Christmas, it’s been going on for a fair old time now hasn’t it? And while there’s nothing like tucking into a good tonne of turkey at a traditional Christmas dinner this festive season, it does get a bit samey. Yes, we love* (*loathe) sprouts, pigs in a blanket, stuffing and listening to The Pogues at a million decibels, but we did it last year, and we have a feeling we’ll be doing it again next year. It’s time to hit pause on the Elf DVD and turn down Mariah Carey, Christmas doesn’t have to be this way; it can be *gulps* different. Before you throw the gravy boat and some undercooked tatties at me, read this list of five quirky Christmas dinners in London; we guarantee your bells will be jingling.
The Japanese-Peruvian one at Mommi
Santa’s coming to town, bringing the Mommi Christmas menu with him and there ain’t a jot of turkey on it. Swap the bird for tapas of Japanese and Peruvian fusion food as the Clapham restaurant serves dishes such as seared salmon and shrimp, sweet potato puree, burnt yuzu, and edamame, and Grilled Miso & Aji Panca Marinated Rib Eye of Beef, Andean Herb Chimichurri. The cocktail menu is also lump-of-coal naughty, try the Pisco Sours which are dangerously strong and will have you ho ho hoing all the way home.
The Jager-shotting German One at Bavarian Beerhouse
Every wise man knows that no Christmas is complete without shots of Jager and enough beer to make Brian in accounts go from mildly attractive to mistletoe-worthy. Step up Bavarian Beerhouse as they put their German spin on the year’s festivities. The traditional Bavarian themed restaurant brings Oktoberfest to Old Street and Tower Hill as they blast Oompah music and lederhosen or dirndl wearing waiters wrestle giant steins of beer. Their Christmas offering includes shots of Jager, two steins of beer and a buffet with German treats such as bratwurst, schnitzel and Black Forest Ham.
The Prohibition-style one with The Manhattan Club
It’s amazing what can be achieved when you deny someone booze as the 1920s Prohibition proved, and The Manhattan Club is celebrating this golden era of moonshine with their Christmas in Harlem event. Ditch the snowman jumper and pull on your best dandy suit or flapper dress and head to Brunswick Studios for a meal inspired by the Waldorf Astoria and President Calvin Coolidge. Things kick off with a three-course dinner featuring suitably fancy Goose Breast or Confit Turbot, before magicians, croupiers and dancing leads you into the night.
The Medieval one at The Ivory Vaults
Feasting, fighting and getting blind drunk, those Medieval folk sure knew how to have a good time and it seems only right that The Ivory Vaults have taken inspiration from this fine era for their quirky Christmas meal. Fill your gauntlets and glug unlimited ale and wine; gorge on five courses which include slow roasted lamb shoulder and smoked fish terrine. And as we know, no medieval shindig is complete without some knights sword-fighting, jugglers a-juggling and contortionists a-contortion-ing.
The Scandi-cool one at Nordic Yulefest
Inspired by Father Christmas’ neck of the woods, Nordic Yulefest is bringing all things Scandi to Shoreditch. From a grizzly bear (not live) to a Nordic banquet in the grand ballroom, the pop-up event is partying for the majority of December. Who needs a traditional British Christmas when you can have the sexy Scandi version? Feast on five courses of birch-cured venison, barbecued reindeer and smoked duck, dance to the hottest house DJs and, if you really want to embrace this alternative Christmas meal malarkey, try some Surströmming (fermented herring).
Nordic Yulefest offers tickets from entry to the party all the way through to an all-day feast and partying.
