I’ve always loved coming to South Beach Avenue for the simple fact that its space is absolutely, downright gorgeous. There are few things that put me at ease the way tall, lush greenery adorns the area, coupled with a cool, gentle breeze blowing through the space.
South Beach’s state-of-the-art microclimatic canopy that extends throughout is cleverly engineered to harvest rainwater and also fitted with photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity. Talk about a two-in-one. What’s also respectable is their sustainability-driven decor, boasting a stunning Christmas tree made up entirely of upcycled toys.
With Christmas in tow, you’re beginning to get down to business, hunting for the best and most value-for-money discounts around. And a solution for you, do I have. At South Beach, we celebrate the season of thanksgiving with some of the best specials and inclusivity for all—hoomans and pets alike.
Here are 6 establishments that offer fabulous Christmas specials which are both unmistakably splendid, and also operate as pet-friendly destinations for even the furriest of loved ones.
1. Armoury Steak & Craft Beer
Walking into Armoury Steak & Craft Beer, you’ll get whooshed right into the aesthetic of a handsome steakhouse—15 types of craft beer on tap coupled with the aroma of wagyu steaks wafting through the atmosphere is quite unparalleled, if I do say so myself. Carefully sourced and curated, fabulously marbled high-quality Wagyu cuts are used at The Armoury, as part of their mission to make great steaks affordable and accessible to all.
On that note, not to be missed is their Christmas Special Meat Lover Set (S$90, U.P. S$130), which is a glorious spread of 650g of Wagyu ribeye, half rack ribs, and mentaiko fries. Just thinking about it alone is enough to make me tear up with longing.
As if juicy ribeye slices and ribs that fall right off the bone don’t sound indulgent enough on their own, the mentaiko fries really are the icing on top that makes an already hearty platter all the more scrumptious. Because creamy, generous mentaiko cream and tobiko that coat crispy shoestring fries is, really, all I want for Christmas.
The Meat Lover Set is available from now until further notice, and is available for takeaway, so now’s your chance to stuff yourself silly with fare that’s more decadent than you’ll imagine.
The Armoury: Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Wild Honey
A popular date spot amongst many of my peers, Wild Honey definitely checks my boxes of great ambience, offerings, and coffee. This Christmas, they’re spicing up their already gorgeous space with some festive specials to put you right in the mood for the holidays, love, and gifting.
The Big Aussie Christmas Brekkie (S$30) holds fast to the cafe’s Australian roots with a selection of leg ham, candied bacon, Cumberland sausage, turkey croquette, cranberry sauce, sweet potato hash, and sautéed mushrooms. Top it all off with eggs done your way—poached, fried, or scrambled.
If you’re looking for a break from rich, full-bodied dishes this season, I don’t blame you. Between tastings and spin classes, I’m doing my best to eat clean too. The Christmas Granola (S$18) presents house-baked oat granola, dried cherries, dried blueberries, pistachios, sesame seeds, almonds, cinnamon, rosemary with peach and plum compote, fresh berries and a choice of Greek or coconut yoghurt. Vegan options are also available upon request.
Some sweet options include the Christmas Pavlova (S$16)—pistachio mascarpone creme, raspberry coulis, fresh raspberries, red currants, roasted pistachios, and the ever-so-festive Mini Eggnog Donuts (S$12), which are rolled in nutmeg sugar and piped with eggnog filling.
The Christmas menu at Wild Honey is available from now until 2 Jan 2021.
Wild Honey: Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Caffe Cicheti
As the modern-day trattoria crosses their first-year mark, Caffe Cicheti celebrates the season of thanksgiving with an updated menu featuring selections that play on Italy’s coastal cuisine. Think ocean-fresh hauls and delightfully dressed vegetables greeting your plate.
Look forward to rosemary skewered grilled Hokkaido Scallops (S$21) with slivers of lardo literally melting atop, all on a bed of celeriac puree dotted in pink peppercorn. Or perhaps the Seabass Acqua Pazza (S$28) poached in a bright and zingy sauce that incorporates pickled fennel, jalapeno, cherry tomato, thyme, capers, and champagne vinegar.
