Eat, drink and be merry: Mumbai restaurants get creative this Christmas

O Pedro is hosting ‘12 Days of Christmas’ at the restaurant this time around with traditional as well as innovative dishes on the menu. Photo: O Pedro

The festive season is here and celebrating it with fun and food will be on everybody's agenda, especially because most people didn't get a chance to do it last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, since the spirits are better this time around because of the restrictions being lifted in the city, many will look to go out and dine.

Now, it is no surprise that the city is buzzing with activity and so are the restaurants in it, with most of them seeming like they are back to pre-pandemic times. Luckily, they are also back with innovative festive menus for every kind of diner in the city looking to celebrate Christmas with their friends and family, not only at home but also outside.

Here is a list of restaurants that are hosting special Christmas menus for the season:

Latin American brunch
Indulge in a delicious brunch at Café Panama this weekend as they serve a Latin American spread. Feast on the likes of quinoa and corn chowder with lemon chilli dressing, rum and pineapple chipotle braised pork belly. While celebrating, sip on potent tequila-based cocktails such as The Panama, El Pastor Margarita and Sandia Margarita among other options.

Where: Café Panama, Todi Mills, Lower Parel (W)
When: December 25 - 26
Time: 12 pm - 3 pm
Price: Rs 3,500 plus taxes per person

Asian-American crossover feast
If you don't want to indulge in a large feast and instead grab a quick and delicious yet filling bite, the festive Bao Dog menu launched by The Fatty Bao is definitely something to look at. The restaurant gives the classic American hotdog an Asian twist by making the Bao dog. It is a combination of the pillowy bao, which is elongated to look like the classic half-sliced bun, which is stuffed with a variety of fillings. The menu includes the likes of a Sriracha Pork Dog, Spicy Korean Chicken Dog and even vegetarian options such as the Tempayy Hot Dog and Wild Mushroom & Chickpea Dog. Diners can also sip on heady cocktails such as a vodka-based Very Merry Ornamentini and a gin-based Asian Daisy.

Where: Fatty Bao, Bandra (West)
When: Till January 9
Time: 12 pm - 4 pm and 7 pm - 12 am
Price: Rs 250 plus taxes onwards per person

An Italian affair
Are you looking to enjoy a complete Italian feast? Then head to Sorrentina to experience a gastronomic journey. The restaurant is hosting a 21-day holiday menu that will continue till the end of December. Savour dishes such as Baked Brie, Zucchini Flower Frito and pastas like Caprese Tortelli and end your meal with a sweet mince pudding tart. For those who want to spend time with their family at home, the city restaurant has also introduced a boozy tiramisu, mulled wine kit and pre-bottled Christmas cocktails too.

Where: Sorrentina, Santacruz (West)
When: Till December 31
Time: 12 pm - 11 pm
Price: Rs 250 plus taxes onwards per person

Christmas Eve dinner
If you are looking to bring in Christmas with a dinner, then head to JW Marriott Sahar. The city-based five-star hotel is hosting a Christmas Eve dinner, followed by a lunch on Christmas Day too. The menu includes dishes such as char sui roast pork, sage butter roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, Korean seafood pancake, bacon and beans casserole, balsamic brussel sprouts and more.

Where: JW Café, JW Marriott Sahar, Andheri (East)
When: December 24 and 25
Time: 7 pm - 11 pm and 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Price: Rs 4,700 plus taxes per person and Rs 3,200 (non-alcoholic) and Rs 4,200 (alcoholic)

India on a plate
If you are one who loves Indian fare, celebrate Christmas at The Monkey Bar for The Great Indian Christmas feast. The menu has a wide variety of dishes from local Indian cuisines like a Mangalorean chicken indad, Anglo Indian baked fish and even an East Indian khimad. Enjoy the meal while sipping on a vodka-based Natal Mule or even a delicious mulled wine. The menu also includes a vodka-based X'Mas Pinag cocktail - a take on the classic Goan sweet, which surely sounds interesting and a must-have, if you like trying something new.

Where: Monkey Bar, Bandra West
When: Till January 6
Time: 5 pm - 12 am
Price: Rs 1,400 plus taxes (non-alcoholic) and 2, 000 plus taxes (alcoholic) for two people

Celebrate like a Goan
Looking to find comfort in Goan food this Christmas in the city? O Pedro is hosting ‘12 Days of Christmas' at the restaurant this time around with traditional as well as innovative dishes on the menu. Among the many, diners can feast on Chef Floyd's Christmas lamb with sticky sauce and turnip salad, smoked pork sorpotel with red rice toddy spiked sannas, bacon chorizo pulao. Any celebration is incomplete without a drink, so it is no surprise that the restaurant has made its own concoctions that include a Bailey's eggnog, mulled wine and a Pedro's XMas Sour.

Where: O Pedro, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East
When: Till December 24
Time: 12 pm - 12 am
Price: Rs 1,800 plus taxes for two people (non-alcoholic)