Around the world festive feasting

This season chefs are taking inspiration from across the globe dishing up Christmas menus with a twist.

For 2015 a number of chefs and restaurateurs located in the heart of London and around the world have looked to different cultures to help put together their festive menus for December. From the classic all-American beef burger to Venison tartare and Szechuan style clap pot Chilean Sea Bass, these particular restaurants are serving up yuletide offerings that will take their diners on a culinary journey around the world this Christmas.

Shake Shack

For a taste of the USA, Shake Shack will be serving up a variety of seasonal items at Covent Garden and Westfield Stratford Shacks. Check out the Alpine Bacon Burger - a 100% Aberdeen Angus beef burger topped with melted Appenzeller cheese sauce and British free range Wiltshire cure smoked bacon or the Gingerbread Apple Caramel concrete – vanilla frozen custard blended with Bread Ahead Ginger cake and almond cider caramel sauce.

Also available in the Shacks from December 10, will be their custom blend Mulled Red Wine – winter ShackRed served warm and spiced for the season as well as Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate featuring a blend of bittersweet dark chocolates, caramel sauce, sea salt and fresh milk. Available from December 1, 2015 to January 16, 2016. For more information, visit www.shakeshack.co.uk

Avenue

This Christmas, modern American restaurant, Avenue, will be putting on a festive feast with a set menu for groups from new Head Chef James Hulme. Diners will be able to choose from four starters including smoked salmon, Yukon gold potatoes, beetroot and rapeseed oil mayonnaise, four delicious mains including traditional roast bronze turkey with all the trimmings and a selection of four tempting desserts including a valhrona chocolate tart with clementine crème fraiche

. Available now and priced at £49.50 per person for three courses, head to Avenue for a slice of Manhattan in the heart of Mayfair. You can book a table by visiting, www.avenue-restaurant.co.uk/

Dirty Bones

It's time to give Christmas a snow globe shake up, Dirty Bones style. Whether planning an exclusive party for 200, an intimate get together in their private retro lounge (with its own private party bar), or a friends and family pre-Christmas blow-out, Dirty Bones provides guests with a range of options across both the Kensington and Carnaby sites.

The Dirty Bones chefs will be cooking up festive specials such as the Mac Baubles - Dirty Bones Mac & Cheese Balls with a sweet chilli cranberry sauce, Winter Waffles - caramelised root vegetable waffles with rosemary fried chicken and maple syrup and Mince Pie Mess - smashed mince pie with brandy butter gelato and coconut snow. A range of drinks packages have been designed to suit all occasions, including the return of the Dirty Santa Cocktail - Finlandia vodka, fresh ginger, blueberries, Velvet Falernum liqueur, cinnamon, apple, lime juice, vanilla, and cinnamon infused maple syrup. Visit www.dirty-bones.com for more information and to book a table.

Big Easy

Big Easy is perfect for anyone craving a taste of the Deep South this Christmas. Diners could opt for a boozy unlimited BBQ brunch at the new Canary Wharf restaurant, or go for the freshest seafood and lobster bakes at any of the three sites. Please visit www.bigeasy.co.uk for more information.

Juni

To celebrate Christmas, Chef Shaun Hergatt has created an exquisite four-course menu that showcases the season’s finest offerings with characteristic emphasis on micro-seasonal ingredients and artistic plating. Dishes include Venison tartare, burgundy sorrel and black truffle crème; Black bass, Kristal caviar and olive oil and Shaun’s beautiful signature dish – the Cherry Ripe. Sitting discreetly in the shadows of Empire State Building and skyscrapers of Midtown, Juni offers diners the culinary experience of a lifetime with a highly technical yet deeply personal fine dining experience. To book a table please visit, http://www.juninyc.com/

Blanchette

Wonderful French food is in a class of its own, and where better to indulge for Christmas than Blanchette in Soho? At this beloved bistro, diners can enjoy cheese beignets, baked Saint-Marcelin, plum rum baba and creative small plates in a cosy ambience guaranteed to keep the cold out and the festive spirit in. To book a table please visit, www.blanchettesoho.co.uk

