Superb Steak, Ham, Dry Laksa & Other Stuff To Order For X’mas If You Hate Turkey
Turkey, Christmassy to look at but not incredibly delicious to eat if you ain’t cooking it yourself — ’cos store-bought versions are more often than not dry. Very dry. So if you want to dispense with tradition and order something not just good-looking but also great-tasting for your festive table at home, look no further than this concise list curated by the 8 Days dining team.
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Meadesmoore’s Wagyu Tomahawk Steak, $388 for 1kg, with sides & dessert (feeds 3-4 pax)
Steak or turkey? It’s a no brainer for us. If you're in the mood for splurging, the Sanchoku F1 Wagyu Tomahawk steak from modern steakhouse Meadesmoore has got your name on it. It’s served with its long rib bone attached, perfect if you want some drama for dinner.
The Aussie wagyu is awesome — buttery, extremely savoury and umami, with a smoky perfume from being finished on a charcoal grill. Wonderful on its own, even better drizzled with the accompanying lush, beefy truffle jus. It comes with yummy roasted chat potatoes (baby spuds) plush with duck fat, plus roasted Brussel sprouts and vine tomatoes. And if it all gets a bit too rich, there’s a refreshing Roasted Squash & Fregola Salad to cleanse your palate with.
A simple Apple & Almond Tart baked with Granny Smith fruit and a splash of rum rounds off this elegant spread.
The Meadesmoore festive set is available till 31 Dec, order by 10 Dec to enjoy 15% off. Reserve 3 working days before collection date. More info here: website.
Morganfield’s Orange Marmalade Gammon Ham, $189 for 3-3.5kg; feeds 8-10 pax
The best Christmas ham we’ve tasted in recent times isn’t from some fancy fine-diner — instead, it’s from (surprise, surprise) casual ribs joint Morganfield’s. Their Orange Marmalade Gammon Ham is a thing of beauty: a glistening orb of meat painted with orange marmalade and draped with pretty citrus slices before being baked till sticky, sweet, tangy. Unlike most insipid store-bought versions, this baby boasts a fresh-from-the-oven flavour and drips briny, fruity, spice-laden juices. Now this is a proper Christmas ham. Best eaten on the day you receive it, though chilled leftovers make a fine sandwich too.
If you’re looking for some sides, skip the other hit-or-miss stuff on Morganfield’s menu and zero in on the Mexican Grilled Corn ($16.90), drenched with loads of butter, mayo and tossed in a paprika mix.
The Jalapeño, Bacon, Cheese Cornbread (get the moist larger loaf for $16.90 instead of the muffins) is not bad too. While it’s slightly too sweet, the salty bits of bacon, parmesan and faintly spicy jalapeño make it quite a moreish combo.
Morganfield’s Christmas menu is available till 2 Jan 2024. Three-day advance order required for ham, sides can be ordered on day of collection. More info here: website.
Violet Oon’s Dry Laksa, $170.70 & Beef Rendang, $164.80; feeds 10-12 pax
If spicy food gets your pulse racing more than a hunk of ham ever can, Violet Oon’s Christmas Party Trays have you covered. 8days.sg had a recent tasting and singled out the Dry Laksa and Beef Rendang as impressively shiok for usually middling mass-cooked dishes.
The noodles and prawns are coated in an exceedingly robust rempah brimming with dried shrimp, and thickened liberally with lemak coconut milk. All that richness is brightened up with a generous sprinkling of citrusy laksa leaves. So tasty, you won’t miss the gravy.
As for the rendang? We love the tender, slightly gelatinous mouthfeel of the shin beef chunks. Super sedap with its thick, robust gravy infused with toasted coconut and fragrant spices.
Also worth ordering: the Garam Assam Fish ($164.80) featuring flaky red snapper fillets lip-smacking tamarind curry with pineapple and ladies fingers. For the kids, consider Violet’s Shepherd’s Pie ($149.80) — smooth, buttery mashed potato and saucy minced beef make it almost as comforting as a warm hug on Christmas morning.
Violet Oon's party trays are available till 1 Jan. Pre-order 3 days in advance (5 days for deliveries on 24 & 25 Dec). More info here: website.
Photos: Florence Fong, Meadesmoore
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