CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

Diplomat Radisson SAS. The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel in Manama is laying out a feast of offers for the festive season.

On December 14 the Christmas Shop at the hotel's main lobby will be offering special Christmas cakes accompanied by the hotel's very own Christmas hampers from 5pm. Celebrations will also begin at the same time with the lighting of the Christmas tree followed by a treat of gingerbread cookies and beverages.

The evening will also feature a 'story telling' session where children can enjoy an enchanting festive novel. Also on offer is the Diplomat Choir will perform traditional carols.

The Diplomat Choir will also perform traditional carols at the main lobby from December 21 to 24 from 5pm to 6pm.

A Christmas Day Brunch will be held at the Grand Ambassador Ballroom at BD20 net per person and Al Fanar Restaurant at BD25 net per person on December 26 from 12pm to 3pm.

A Boxing Day Brunch will be set on the roof top restaurant, Al Fanar with a range of dishes including dressed ham, golden roasted turkey, a juicy slice of orange glazed gammon, Peking duck, sushi, Italian lasagna and Wiener schnitzel. The brunch will also feature live entertainment by resident band 'The Diplomats'. The brunch will be held on December 26 from 12pm to 3pm priced at BD20 net per person and free for children under six.

A New Year's Eve Party will be held at the Kontiki Restaurant, Lounge and Pool Bar on December 31 from 8pm to 2am with an early morning complimentary 'hangover breakfast'. Price is BD19 net per person.

A romantic New Years Eve 'Dinner for Two' will be held at the Mondo Italian Restaurant on December 31 from 8pm to 2am priced at BD59 net per person.

A New Year's Eve 'Snow White' gala dinner is set to lure guests to the Grand Ambassador Ballroom on December 31 from 8pm to 2am priced at BD69 net per person above 18 years of age.

A New Year's Eve dinner party in Al Fanar will offer a lavish Arabic Buffet prepared by Lebanese and Bahraini Chefs with a variety of Gulf specialties and entertainment by a belly dancer on December 31 for person over 18. Buffet opens at 8pm and is priced at BD79 net per person. For details contact 17531666.

Sheraton

Fine dining Chinese restaurant Soie will offer a special menu accompanied by live entertainment and a complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on Christmas Eve with a sample of mouth-watering delicacies including Bak's Chinese lemon chicken, beef with snow peas in oyster sauce and wok-fried Singaporean noodles.

Al Safir, all-day-dining restaurant, complete with festive dŽcor and live entertainment, will offer a sumptuous international buffet with traditional seasonal delights including turkey with cranberry sauce, selection of fresh seafood, succulent roasts and desserts such as Christmas pudding and minced pies.

A special Children's Party will be hosted on Christmas Day featuring face-painting, games and competitions, as well as mouth-watering favourites like candy floss and popcorn.

'Children's Party' is free of charge and accessible for all youngsters whose families dine at either Al Safir and Golestan on Christmas Day.

The Golestan Iranian restaurant will present a traditional Iranian delicacies on Christmas Day. Iranian chefs Valiollah Khodabandehlou and Hassni Talesh along with Iranian bread-maker Abdul Latif Hamzavi are trained in the culinary art of Iranian cuisine and will entice guests to a feast of dishes from age-old recipes.

A special gourmet buffet along with live entertainment will be presented at Al Safir, all-day-dining restaurant on New Year's Eve with a range of delectable dishes like deer medallion with chestnuts, roast goose with glazed apples, Arabic stuffed dolmas with lamb shanks and chicken breast invotines on grilled baby zucchini.

On New Year's Eve Soie will offer guests a scrumptious menu and live entertainment. Delicacies like szechwan shredded beef with bamboo shoots and shitake mushrooms, Malaysian style spicy veal rendang, tiasons egg fried rice, lychees salad with mango sorbet, green tea ice cream with strawberry compote and more. A complimentary glass of bubbly beverage will be offered to guests as part of the celebration.

On New Year's Day, Al Safir, all-day dining restaurant will offer an extensive family buffet with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and the World Trade Centre.

Golestan will also offer mouth-watering and delicately flavored Iranian specialties and fresh oven-baked breads in a relaxed ambience including 'Aash-E-Gandom' soup - a rich soup made with wheat, spinach, peas, beans and lentils, 'Chelo Kebab-E-Soltani - selection of koobideh and fillet of lamb, 'Joojeh Kebab with Kebab-E-Sheshlik - morsels of chicken and marinated lamb chops, 'Khoresht-E- Kadoo' - a mouthwatering chicken stew with baby marrow served with Zereshk rice and 'Sheerinie-Makhsoos-Rafsanjan' - warm pistachio pudding served with sehlab and vanilla sauce.

For details contact 17533533 extension number 259.

Crowne Plaza

The Crowne Plaza Bahrain in Manama is hosting a traditional Christmas buffet lunch at La Mosaique Restaurant for BD 25++ per person. Guests can choose from a choice of starters including fresh seafood and salads followed by a carving station of roast turkey alongside trimmings, cheese corner and hot dishes such as mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts and sautŽed vegetables. For dessert, guests can enjoy the chocolate fountain or Christmas pudding.