Le Pont de la Tour

With fabulous lighting, cosy banquettes and exceptional views of Tower Bridge, the newly refurbished Le Pont de la Tour is surely the most glamourous new location for your festive meal. Priced at £95, the six course Christmas menu includes dishes such as Terrine of foie gras and fruit preserve, Smoked salmon and crab roll, Aquitaine caviar, avocado beignet and lemon oil and Norfolk turkey, Brussel tops with wild mushroom jalousie, pumpkin, braised leaves and chicory veloute. For more information and to book a table visit, www.lepontdelatour.co.uk/menus/restaurant/christmas-day/

Salt Yard Group

Celebrate Christmas the Spanish way with Salt Yard Group. The festive menus at Dehesa, Opera Tavern, Ember Yard and Salt Yard include dishes such as Lamb Leg Cooked in Milk with Harissa Yoghurt and Fennel, Roast Creedy Carver Duck Breast with Glazed Salsify, Sprouting Broccoli & Smoked Almonds, Whole Roasted Sweet Potato with Maple Syrup, Rosemary and Cayenne and Porcini Arancini with Wilted Garlic, Spinach, Parsnip Purée & Pickled Walnuts. Prices range between £40 - £45, for more information visit, http://www.saltyardgroup.co.uk/

LIMA Floral

Tired of Turkey already? Peruvian restaurant LIMA Floral in Covent Garden will be serving a three course Christmas lunch menu and five course Christmas dinner with fresh and unique dishes, including palm heart ceviche, Sword Fish escabeche and mushroom Huancaina, that are true to the restaurant’s Latin American roots. Priced at £28 for lunch and £45 for dinner, the menu is already available and is perfect for those looking for something a little more out of the ordinary this festive season. To book your table please visit, http://www.limalondongroup.com/floral

Sartoria

Located directly on the world famous Saville Row in the heart of Central London, Italian restaurant Sartoria is set to be the go to venue this Christmas. Priced at £55 for three courses and £70 for four courses, the festive menu include dishes such as Carpaccio of baccala, puntarelle, anchovies and Amalfi lemon dressing; Capon and truffle broth, pumpkin tortellini and Roasted veal fillet, double baked potatoes and marsala sauce. For more information please visit, http://www.sartoria-restaurant.co.uk/

German Gymnasium

Celebrate the festive season at German Gymnasium with Christmas menus and stunning interiors, creating the perfect venue for intimate dinners, drink receptions and lavish parties – all with a German twist.

German Gymnasium is open throughout December, with special celebrations on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and over the New Year. Executive Chef, Bjoern Wassmuth’s December menus will include Roasted chestnut crème with truffle foam; Tafelspitz of slow cooked beef rump with Austrian hash, creamed spinach, chive sauce and grated horseradish and apple; and Hazelnut praline pot with soured cream and celeriac puree. Meanwhile in the Grand Café, a clock will chime at 4pm daily, signalling the beginning of the German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen where guests can enjoy Apple strudel with vanilla sauce, Sachertorte with Chantilly cream, and to drink, Black Forest Coffee with Kirsch and whipped cream. Find out more by visiting, www.germangymnasium.com

Yashin Ocean House

Kensington favourite, Yashin Ocean House, is serving an exquisite Japanese sharing menu of some of their most popular and delicious dishes. From chargrilled Chilean seabass and sukiyaki rolls to miso cappuccino and paradise prawn tempura, the menu offers a taste of Japan together with the most contemporary cooking techniques. A must for any Japanese food fans, visit www.yashinocean.com for more information.

Flesh & Buns

Following its success last year, Flesh & Buns will be bringing ‘finger lickin’ holiday cheer back to London with the Japanese Fried Chicken (JFC) Feasting Basket. Until December 23, 2015, diners at the Covent Garden restaurant will be able to tuck into a steamer basket of Buttermilk and shichimi fried half-chicken with BBQ mayonnaise, served with a salad and signature steamed buns, followed by a rich and chocolatey Yamazaki cake and all washed down with a Spiced rum and grenadine hard shake. Designed to share, the Japanese Fried Chicken Feasting Basket is priced at £37.00 for two. For availability visit their website, www.bonedaddies.com/flesh-and-buns/

Tokimeit?

