Christmas And New Year Dining At The Ritz - Putting On The Festive Glitz

Online, November 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - A magical festive season awaits you at The Ritz this year, with an exciting programme of events to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. Whether dining on a glorious menu of festive dishes on Christmas Day in the opulent setting of The Ritz Restaurant; enjoying an elegantly themed Celebratory Champagne Afternoon Tea in the lavishly decorated Palm Court; or ringing in the New Year in sheer decadence at a black tie Gala Dinner, The Ritz remains the byword for celebration, where every event is spectacular and memories are made and remembered for a lifetime.

A FESTIVE WONDERLAND ARRIVES IN THE HEART OF PICCADILLY

In the early hours of 26th November 2011, The Ritz will be transformed into an Edwardian festive wonderland! Inside the hotel, garlanded with extravagantly rich red and gold trimmings, a towering Christmas tree will take pride of place in the lobby, flanked by glistening baubles and incandescent lights, and extending up through the rotunda to the hotel's first floor. As guests continue through the Long Gallery, the traditional decorations and vibrant colour scheme will seem impossibly decadent as they lead to the legendary Ritz Restaurant, often described as the world's most beautiful restaurant, and the Palm Court, the setting for The Ritz's famous Afternoon Tea, creating a Yuletide exuberance that will be matched only by the revelry of their guests.

Recommended: The first cocktail of the season in the glittering, golden surrounds of The Rivoli Bar. The Rivoli Bar's 2011 Christmas cocktail is The Mulled-Fashioned - a blend of VSOP Cognac and our Head Bartender's own unique spiced Port reduction, stirred over ice and garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange twist. This warming cocktail has all the character of a traditional mulled wine, with a twist to ignite the festive spirit!

To book a table at The Rivoli Bar, please call +44 (0)20 7300 2370 or email [email protected].

CHRISTMAS & BOXING DAY DINING AT THE RITZ

Around Christmas, dining at The Ritz is nothing short of spectacular as a team of Chefs conjure up a glorious menu of festive dishes that utterly surpass expectation. In The Palm Court, the quintessentially British pastime of Afternoon Tea is given a yuletide twist - and with an impressive selection of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries it is a decidedly decadent way to enjoy a chilly December evening. In The Ritz Restaurant, mouth-watering dishes such as Traditional Roast Norfolk Bronze Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing; Ballotine of Goose Liver with Mulled Wine Jelly, Port Apples and Toasted Brioche; and Fillet of Halibut with Baby Leeks, Morels and Muscadet will tempt all the senses, whilst a visit from Santa Claus bearing gifts for children and a choir of carol singers resonating festive cheer will delight both the young and young at heart. Equally grand as it is intimate, The Restaurant impresses on every level.

Traditional Christmas Tea includes a glass of Champagne and is accompanied by carol singing from the Hotel's own 'Ritz choir'. £60 per person.

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner and Dance presents a five course menu with live entertainment from Peter O'Donnell. £285 per person, £150 per child.

Traditional Christmas Day Luncheon includes a six course menu, live entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus. £390 per person, £195 per child.

Boxing Day Lunch consists of a four course menu with our resident pianist tinkling the ivories and bringing guests all their favourite tunes. £100 per person, £50 per child.

To book any of the above events, please telephone the Christmas Coordinator on +44 (0)20 7493 2512 or email [email protected].

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT THE RITZ

New Year's Eve at The Ritz unleashes the inner 'Fred and Ginger' this year, with The Ritz Restaurant hosting an elegant black tie Gala Dinner featuring an outstanding six course menu, live music courtesy of a 10-piece band, a regimental marching band, a lone piper and a stunning fireworks display to herald the New Year. £1,150 per person, £750 per child (£9,900 for a table of ten).

Alternatively, for those searching for something completely unique to ring in 2012, enjoy a special black tie four course dinner in The Palm Court at £575 per person. For one day only this centre stage of The Ritz - by day devoted to the service of Afternoon Tea - will be transformed into a beacon of revelry, radiating glitz and glamour and offering such sensational dishes as Braised Turbot with Cauliflower, and Caviar and Rotisserie of Partridge with Creamed Celeriac and Armagnac Sauce.

The following day, join in the excitement of the New Year's Day Parade at noon outside The Ritz, then make you way through the revolving doors to celebrate the first day of 2012 with a sumptuous New Year's Day Luncheon in The Ritz Restaurant (£90 per person, £45 per child) or a celebratory Champagne Afternoon Tea in the world famous Palm Court (£52 per person).

To book any of the above events or to request a Christmas brochure, please telephone the Christmas Coordinator on +44 (0)20 7493 2512 or email [email protected].