By Rashi Wadhera
There is no dearth of celebration in Delhi, but December brings with it more festivity than most months; December brings with it Christmas, and new beginnings and plans for the new year. Besides the great weather {ok, sometimes freezing} there’s a tangible festivity in the air with everyone experiencing end-of-year abandon. Offices are shut {sometimes more than just on the day}, markets and malls are lit-up and restaurants get creative with their menus. Praise the lord for the twelve days of Christmas which, for the unfamiliar, is the accepted festive period - starting on the 25th of December until the 5th of January. Just in case the day after Christmas is a downer, know that you have eleven more days legitimately dedicated to partying!
With so much to do, LBBD has picked its favorites - Christmas Brunches, where to shop and Mass services from around the city. Here’s to {un} silent nights and yuletide!
FOOD AND DRINKS
Food Talk India Christmas Brunch | Food Talk India, Grey Goose and B bar have come together to make a forgetful Christmas {forgetful since we found out they have unlimited Grey Goose Cocktails}. The menu includes Shrimp Tempura, California Maki, Slow Roasted Honey Glazed Pork Loin and Roasted Leg of Lamb. The grand finale - their rendition of the Classic Christmas Pudding!
Where | Bbar, Select Citywalk, Saket
When| 25th December, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Price | INR 2500 per person
Contact | To reserve a spot, send an email to info@foodtalkindia.com or call + 9810706044 for a reservation.
Check out their Facebook event page here
Evil Santa | Bring in Christmas with DJ Asish Nagpal. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been good this year, in fact for them, the worse the better! Enjoy a sinister side of Christmas at Club Pangea.
Where | Club Pangea, The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
When | 24th December, 8:00pm onwards
Price | Club rules apply
Contact | 011 30146033 ext.671
Christmas Eve Bass Fest | Bring in Christmas strictly underground with Reggae Rajahs, Su Real, Ziggy B, Swaggamuffin and Bass Pilots, among others. Stay tuned for when the venue is finally revealed!
Where | Secret Location
When | 24th December
Price | Pre-sale tickets are priced : INR 2500 {Couple}, INR 1500 {Stag}, INR 1000 {Ladies}
Contact | 9871400617 {Felix}, 9582385030 {Ardaman}, 9953182303 {Vinay}
Tip | They will shut the guest list as soon as they reach capacity, so book now!
Check out the Facebook event page here
Christmas Joy at Yum Yum Tree | The tuesday night favorite presents a very special Christmas Brunch with mulled wine and dessert. Dig in to specials that include Tamarind Duck, Lamb Chops, Dim Sums and top it up with Prossecco. It also offers a special kids corner with children’s activities and goody bags.
Where | First Floor, Community Centre, Friends Colony
When | 25th December, 12 noon onwards
Price | INR 1499+taxes {without alcohol}, INR 1899+taxes {with alcohol}, INR 799+taxes {kids}; All prices are per person
Contact | 011 42602020
Christmas Special at Uzuri | Enjoy a delicious Christmas Feast complete with Pressed Pork Belly, Homemade Cranberry, Crème De Cassis Jus and Christmas Pudding.
Where | Uzuri Deck and Dining, M 40, GK 2
When | 25th December, 12 noon onwards
Price | INR 2499 per person, all-inclusive
Contact | 011 30146033, ext. 890
Check out their Facebook page here
Christmas Special at Chez Nini | Chez Nini is offering a three-course meal complete with Mulled Wine and Eggnog as part of their lunch and dinner menus. Start with the Carrot Consommé and Cauliflower Mousse Gouger, choose between Lamb Pistou Soup, Pumpkin Soup and Smoked Chicken Balotine for your entrée and finish the meal with a Turkey Assiette.
Where | Chez Nini, 79 and 80 Meherchand Market
When | 23rd-25th December
Price | INR 2500+taxes per person
Contact | 011 49050665
Christmas Eve at Nom Nom | For those of you that stray from traditional, Nom Nom celebrates its launch and Christmas with a South-East Asian spread. To add a little Christmas sparkle, they’re also doing a good ol’ Turkey.
Where | Nom Nom, The Ashok, Chanakyapuri
When | 24th December, 6:00 pm onwards
Price | INR 4000 per person {with unlimited alcohol}
Contact | 011 30146033 ext.667
Christmas Brunch at Set'z | Eat all you can at the Setz all-you-eat lunch buffet. With live Turkey stations and other interactive food counters, have a boozy Christmas with unlimited Moet champagne.
Where | Set’z, 3rd Floor, DLF Emporio Mall
When | 25th December, 12:30-4:00 p.m.
Price | INR 2475+taxes {per person}
Contact | 43119999
Christmas Brunch at Fio | With a range of live counters, choose from an array of Lamb Chops, Grilled Chicken and Wood-Fired Pizzas.
Where | Fio, Garden of Five Senses
When | 25th December
Price | INR 1999+taxes {includes one glass of Sangria}, INR 2250+taxes {unlimited alcohol}; prices are per person
Contact | 9971004530
Check out their Facebook page here
Christmas Lunch at Olive | Soak in the winter sun and enjoy the unlimited buffet with live Pasta, Pizza, Soup and Salad counters. LBBD Tip: They claim to have a special Christmas surprise, which they will disclose on the day! We’re hoping it's Rudolph.