The fan-favourite contorni comes in new shades of Cauliflower (S$12) tossed with sun-dried tomato, mint, red onions, and chilli flakes, Japanese Sweet Corn (S$13) flavoured with garlic, aleppo chili, and parmigiana, Seasonal Wild Mushrooms (S$14) cooked in a blend of thyme, onion, parmigiana, and garlic, and finally the Pepperonata (S$12) that sees capsicum sautéed with red onion, garlic, oregano and tomatoes, with a sprinkle of almond flakes.
Caffe Cicheti: Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Kinya Izakaya & Ramen
While a Japanese establishment might not necessarily come to mind for a Christmas dinner, those helplessly in love with their ramen and sashimi might find it hard to resist Kinya Izakaya & Ramen.
For your socially distant and compliant party of five, Kinya offers a dining menu so massive, it’s enough to send you straight into a food coma. The appetisers include Tako To Wakame, Tori Karaage or Tako Karaage, Tokusei Yaki Gyoza, Salmon Sashimi, Yaki Shishamo, and more. Yep, we’re only just getting started.
Dig into a selection of flavourful authentic Japanese ramen, and other mains such as Ebi Tempura Don, Unagi Don, and Sake Chazuke.
It’s always fun to pick from a wide variety of dishes at any restaurant, though it might put the extremely fickle in a pickle. Either way, having more to choose from never hurt anybody.
Kinya Izakaya & Ramen: Facebook
5. Harry’s
Nothing quite screams Harry’s more than a special edition pizza just for Christmas. With the option to top up two or four pints of Heineken draught, the Ruby Turkey Flatbread Pizza (S$26++) is a sweet-savoury blend that’s a refreshing switch from the usual fare.
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to like it, but one mighty bite was all it took to convert me into a fan. The delicious contrast of umami turkey against sweet cranberry jam was truly a combination I never knew I needed, until today, that is. The cherry on top—or should I say, veggie on top—was really the perfectly cooked brussels sprouts which had a slight char that made the overall dish so delicious.
Of course, if you need more than just pizza to fill you up, there’s always the trusty Carnivore Platter (S$51) to rely on. Boasting dry-rubbed baby back ribs, Harry’s Signature Wings, Italian pork chipolata, chicken satay, tandoori chicken, and Harry’s Spiced Fries, grab three or four of your best beer pals and savour slowly.
Harry’s: Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Vatos Urban Tacos
Always bustling and busy, Vatos Urban Tacos is one of my go-to’s for Mexican fare simply because of their toothsome fare and massive margaritas. If you’re looking to do Christmas the Mexican way, then the Christmas Set for 2 (S$88++, U.P. S$107++) should be right up your alley.
Choose either the Kimchi Carnitas Fries, Honey Tequila Chicken Wings, or Cowboy Queso to kick off on a strong start. Also, select any four tacos from an assortment of Baja Fish, Carnitas, Barbacoa, Korean Pork Belly, Grilled Chicken, Chimichurri Chicken, Chili Lime Prawn, or Carne Asada.
Next, either a Chicken, Kimchi Pork, or Mushroom and Spinach quesadilla follows. Then the famous giant margarita, also known as the Vatos-rita, helps to wash it all down. Choose from the Corona-rita, Daehan Mango, I’m Rick James, Peach!, Grow a Pear, Gold Digger, or the Sexy Sanchez.
Finally, a Small Nutella Nachos closes the meal on a playful yet saccharine note. After all, there’s no celebration better than gathering over-indulgent grub carefully cooked with love.
Vatos Urban Tacos: Website | Facebook | Instagram
South Beach is also holding a Santa Paws Contest that will give you a chance to feature your furkids out and about the area. Here’s how to participate:
1. Follow @SouthBeachAvenueSg on Instagram
2. Snap the most creative shot of you and your furkid(s) having a fun day out at South Beach
3. Post and hashtag #SouthBeachSantaPaws, tag a friend and @SouthBeachAvenueSG
Winner will walk away with the latest iPad Air (4th Gen, 64GB) worth S$879. Contest ends on 31 December 2020. Visit here for more details.
*This article was brought to you in collaboration with South Beach Avenue.
