’Tis the season to be jolly—so what more reason do you need to get out there and party?
Our top pick of places to hold your Christmas bashes has to be Barysphär Foodclub (Tumblingerstrasse 36, Tel. 76 77 50 21). This restaurant/club has created five different three-course menus, which they’ll serve to groups of four or more. Whether you go for the American Christmas, which includes a whole baby turkey for each diner, or the Barysphär Classic, with its baskets and baskets of finger food for starters, you’re in for a creative, funky feast. Prices range from € 28 to € 39 per person, including the festive table decorations. They’ve also come up with some delicious-sounding cocktails—anyone for a white chocolate, vanilla vodka and cream “Santa” or a rhubarb and strawberry colada with cinnamon?
Or check out the 1950s-style Café Kubitscheck, which will put on a party/cookery course for your guests. Call Tel. 71 04 91 26 to discuss details.
In fact, if you’re looking to hone up your own culinary skills before the guests arrive, star chef Alfons Schuhbeck is running a series of special December offers on his cookery courses. You’ll save about € 40 per class—see www.schuhbeck.de for details.
When it comes to New Year, there’s no topping the gala dinner at Munich’s gourmet temple Tantris, where a champagne and oyster reception, eight-course meal and classy piano entertainment will cost you € 275 per person. Though it might seem expensive, not only has the price remained stable since last year, it’s probably cheaper than flying home to sit in a pub with a bunch of mates.
If, however, you still want some money left over to splurge on the January sales, a number of the city’s other fine restaurants are holding events that are a tad cheaper. Käfer (Prinzregentenstrasse 73, Tel. 416 82 47) will charge € 150 for a six-course feast and at Geisel’s Vinothek (Schützenstrasse 11, Tel. 55 13 70), a five-course meal will cost € 98. The young and hip will want to check out the New Year’s feast taking place at Monkey Room for € 89 (Amalienstrasse 38, Tel. 28 80 60 29). Or how’s this for a bargain? Zauberberg (see page 16) is one of the few places in Munich not to bump up prices just because it’s New Year—their five-course meal will cost just € 55.
Those who wish they could celebrate in sunnier climes should get along to Mangostin Asian Restaurant (Maria-Einsiedelstrasse 2, Tel. 723 20 31), where a sumptuous buffet of lobster, oysters, caviar and other such luxurious foodstuffs will set you back € 118.
Another great bargain is the New Year’s Ball at Hirschgarten. Tickets for the ball itself cost € 13, and a five-course meal is a snip at € 38. Check out the menu at www.hirschgarten.de and call Tel. 17 25 91 to book.
When it comes to location, location, location, there’s no beating the New Year offerings at the Wallberg Panorama Restaurant located high above Tegernsee. For € 130, you’ll enjoy a lift ride to the top of the mountain, a four-course dinner, free wine, beer and soft drinks, bubbly at midnight and music by the Münchner Spitzbuam. Dirndls optional! Call Tel. 08022 68 00 or see www.wallberg-restaurant.de for information.
And finally, looking for a cheap ’n’ cheerful Christmas present, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Treat someone to a voucher for Munich’s new juice bar, Tschuus, at Reichenbachstrasse 5 (Tel. 57 87 57 82, www.tschuus.de).
