TIS' the season to be jolly - especially for restaurateurs.
This, going by an informal poll of how booked up they are for their Christmas and New Year lunches and dinners.
Compared to previous years, they are getting booked out faster, say restaurant owners, and diners seem more willing to spend on pricier menus.
Swissotel The Stamford general manager Aiden McAuley said: "With the healthy market situation and employment rate up, we are expecting more patrons to make merry and spend more this festive season."
Going by what the 50 restaurants are saying, revellers will be hard-pressed to find spots for a celebratory meal this year. For instance:
Hyatt's Mezza9 was fully booked for its Christmas Day brunch - even before the hotel started promoting it.
At the Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Cafe Brio's has stopped taking bookings for its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunches since the middle of last month.
At the Fullerton Hotel, its Christmas Day Champagne Brunch has been fully booked since late last month.
At The Ritz-Carlton, its Christmas Day brunches have been fully booked since last month. This despite the fact that it had increased the champagne brunch at the Greenhouse to two sittings. It is still having to turn away about 20 callers a day, who want to book spots for the $142 buffet (for adults) which offers a free flow of Moet champagne to go with a spread that will include lobster and turkey and about 80 types of cheese.
The Terrace at the Sentosa Resort and Spa is extending its space to the hotel's salon and ballroom. This will allow it to seat another 410 guests for its Christmas Day brunch ? which costs $158 for adults.
Shangri-La Hotel's The Line is also doing two seatings to cope with the 200 extra guests it is expecting for its Christmas Day lunch.
And Pan Pacific Singapore has extended the timeframe for which festive menus are available. Its barbecue buffet dinner will start on Dec 20 instead of Christmas Eve.
LifeBrandz, which runs The Cannery, Balcony Bar and Cafe Del Mar, is expecting business to increase by 20 per cent this year.
Most of its outlets are almost fully booked, with reservations coming in thick and fast as the festive period draws near.
It has even received inquiries from as far as the United States, France and Spain as guests look to book private rooms, tables and booth seats at its outlets.
Most restaurants told The Straits Times they expect to be fully booked out by this weekend.
