You know it's going to be hot on Christmas Day, so why slave over a stove when you could be sitting down in air conditioning, enjoying the fruits of someone else's labour?
I’ve made a little list - 10 places that will make you reconsider the do-it-yourself option and remove hours of work from your 'to do' list.
These are places where I’d dine if I wasn’t cooking Christmas lunch for my nearest and dearest this year. Please enjoy, and think of me slaving in a hot kitchen when you sit down to eat!
1. Do it on Christmas Eve
Want to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve like the Danish do? Restaurant 2 is the place for you. This year the menu includes a Tempura Pinkenba Mud Crab w Green Mango, Apple and Peanut Salad and Tamarind Dressing entrée and a choice of Pan Fried Bendelle Duck Breast w Roasted and Pickled Pumpkin, Mandarin, Wattle Infused Puree and Citrus Jus or Cape Grim Eye Fillet w Potato Fondant, Corned Beef, Jerusalem Artichoke and Red Wine Sauce for mains. Dessert will be legendary of course. $110 pp or $170 pp with matched wines.
2 Leave the city
Go west and enjoy the elevated climes of the elegant dining room at Spicers Peak Lodge at Maryvale. They have a five course Christmas degustation with two sitting times 11am to 2pm or 2pm to 5pm. If I was doing the second sitting I’d stay overnight and take advantage of their Christmas Supper Pack delivered to my suite for dinner. $150pp or $220pp with matching wines by our group sommelier. Book at peaklodge@spicersretreats.com
3 Head for the Hinterland
From the wonderful kitchen of Cameron Matthews at Spicers Clovelly on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland at Montville comes a three course family style banquet for Christmas Day. I’d trust Cameron to come up with a menu that will delight. It’s $195pp ($165pp without alcoholic beverage package) and no children under 12.
4. Japanese Christmas
If you can’t be in Japan why not head to one of the best Japanese restaurants in town and settle for fresh, light, contemporary Japanese dishes with a festive twist at Sake? Banquets start at $88 per person and you can add a saké master flight with three different styles of saké to try from $18 per person.
5. Tradition with a view
The Germans know how to do pork and combine this with an enviable Brisbane River view and you’ve got a lot to like about the Bavarian Bier Café, and I haven’t even started on the price. This is a Christmas lunch that will please your budget, which like mine might be a little stretched after buying Christmas presents. Sit down here to roast pork belly, turkey schnitzel and Christmas pudding with brandy anglaise and gingerbread dust from $89pp.
6. Pool party
Bacchus Restaurant. Executive Chef Mark Penna has devised a culinary adventure for Christmas Day leading with a fresh seafood buffet of ocean king prawns, crab, oysters and all the flavours of the sea . The lunch includes a full carvery, salad menu, cheese platters and dessert bar, as well as a live band, three hour drinks package and a visit from the man of the moment, Santa. In the great Australian tradition, diners are invited to bring bathers, as the Soleil Pool Bar outside Bacchus will be ready, cool and waiting! From 12pm to 3pm, with adults $179.00pp, children 13 to 17 years $85.00pp and children 5 to 12 years - $69.00pp.
7. Seafood Christmas
Gambaro Hotel has a three course set menu of succulent fresh seafood (entree), traditional Christmas roast meats, vegetables and salads (main), sticky date pudding (dessert). Adults $189 ea; 13-17 years $109 ea; 5-12 years $59.50 ea; 3-4 years $29.50 ea; 0-2 years free.
8 Going grand
Sofitel's all-inclusive Christmas extravaganza, Ballroom Le Grand, is a feast of
culinary temptations and traditional yuletide fare. Expect mouth-watering market fresh seafood including king prawns, Tasmanian smoked salmon, oysters, bountiful turkey and ham, roasted vegetables, tandoori chicken,lamb and barramundi will please even the most discerning of taste buds.
A wickedly tempting array of desserts including chocolate truffles, a chocolate fountain and
Christmas Pudding provide a grand finale to the Christmas Feast. The Christmas Day Luncheon includes free flowing French sparkling wine and a selection of house wine, beer, soft drinks and juice. Guests will enjoy complimentary party Bon Bons and a visit from special guest, Santa Claus!
Live music from trio Phoenix and children will have access to an exclusive activity area. Adults $259, Children $124, Table of Ten $235 per person
9 Euro style
Sitting down to Christmas lunch at The Euro would be special treat with their five course menu including wagyu beef carpaccio with rocket, cherry tomato and parmesan; pan fried potato gnocchi with rosemary, leek and baby corn; Mooloolaba Tiger Prawn ceviche with avocado mouse and croutons; roasted lamb rach with watercress puree, fennel and salt baked potatoes and a traditional strawberry cheese cake. There's also a special children's menu. $135 per person.
10 Hilton heights
There's plenty of choice on the menu at Hilton Brisbane for Christmas Day lunch. Their entrée
includes a seafood stand with oysters, prawns, a moreton bay bug, mussels, smoked salmon accompanied by squid salad, green salad and, of course, cocktail sauce. There's also a charcuterie platter and antipasto platter. For mains expect turkey, ham, roasted root vegetables, cranberry jus
berkshire pork chop, cinnamon apple puree, gingerbread and more. The buffet dessert list includes
christmas pudding, chocolate fountain, seasonal fruit, fruit mince pies. candy station. macaroons.
cupcakes, mini doughnuts, and ice-cream tart. Cost is $135 per person.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK is eating at home this Christmas.