The Harvesters Pub is also offering a festive treat with traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings, followed by mince pies and Christmas Pudding. Santa will also be riding into town with a sack full of gifts for the children. Festive live entertainment will be provided by band 'Trapped in a Box'. Price is BD15++ per person and 50 per cent for children. The outlet will also be hosting a New Years Eve Party with free entry.

The hotel will bring in the New Year with a special Black and White - New Years Eve Ball starting at 8pm for the cocktail reception with a buffet beginning at 9pm. On offer during the evening will be starters including poached seafood, caviar or sushi, and a selection of fresh salads and cold mezzah followed by a choice of main course including grilled beef, roast duck, lamb, hammour and other main dishes to finish off with an exciting array of deserts and cheeses.

Tables of 10 will surround the dance floor and stage. Entertainment will be provided by live dance band '4 Star' and DJ from 9pm onwards alongside a belly dancer at 11pm. Ticket price is BD70 inclusive of food and beverages and is non-refundable. Entry is for couples and mixed groups above 18 only with discounts available for large groups. Dress Code is black and white. For details contact 17531122.

Gulf Hotel

The Gulf Hotel in Adliya begins its celebration of the festive season with the lighting of the Christmas tree on Friday, December 12 from 6pm. The evening will begin with a chocolate fountain and cookies followed by the tree lighting and carol singing by the hotel choir at 7pm.

Christmas Eve will have a line of traditional cuisines at all the hotel's restaurants including La Pergola, China Garden, Royal Thai, Takht Jamsheed, Fusions and Sato at BD15 and BD12 for Prestige club holders.

Al Waha Restaurant will offer a lavish Christmas buffet at BD17. Children from six to 12 years will be charged BD12, Prestige cardholders BD15 and Prestige Cardholders' children BD10.

On Christmas Day, the Awal Ballroom will lay out a sumptuous lunch buffet with soothing serenades from a choir singing a selection of Christmas carols. The lunch is priced at BD16 per adult, BD8 for children from six to 12 years, Prestige cardholders BD 14 and Prestige Cardholders' children BD7.

Prices are subject to 15 per cent service charge, five per cent government levy and do not include beverages.

A lunch buffet at Al Waha Restaurant will offer a selection of cold starters, including smoked salmon, fresh seafood, salads, patŽs, terrines and traditional home-made soups.

Price is BD15 per adult, BD8 for children from six to 12 years, BD13 for Prestige cardholders and BD7 for cardholders' children.

A range of cuisines are also set to lure guests during New Year's Eve at the hotel's various restaurants including the Sato Restaurant, China Garden, Royal Thai, La Pergola, Fusions and Takht Jamsheed. It is priced at BD28 for Prestige cardholders and BD32 for others and will include a special festive eight course menu.

The Zahle restaurant will offer guests a Lebanese treat with entertainment by singers and a belly dancer. Rates are BD54 for Prestige cardholders and BD 60 for others.

The Al Waha Restaurant will be offering a colourful buffet with a variety of cuisines. Rates are BD17 for adults and BD11 for children of Prestige Cardholders. Others will be charged BD20 pre person with BD12 for children from six to 12 years.

Sherlock Holmes will also offer guests an entertaining option with music ranging from soft rock to hard rock and rhythm to blues welcoming the New Year.

For details contact 1771300.

Mšvenpick

This Christmas and New Year season the Mšvenpick Hotel Bahrain in Muharraq is offering many specials including a fantastic decor with the Christmas trees in the Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant, a Christmas Ginger Bread House, Christmas Turkeys to take away, wonderful made-to-order Christmas hampers packed with Christmas goodies such as plum puddings and chocolate. A highly-talented choir of employees will perform Christmas carols from 7pm to 8pm from December 22 to 25.

Christmas Eve can be enjoyed with a special five-course set menu in Silk's Restaurant from 7pm to 9pm priced at BD 22++ per person.

Christmas Day is a time for fun and families and perfect for delicious Christmas brunch served at the Flamingo Bar, the Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant from 12.30pm to 4pm with entertainment by resident musicians and a special appearance by Santa Claus all priced at BD24++.

A special New Year's Eve gala party will be held at the Flamingo Bar, Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silk's Restaurant from 9pm until the small hours of the morning. A lavish international buffet and an unlimited selection of beverages, live music from a Swedish band, a Latino singer and resident DJ will entertain guests. Rates are BD46++ per person.

The Silk's Restaurant will offer a lavish New Year's Day Lunch Buffet from 12.30 pm until 4pm for BD15++ per person.

Fans of the hotel's regular Friday Brunch can still enjoy the usual sensational spread of international dishes and beverages on both December 26 and January 2 served throughout its popular outlets from 12.30 pm to 4pm at BD 21.5++.

All prices are exclusive of tax and service charge. For details contact 17460000 or e-mail hotel.bahrain@moevenpick.com.