Situated in the heart of Mayfair, the newly opened Japanese restaurant, Tokimeit?, is the perfect place for an unusual but glamorous festive feast. Highlights from the menu include Wagyu Rei Shabu - thinly sliced Wagyu shabu shabu garnished with ponzu jelly and edible flowers, and a table simmered Wagyu Sukiyaki served with onion and watercress in miso dashi with a side of creamy truffle sauce and a variety of sashimi sets and sushi rolls. To book a table please visit, www.tokimeite.com

Hutong

This winter Northern Chinese restaurant, Hutong, will be offering a whole goose served with butterfly buns and three special sauces - roast goose gravy, black pepper sauce and home-made plum sauce. The goose will be carved table side and beautifully presented for guests to enjoy. This limited edition dish is available from November 30, 2015 to December 30, 2015 and is priced at £95 which is for a minimum of five people. It must be pre-ordered when a restaurant reservation is made for dinner. To book a table please call 020 3011 1257, alternatively you can email them direct, hutongreservations@aqua-london.com

Chai Wu

With an eight course tasting menu of luxurious dishes including crystal Sea Bass with Tiger Prawn truffle dumplings, Szechuan style clap pot Chilean Sea Bass and Lobster and warm chocolate, mandarin ice cream mini sphere and popping candy, Chinese restaurant, Chai Wu, located in Harrods, will provide a festive taste of China in the opulent surroundings of London’s most famous department store. The menu is based on two people and costs £88 per person. For more information please visit, www.chaiwu.co.uk/#menu-christmas-menu

Arabica Bar & Kitchen

Celebrate Christmas at Arabica Bar & Kitchen with alternative festive flavours from the Levant. This year, Arabica have crafted six Christmas menus, guests can choose from three set meze menus suitable for groups of any size, or three seasonal feasting menus for parties of five guests or more, consisting of six meze to share, follow by a main course and a dessert. Examples include spiced venison boregi, woodland mushroom and truffle man’ousheh, and double cooked duck with cinnamon, honey, cardamom and mastica. Arabica also offer seasonal cocktails with Middle Eastern spices and liquors such as quince 75, bramble spritz and Levantine sour, and authentic delicacies such as sweet mincemeat baklawa can be enjoyed for dessert. To book a table and for more information please visit, www.arabicabarandkitchen.com/christmas

Tommi’s

This year, Tommi’s Burger Joint is bringing the festive cheer with their limited edition venison burger. The venison patty is topped with creamy brie, rocket, pickled red cabbage, green pepper mayo  and cranberry sauce. Like all of Tommi’s burgers, only carefully sourced British produce is used, with meat from HG Walters butcher in Baron’s Court, and bread from Millers bakery. Available now until the end of December, so come all ye faithful burger fans, and get one whilst you can! For every £9.90 venison burger bought, £1.00 will be donated to Age UK Westminster. http://www.burgerjoint.co.uk/

Mango Tree Belgravia

Thai institution, Mango Tree Belgravia, will be celebrating Christmas this year with a Thai inspired festive menu. Beginning with a sharing platter including grilled king scallop with Thai spicy garlic sauce, grilled lamb marinated in honey and crispy soft shell crab with salt and chill seasoning, the menu goes on to include main courses of beef massaman, baked seabass marinated in Thai herbs and smoked turkey breast in black bean sauce and culminates in a delicious mango cheesecake for a Thai alternative to Christmas pudding. The menu will be priced at £49.95 and is available for parties of four or more. Please visit, www.mangotree.org.uk/ for more information.

Busaba Eathai

For the first time in its 15 year legacy, Thai restaurant group, Busaba Eathai, has specially created celebration menus and seasonal beverages for the festive season. Three menus are available, the Christmas specials menu is suitable for individual and small group dining. For £16.90 per head guests will enjoy a snack, small plate and a main. Two group dining menus are suitable for eight guests or more, offering snacks, small plates, mains and desserts for the table to share. Drinks bundles are available for group dining to help the festivities flow. To book a table please visit, www.busaba.com/christmas

As Britons we’re quite traditional when it comes to our Christmas dinner, nothing beats a nice plump turkey with all the trimmings and a fruity Christmas pudding topped off with a hefty dollop of brandy butter. But if you’re fed up with the norm and after something a little different this season head to London for a festive treat that will take you on a journey of culinary delights from across the globe.