Does anyone eat out for Christmas Dinner?
Discussion
Mum suggested we eat out for Christmas dinner as it will be the first one without my Dad as he passed only a few days after New Year this year and wondered if anyone else does? We've booked a local Italian place, £45 per person and there'll be five of us and they have a set menu that we need to choose what we're having before hand but they have Turkey & all the trimmings if you want it.
A few other places are doing it locally too. The local Beefeater is £65 a head and there's a very well regarded local restaurant that's a favourite (Best Mac and cheese he's tried exclaims my son!) and one of the best burgers I've had, but they're wanting £75 a head.
I know sometimes a Chinese is a popular option, and I know KFC in Japan is a common Christmas meal, but does anyone do this regularly?
A few other places are doing it locally too. The local Beefeater is £65 a head and there's a very well regarded local restaurant that's a favourite (Best Mac and cheese he's tried exclaims my son!) and one of the best burgers I've had, but they're wanting £75 a head.
I know sometimes a Chinese is a popular option, and I know KFC in Japan is a common Christmas meal, but does anyone do this regularly?
Not regularly but I have done this at least twice in the last 15 years and both times in small local restaurants.
I recall most fondly, having just finished Christmas pudding and also polished off some cheese, relaxing back in my chair with a large whisky and thinking ooh no mess to clear up, no washing up and dishwasher for us to stack. Heavenly.
I recall most fondly, having just finished Christmas pudding and also polished off some cheese, relaxing back in my chair with a large whisky and thinking ooh no mess to clear up, no washing up and dishwasher for us to stack. Heavenly.
When I was younger I'd just go on holiday so Christmas day was generally a surreal warm walk on a beach followed by a faux Christmas dinner in the hotel where there always seemed to be a random guest that had packed a Santa outfit.
I'd gladly do the Christmas day meal out somewhere, friends are doing exactly the same as you at a local Italian after her mum died recently, her dad suggested it.
Unfortunately we're in a seemingly eternal routine with friends to take it in turns to do the big day at our respective houses.
I'd gladly do the Christmas day meal out somewhere, friends are doing exactly the same as you at a local Italian after her mum died recently, her dad suggested it.
Unfortunately we're in a seemingly eternal routine with friends to take it in turns to do the big day at our respective houses.
Yes, regularly. Non uk though. Some have been truly excellent days, Vienna being the standout as the 24th is their main event so Xmas day is like our Boxing Day - everyone out and in high spirits. Xmas dinner (at actual dinner time, not in the evening) was at the hotel sacher.
This yr I’ll be at ‘home’ and also having thoughts about going out for it, just have to convince the folks and then find somewhere suitable. Might google that now actually. I’ll be the youngest so Xmas day has long lost its magic sparkle, would be good to make more of an event of it in a grown up way.
This yr I’ll be at ‘home’ and also having thoughts about going out for it, just have to convince the folks and then find somewhere suitable. Might google that now actually. I’ll be the youngest so Xmas day has long lost its magic sparkle, would be good to make more of an event of it in a grown up way.
We did one year and had a great time. A pub on the Thames by us did a fantastic festive menu, and even a free tasting night where they tested the dishes. The co-manager was at the bar on his own so we invited him to join us.
I would say that you'll get a lot more for your £75 at a local place rather than a Beefeater...
I would say that you'll get a lot more for your £75 at a local place rather than a Beefeater...
Yes, a few times. In certain circumstances, it is also a very good solution if you need neutral territory for “duty” meals, not least as you can bugger off sharpish after the meal is over and not have people loafing around your house for hours afterwards.
As well as some local restaurants around us, many of the more upmarket hotels in the West End put on a really decent meal if the boat needs to be pushed out. This especially works if you want to avoid the edible cardboard that is turkey, given that there is usually a fixed menu and the only alternative in most places is some ghastly vegan nut cutlet effort.
To offset the cost of eating out, no CC and parking on the street tends to be free. On the other hand, the BiB are fully on the alert for drunk drivers, and I have been pulled over two or three times over the years, apparently at random. So you will need to walk to the venue, have a designated driver, or be prepared to shell out a small fortune in Christmas taxi fares.
As well as some local restaurants around us, many of the more upmarket hotels in the West End put on a really decent meal if the boat needs to be pushed out. This especially works if you want to avoid the edible cardboard that is turkey, given that there is usually a fixed menu and the only alternative in most places is some ghastly vegan nut cutlet effort.
To offset the cost of eating out, no CC and parking on the street tends to be free. On the other hand, the BiB are fully on the alert for drunk drivers, and I have been pulled over two or three times over the years, apparently at random. So you will need to walk to the venue, have a designated driver, or be prepared to shell out a small fortune in Christmas taxi fares.
We always talk about eating out on Christmas day, our local gastro pub always put on a great menu, we could walk up, I bet it's a great atmosphere and the bonus of no prep or cleanup and then stagger home.
Issue is, this year it's £95 pp, plus the tip, plus drinks, you are looking at knocking on the door of £300 for 2.
Issue is, this year it's £95 pp, plus the tip, plus drinks, you are looking at knocking on the door of £300 for 2.
HTP99 said:
We always talk about eating out on Christmas day, our local gastro pub always put on a great menu, we could walk up, I bet it's a great atmosphere and the bonus of no prep or cleanup and then stagger home.
Issue is, this year it's £95 pp, plus the tip, plus drinks, you are looking at knocking on the door of £300 for 2.
Check that there isn’t a very limited fixed menu for Christmas Day itself. Very few places offer full range eating. Issue is, this year it's £95 pp, plus the tip, plus drinks, you are looking at knocking on the door of £300 for 2.
