Sourced from Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; Photo Credit: Leila Kwok
Christmas during the pandemic may look different this year, but establishments around the city have dreamed up sumptuous menus for keeping the holiday season cheerful and delicious.
Whether it’s dining in a restaurant or feasting on a takeout spread at home, you can enjoy turkey and all the fixings without any of the stress of slaving in the kitchen. And during these difficult times, a relaxing Christmas meal definitely sounds much needed.
Until December 7, in line with the public health order issued on November 20, non-essential travel into and out of BC is not recommended. BC residents, let’s do our part by continuing to stay local and support local with our immediate household or bubble, in accordance with the latest guidelines.
The following is a selection of places in town to consider for your Christmas eating.
The Belgard Kitchen
Sourced from Belgard Kitchen
After the success of their Thanksgiving dinner options, The Belgard Kitchen (55 Dunlevy Avenue) is merrily offering convenient Holiday Meal Kits. They encompass all the Christmas comfort food that you have come to expect, with an elevated twist to make the meal that much more special. The Kit comes with turkey done two ways (stuffed and rolled breast and confit legs), gravy, cranberry sauce, twice baked rosemary and goat cheese bread pudding, mashed potatoes, vegetable pavé, and salted caramel apple crumble. The Kit is $70 (feeds two adults), with the option of adding a donation to Mealshare. Pick-up can happen December 23 or 24; purchase your kits online (limited quantities available).
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Sourced from Boulevard
Santa himself would be well satisfied with the Christmas meal options at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar (845 Burrard Street). On the big day (December 25), lavish eating awaits for both lunch and dinner ($88 per person). The four-course meal (with options for each course) includes such highlights as honey mussels, baked on the half-shell, with miso gratinée, shellfish emulsion, and preserved sansho pepper; slow roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, Yukon gold potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy; and a bûche de Noël with white chocolate crunch, strawberry curd, and cheese mousse. Expect truffles and caviar for added festive cheer.
Otherwise, if you’d prefer to dine at home, BLVD Provisions has to-go selections: two differently sized turkey packages (4-5 people for $218, 8-10 people for $375), as well as a prime rib package (4 people for $275). The turkey dinner comes with corn bread; spiced butternut squash soup; brined and sage roasted turkey breast and slow roasted legs; Madeira scented giblet gravy; traditional cranberry sauce; brioche, apple, chestnut, and thyme stuffing; whipped Yukon gold potatoes; roasted Brussels sprouts; honey glazed carrots; and last but not least, Black forest cake. For an additional $50, the package can be picked up heated for convenient feasting. Orders must be placed online by December 16 and can be picked up at Boulevard December 23-25 from 11am to 5pm.
Sequoia Company of Restaurants
Sourced from Sequoia Company of Restaurants
The entire Sequoia Company of Restaurants (Seasons in the Park, The Teahouse in Stanley Park, Cardero’s, and The Sandbar) are making the holidays twinkly and delectable with both in-person, as well as to-go options. On Christmas Eve, Seasons in the Park (Queen Elizabeth Park) and The Teahouse (3rd Beach, Ferguson Point, Stanley Park), will be featuring three-course menus ($59 per person) for marking the season in elegant style. For example, at Seasons, the menu starts with squash soup, seasoned mushrooms, or harvest salad; then moves onto a choice between oven-roasted turkey, grilled salmon, prime rib, or mushroom campanelle – all with seasonal sides; and ends with either chocolate truffle cake or sweet pumpkin bread pudding.
Both restaurants are also offering multi-course menus on Christmas Day ($89 per person) that are bound to be special: The Teahouse one features an amuse bouche and season appetizer before you enjoy your choice of turkey with classic stuffing, slow-roasted prime rib, seafood bouillabaisse, or wild mushroom risotto. Chocolate and candy cane opera cake or spiked panna cotta provides a decadent finish.
And if you’d rather sup on your Christmas meal at home, the Holiday Turkey Dinner to Go (all ready for heating and fêting) is the ideal option, with butternut squash soup, oven-roasted white and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes, classic stuffing, Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, gravy, as well as a signature homemade dessert. The dinner ($79 for two) can be pre-ordered online starting December 3, with dinners available for pick-up on December 24 at any of the Sequoia restaurants.
Nuba
Sourced from Nuba
If you have a plan for the turkey (or the protein main), but need some inspired help with the accompaniments, Nuba can take care of your needs with their Holiday Side Dish Package, featuring holiday favourites with a Middle Eastern spin. The Package ($75) contains six flavourful side dishes: mashed parsnips, roasted sweet potatoes with yam and pumpkin, onion walnut bread stuffing, pomegranate braised carrots, za’atar Brussels sprouts, and pear and feta arugula salad. It’s available for pre-order online until December 21. Pick-up or direct delivery happens via the Mount Pleasant Nuba (146 East 3rd Avenue).
