Sofitel Singapore Christmas 2019 Offers Tailor-Made Festive Delights

This holiday season, Sofitel Singapore City Centre presents a culinary celebration inspired by French haute couture, reaffirming its commitment to providing tailor-made dining experiences. Draped in finery, Racines and 1864 transform into a charming Christmas atelier offering an elegant collection of yuletide menus, treats and cocktails designed by Executive Chef Jean- Charles Dubois and Head Mixologist Michael Mendoza.

A line-up of sweet and savoury goodies will be made available for takeaway and online pre-orders to bring a touch of high fashion to your Christmas celebration. Like timeless fashion staples, no feast would be complete without a turkey to carve. Impress your guests with The Sofitel Classic ($138). Bathed in truffle butter and slow-cooked to perfection, Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois’ signature turkey will turn heads not only with its handsome looks and juicy morsels but with its rich aroma as well.

If red (meat) is more your colour, carve into tender cuts of Angus beef available in 2 designs: lightly- smoked chargrilled tomahawk ($88) or exquisite cheeks braised in red wine ($98). Accessorise your meal with side dishes at $18 each including parsley butter-roasted Brussels sprouts and fluffy mashed potatoes infused with truffle butter.

Named after iconic fashion locales in Paris, this year’s collection of yule cakes exude style and sophistication. Champs-Elysées ($72) channels the snow-covered streets of its namesake. The layering of blueberry compote and vanilla crème between coconut dacquoise provides contrasting textures beneath a snow of luscious mascarpone infused with ivory chocolate and yuzu.

Meanwhile, Avenue Montaigne ($72) captures the essence of the fashion houses and ateliers of the famed shopping district. Held in place by a distinctive leather buckle, the chocolate entremet is comprised of rich 70% Valrhona Guanaja crème brûlée, citron confit and flourless sponge cake over a crispy base of hazelnut feuilletine. Traditional yuletide treats such as homemade loaves of stollen ($28) and panettone ($32) are also available.

For celebrations at Racines, Executive Chef Jean-Charles presents a chic set menu available throughout the month of December for a 3 or 4-course lunch and dinner. There is no better occasion to get together with family and friends, and parties of 8 to 12 will enjoy the option of having The Sofitel Classic carved tableside as the main course at no extra cost. Racines will also be bringing back its house recipe mulled wine infused with cinnamon, cloves and orange to complete your festive feast at $5 per glass all month.

Christmas set menu highlights begin with appetisers to suit every taste. Take comfort in the smoky flavours of sliced turkey and ham balanced with cranberry salsa, grapefruit and fresh chervil oil or opt for a refreshing combination of scallop ceviche carpaccio and granny smith slaw coated in a mildly sweet avocado aioli. Alternatively, go lean and green with a crunchy salad comprising of kale, salted beetroot and roasted sweet corn tossed in orange ginger dressing and finished with grated macadamia. Your choice of appetiser is followed by a vibrant velouté of roasted kabocha poured over creamy foie gras mousse ravioli and truffle emulsion.

The choice of mains will bring a splash of colour to the season. An outstanding piece from Racines’ Winter 2019 collection, the pan-seared French duck breast makes a bold statement that is balanced by a fragrant chestnut purée infused with anise. The ensemble is accompanied by chargrilled asparagus to provide a satisfying crunch. If you prefer Oriental designs, tuck into juicy fried Iberico pork rack glazed in Ching Kiang vinegar and served alongside aromatic garlic rice and seasonal greens.

As a vegetarian option, the blue cheese gnocchi is dressed to impress with Jerusalem artichoke, pine nuts and toasted bread emulsion. For a sweet ending, embrace the Christmas spirit with a slice of Apricot frangipane tart specially baked with rosemary for a festive aroma, served alongside mulled wine gelée and a scoop of honeycomb and chestnut ice cream. The Champs-Elysées yule cake is also available for dessert by the slice.

Arrive in style to Racines’ Christmas Couture Buffet Specials available for dinner on Christmas Eve and a lively brunch on Christmas Day. Catch Executive Chef Jean-Charles in action as he prepares a decadent festive ravioli stuffed with winter harvest truffles and Royan cheese. Strike a pose with timeless French favourites including Racines’ signature pan-seared foie gras with kumquat marmalade prepared at the live station and escargot wok-kissed in parsley butter and topped with a mild béarnaise. From the Chinese kitchen come spicy pepper-glazed pork ribs smoked and roasted to peak tenderness alongside a medley of scallops and prawns stir-fried in chilli crab sauce. Treat yourself to an exquisite white chocolate toffee with pear compote or enjoy a delicate coconut mousse with passionfruit and banana cremeux to complete your meal.

Not to be outdone, 1864’s Head Mixologist Michael Mendoza puts forth his own array of festive Cocktail Couture at $22 per glass. Headlining his collection is a concoction aptly named Vogue (second from left), an exciting blend of Grey Goose vodka, probiotic milk and acai syrup. Meanwhile, Silly Symphony (first from right) offers a bittersweet romance with espresso, Nola coffee liqueur and raspberry syrup cradled by a warm base of vodka. Imbibers may also opt to refresh themselves after a hefty Christmas fête with the Sweet Escape (second from right) which employs a revitalising mix of cucumber syrup, elderflower tonic and Diplomático Planas rum.

For the fashion-forward, try on the Aged Cosmo – an adventurous mix of Botanist gin, Cointreau, cranberry and lemon juice, simple syrup, kaffir lime leaf and lemongrass aged in a bamboo stem for 24 hours. Finally, the Choco Pop ($10++, bottom center) takes the round-up of yuletide cocktails back to the comfort of hearth and home with classic hot chocolate topped with cinnamon-flavoured popcorn.

1864 will also be serving a festive edition of its afternoon tea ($98++) throughout December inclusive of 2 glasses of mulled wine. Complementing the standard savoury selection will be a collection of fruity yuletide bonbons including delectable fig frangipane tarts topped with chopped pistachios and bittersweet 66% Valrhona Caraïbe verrine with a cherry surprise. Slices of strawberry honey cheesecake add festive colours to the ensemble alongside macarons filled with gianduja hazelnut crème. Homemade stollen completes the roundup of bites for the afternoon tea.