‘Twas the Week Before Christmas: The Walforf Astoria Beijing’s Holiday Feast

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Waldorf Astoria Beijing’s Holiday Feast

Kyle Mullin | Dec 14, 2015 11:00 am | Add a comment | 1802 reads | Sponsored by The Waldorf Astoria Beijing

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Beijing, the foodies were stirring and ready for bingeing. Wine glasses were lined on the table with care, in hopes that Chef Chargy would soon be there. Their friends came along, ready to be fed, as visions of savory seafood danced in their heads.

They dreamed that Santa himself from the Great White North, had arrived with tasty fare at Beijing’s Waldorf. But rather than a sack full of toys for the girls and boys, Santa had instead readied an oyster appetizer for them to enjoy.

Served in a martini glass that was the most colorful by far, the appetizer included a side of delectable caviar.

Both those delicacies would suit the most sophisticated of blokes, especially because they were served with salty cured gravlax salmon (that was, of course, smoked).

This enticing spread left the dreaming foodies in awe, especially because it featured a terrine of flawless foie gras.

Already this seemed like a feast fit for a King, or an Emperor, or even a Kaiser, and this was only just after the appetizers. While their appetites were enticed by oysters, caviar and pâtés, the foodies were quickly left speechless by the expansive entrée. The main dish left them nothing short of amazed: a gigantic ham that was honey glazed.

Fans of lighter meat had no reason to be snarky, because the main course also featured a generous log of turkey.

That turkey log wasn’t one they’d soon forget, because it was also laced with chestnut and ham croquettes.

The foodies’ glee bordered on hilarious, especially when they were presented with the bacon-flecked bearnaise asparagus.

And while even the main course’s veggies threw these guests for a loop, they were equally enticed by the chowder seafood soup.

Savory pumpkin soup was also on offer, the perfect warm-up for the real show-stopper.

In came the biggest treat of all: a diaspora of sweets that left these hungry dreamers enthralled.

This expansive dessert spread made the foodies salivate, especially the hand carved log made of sugary milk chocolate.

As the foodies devoured the rich chocolate log, they shared a nod and a wink, to save room for the cheese log, which came with ginger spice and was colored in pink.

But before the foodies could call it a day, they were treated to bite-sized, strawberry-topped grand marina soufflés.

While this traditional holiday meal was fit for a ransom, those who preferred Asian flavors could instead indulge in Zijin Mansion.

The main dish in this feast was fit for a boss, comprised of delicious pan fried wagyu beef and Thai basil with black pepper sauce.

East and West met in a bowl for a combo that was delightfully quirky, considering it was comprised of Chinese vegetable broth with Christmas turkey.

And then the foodies grew even more boisterous, especially when they saw the fried oyster that was certainly worth all the fuss.

This feast went on and continued to entice, as the foodies were served yet another course of crab and oyster sauce coated braised rice.

These Zijin feats ended with some sweet goodies: a steamed chocolate bun and mango pudding.

The Beijing foodies then awoke with insatiable cravings for that decadent meal, only to find that what they had dreamed was about to become real. The Waldorf Astoria is serving those festive spreads this year. It’s sure to be the season’s highlight, delicious enough to leave patrons chanting: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

The Waldorf Astoria Beijing's Christmas Feast happens on Friday, December 25th, Christmas Day, from 11.30am-2.30pm (brunch) and 5.30-10.30pm (dinner) at Brasserie 1893. The cost of the meal is RMB 888 (plus 15 percent service charge per person).