Where | Olive, One Style Mile, Mehrauli
When | 25th December
Price | INR 2695+taxes {unlimited alcohol}, prices are per person
Contact | 9810235472
Check out their Facebook page here
Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Brunch at The Imperial | One of the most popular Christmas destinations, the hotel boasts massive Christmas cheer if the reindeer, fake snow and Santa Claus in the lobby are anything to go by. With an exotic spread of Roast Turkey with bread stuffing and Grilled Scottish Salmon, soak in the winter sun as Christmas Carols make for a background score.
Where | 1911, The Imperial, Janpath
When | 24th and 25th December
Price | INR 4000+taxes?for the Christmas Eve Dinner, INR 3750+taxes {Adult} and INR 2000+ taxes {Kids} for the Christmas Day Brunch,12:30pm to 03:30pm
Contact | 011 4116602, 011 41116604
Christmas Menu at Smoke House Deli | Smoke House Delhi has a special Christmas Menu across all its restaurants. We’re very excited about the Lamb Meat Ball Pizza and the Guinness Stew with potato gravy. Available through the 24th, incase you’re in the mood for a Christmas switch-up.
Where | Smoke House Deli {all outlets}
When | 24th December, 10:00am-01:00 am
Price | INR 1500+taxes
Contact | 01146075646 {Vasant Kunj}, 01143542819 {Khan Market}, 07838659992 {Haus Khas Village}
Check out their Facebook page here
SHOP
Kritti Creations | Your one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs including trees, decorations, wreaths, Santa hats and an ornament that looks suspiciously like a mistletoe.
Where | Khan Market, DLF Promenade {Vasant Kunj}, Select Citywalk {Saket}, DLF Place {Saket}, Rajouri Garden and City Center Mall {Gurgaon}
Price | Starting from INR 50 all the way up to INR 5000.
For more information, check out their website here www.kriticreations.com
Check out their Facebook page here
C Lal and Sons | A huge selection of Christmas ornaments, baubles and wreaths, they also sell trees of all shapes and sizes.
Where | 9/172, Main Market, Jor Bagh
Price | Start at INR 50.
Sadar Bazaar | One of Delhi’s largest wholesale markets, even just browsing is fun! We suggest making the trip if you’re looking for great bargains or to shop in bulk for decorations and all things alike.
Where | Sadar Bazaar, west of Khari Baoli
LetterNote | Quirky, fun stationary and framed sayings, they make cute Christmas gifts. We love the colorful cushion covers.
Where | M111, First Floor, DLF Place, Saket
Price | INR 795 for the covers without the cushion and INR 895 with it.
For more outlets, check out their Facebook page here
Wanna Party | Reindeer Headbands, Stockings, Christmas Tableware, Christmas themed balloons and wrapping paper, all in a hugely fascinating store that addresses all your hosting needs.
Where | C-10 Shivalik
Price | Depends on your purchase.
Contact | 011 40521496
Check out their Facebook page here
Party Hunterz | Walking in, it seems Christmas exploded in this store. You name it and they have it. From gift tags to Christmas place mats, paper napkins, paper plates, cups and buntings. If you’re hosting a Christmas do, Party Hunterz is your new best friend!
Where | Block E, East of Kailash and Galleria Market, Gurgaon
Price | Depends on your purchase
Contact | 011 41033222
Check out their Facebook page here
THINGS TO DO
Green Park Free Church | Roman Catholics and Anglicans celebrate Midnight Mass, since they believe Christ was born at night. Christian or not, attend mass to take-in it’s serenity and calm, beginning at 11:00pm on the 24th of December.
Where | A 24, Sri Aurobindo Marg
St Luke’s Church | Attend Midnight mass at 9:00pm {in Hindi} or 11:00pm {in English} at the Father Agnel School Auditorium on the 24th of December. For all you early-risers, there’s mass at 8:00 a.m. {in Hindi} on Christmas morning and at 9:00 am {in English} at St Luke’s Church.
Where | B-68, Defence Colony
Sacred Hearts Cathedral | One of the most popular mass’, it gets full fast so go early to grab a spot. Like last year, we’re hoping they keep the metro running all night this year as well.
Where | 1 Ashok Place {near Gol Dak Khana}
Check out their website here
The Piano Man | Grab your Santa hats and warm those vocal chords. The Piano Man is celebrating Christmas with a caroling session this 25th, 5:00 pm onwards. Also, have your singing rewarded with free slices of homemade date and walnut cake!
Where | 60, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar
CHRISTMAS PUDDING PICKS
For most of us who aren’t planners and even for the rest of us who are, complete the season with our handpicked favorite Christmas Puddings.
Maison Des Deserts | Order in time to make sure their traditional Yule Log, delectable Mince Pie, Ginger Bread house and Spiced Loaf make your Christmas feast!
Where | T-49BS, Hauz Khas Village.
Price | INR 150/slice for the cakes, INR 1200 for the cake and 100/slice of the festive spiced loaf.
Contact | 09971520057
Wengers | One of our old school favorites, Wengers has a traditional Christmas pudding on their menu this season, and is available in different avatars!
Where | A 16, Radial Road 3, Inner Circle, Connaught Place
Price | INR 900/kg without icing
Contact | 011 23324403
The Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen | 'Yule' love their selection of Plum Pudding, Mince Pie, Gingerbread Cookies and Plum Cakes.
Where | The Oberoi, Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi
Price | INR 2584 { plum pudding and cake}, INR 352/slice {mince pie} INR 150/cookie {gingerbread}
Contact | 011 24363030
For more on Christmas Desserts, check out The Other Bakers Christmas Edition here
Grab your sledge and Santa’s hat and go have yourselves a Merry Christmas!