The Westin Bayshore
Sourced from the Westin Bayshore
Christmas dining is happening at the Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive), as well as through take home options. Christmas Day unfolds with a multi-course brunch ($49 per adult, $24 per child) at H2 Rotisserie & Bar with items like lobster French toast, and ham hock eggs benedict, in addition to desserts like Christmas trifle. Expect H2’s signature build-your-own Caesar, a customizable way to liven up the mid-day repast. The evening spread (December 24-25) is equally as impressive, with a multi-course dinner ($69 per person) that starts with bread and a fun olive oil candle; then a starter of either a trio of beet salad or parsnip and chestnut soup; followed by a turkey duo served with potato purée, sage gravy, and cranberry relish; or arctic char with fingerling potatoes, butter braised leeks, frisée-orange salad, and vanilla brandy lobster sauce; or butternut squash risotto with a citrus herb salad. The last course is a chocolate yule log with Grand Marnier. Turkey feasts for December 25 are also available to-go in various sizes ($350 for 6-8 people, $450 for 10-12 guests) and include Rossdown Farms free-range turkey; brioche stuffing with leek, apple, and turkey sausage; honey glazed root vegetables; Yukon gold mashed potatoes; gravy; cranberry-orange sauce; and a chocolate yule log cake. Depending on the latest guidelines, gatherings may need to be much smaller than usual, so there’s also a Christmas Carvery Takeout Option for December 24-26 for $45 per person (minimum 2 people). Order online.
Five Sails
Source from Five Sails
With its breathtaking views, refined cuisine, and impeccable service, Five Sails (410-999 Canada place) embodies a very memorable dining experience this season. Their Christmas menu is a five-course journey that starts with either lobster and butternut squash soup or roasted parsnip soup, followed by goat cheese winter salad. It’s then a choice between a foie gras and salmon duo or roasted beets with turmeric oil, lemon crème frâiche, and fresh mint before the main course, which consists of roasted beef tenderloin Rossini with root vegetable gratin, pan seared foie gras, chestnut purée, and truffle madeira jus; Christmas turkey with root vegetable gratin, chestnut purée, brioche and chestnut stuffing, and blackcurrant jus; or lobster red beet risotto with wild mushrooms, garden vegetables, and parmesan tuile.
The meal ends with either eggnog and rum crème brûlée or a whimsical dessert Christmas tree featuring raspberry mousse, cranberry compote, chocolate sable, and chocolate crémeux. The dinner is $120 per person, and available December 24-26.
Glowbal Restaurant
Sourced from Glowbal
For those missing the Christmas buffet experience, Glowbal (590 West Georgia Street) has dreamed up two take-home versions of it. Available for pick-up on December 13, the Festival Brunch Buffet at Home ($240, for 4-6 people) features a bounty of items, including cold smoked wild salmon with signature potato roesti, pickled red onion, fried capers, and arugula; dijon and fine herb rubbed USDA striploin; maple smoked bacon; six jumbo black tiger prawns with house cocktail sauce and a lemon wedge; as well as Christmas sweets, like butter tarts and a chocolate yule log. Packages must be booked by December 12.
Meanwhile, the Christmas Dinner at Home ($350, for 4-6 people) is available for pick-up on December 24. It is comprised of many holiday favourites, such as sherry glazed beets and kale with toasted seeds, pickled onion, and goat cheese; a slow roasted half turkey with a traditional spice rub, and herbs; roasted garlic mashed potatoes; and white chocolate and coconut rum “snowballs.” Pre-orders must be placed by December 22 (quantities are limited).
Both buffet experiences can be made even grander with a seafood addition of two 1-lb Atlantic lobsters and King crab with butter ($160). Book online.
Notch8 (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver)
Photo Credit: Leila Kwok
You’re in good hands with Notch8 (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street) for both in-person as well as to-go Christmas dining options. Christmas Day brunch (11am to 3pm) will be a la carte, with tempting items, such as French toast with candied cranberry, festive spiced whipped cream, and maple syrup; and a turkey and stuffing benedict with cranberry sauce. Christmas Eve ($98 per adult, $49 per child) and Christmas Day ($108 per adult, $54 per child) dining will feature three and four-course dinners, respectively. On December 25, the meal consists of truffle and cauliflower soup, house-made mortadella, a choice of main (rotisserie turkey, classic prime rib, or confit butternut squash – all featuring seasonal accompaniments/embellishments), and classic apple pie as the dessert. Eat-at-home selections are three-fold: prime rib ($300), turkey ($230), and Christmas ham to-go ($199). Each package feeds 4-6 people and includes sides like Yorkshire pudding and Brussels sprouts and pancetta, as well as a dessert (almond cherry clafouti). They’re available for pick-up from December 18-25, with orders due two days prior to pick-up at 5pm.
