One of the main problems everyone faces during the festive periods is to choose a suitable place which serves good food at reasonable prices. Most restaurants tend to jack up their prices during Christmas. And that has in turn deterred people from wining and dining during the supposed joyous occasion. But thanks to Santa we still have pocket-friendly options around, and nydc is one of them.

This Christmas, the household name has put together a Christmas menu which will run from 18 November till 31 December 2013, and for 2013′s theme, it is heavily inspired by Santa – to spread joy. nydc’s Christmas specials will definitely spoil your palates without having to break the bank! The small plates are only S$9.80, while the big plates range from S$16.80 for the Traditional Cornish Hen, to S$28.80 for a 230g Wagyu Steak Frites. A mini log cake is also available at S$6.80. With such irresistible offerings, there is really no need for second thoughts about stepping in to the comfortable diner with your loved ones to celebrate Christmas, and to create memories to conclude the year.

I had a Christmas party with 30 of my readers at nydc last week and we sampled 10 of the new festive dishes from nydc’s Christmas menu for 2013. It goes without saying that everyone left with very happy tummies and a night of memories to always remember.

Here are the highlights of the festive dishes that we had at nydc’s Christmas party.

Having a meal at nydc is not just about the food, it is also about sharing good things with the people you love. The Small Plates are meant to encourage communal dining, so that you have every excuse to order everything on the menu to share. Moreover, it is Christmas. Why would anyone refuse feasting?

For Christmas this year, nydc has two dishes for the Small Plates section – Elves’ Salmon Logs (S$9.80) and Elves’ Mini Meat Munchies (S$9.80). The former is a dish of crepe rolls with generous slivers of smoked salmon and cream cheese filling, while the latter is good ol’ meat loaves on toast topped with either brandied cherries or cranberry jam. It is really difficult to choose one out of the two, so my suggestion is to go in a big group and order both to share!

For main courses – or Big Plates, as they are known on nydc’s menu – choose from the Santa’s Wagyu Steak Frites (S$28.80), Merry Merry Mixed Grill (S$26.80), or Traditional Cornish Hen (S$16.80).

The Wagyu Steak Frites is my favourite. Grilled to perfection, the meat is tender and still pink on the inside; juicy and very flavourful. It comes with a trio peppercorn sauce, but trust me when I say the meat is good enough that you will not need the sauce. To top it off, lots and lots of skin-on fries served on the side for that perfect dish.

The Traditional Cornish Hen is not fancy or particularly sophisticated – it is traditional treat done right. The roasted Cornish chicken is stuffed with cornbread, and the dish is complemented with a cheerful spread of caramelised pineapple ring, red cherries, brussels spout, and carrots. It is simple, comforting and very satisfying.

If you are like variety, go for the Merry Merry Mixed Grill – a generous platter of beef sirloin, lamb ribs, king prawns, and sausage, served together with grilled pineapple, salad, and fries. Besides offering a huge spread, what we like about the Mixed Grill is that the lamb ribs are grilled with spices, and they are not gamey at all. All in all, nothing crazy in terms of flavour combination; just a very hearty mix which is wonderful for that festive indulgence.

As everyone knows, nydc is a dessert cafe, and their mudpies and cheesecakes are extremely well-loved and popular. nydc has specially created a new Tutti Frutti Mudpie (S$11.80) for Christmas this year. Sprinkled with colourful gummies, the Tutti Frutti ice cream on a Graham crackers base is the undisputed way to end your meal. Just looking at the colours alone uplifts the spirits, and the sugar rush is so comforting for the soul.

nydc is also introducing two festive beverages for Christmas this year. The Gingy’s Butter Rum Bath Elephanccino (S$8.80) is a tummy warming concoction of butter rum, paired with an nydc gingerbread man. You’re encouraged to let Gingy soak in the hot bath before you enjoy! Christmas Carollers’ Cheer (S$8.50) is a refreshing mix of fresh strawberries, bananas and strawberry cheesecake ice cream and milk, providing a sweet touch to the meal.

And what is Christmas without log cakes? Go for either the good old fashioned chocolatey Holly Choco Log (S$6.80/mini log, S$48/800g), or the Jolly White Choc Cheese Log (S$6.80/mini log, S$48/800g). The latter is a tasty combination of cream cheese centre and white chocolate cream coated log; simply irresistible.

The good people behind nydc have been working very hard to revamp its new menu this year - which now offers over 30 dessert items, 20 hot food items, four kids’ meals and 40 beverages. While it offers many new dishes, the core of nydc still remains the same – that is for diners to celebrate life everyday, be it for families and loved ones to gather for special occasions, or to simply take a little time out on working days for a hearty meal together.

While nydc may be a casual restaurant chain, quality of every dish is never once compromised. The food is consistently good, and most importantly; it is affordable and suitable for all occasions.

Special Promotion for ladyironchef readers: When you order 1 Big Plate + 1 drink from nydc’s Christmas menu, quote ‘ladyironchef nydc’ to get a complimentary Christmas Tutti Frutti Mudpie (worth S$11.80). This offer is valid from now till 31 Dec 2013.

nydc currently has 3 restaurants islandwide at:

30 Lorong Mambong
Tel: +65 6469 2998
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri, Sat & eve of PH: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#02-19 Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6736 3253
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#02-47/48 Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street
Tel: +65 6333 3161
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat & eve of PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is sponsored by nydc Singapore.

One of the best things that I love about the end of the year is Christmas. It is such a joyous festive season and it is about gathering with family, loved ones and friends to come together for the holiday.

It is not an easy task to choose a place for Christmas dinner, however. First, the place must have a good selection of dishes so that everyone will have something to choose from. Second, most places tend to charge a premium for their Christmas dinner menu, and it is difficult to find a place that serves good food, yet remains affordable.

If you face the same problem, then nydc should be your top pick for Christmas this year. Besides offering an attractive and affordable Christmas menu, nydc also has an impressive array of savoury food and dessert options on its ala carte menu. It is quite simply the perfect place to celebrate the homely affair with your closed ones, and to document the last of 2013 with happy memories.

Gingy’s Butter Rum Bath Elephanccino™ (Photo credit: nydc)

15 readers & their partners get to join me for a Christmas party at nydc!

Date: 22 November, 7pm
Venue: nydc Bugis outlet
Menu: 11 Festive Dishes, including Santa’s Wagyu Steak Frites, Elves’ Salmon Logs and more!

I am throwing a Christmas Party at nydc on 22 November 7pm (Friday) – 15 readers get to bring a partner each and join me at nydc to try their Christmas menu courtesy of nydc.

We will be trying 11 festive dishes and of course, no meal at nydc is complete without having desserts. nydc is known for its desserts and iconic mudpies, and they have specially created a very pretty Tutti Frutti Mudpie for Christmas this year.

To join me at nydc’s Christmas party, all you have to do is to ‘like’ nydc Facebook page www.facebook.com/nydcSG and leave a comment in this post and tell us why you want to celebrate Christmas with nydc’s desserts and Elephanccinos. The contest ends on 18 November 2013 2359hrs. Winners will be notified by email.

Updated // The winners are: Timothy, Shilu, Quenmantha, Karen, Huiyi, Birgitta, Felicia, Jacq, Cheryl, Cherry, Geraldine, Deannie, Lynn, Royce, and Alison.

This post is brought to you by nydc.