Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the special treats that it comes with.

These include Christmas specials in lunch and dinner buffets such as Guevarra’s, special ice cream flavors like those of Karabella Dairy, and baked treats presented by bakeries like The French Baker.

BUFFET OF FILIPINO DELIGHTS

Easily one of Metro Manila’s best buffets, Guevarra’s has made it a tradition to launch an all-new holiday menu every Christmas. Designed to add a delightful twist to Christmas celebrations, this year’s menu brings together the essence of traditional Filipino holiday fares with modern culinary techniques. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, and yet they evoke feelings of nostalgia with a certain degree of familiarity.

“We’re inspired by classic holiday dishes, but we’ve added our own unique Pinoy twist using only the freshest ingredients available,” says celebrity chef and Guevarra’s culinary director Rolando “Lau” Laudico, who stresses that all dishes are made from scratch, without MSG, to ensure the best possible flavors.

For hot appetizers, the buffet spread presents crispy Roasted Garlic Adobo Mushrooms, and bite-sized Chorizo & Cheese Croquettas. There is also the Pandesal Sandwich with Chicken Pate & Bacon Jam that brings a modern spin on a beloved Filipino classic.

Soup lovers would find the new Creamy Tomato Soup with Malunggay Pesto, a velvety blend of tomato soup enhanced with fresh, flavorful malunggay pesto, really comforting. And for those who prefer — or would also like to have — salad, it is a toss-up between the Apple & Romaine Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette and the Roast Chicken & Ham Macaroni Salad.

For mains, Chef Lau and his team offer the ultimate festive dish, Christmas Paella Negra, a rich, flavorful paella cooked with black ink, infusing every bite with savory depth.

Other must-try mains are Crispy Fish Tuyonesca for seafood, Parmesan Breaded Chicken in Cheesy Bechamel and Twice Cooked Duck in Orange Asado Sauce for poultry, and Beef Lengua in Mushroom Sauce for meat, and Roasted Eggplant & Beef Lasagna for pasta.

At the carving station, there are succulent offerings such as Honey Glazed Ham, made in-house with a sweet pineapple honey glaze that enhances the rich, smoky flavor of the ham.

Not to be missed are the irresistible sweets that Guevarra’s is known for, with Mini Bibingka and Puto Bumbong, taking center stage, served warm with sugar and grated coconut.

For takeouts, Lengua, Chicken Galantina and Mini Bibingka are available. For inquiries, orders and reservations, call 0998-8813200.

HOLIDAY ICE CREAM FLAVORS

Karabella Gelato has made three Christmas flavors available this year: Jamon de Karabella, Jolly Mint, and Fruit Cake.

Jamon de Karabella is a rich, savory cheese flavor that pairs wonderfully with sweet pineapple. Jolly Mint is a nostalgic treat that captures the essence of your childhood Christmases with mint candies bringing refreshing sweetness to the ice cream. Fruit Cake is a collaboration with Chef Nathaniel Uy of Hungry Chef whose fruitcake is incorporated into the ice cream distinctively made with carabao’s milk. It is infused with a blend of rich fruits and spices.

This Christmas ice cream collection is available through FB/IG @karabelladairy and at the Karabella Café located at Robinsons Manila until mid-January 2025.

EVERYTHING CHRISTMASY!

The French Baker has brought back its classic Christmas treats — Pure Danish Butter Cookies in a giant glass jar, Classic Fruitcake, Gingerbread House and Brioche Bordelaise.

These are accompanied by new, exciting items, such as Bûche de Noël, a reasonably sized Yule Log cake; Christmas Cookies in singles; Gingerbread Cookies in packs of 4; and French Cookie Collection box. The latter offers a few pieces each of Oatmeal Raisin, Maple Pecan, Sable, Vanilla Diamond, Macaron Almond Meringue and Pistachio Tuile cookies that introduces you to the world of French cookies.

These Christmas treats all come in festive and elegant holiday packaging that evokes the Christmas spirit as much as it whets the appetite. They are available in all The French Baker stores nationwide, or visit www.thefrenchbakeronline.com.