Ice-cream, lobster, champagne, and beer, looks like Christmas is almost here! Here are gift options for the foodie – or the ‘spirited’ – in your life.
Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without delectable seasonal treats. When it comes to celebrating the company of loved ones, good times are made complete by bites and booze to spread the holiday cheer.
So if you’re still wracking your brain for the perfect gift for the foodie in your life, remember experiences make the best gifts. Gift the experience of gastronomical delight because we’re betting your parents, significant others and friends love to either nosh on good food or kick back with a good drink (or both simultaneously, if they’re anything like us).
From table to heart
For the sweet tooth: Häagen Dazs Festive Flower Mochi Tree
Usher in the cheer with this cheery serving of five ice-cream flavours surrounding a charcoal cone flower. Be sure to make two of these the new Asian-inspired flavours everyone's raving about: green tea mochi and azuki mochi, made with Kyushu matcha and Hokkaido red bean paste. Bits of chewy mochi add a surprise to texture, balanced out in this dessert compilation with fruits and granola crumbs. Häagen-Dazs has more adorable in-store creations (until February 2017) to be shared, but you also can't go wrong with buying a pint of their favourite flavour. Pints and mini cups are sold in major retail outlets such as Ben's Independent Grocer, Cold Storage, Aeon and Tesco. Häagen-Dazs outlets only carries handpacked pints for the limited edition flavors. RP: RM65.00
For those loco for lobster: Pince & Pints Spaghetti Lobster
Telawi's lobster place could not have picked a better time to present their first spaghetti. Warm and homey just like Christmas evening, the generous portion is perfect for sharing - or one hungry lobster lover. Juicy lobster bits complement the tomato-based ragu, yet manage to surprise with its burst of fresh Italian flavours. The Spaghetti Lobster is available this month for RM148++, so call 03 2201 3233 or e-mail reservations@pinceandpints.com.my to book your date.
For tea lovers: TWG Tea Festive Set
Feast with a three-course set incorporating tea-inspired treats like foie gras lasagne tinged with White Christmas Tea, Poisson Au Beurre Blanc (Emperor Fish filet with prawn dumpling infused with Vanilla Bourbon Tea) and a special Christmas confection. Main choices are duck, chicken, or fish. RP: RM98
For the fan of Japan: Nobu Christmas Omakase menu
Your favourite Japanese-Peruvian spot with a view is serving limited Christmas and New Year Omakase menus, with ingredients flown in from Japan, of course. On the intriguing Christmas menu, you'll find Sweet Santa (pic), Smoked Wagyu with Yuba & Nori Sauce, and Scallop Quinoa Salad. RP: RM560/pax
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‘Tis the season to be spirited
For the gentleman: Royal Salute 21 Year Old festive pack
Tracing all the way back to the Queen's coronation, Royal Salute needs no introduction to fans of blended whisky. This special edition comes with a design by Angela Groundwater, who captured the splendour of the 1817 Regent's Banquet with a design reflecting the brand's time honoured royal heritage.
For the whisky drinker: The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve 1824 festive pack
Comes with two Glenlivet whisky glasses, for the whisky fan that can never have too many.
For the classy one: Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champagne
From Lotus on Water and French champagne house Laurent-Perrier come a limited edition Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée series , star of which is the Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée champagne. Balanced yet complex, pure yet elegant, it bears the founding father's feng shui paintings with peacock symbolisation on the colourful package. Available at Singapore's Lotus on Water galleries at Sin Ming Plaza. RP: SG$128
For the history buff: Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne
The same collaboration birthed The Prosperity with Elegance series, a homage to King Louis XIV's love for champagne. The reign of this first French king to drink champagne came to be known as Grand Siècle, or 'Great Century'. It's accordingly bottled in a 17th-century replica, once again with a poetically suitable Master Yun painting on the box. Available at Singapore's Lotus on Water galleries at Sin Ming Plaza. RP: SG$338
For beer buddies: Somersby Sparkling Rosé
Semi-sweet apple rosé cider - for when you want something tasty, but also just really love beer. Available out of Europe for the first time, exclusively here in Peninsular Malaysia, this 4.5% ABV light beer channels red berry juice flavour and floral aromas, reminiscent of sparkling wine. Refreshingly great for special occasions. You can find this at 100 restaurants and bars nationwide, as well as leading hypermarkets and supermarkets - but only for six months, so hurry for a taste.
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Check out our other gift guides for fashion, beauty, and make-up.
Images courtesy of respective brands.