Amid the revelry and indulgence of the festive season, it is important to take a step back and remember that the holidays are more than just a sum of its activities such as carolling, decorating trees, and noshing on holiday grub (though all of those are very fun).
The true spirit of the season is in giving — and giving freely without expectation of return. Even during the merriment of Yule, there’s no better way to make someone’s day than with a thoughtful gift that best captures how much they mean to you, tidily and thoughtfully wrapping up a year of friendship in a neat, little bow.
For the foodies in Singapore — and there are plenty — consider a gift of love from these MICHELIN restaurants and hotels, all of which have spent most of the year (and the years preceding) continuously honing their craft.
The result? Holiday treats that bring together the very best of the winter bounty from around the world, without forgetting that the offerings should taste and feel just as good as they look. Read on for a list of MICHELIN restaurants and hotels with epicurean stocking stuffers worth considering this festive season.
For the French Pastry Lover
Odette
Three MICHELIN Stars
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2023
A trio of bijou treats (S$68++) inspired by the intricacy of French entremets — typically involving carefully assembled and balanced layers of sponge cake, mousse, crémeux, and glazes – take centre stage for the first festive takeaway selection available outside of three-MICHELIN-starred Odette’s elegant dining room.
The delicate desserts draw equally from pastry chef Louisa Lim’s knowledge of French dessert techniques as well as her own fond memories of the most wonderful time of the year. The wintry L’Exotique takes after a white Christmas, shrouding tropical fruits like mango, lychee, and pineapple under a blanket of pristine coconut mousse and Jasmine tea-infused Chantilly cream; while the Hazelnut & Chocolate Delice reimagines Lim’s favourite Christmas treat — the Ferrero Rocher confectionery — as an artful snack layered with velvety hazelnut praline, crisp feuilletine, and salted chocolate sable. Last but not least, she sets velvety Ardèche chestnuts against Corsican clementines, rum, and vanilla in her version of the classic Mont Blanc, simply titled My Mont Blanc.
Odette’s Christmas offerings are available for pre-order now for pick-up at Odette or sister restaurant, MICHELIN-listed Claudine from 5 to 27 December 2023. To order, head here or email retail@odetterestaurant.com.
For the Carnivores Who Love to Share
Saint Pierre
Two MICHELIN Stars
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2023
A formidable force of French festive favourites return as two-MICHELIN-starred Saint Pierre unveils its holiday takeaway menu, stuffed with hearty delicacies well-suited for the indulgence of Yuletide.
The meal begins with appetisers such as the Green Tea-smoked Wild Salmon or Black Truffle Marbled Foie Gras Terrine, a Saint Pierre holiday signature, before progressing to hulking festive centrepieces guaranteed to feed the entire table — and then some.
(Photo: Saint Pierre)
These include the classic Roasted Whole Capon with Chestnut, Mushroom, and Foie Gras Stuffing, and Herbed Truffle Jus; 200-day Aged Angus Beef Rib Eye “En Croute”, Black Pepper, Thyme Jus; Whole Salt-Crusted, Dry-Aged “Côte de Boeuf” 7 Ribs; and Boneless Lamb Saddle, Thyme, and Rosemary, Lamb Jus, among others, with all the rib-sticking sides like Gratin Dauphinoise or Roasted Winter Root Vegetables to match.
Saint Pierre’s holiday offerings are available for pre-order from 1 December 2023 for pick-up or delivery. Orders must be made at least 7 days in advance. To order, call +65 6438 0887 or email info@saintpierre.com.sg.
For a Touch of Holiday Magic
Raffles Hotel, Singapore
A MICHELIN Guide Hotel
Those looking to bring classic holiday cheer to a friend who still believes in the magic of the Yuletide season, turn to Raffles Hotel, Singapore, a MICHELIN Guide Hotel, offering five curated gift hampers that combine the joyousness of a traditional Yule celebration with its own longstanding brand of colonial grandeur.
The most lavish of these, the aptly titled Yuletide Magic Festive Hamper ($490++), features a Raffles-branded war chest of holiday eats including Traditional Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, four flavours of Raffles Cookies, a Raffles Christmas Chocolate Box, a Raffles Christmas Tea Set with Spoon, Christmas Stollen, Christmas Pudding, and an LED ornamental bauble to boot, while effervescent tidings come in the form of a bottle of premium bubbly.
Raffles Hotel, Singapore’s Christmas offerings are available for pre-order now for pick-up or delivery until 25 December 2023. Orders must be made at least 2 days in advance. To order, head here, call +65 6412 1143 or email boutique@raffles.com.
For the Insatiably Sweet-Toothed
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore
A MICHELIN Guide Hotel
The decadent, chocolate-y Christmas yule log — which used to be an actual wooden log, kept burning throughout the night of the winter solstice to commemorate the returning sun — is a sinfully delicious hallmark of the festive season.
This Christmas, you’ll find at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore a pair of festive yule logs that depart from the heavy chocolate and boozy undertones typically featured in the sweet treats. The first is the handcrafted Yuzu Mango Matcha Yule Log (S$78), a beautifully minimalist construction pitting earthy matcha cream against the bright, zesty flavours of yuzu and mango. Meanwhile, the White Coffee Caramel Passionfruit Yule Log (S$78) highlights the nostalgic flavour of white coffee at its core, complementing its familiar aroma with caramel and a hint of refreshing passionfruit.
Of course, the warming hug of chocolate can still be found with the comforting Gianduja Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Tart (S$78), featuring a classic one-two combo of velvety milk chocolate and a luxurious hazelnut crunch for added texture.
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore’s Christmas offerings are available for pre-order now for pick-up or delivery until 1 January 2024. Orders must be made 2 days in advance. To order, head here.
For Boozehounds Craving Festive Tipples with Flair
Shangri-La Singapore
A MICHELIN Guide Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, a MICHELIN Guide Hotel, has curated a limited-edition flight of bespoke rum, gin and cocktail creations for the Christmas season — an ideal gift for thirsty friends with a sensibility for fine spirits.
The centrepiece of the collection is the hotel bar’s Christmas Gin, a loving re-distillation infused with cinnamon, cloves, almonds, cardamom, vanilla, and candied fruits in a bid to evoke the richly spiced character of a fruity crumble pie (S$98, paired with a Negroni in a gold flask). For a more localised pour, look to the Barrelled Old Tom Gin (S$88), a spirit that receives a final infusion of maple syrup and caramelly gula melaka (palm sugar) to balance out its initial distillation with holiday spices.
Cocktail aficionados, too, can receive a boozy holiday gift in the form of the Christmas Cocktail Trio (S$78) — a triple dose of the classic Negroni, Gimlet, and Manhattan cocktails slung into sealed 250ml bottles for easy transport and sharing.
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore's holiday offerings are available for pre-order now for pick-up or delivery until 23 December 2023. Orders must be made 3 days in advance. To order, head here, call +65 6213 4511, or email festive.sls@shangri-la.com.
