Turkey in the Tropics

As the festive seasons approaches one yearns the comforts of a home Christmas.  Whether it be a traditional northern hemisphere winter one with fires roaring and chestnuts roasting, or in my case a New Zealand summer Christmas with  red pohutukawas blooming and barbecues sizzling, a Bali Christmas just doesn’t seem to have the same buzz.  The malls aren’t going crazy, shoppers aren’t in a frenzy, Christmas lights don’t adorn rows of houses, the fever or fervour is not the same.

However, this year I vowed to relinquish the usual seafood beach celebration and have gone in search for traditional Christmas fare.

And so I was to find, just up the road from my very own Spring Spa on Jln Petitenget a hidden gem called Jemme which is a combination of a stylish restaurant and a shop that sells gems.  Random as that may seem, it’s quite a common thing on the island. Handy if you’ve forgotten to buy a gift for a loved one, you can fake a toilet visit and return with a gemstone

Jemme offers a ,three course Christmas dinner including roast turkey with  all the trimmings, home made mince pies, mulled wine, egg nog and even a choice of Christmas cake or pud.   Christmas here is the old fashioned proper way  with carol singers and a visit from Santa.  I may even suggest they turn the aircon down in order to enhance the Yuletide ambience.  Fake snow may be a bit of a big ask.

There will be three sittings on the day 12, 4 and 8pm and a three course feast is available for IDR595,000++    Jemme recommends booking well in advance with the midday sitting already sold out.

Jemme restaurant  28Jln Petitenget

jemmebali.com