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Fine Yuletide fare for all

Sophie Benge

THERE'S no shortage of Christmas fare at Hong Kong restaurants. But for those who can't face turkey again, don't despair, there are plenty of alternatives.

The China Jump Restaurant and Bar (832-7122) will be dressed up as a snowy winter wonderland, serving a special three-course dinner on Christmas Eve. There will be soup or pate to start, a choice of turkey, beef or nut cutlets with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding and brandy sauce.

Included in the $420 price is the Jump's Christmas pudding cocktail, which it promises will be a warming finale to their feast.

For real French fare, Cafe de Paris (524-7521) will be serving a seven-course gastronome's paradise, on Christmas Day only.

It will start with oxtail soup with armagnac and wild mushrooms, followed by Boudin Blanc, a specialty truffle sausage, crabmeat salad, traditional roast goose, Christmas log, brie, coffee, brandy and petit fours - all for $480.

Dan Ryan's (845-4600) caters to the whole family with an American Christmas special for $250 - half price for children.

The menu includes turkey and tomato soup and apple pie or bread pudding with bourbon custard for dessert. The dinner is served from 11 am until midnight.

Music will be the key to Christmas at Mad Dogs (810-2222). Hong Kong's Welsh Choir makes its annual appearance to sing carols on December 21 and the Soul Commotions perform on December 23. Christmas lunches will run for 10 days starting on Saturday.

Lan Kwai Fong's Graffiti (521-2202) will celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with parties every night beginning next Sunday.

For a change, Graffiti will serve its traditional dinner on December 23.

The Time is Always Now (877-1100) will be different by staying the same for Christmas. Manager Bjorn Lohse said: ''Many people aren't happy paying huge sums for a set menu. Our customers weren't happy with that last year, so we're sticking to our a la carte menu and having great parties.'' California (801-6988) is flying in fresh meat and produce from the United States for its Christmas specials. For December 24 and 25, there will be US-baked, mustard-glazed ham with a ''cling-peach sauce'', US roast turkey with California raisins, walnut, apple and chestnut stuffing and American roast potatoes.

The Italian restaurant, Il Mercato, (845-2397) will be serve Italian Christmas cuisine every evening between December 24 and 27. Instead of turkey, there will be stuffed leg of lamb and sea bass.

American Pie (877-9779) will serve an American tradition with a range of seasonal puddings: cranberry torte, Christmas cake, pecan pie and pumpkin pie, to eat in or take home. The special yule log must be ordered in advance.

On Christmas Eve, there will be a $248 four-course dinner with roast squash soup, grilled prawn and apple salad, a choice between loin of venison and braised garoupa and any of the above desserts.

L. A. Cafe will serve its Christmas menu on December 24 and 25 and throughout the month for group bookings. The $350 five-course traditional fare with turkey and pumpkin cake, finishes with a choice of eggnog, hot buttered rum or L. A. coffee.

Popular spots Post, Club and Mecca 97 (810 9333) will be open for business as usual on Christmas Eve and will open just for the evening on Christmas Day.

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