The Keg
Photo Credit: The Keg
Let The Keg host you and your loved ones so you can sit back and relax over great food and wine at each location. You can also bring your Keg favourites home to your own festive table with takeout, designed & packaged to be the next best thing to in-house dining. This year, The Keg will also be offering Celebration Kits, packed with everything you need to prepare and enjoy a Keg dinner at home. They make for a unique night in and are great gifts for family, friends, and employees. Order or book online.
BBQ Pork Rib Classic Dinner For Two: $85.00, includes two racks of ribs, fries, fresh corn, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan, lemon, table bread, butter, bbq sauce, oil, salt & pepper, ketchup, two slices cherry cheesecake, and mints.
Steak Classic Dinner For Two: includes two twice-baked potatoes (contains bacon), asparagus, red pepper, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan, lemon, table bread, butter, oil, salt & pepper, steak spice, two slices cherry cheesecake, and mints, with a choice of two New York or filet steaks ($95) or two 20z rib steaks ($105).
Prime Rib Classic Dinner For Four: $175.00, includes prime rib roast, garlic mashed potatoes, tricolour carrots, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan, lemon, table bread, butter,au jus, horseradish, oil, salt & pepper, steak spice, four slices cherry cheesecake, and mints.
Miku and Minami
Minami Holiday Bento; Photo Credit: Cody Chan
If you’re looking for a non-traditional Christmas dinner at home but one that is very Vancouver in flavour, Aburi Restaurants Canada has a range of inventive holiday options. Miku (70-200 Granville Street) has crafted a delightful Holiday Bento ($130, feeds 2), which contains 4 layers, including a zensai bento with deluxe sashimi, crab claw, unagi sunomono, miso cured duck breast, prawn cocktail, and herring roe on kelp; and a signature sushi bento with various items, such as aburi salmon oshi sushi and the Miku roll (sockeye salmon, crab, and cucumber, rolled in tobiko with Miku sauce). It’s available until December 31.
Minami (1118 Mainland Street) is offering a Holiday Bento Box ($250, feeds 4-6 people), which contains five lovely tiers, including an aburi oshi and roll tier, and a land entrée tier with a 5 oz AAA butler steak, chicken ballotine, and obie brazier, served with roasted market vegetables. It’s available until December 30. Tiers can also be ordered a la carte.
Gyoza Bar
Gyoza Bar Holiday Platter
Gyoza Bar (622 West Pender Street) is featuring a Holiday Platter ($60, feeds 4-6 people) with comforting goodies, such as char siu skewers, crispy vegetable gyoza, and spicy pork ribs (available until December 31). For all restaurants, pre-ordering of boxes and platters can happen over the phone or via Tock.
Medina
Fans of Vancouver brunch institution Medina can experience the ‘Medina mystique’ as part of their Christmas celebrations at home thanks to new Festive Brunch Kits (2 servings at $125 or 4 servings at $175 ) available exclusively on December 23 and 24. The kit offers a choice of the restaurant’s signature mains (Fricasée, Cassoulet or Fricassée Champignon) in prepare-at-home formats as well as a six-pack of its famous Liège waffles with topping, coffee beans from 49th Parallel, a Mimosa Kit that includes fresh-squeezed orange juice and a 750-mL bottle of Chandon California Brut, a signature Medina matchbox and all preparation instructions for enjoyment up to three days following pickup or delivery. Available for pre-order until Monday, December 21 at medinacafe.com.
Image Credit: Cafe Medina
Arc Dining
ARC at Fairmont Waterfront brings festive cheer to the holiday season with several Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining options. On December 24 and December 25, ARC will feature a four-course plated Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Dinner. The special prix fixe menus start with Roasted Mushroom and Sunchoke Veloute Soup and Beetroot Salad, followed by a selection of entrées such as the Slow Roasted Angus Rib Roast or Squash Agnolotti. The evening will finish with a Sticky Gingerbread Pudding as the perfect sweet ending. (Adults $129.00, Children 6-12 $89, Children 5 and under free.) ARC will also have a special Christmas Day Brunch, featuring bottomless tasting plates such as Poached Prawns and Chilled Crab, Liege Waffles with Caramelized Apple and Smoked Salmon Benedict. Reserve a table.