To answer re cost, divide that money by the number of hours that you and yours would otherwise be spending on prep and dealing with the debris, generate that hourly rate and compare to how much you and yours are paid each hour at work, then deduct the likely cost of materials and cost of production had you done it at home. Aiming off for it being a bank holiday and the laws of supply and demand, and I’d imagine it’s a bit of a bargain, that is if you really feel the need to have a Christmas meal at all.
You could, of course, get a right royal Chinese takeaway for two from Deliveroo for a third of that cost and nary a turkey in sight.
Growing up my parents always booked a meal at a local hotel and I hated it as a teenager.
All for the wrong reasons, as there were only four TV channels at the time and the highlight of the day was usually the TV premier of the latest Bond movie. And I would typically miss it.
As an adult, I like the idea and we may start doing so, when our grown up kids no longer come round to ours for the day.
All for the wrong reasons, as there were only four TV channels at the time and the highlight of the day was usually the TV premier of the latest Bond movie. And I would typically miss it.
As an adult, I like the idea and we may start doing so, when our grown up kids no longer come round to ours for the day.
Last Visit said:
Not regularly but I have done this at least twice in the last 15 years and both times in small local restaurants.
I recall most fondly, having just finished Christmas pudding and also polished off some cheese, relaxing back in my chair with a large whisky and thinking ooh no mess to clear up, no washing up and dishwasher for us to stack. Heavenly.
I can totally see the appeal of no tidying up, but a bit of me would also be feeling sad that there were no leftovers for sandwiches, pies etc;)I recall most fondly, having just finished Christmas pudding and also polished off some cheese, relaxing back in my chair with a large whisky and thinking ooh no mess to clear up, no washing up and dishwasher for us to stack. Heavenly.
Have thought about this but we usually have a big family do at Xmas.. if it is ever just the two of us, that could be a meal.out.
Have done a few times. Family choose to do an indian meal one year and it was the most anti-xmas thing I have ever done. Ruined it.
Always liked all the family round at Xmas for a meal. Everyone chipping in to tidy up once it's done, someone doing the dishes, someone drying etc. Then sitting down to some drinks and crap TV.
Always liked all the family round at Xmas for a meal. Everyone chipping in to tidy up once it's done, someone doing the dishes, someone drying etc. Then sitting down to some drinks and crap TV.
I have done this several times and they have been among my favourite Christmas Days. Yes, expensive and maybe restricted menu, but having a stress free day of leisure with great food is not nothing. I recommend it.
That or just going skiiing for the whole week and celebrating Christmas day on the slopes with a glass of something.
That or just going skiiing for the whole week and celebrating Christmas day on the slopes with a glass of something.
Yes, we have done this for almost 20 years.
The reason started when father in law would come up from south for Christmas week and offer to pay for the meal. That was usually in the region from memory of £40-50.
As he got older ( he lived to over 100) and frailer we carried on the tradition but we paid🤪. And we have carried on going out for Christmas dinner even after his passing.
We have had some poor Christmas dinners out in pubs but also decent ones too. Each time we have a poor one we consider staying at home the next Christmas but never do.
The best albeit most expensive has been at a hotel in Newcastle. We did this last Christmas as we received hotel vouchers from the kids a few months before and put those towards the Christmas dinner. The meal and service were extremely good. The only downside’s for me are that my wife has insisted we return this year and the hotel has put its price up that to me is a step to far at £105 per person for Christmas dinner.🤬
We do enjoy eating out so I’m trying to view this as a treat to ease the pain.
The reason started when father in law would come up from south for Christmas week and offer to pay for the meal. That was usually in the region from memory of £40-50.
As he got older ( he lived to over 100) and frailer we carried on the tradition but we paid🤪. And we have carried on going out for Christmas dinner even after his passing.
We have had some poor Christmas dinners out in pubs but also decent ones too. Each time we have a poor one we consider staying at home the next Christmas but never do.
The best albeit most expensive has been at a hotel in Newcastle. We did this last Christmas as we received hotel vouchers from the kids a few months before and put those towards the Christmas dinner. The meal and service were extremely good. The only downside’s for me are that my wife has insisted we return this year and the hotel has put its price up that to me is a step to far at £105 per person for Christmas dinner.🤬
We do enjoy eating out so I’m trying to view this as a treat to ease the pain.
I can see the appeal but feel sorry for the staff
A mate used to run a pub and decided to put on a Christmas dinner. About 60 covers. His staff weren't keen to give up their Christmas Day but he told them. 'Think of the tips. They'll all be pissed. You'll clean up'
Total of about £60 in tips. Staff not happy. Problem was it was all pay in advance so there was no bill to prompt a tip
And Yorkshire
A mate used to run a pub and decided to put on a Christmas dinner. About 60 covers. His staff weren't keen to give up their Christmas Day but he told them. 'Think of the tips. They'll all be pissed. You'll clean up'
Total of about £60 in tips. Staff not happy. Problem was it was all pay in advance so there was no bill to prompt a tip
And Yorkshire
Frau GenX is German and therefore "her" main Christmas meal is on the evening of the 24th. We tend to go out for that one and then cook "my" Christmas lunch at home on the 25th.
The former saves on the mess/washing up/etc, the latter we really enjoy together - we have no dependents at home so treat it as our Christmas day party and a relaxing time, no deadlines or demanding families.
Having done this for several years we both feel this is the best way, but I acknowledge we have a relatively unusual set of circumstances.
The former saves on the mess/washing up/etc, the latter we really enjoy together - we have no dependents at home so treat it as our Christmas day party and a relaxing time, no deadlines or demanding families.
Having done this for several years we both feel this is the best way, but I acknowledge we have a relatively unusual set of circumstances.
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