Hohoho! Christmas is coming! Dear friends, do you feel the lovely festive atmosphere around you? Oh, and I hope you are done with your Christmas shopping! What about your plans to celebrate Christmas with your special ones? If you are still cluecless, I urge you to consider The Halia for their Christmas Day Mega-Brunch which is a family affair with an extensive spread of over 40 items on the menu. Please note that it is available only on Christmas day itself. Besides carving stations featuring turkey and lamb classics and “live” stations for pastas and eggs, guests can also tuck into various The Halia creations. Christmas Day Mega-Brunch is priced at $88++ per adult without alcohol, and $108++ per adult with and endless flow of wines and sparkling wines. Children aged 10 years and below will be charged at $38++.

Terms & Conditions
1) Reservations & full payment in advance are required for confirmation of
booking.
2) Last Seating is at 2.45 pm.
3) Buffet & wine service starts at 11 am and concludes at 3.30 pm”

Here’s a sneak peek into the Christmas Day Mega-Brunch! Featuring the White Prawn on Butter Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato and Piquant Mayonnaise from the Cold items section, the crunchy prawns were extremely delectable when eaten together with the creamy mayonnaise. There will be at least five more cold selections on Christmas day.

Everyone was raving about the Ocean Trout en Croute with Tarragon Cream Sauce. The pastry crust wrapping the moist and savory ocean trout was crisp and lightly buttered. A slice can be quite filling!

There will be plenty of other food choices such as the live station as well as the pasta station. And of course, the dessert station is the one that is close to my heart. I could not help but pick out a serving of each dessert during the dinner! Dessert lover? Definitely!

The Creme Caramel certainly caught my attention with its beautifully torched golden sheen glistening under the dim light. The good news is that it tastes as good as it looks! Beneath the hard caramelized surface lies a soft and smooth custard that was enticingly bittersweet.

The Pecan Pie was also wonderful in its own way with its chewy texture and crunchy pecan nuts.

If you love your fruits, you will be pleased that these Mixed Berry Tarts are available at the dessert station.

The best thing about having a Strawberry Oreo Cheesecake is that you get to experience sweet, tart and savory flavors all at once. The cheesecake was rich and dense but definitely not too overwhelming.

As the saying goes, do not judge a book by its cover. The Pumpkin Pie may look ordinary without the strips of chocolate and berries, but it was surprisingly aromatic and not too sweet for my tastebuds.

From now till 31st December 2011, diners can indulge in an exclusive signature Christmas a la carte menu comprising six seasonal dishes created by newly appointed Chef de Cuisine, Reynaldo Arriola. A 3-course set dinner featuring dishes from the signature Christmas a la carte dinner menu is also available from $118++. For reservations, call (65) 8444 1148.”

Out of the two appetizers that are available in the Signature Christmas Menu, I clearly preferred the Honey Baked Kurobuta Ham, Shaved Fresh Chestnut, Caramelised Fig and White Balsamic Dressing infused with Star Anise ($32). Despite the fact that I was looking forward to a savory appetizer, the sweet honey baked kurobuta ham took my breath away. Somehow, the caramelized fig and white balsamic dressing managed to mask the smell of the pork. On the overall, the tender slices of kurobuta ham were truly a delight.

If you are more a fan of seafood, the Crystal Bay King Prawn Cocktail, Beetroot Mango Salad and Calypso Sauce ($32) is another option for appetizer.

Turkey is naturally low in fat and I can totally understand when the Roast Turkey Supreme, Apricot and Raisin Turkey Roulade, Potato Puree, Buttered Brussel Sprouts ($68) turned out to be a little on the tough and dry side. Ask for more red currant jus and I’m sure that the wait staff would be more than happy to comply with your request.

I was having high expectations of the Grilled Blue Eye Cod Fish with Miso, Pan Fried Spinach Polenta, White Asparagus and Passionfruit Sauce ($78) but was quite let down by its overly firm texture. Interestingly, the pan fried spinach polenta was served as an alternative to rice. This too, was rather dry.

The Christmas Souffle with White Chocolate, Cinnamon and nutmeg, salted caramel ice cream and red currant compote ($22)is best eaten when it is still warm. While I was unable to detect any hints of white chocolate in the souffle, its smooth creaminess really shines through. It is also safe to say that the salted caramel ice cream fared reasonably well.

I very much preferred the Mille Feuille of Pistachio and Cream, Eggnog Ice Cream and Stewed Cherries ($22). The contrasting textures of flaky puff pastry and creamy pistachio, together with the eggnog ice cream which had that alcholic pizzazz, sent chills down my spine.

Feeling too full to move? Have some Hot Halia Infusion ($10)! This house specialty of sun-dried ginger and wild mountain honey is very warm and soothing and will ease the bloatedness in your tummy!

If you have not made dinner plans for Christmas, I hope this helps! Merry Christmas everyone! 😀

Thank you Karen from FoodNews for the invitation and warm hospitality over dinner.

Halia
1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden
(enter via Tyersall Avenue from Holland Road)
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore 259569
Tel: 8444 1148
(Reservations not accepted for brunch and tea)

Opening Hours:
Lunch – Mondays to Fridays, 12 noon to 5pm (set-lunch
only available till 2pm)
Dinner – Daily, 630pm to 11pm (last seating at 10pm)
Brunch – Saturdays, Sundays & PHs, 10am to 4pm
Tea – Saturdays, Sundays and PHs, 3pm to 5pm
From 5pm to 630pm daily, only drinks will be available