We’re pretty sure you know this by now, but Christmas at Carousel is a big deal. We never do anything half-heartedly and December was no exception, as we embarked on our most ambitious and exciting Christmas to date.

With the invaluable help and creative minds behind our sister company, Shuttlecock Inc., we transformed the Upstairs and Downstairs spaces into traditional Japanese ryokan courtyards, reminiscent of those where travellers and locals take refuge during the bitterly cold and snowy months of winter.

Guests were welcomed with sake cocktails and canapés of yakitori chicken, crab gyoza and fried scallops before cosying up with bountiful bowls of soy cured eggs, daikon and sticky rice, pork and aubergine katsu udon and spicy chicken ramen, all prepared by our team of Carousel chefs.

Warmed from dinner and the sake tasting, guests slipped through the sliding screens into the izakaya drinking den within. Those in the know sought out the fluorescent hidden karaoke room, illuminated with neon lights, while others tried their hand at pachinko, Japan’s answer to slot machines.

Our favourite finishing touches? Carousel branded chopsticks, hanging origami and the pretty-in-pink Hello Kitty bathroom.

Can we top 2017’s sell out? We’re certainly up for the challenge and are brainstorming ideas as we speak. Watch this space…