Smashing delights

DREAMING OF a white Christmas and an extravagant New Years Eve? Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is planning a festive season with all the trimmings this year, offering a host of generous room packages and dining offers to help you celebrate in style.

"A special holiday deserves an unusual treat, and there is no better place to celebrate the holiday season in an extraordinary way than at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, where a unique white Christmas awaits in the luxurious expanse of the city's only ski resort," said Michael Henssler, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.

The Dubai's only ski resort hotel is offering a unique white Christmas experience with special room rates of Dh2800++ per night in a Deluxe Room; Dh3500++ per night in a Grand Deluxe Room; Dh4700++ per night in an Executive Suite all for double occupancy, based on a minimum two-night stay.

Included in this yuletide package is a lavish breakfast buffet at 24 Seven Restaurant and Christmas Eve Dinner or Christmas Day Lunch as well as transfers to and from Dubai International Airport in a private chauffeur driven limousine.

For Dubai residents wishing to enjoy a fully catered Christmas dinner in opulent surroundings, a special set menu dinner with all the festive favourites, will be served in 24 Seven on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for Dh320++, excluding beverages. Christmas dining will also be available in Aspen Café and Sezzam family restaurant, featuring season's specialties and popular treats.

For those who chose to stay at home to celebrate but need a little help with the cooking, Sezzam retail shop will provide freshly catered Christmas fare such as roast turkey with all the trimmings, stuffing, vegetables and gravy, available by order on December 24 and 25, prices upon application.

Get merry at the Gallery

ENJOY YOUR Christmas brunch at 'The Gallery' restaurant tomorrow on Christmas Day.

Turkey and Christmas specialties inclusive of soft drinks are all for just Dh99* net. There is more for kids as well, a 50 per cent discount for children between 6 and 10 and a complimentary brunch for children below 6. Go ahead, make your Christmas special.

The all day dining restaurant 'The Gallery' is a unique dining experience offering the finest international cuisine from around the world including a daily buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a wide selection of continental cuisine from a la carte menu.

Guests can choose from a variety of special theme nights and can enjoy meals in the comfort of their rooms with 24 hour room service. For Business and leisure, the buffet variety and a la carte menu are served in a truly relaxing atmosphere. *Price is inclusive of 10% Municipality fees and 10% service charge. For reservation call: 04-508 7833

Spoilt for choice

Al Dhiyafa – All Day Dining Restaurant. Today Christmas Eve Buffet at Dh195, Christmas Buffet at Dh225

The 25th – Higher fine dining with fine views. Christmas Eve Set Menu at Dh295 with wine pairing, Christmas Champagne Brunch at Dh595

Munchi – Thai and Sushi Bar. Christmas Eve Set Menu at Dh175, Christmas Set Menu at Dh175

Al Basha – Lebanese Restaurant with live entertainment. Christmas Eve Set Menu at Dh175, Christmas Barbecue Lunch at the terrace at Dh175

Luciano’s – Italian Restaurant. Christmas Eve Set Menu at Dh175, Christmas Set Menu at Dh175

Al Andalous Ballroom. Celebrate your Christmas Parties at Dh250 nett per person with a Christmas special set menu

Metropolitan Palace. Al Shindagah invites you to share with family and friends a special three-course set menu featuring the finest cuisines from around the world. Dh175 nett person including house beverages.

Treat yourself to Tahiti on Christmas Eve where a wide spread of authentic Polynesian cuisine featured in a grand buffet provides an amazing feast and unforgettable experience for the entire family.

Light up the capital

Christmas Goodies

Shop for sweet Christmas gifts at Café de Foyer, where you can find Italian Panettone, Bouche de Nöel, Marzipan Stollen, Gingerbread and Christmas Cookies, traditional English Christmas Pudding and a selection of home made chocolate truffles. No time to cook for the holidays? No worries. Ask for the Festive Take-away Menu.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Bring your children to Sheraton, Abu Dhabi, to watch Santa Claus passing by today Christmas Eve Dinner and tomorrow Christmas Day Lunch in all of the participating restaurants, let them hear the jolly "Ho Ho Ho" and receive the sweet treats from him. The in-house Christmas Choir at Sheraton will entertain you with all the favourites Christmas carols on the following days and times:

Today Monday, December 24: 19.00 hrs at the hotel main lobby, 19.45 hrs at Flavours restaurant and at 20.30 hrs at La Mamma. Tomorrow Tuesday, December 25: 13.00 hrs at the hotel main lobby and at 13.45 hrs at Flavours restaurant.

Family Communion

There will be Midnight Communion today at Saint Andrews, at 11.30 pm. Tomorrow, Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer 1662 at 8.00a.m. Family Communion as well as children's service will be held tomorrow on Christmas Day beginning at 10.00 a.m.

Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26

Some believe that Boxing Day came from ancient Rome. At one point in history, Romans purportedly collected money in metal boxes either to help fund their athletic games, or to store money won in physical contests. Eventually, as the story goes, these boxes found their way into the church where the generous placed money inside. On December 26, the boxes were opened and the money was given to the poor.

The Christmas Spirit is still in the air. Join in for a lip-smacking Buffet Lunch on Boxing Day, with the PMT Duo playing a selection from their international repertoire at Tavern Pub.

Bubblyand Oyster

For the full month of December, pop in to Cloud Nine, the one and only Cigar Bar in town for some Champagne and oysters, smooth sensual Jazz by pianist Yaryna, and who knows you might find a pearl!1 glass of Champagne with 6 Oysters costs Dh99.

Compiled by Layla Haroon

Journey thro' Le Meridien

THIS CHRISTMAS at the Casia Mia restaurant located at Le Meridien Dubai, enjoy an evening of 'dolce far niente' whilst the chef prepares set menu loaded with the irresistible flavours of Italy by using tantalising fish and seafood.

Prices start for as low as Dh210 with a glass of Prosecco and Dh120 with soft beverages. Casa Mia will open from 8.00pm to 11.45 pm.

Elsewhere, Yalumba will be open from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm today on Christmas Eve. Happy Hour 11:00 pm to 1:30 am, where you can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on all beverages. Enjoy an indulgent Christmas Eve as you savour a sumptuous buffet with à la carte option and unlimited Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle or Laurent Perrier Brut N.V. plus fine wines. Enjoy 'all-you-can-eat-and-drink' for Dh699 - net per person with Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle or Dh366 - net per person with Laurent Perrier Brut N.V.

Embark on a gastronomic journey in true French style with a tantalising 6 course set menu to celebrate Noel at the Café Chic. Enjoy a truly memorable experience for Dh260 and Dh190 for children.

M s Bistro is an ideal option for those in search of an alternative to traditional Christmas dinner. Choose from a wide range of mouth watering dishes from the extensive a la carte menu. An exclusive menu is also be available upto the end of this month. Prices for the set menu begin at Dh260 per person and Dh190 for children.

At Long Yin, you can opt for an Oriental Christmas Eve with a delectable set menu. Open from 7:30 pm to 11:45 pm

Adults: Dh210 per person, Children: Dh120 (A la carte option is also available.)

Celebrate Christmas at Al Mijana (8:00 pm to midnight) with all the Lebanese splendour. A delectable special set menu for the occasion. Entertainment by singer, musician and belly dancer would be available. Adults: Dh149 or Dh169 - per person, Children: Dh125.

Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine with family and friends this Christmas Eve at the Sukhothai restaurant. A special set menu or à la carte menu is yours to devour. Open from 7:30 pm to 11:45 pm. Adults: Dh220 per person, Children: Dh140.