With the drop in temperature, the window displays and carols piping out of shopping malls and the launch of our special Asia Tatler Christmas page, there is no denying it. Christmas is in 12 days. Of all the numerous errands we have to run, one of them is to figure out where to take family and friends out for festive meals. To help you relieve some of the stress, Asia Tatler Dining has selected the top 5 Christmas venues in town to enjoy the best holiday meals.

Children's Festive Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula

To spend some quality time with your children during the festive season, you can take the little ones to the special children's afternoon tea at The Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui. On December 17 and 18, between 3pm and 5pm, the grand hotel will be serving a special afternoon tea set for children with sandwiches and sweet treats. The afternoon tea session will also include a story time and a special Peninsula page bear for every child. The special afternoon tea is priced at HK$228 per child (aged from 3 -12) and an accompanying adult is priced at HK$308.

The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: +852 2315-3220.

Traditional Christmas Celebration at Jimmy's Kitchen

For most of us, Christmas is all about tradition. We tend to replicate with our own children the rituals that our parents ingrained in us. And there is probably nowhere more traditional than Jimmy's Kitchen, which has been opened since 1928 and served generations of local diners with its classic dishes. This year, the Central branch on Wyndham Street and the Tsim Sha Tsui outlet on Hankow Road will be serving two different classical Christmas menu for HK$648 and HK$628 respectively. Favourites included in the menu are:

- blue swimmer crab and avocado
- traditional roasted turkey and honey glazed ham
- flambeed home-made Christmas pudding
- mince pie

G/F, South China Building, 1-3 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: +852 2526-5293.
Shop C & C1, G/F, Kowloon Center, 29 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: +852 2376-0327

Home-style Celebration with Friends at The Globe

For those who are looking forward to a more casual and relaxed Christmas with friends, The Globe on Hollywood Road in Central is a great option. The relaxed ambience and décor makes for a great all-day hangout spot and on Christmas Day, The Globe will be serving Christmas set lunch and dinner menus in its signature gastropub style. Refined Christmas classics on the menu includes:

- pigeon, ham and chicken liver terrine
- hand sliced wild Icelandic salmon
- roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and homemade cranberry relish and bread sauce
- homemade Christmas pudding

Christmas lunch is priced at HK$250 per person, while Christmas dinner is priced at HK$375 per person.

45-53 Graham Street, Central. Tel: +852 2543 1941

Romantic Dinner at Hugo's

If you're looking for a bit of the dramatic to impress that special someone this Christmas, Hugo's is a great choice for a date. With its candles, chandeliers and dark wooden beams, Hugo's has the atmosphere of a country inn offering warmth and shelter from the Bavarian forest outside. Complete with live music, Hugo's will be featuring a festive six-course set dinner priced at HK$1,388 per person. The menu includes:

- lobster and asparagus salad with ratte potatoes
- pan-fried foie gras with caramelised quince tart and young herbs
- Jerusalem artichoke soup with black truffle ravioli
- pan-fried Dover sole fillet Veronique
- a choice of roast US turkey or grilled organic welsh lamb loin fillet
- iced Christmas parfait with chocolate brandy chestnut and macerated strawberry compote

Lobby level, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: +852 3721-7733.

Family-Style Chinese Christmas at Above and Beyond

If the idea of sitting in a packed restaurant eating one more roast turkey with stuffing makes you want to gag, then why not avoid the crowds and go for a gourmet Chinese dinner instead? Above and Beyond, located atop the chic boutique Hotel Icon in Tsim Sha Tsui is an ideal location to celebrate Christmas with the family. Not only does its floor-to-ceiling windows enable it to have panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the festive Christmas lights in Tsim Sha Tsui, it has also prepared a special Cantonese menu for Christmas Day. Priced at $1,088 per person including one glass of Drappier NV champagne, the menu includes:

- Chinese speciality platter
- wok-fried king prawn with honey-glazed Yunnan ham
- braised bird's nest and seafood soup with egg white
- braised whole abalone with pea sprouts in superior oyster sauce
- tea-smoked pomfret with fruit salad
- shrimp wonton noodle soup

Level 28, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. Tel: +852 3400-1318.