Sydney Eat Street: Best places to celebrate Christmas this festive season
Forego the crowds and make merry instead with these festive menus and fun events around Sydney. From traditional Christmas lunches and dinners to something just a little bit different, here’s a guide to the best feasts this festive season.
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NEL
Should Jolly Old Saint Nicholas opt to dabble in the culinary arts during the off-season, he’d find a kindred spirit in the kitchen of nel. Restaurant in Surry Hills.
To start, you’ll be treated to chestnuts roasting on an open fire – literally – as they are first spritzed with a mist of vanilla liqueur then set alight. Following that is a seasonal quail with a mini-mince pie and his famous fried chicken.
To round things up, Nelly truly shows his childish side with a dessert of three different flavoured sorbet/ice-creams atop a fudgy chocolate brownie alongside a slightly torched strawberry marshmallow and peppermint spray.
It’s a very clever homage to two iconic scenes from “one of the best Christmas films ever”, Home Alone where Kevin sits alone on the sofa eating Neapolitan ice cream and the infamous cheek slapping scene when he puts on his father’s aftershave.
For this innovative meal there is the option of wine pairing or just go with the season and try one of the clever cocktails such as the Gingerbread Espresso Martini, Pavlova (in a cup) or the Sugar Plum Fairy. It’s sure to be a merry and memorable night for all.
— 75 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills; nelrestaurant.com.au
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SYDNEY
Take a pass on traditional red and green decor this Christmas and head to pink-Mohawk pastry chef Anna Polyviou’s festive paradise, where she’s outdone herself with a large as life carousel adorned with 750kg of gingerbread, 300kg of lollies and 100kg of royal icing.
Set up in the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel it makes for a wonderful invitation to Anna’s Festive High Tea – three tiers loaded with sweet and savoury bites including limited edition desserts such Christmas Bauble, Santa’s Cherry Pie, Presents Under The Tree and Tropi-cola Trifle topped with petite gingerbread men.
For those who might have missed out — or if you’re just can’t enough of Anna’s yummy gingerbread — you can pick up a small box of her ginger-ninja cookies or a decadent lolly-covered gingerbread house, complete with recipe card. Yummy. ($65 per adult; $35 per child)
— Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks; shangri-la.com/sydney
KOI DESSERT BAR
If good things come in small packages, then just imagine the fabulous flavours inside these colourful and creative morsels.
Known for their artistic and inventive desserts, KOI’s Christmas High Tea is always a highlight on any foodie’s festive season calendar.
Take the traditional approach and start with savoury bites including Ike Malada’s buttery and flaky mini-croissants or go freestyle and tuck right into the sweets such as the bright red candy box made with vanilla, rhubarb and pistachio or the cherry with dark chocolate and speculoos.
Of course, no dessert offering at KOI is complete without a tiny terrarium of their signature “Moss” pistachio, caramelised white chocolate, apple, caramel and matcha.
The Christmas High Tea is available December 14-15 and December 21-22 at both the Ryde and Chippendale locations. $70 per person.
– KOI Dessert Bar, 46 Kensington St, Chippendale and KOI Dessert Kitchen, Shop 3/62-66 Blaxland Rd, Ryde; koidessertbar.com.au/hightea
ALIBI
With all the decadent cakes, biscuits and chocolate floating around the office, it’s easy to mistake the silly season for the sugary season but not all holiday fare need be so decadent.
At Alibi in Woolloomooloo, head chef of Alibi Bar & Kitchen, Jordan Brogan, has put together a delectable vegan three-course menu for those looking to keep it fresh and clean but in keeping with the spirit.
“We’ve used the festive flavours of Christmas favourites to inspire re-imagined 100 per cent plant-based creations,” Jordan says.
Enjoy a glass of EggNOT on arrival, an adult bevvie made with silken tofu and spices. The first course begins with heirloom tomato gazpacho with fennel flowers walnut crackers followed by a nectarine, grape and pomegranate salad, whipped potato mushroom and walnut wellington and for the main event a stuffed Seitan roast.
