turkey dinner which they offer for three days starting December 23 at RMB 98 per kilo.

It adds a taste of home-style comfort to a bit of Beijing’s incomparable Chinese architecture. To appreciate your old traditions while embracing your Chinese side, take off your shoes and relish the atmosphere of Bed Bar.

Bed Bar: Dec 23-26
17 Zhangwang Hutong, Jiu Gulou Dajie. Gulou 300m south of Gulouqiao. Tel: 8400-1554

The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu’s restaurant and guest homes are one unique option this year for those wanting a cozy place eat roasted chestnuts on Christmas as the famed tune suggests. Not only can you avoid the hustle of Beijing but you can spend your holiday next to one of China’s most historically distinguished landmarks.

Where else can you mix a 6th century portion of the Great Wall with your Christmas Eve? Their Christmas dinner includes a juicy roast goose with persimmon pudding among other dishes for RMB360 per person. After dinner traditional activities include carols by the fire with cookies to munch and hot chocolate to sip.

The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu Great Wall: Dec 24
12 Mutianyu Village, Huairou. Tel 6162-6506

When people think of Christmas dinners, Indian food may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but consider taking advantage of the discounts on Indian food this Christmas. The Mughal offers an affordable set menu for a steal at RMB198 per couple with appetizers like vegetable samosas, a meat and vegetable dish along with several other additions.

The Mughal: Authentic Indian and Pakistani Food: Dec 24
4th Floor, New Nali Mall, Sanlitun North Bar Street, Sanlitun. Tel: 5208-6082

G hotel???s swanky little Scarlett Wine Bar and Restaurant offers an affordable Christmas dinner option this year for RMB128 which includes a not only a main course but also, salad bar and an imported cheese and cold cuts selection. They offer an extensive selection of imported wines at various prices and a comfortable and romantic European style atmosphere.

Scarlett Wine Bar and Restaurant. Dec 24
Hotel G, No A7 Gongti Xilu, Gongti behind Destination Club Tel: 6552-2880

Mosto in Sanlitun???s Nali Mall is offering up a four course meal in their small and sparsely decorated, yet artistically handsome interior with a full view of their central kitchen. Their meal for RMB380 includes sumptuously delectable beef tenderloin with Japanese scallops at its focal point.

Mosto: Dec 24
New Nali Mall 3/F 81 Sanlitun Beilu, D308. Tel: 5208-6030

If splurging for the holidays is on the agenda, then this Christmas has luxurious dinners and Galas in store.

If 488RMB is reasonable, then Provincia Mediterranean restaurant in the Marriot might be the place to relish in an Italian set meal feast with wines and champagne with live entertainment.

Provincia provides a super elegant, chic and elegantly lit floor with textured, colorful ceilings that create a modern and refreshing feel.

The Marriot also offers a Christmas feast with a variety of delicious meat roasts like lamb, chicken and steak supplemented with ample portions of sushi and Thai food for RMB398 at the City Wall Bistro and Hawka. All dinners include free flow beer and house wine and there will be a Christmas choir performance as well as games and prizes.

Provincia Restaurant: Dec 24
Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall, 7 Jianguomen South Avenue, Jianguomen. Tel: 5811-8233
City Wall Bistro and Hawka: Dec 24
Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall, 7 Jianguomen South Avenue, Jianguomen. Tel: 5811-8888

Still, if feasting on holiday roasted turkey or honey glazed ham is your priority Christmas Eve, the Atrium at Gloria Plaza Hotel’s bright, colorful and cozy restaurant might be your best option for a taste of home in Beijing. Their buffet features western delicacies as well as Asian favorites and free flow of cold beer and live entertainment. Prices start at RMB688net per adult.

Gloria Plaza Hotel
2 Jianguomennan Avenue, Jianguomen. Tel: 010 6515 8855 ext.2843

And now, for those who have an appreciation for lavish amenities and are receiving either a Christmas bonus or wealthy relatives visiting town, sashay over to the Grand Hyatt at Oriental Plaza for an exquisite Gala with a dinner buffet at Grand Cafe for RMB888 per person with included imported fine wines.

If money is no option, consider the Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom Gala option at RMB 2,688 net per person buffet with free flow imported wine as well as a grand raffle draw and entertainment shows.

Grand Hyatt Beijing: Dec 24??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Beijing Oriental Plaza 1 East Chang An Avenue, Wangfujing. Tel: 8518-1234 ext. 3628
This 2009 Beijing Christmas, leave the cooking and pressures aside and let someone else do the honors. Whatever the budget or fancy, there are enough options to whet your appetite while celebrating with your nearest and dearest.
??Merry Christmas Beijing!

By Andrea Hunt