The Peninsula Tokyo’s Peter
Photo Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels
Christmas may not be widely celebrated in Japan outside of the stores, but there are a few restaurants around Tokyo that have managed to perfect the art of the holiday feast. Here are our festive favorites:
New York Grill, Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Corporation
New York Grill, Park Hyatt Tokyo
A favorite Tokyo Christmas indulgence is the meal at New York Grill in the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku. This modern and slick restaurant is set on the top of Tokyo — the 52nd floor to be precise. This year’s Christmas dinner includes such delicacies as Alaskan king crab, foie gras, Japanese sirloin and an exclusive holiday dessert — gingerbread mouse with orange cake. In addition to the dinner on December 25, a sumptuous holiday brunch will be offered from December 19 until January 3.
Peter, The Peninsula Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo’s stylish bar and grill on the 24th floor, Peter, is the perfect setting for an opulent Christmas dinner. Peter is fine dining but still cool and casual, with comfortable pod-like sofas, ambient music and a welcoming air during the festive season. Many Christmas promotions are available throughout December but the two that really caught our eye were the three- or four-course Festive Lunch (December 19 to 24) and the decedent Christmas Dinner, which includes up to five courses (December 23 to 25). Peter’s menu typically specializes in the finest steak and beef, but turkey, of course, will be served during these seasonal sessions.
Christmas at Roti Roppongi, Photo Courtesy of Roti Roppongi
Roti Roppongi
An old favorite amongst the Tokyo expat community, Roti is a chic Californian bistro next to the Roppongi Hills complex that offers Christmas brunch and lunch from December 23 through 25. Roti’s holiday spread is served buffet style and includes roast beef, honey-baked ham with salads, vegetables and a dessert table. Vegetarian options are also available. Children are also welcome to feast at a special rate.
Two Rooms
The city’s trendiest bar and grill, Two Rooms, is celebrating Christmas in style. The décor calls for crisp white table linen and warm wooden accents. Full-length windows face out onto Aoyama, Tokyo’s ritziest shopping and nightlife district, and make for stunning views in the evening. The bar certainly fills up when the sun goes down, yet the dining rooms remain quiet and serene. Christmas dinner (December 24 and 25) at Two Rooms is a spectacular lineup of caviar, foie gras, scallops and wagyu served with a glass of champagne. A wine pairing menu is available as well.
