Miss Thrifty’s Christmas lunch picks
The Restaurant Brown Thomas Dublin
Christmas is a time of goodwill to all men. It's also a time of goodwill to all those people who have to book your Christmas lunch.
Obviously, in days gone by, you'd have probably had all the trimmings - food, golf days, helicopters, that sort of thing, but as things are a little more restrained nowadays I thought I'd dig out some of the best Christmas dining destinations.
I also have a free meal for two at the Brown Thomas restaurant to giveaway.
Here are Miss Thrifty's picks:
Cafe Bar Deli,Dublin and Cork
Those of you who live and work nearby, as I do, will know of the constant battle of having to walk past Cafe Bar Deli due to the seductive aromas that always seem to emanate from within. Fresh, interesting and with good produce and prices Cafe Bar Deli is a favourite for everything from freshly made pates to imaginative tarts and baked dishes.
The current Christmas menu includes two courses for €18 or three for €23. I highly recommend the baked field mushrooms with chilli ricotta and rocket followed by the tomato and rocket pesto linguine with aubergines, toasted hazelnuts.
To book - Dublin 01 6771646, Cork 021 4851865
The Restaurant, Brown Thomas, Dublin
Recently relaunched under the stewardship of culinary duo Domini and Peaches Kemp, The Restaurant at Brown Thomas Dublin and Table in Cork have taken a new and much to be admired position for both the imagination of their food and the reasonable pricing.
Irish artisan producers are the core feature within the menu and the current Christmas table offerings include ham hock turkey pie with chive mash and pancetta sprouts, and, being a menu for local produce there's the roast loin of Irish Venison with roast chestnut stuffing, which is worth an honorable mention.
If you're in the area and need a Christmas perk-up, there's mulled wine and mince pies throughout. Prices for the Christmas specials start at €15. Win a free meal for two at the Brown Thomas Restaurant.
To book - 01 6056666
Brasserie Sixty 6
If you're looking for something central Brasserie Sixty 6 could be right up your street. If the flavour of twenty-one-day hung beef isn't enough to get you through the door, then maybe their homemade chips just might! The Christmas menu comes in at €37.50 for three courses, which includes tea or coffee.
On the menu front, roasted red pepper tapenade with poppy seeds wouldn't be a bad way to start proceedings, and I suppose the firecracker salmon cutlet with spicy potato wedges, wilted spinach and lemon zest creme fraiche wouldn't be a bad way to follow.
However, at this point I advise caution, because finishing with a large portion of Gingerbread Christmas cheesecake would almost certainly mean a taxi back to the office.
To book - 01 4005878
Classic Christmas at French Table, Limerick
If you're not seduced by Gallic tongue, and you're not seduced by Gallic charm, then at the very least you'll be delighted by the French table on offer at The French Table. Situated on the Steamboat Quay by the Shannon, the classic Christmas Menu includes local smoked salmon, confit leg of duck and desserts to make your eyes as watery as the location itself. Three courses for €28.
To book- 061 609274
Christmas lunch at the KC Brasserie, Galway
Being tucked away in medieval confines doesn't usually involve much in the way of enjoyment at this time of year. Rest assured, a booking at the contemporary KC Brasserie on Quay St is a joy and not a penance and the three course Christmas lunch menu had me singing in praise.
As menus go, this one starts light and ups the indulgence stakes, going as it does from honey baked ham fritters with clove relish, all the way through to breast of Barbary duck or butternut squash risotto with a mulled wine reduction. At €23.95, including tea and coffee, it should suit the both the wise and the not so wise men amongst you.
To book - 091 561826
Sinead Van Kampen is the editor of The Savvy Shopper . For a rundown on these stores and regular insider tips visit TheSavvyShopper.ie website.
- Sinead Van Kampen
