From Afternoon Tea with gold topped hot chocolate to Rehab Brunch on New Year’s Day

Vancouverites looking to put the finishing touches on 2011 and ring in 2012 will find culinary feasts and cocktail shake-ups in Xi Shi, the hotel’s lobby lounge and Market by Jean-Georges.

In Xi Shi, the festivities begin with A Festive Afternoon Tea.  The  traditional high tea is enhanced with Christmas favourites that include oven roasted turkey breast and brie cheese sandwiches with fresh cranberry preserve, macerated stone fruit scones with cinnamon cranberry preserve and clotted cream, and a dessert tier full of Chef’s s ginger and chocolate creations.  The beverage topper is a Valhrona hot chocolate with shaved dark chocolate and raspberry marshmallows, dusted with gold leaf.  Book your Festive Afternoon Tea Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until January 2, 2012.  $34 + tax per person; $45 + tax per per person with festive cocktail.

For those looking to add holiday spirits, the bartenders of Xi Shi and Market by Jean-Georges are experts in the art of classic cocktails, shaken or stirred.  Specific to Xi Shi are three cocktails  specially created for the holidays – Lady Grey, Three Kings and the Four Horsemen.  The Lady Grey, is lead barman Jay Jones’ take on a hot toddy, and starts with an Earl Grey tea infused gin.  Three Kings cocktail combines three exceptional ingredients – cognac, madadamia nut liquer and  20 year-old Tawny Port – the perfect finish to holiday feasting.  The Four Horsemen is a decadent and complex drink made up of bourbon, apricot brandy, Amaro Averna liqueur and bitters, designed to take you charging into the New Year and all that it may bring.

Market by Jean-Georges will be a la carte friendly throughout the holidays, and offer a prix fixe menu Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The four course menu at $68 + tax per person, includes Market favourites of butternut squash soup and steamed shrimp salad with champagne dressing plus a main of roasted turkey breast with charred foie gras chestnut stuffing and finished with holiday dessert.

New Year’s Eve takes on special dining proportions with a five-course tasting menu beginning at 8:00 p.m.  The menu begins with an amuse of egg topped with caviar and vodka creme, followed by Hamachi sashimi, Dungeness crab dumplings and mains of slowly cooked Steelhead and caramelized beef tenderloin.  Priced at $150 + tax per person, the menu includes a flute of champagne and party favours.

Back by popular demand is Rehab Brunch, an extended brunch in Market by Jean-Georges with favourite items, including French Toast with roasted apples and crispy bacon, and a Market burger with black truffle dressing and brie.  Available January 1, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and priced at $45 + tax per person.

Holiday highlights:

December 1 to 31       11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.          Festive Afternoon Tea                        Xi Shi Lounge

December 24, 25, 26  5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.          Four Course Prix Fixe             Market by JG

December 31              5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.          A la carte                                Market by JG

December 31              8:00 p.m. seating                    Five Course Prix Fixe             Market by JG

December 31              9:00 p.m. start                         DJ Prince Sho (no cover)            Xi Shi Lounge

January 1, 2012          11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.          Rehab Brunch                         Market by JG