Johannesburg - Whether you’re one of the few people sticking around in Jozi over the Christmas holidays or plan to visit the coast, here are some the places to spend Christmas or the holidays.
Joburg
Clico Boutique Hotel
This intimate hotel is hosting an outdoor Christmas dinner, priced at R515 a person including a welcome drink on arrival and a small gift on departure. On the menu, expect traditional dishes with a gourmet twist like turkey ballotine (similar to a sausage), stuffed walnut and cranberry, wild mushroom and leek ragout with a coriander foam as well as maple and blue berry-glazed gammon, white carrot puree, mange toute, grilled pears and mustard jus.
E-mail [email protected] or call 011 252 3300.
Visit www.clicohotel.com
The Terrace Restaurant at Fairlawns
Fairlawns’ Terrace Restaurant is serving a delicious festive three-course set menu for dinner on Christmas Eve, at R650 a person. It’s my preference to avoid buffets, so I like this option. The restaurant overlooks the garden and has a lovely ambience with impeccable service. E-mail reservations@fairlawns. co.za or call 011 808 7300.
Visit www.fairlawns.co.za
Indaba Hotel
This African-themed hotel is offering a Christmas Day luncheon at R375 a person at its Chef’s Boma Restaurant, which is great value, considering it includes a welcome cocktail, Christmas crackers, hats, live entertainment and a full buffet including all your Christmas favourites like roast turkey and mince pies. As a bonus, the restaurant is throwing in a R100 voucher for its on-site spa, Mowana. E-mail [email protected] or call 011 840 6658.
Visit www.indabahotel.co.za
The Michelangelo
For something a little different, the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton will be arranging a white Christmas event, comprising two Christmas Day buffets at its opulent ballroom, L’Incontro, and signature restaurant, Piccolo Mondo, at R475 a person and R395 respectively. E-mail michbanq1@legacyhotels co. za or call 011 282 7463.
Visit www.legacyhotels.co.za
Montecasino
Known as Gauteng’s premier tourist attraction, Montecasino offers something for everyone. Christmas is no different. The entertainment centre is showcasing a Christmas village in the outdoor piazza everyday until December 30. Entry is free, and kids will be delighted at the range of activities, including jumping castles, mini-train rides, sand art and ceramic face-painting. There’ll also be opportunities for photos with Santa.
Visit www.montecasino.co.za
Hilton
The Hilton’s signature restaurant, Tradewinds, will be pulling out all the stops with its Christmas buffet. Highlights include roast turkey with sage and onion stuffing and roast gammon with honey and mustard glaze, served with cranberry compote, horseradish sauce, plus apple and mint sauce. E-mail reservations to sandton@hilton. com or call 011 322 1472.
Visit www.hilton.com
Cape Town
Radisson Blu
The Radisson Blu will ring in the season with its carols on Tuesday. Each guest will receive candles and their own printed song list to join in the fun. On Wednesday, celebrate with a Christmas Eve set-menu dinner for R450 a person, which includes a welcome drink.
On Christmas Day, both of the Radisson Blu’s restaurants, Tobago and Harbour View, will offer Christmas buffets at R750 a person, which includes a Santa appearance. E-mail [email protected] or call 021 441 3000.
Visit www. radissonblu.com
Spier
One of the most famous vineyards in the country, Spier will be offering a special Christmas lunch, priced at R425 a person. The menu consists of a delicious selection of salads, roasts, including roast leg of Karoo lamb and whole roasted pasture-reared chicken as well as traditional Christmas pudding.
The price includes a live band and entertainment, plus crackers, a welcome drink and a kids’ entertainment area. E-mail reservations @spier.co.za or call 021 809 1100.
Visit www.spier.co.za
One&Only
One of Cape Town’s most exclusive hotels, the One&Only, has a host of celebrations planned for the festive season. These start with a Christmas Eve dinner buffet at Reuben’s for R925 a person. On Christmas Day, both of One&Only’s restaurants, Reuben’s and Nobu, will serve a traditional Christmas family lunch buffet for R895 a person. There’ll also be entertainment on offer by musicians Richard Ceasar and Heidi van Wyk. E-mail [email protected] or call 021 431 4511.
Visit www.oneandonly.com
Oyo Restaurant
Situated at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, Christmas at Oyo Restaurant is bound to be spectacular. The restaurant is hosting a Christmas family lunch at R495 a person, which includes eggnog on arrival.
Lunch is a huge spread, with sage and chestnut-stuffed turkey roulade with cranberry sauce and honey-roasted gammon with apple sauce only a taste of what you can expect. E-mail [email protected]. za or call 021 419 667.
Visit www.newmarkhotels.com/news/festive
Makaron Restaurant
The award-winning Makaron Restaurant at the Majeka House Boutique Hotel is hosting an exclusive Christmas Eve dinner priced at R550 a person.
The meal features sumptuous creations such as compressed terrine of Christmas ham, goose and cherries, and a decadent milk and cookies dessert of eggnog mousse and mince pie ice cream.
E-mail [email protected] or call 021 880 1549. Visit www.makaronrestaurant.co.za.
In Stellenbosch, the famous Winery Road Restaurant will be offering a delicious Christmas menu dinner on Wednesday and a lunch on Christmas Day at R475 a person. Visit www.96wineryroad. co.za.
The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa will also be tempting patrons with its gourmet three-course Christmas Day lunch served up in the elegant Governors Hall Restaurant or on the Terrace at R528 a person. Visit www.lanzerac.co.za
Durban
The Oyster Box
No matter what your reason for visiting, you can’t go wrong at the Oyster Box.
The hotel’s signature restaurant, the Grill Room, will be offering both a Christmas Eve dinner and a Christmas Day lunch at R1 300 a person and R1 500 a person respectively. E-mail restaurants@ oysterbox.co.za. Call 031 514 5018.
Visit www.oysterbox.co.za
Hotel Izulu
Enjoy a Christmas Day luncheon in the glamorous Imbizo Hall at the Hotel Izulu feasting on Christmas-themed delicacies for R550 a person. Expect main dishes like roast chicken with cracked pepper as well as tarragon and turkey with pumpkin and sage stuffing. E-mail [email protected] or call 032 946 3444.
Visit www. hotelizulu.com
l For more ideas of things to do in and around South Africa, visit Hasmita’s blog at www.joziliciousblog.co.za.
l This is Hasmita Nair’s last Jozilicious column. Over the past two years she has passionately eaten her way through Jozi, and has now left SA to pursue an MBA in France and Singapore. You can keep up with her foodie and travel adventures at www.joziliciousblog.co.za or on Twitter: (@hasmita)
Sunday Independent