Finish off the meal with mulled wine granite, cherry and chocolate bliss balls, Pavlova, peach cobbler, EggNOT ice cream and more.
Enjoy the feast with matching wines for $149pp or $99pp for non-alcoholic drinks.
— Ovolo Woolloomooloo, 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo; alibibar.com.au
THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA
This holiday season The Grounds of Alexandria has ‘Let it Go’ and transformed two of their laneways into the magical world of Disney’s Frozen II.
It’s worth going for a stroll through the glimmering lights and diamonds of Crystal Lane or the autumn leaves of The Enchanted Forest but to make it extra special, try some treats worthy of royalty.
Much to Olaf’s Delight is a rhubarb, plum, and apple filled tart with caramel and pecan brittle parfait, or The Ice Queen, a light vanilla sponge cake with cream cheese frosting.
Chill out with a Coldblast, coconut and lemon gelato smoothie, topped with vanilla ice cream snowballs, edible glitter and flurries of coconut pieces.
With family funs days, workshops and Santa photos, there is plenty fun to be had for everyone throughout December.
— Building 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria; thegrounds.com.au
MUST TRY
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA ON KENT
Sweet dreams await at the Christmas Afternoon Tea on Kent. In addition to savoury morsels including freshly baked scones, guests will have unlimited access to Kitchen on Kent’s dessert buffet with its selection of 25 different sweet treats including festive favourites such as mince pies, bread and butter pudding, eggnog trifle and Christmas Yule logs.
To make things extra special, Langham Sydney has partnered with Sydney Children’s Hospital to help brighten the spirits of young ones away from home by encouraging guests to bring along an engaging gift to place under the Pink Langham Christmas tree and handed out around the ward by Santa on Christmas morning. Priced from $70pp.
— Kitchens on Kent, The Langham Sydney, 89-113 Kent Street, Millers Point; kitchensonkent.com
DIN TAI FUNG
Perfect for a work party or big groups of friends, forego traditional meat and three-veg dinners and opt for full-on holiday feast from dumpling masters, Din Tai Fung.
Throughout December, they’ve put together a Christmas season banquet with 10 different dishes.
You’ll get their popular soup dumplings, Xiao Long Bao of course, along with spicy shrimp and pork wonton doused in signature spicy sauce and Kung Pao chicken.
Special to this menu though are the chicken mushroom pot stickers, crispy golden prawn pancake and signature egg fried rice in a new XO prawn flavour.
Prices range from $35-$50pp.
— dintaifung.com.au/christmas/festive-banquet-menu
FLUFFY CRUNCH ADVENT CALENDAR
The countdown to Christmas got a little sweeter thanks to the folks at Fluffy Crunch Gourmet Fairy Floss.
From the pair behind the Flurrito, the fairy floss ice cream burrito that made its debut at the Sydney Royal Easter Show comes this 45cm x 60cm Advent Calendar.
Inside are 25 little pigeonholes, each holding a small tub of fairy floss, including their award-winning salted caramel, rosewater & Pistachio and crushed cookie flavours.
Get your order in fast as they’re bound to sellout soon.
THE CANNERY
From a derelict canning warehouse to a hub of activity with specialty shops, renowned restaurants and bars and even a cooking school, The Cannery has become a true lifestyle destination.
On Sunday, December 15, they’re looking to make your life a little easier with their annual Christmas Market. From 10am-3pm, there’ll be heaps of vendors for you to get some shopping in before hitting up Archie Rose Distilling Co for a tipple and some snacks between 3-7pm.
Better yet, start your day at Three Blue Ducks weekend bottomless brunch and lunch sessions that include unlimited Elderflower Bellini’s, Mimosas and bloody Marys. Christmas sorted.
— 61 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery; canneryrosebery.com.au