CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and many people will soon be turning their attention to their festive dinners.
While most people choose to buy and cook their own Christmas dinners, others leave the cooking to the professionals and head out to a local pub or restaurant for theirs.
Luckily, Worcester is in tier 2 meaning hospitality venues can reopen if they serve substantial meals- Christmas dinners included.
If you have a craving for a Christmas dinner, or if you still need to book yours for the big day, here are five great venues in Worcester to consider.
Bank House Hotel Spa and Golf Club, Bransford
Hoping to go somewhere more up-market for Christmas dinner this year?
The Bank House Hotel and Spa is a popular place for locals to go at Christmas.
The three course meal is £95 per adult, or £40 per child (£19.95 if they are ordering from the children’s menu).
While it might seem pricey, the menu looks truly decadent.
Pan fried scallops and wild mushroom and thyme soup are just two mout-watering items on the starter menu.
The roast turkey crown dinner comes with all of the essential trimmings including: Sage and Chestnut Stuffing, Pigs in Blankets, Roast Potatoes, Honey Glazed Root Vegetables, Sprouts and Gravy.
If you don’t fancy turkey, you can always opt for roast sirloin of beef, baked monkfish or sage basted roast cauliflower.
Save room for pudding as panattone bread and butter pudding and white chocolate cheesecake are two option to choose from.
A spokesperson for the company said: "This year our chefs have prepared an extra special Christmas Day Menu- we all deserve a treat after the year that we've had don't we?
"Guests will be welcomed with a glass of champagne and then enjoy a six course festive dining experience in our beautiful new Garden Room Restaurant.
"During lunch, our resident pianist will be performing Christmas favourites to add to the festive atmosphere."
Don't know what to choose from the menu? Bank House have some advice.
They said: "This year our Christmas guests will be spoilt for choice.
"Traditionalists will love our Roast Turkey with pigs in blankets all the trimmings and locally Sourced Beef Sirloin, whilst those who prefer something lighter will be in for a treat with our Baked Monkfish with Wilted Greens, Dill and Lemon Potato Cake, White Wine and Asparagus Velouté."
However, if you can’t make the Christmas Day feast, then they also sell a festive afternoon tea for £14.50 per person.
(Facebook/BankHouseHotelWorcester)
This adds a festive twist to their original afternoon tea, with added Christmassy treats and desserts.
This afternoon tea is available throughout December.
The Fox and Hounds, Lulsley
(Photo: Geograph/P L Chadwick)
This award-winning restaurant may be fully booked for Christmas Day- but they are selling takeaway Christmas dinners that you can enjoy at home.
You can order these any Friday, Saturday or Sunday this month- and you can even get one for Christmas Day itself.
The menu is filled with festive treats and Christmas favorites such as a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a homemade Worcestershire Christmas pudding with Brandy sauce.
(Facebook/ foxandhoundsatlulsley)
If you want a takeaway dinner, it will cost £37.50 per head- it will be operating 12-3 on Christmas Day.
However, if you don’t fancy a takeaway dinner, then you can always come into the restaurant.
There are a few tables remaining and the restaurant service will cost £75 per head.
A spokesperson for the team said: "Our Christmas Meals, like our seasonal dishes and pub classics, use the very best local ingredients - including meat sourced from Knightwick and seasonal greens sourced from the wider Worcestershire area.
"We can promise Christmas diners that they will enjoy a quality meal with quality service in a safe and comfortable environment."
The Timberdine, Broom Hall
If you are looking for last-minute Christmas Day dinner venues, The Timberdine Harvester is still accepting bookings.
Their three course dinner looks delicious- and you get three courses for just £49.99.
The camembert tartlet is the most festive starter on the menu; it is topped with mixed spice shallots and a cranberry chutney.
The hand carved roast turkey main comes with all of the trimmings you can think of; roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and honey-roast parsnips are just some of the side you can expect.
If you can’t wait for Christmas Day, they also have a festive menu which is available until December 31.
You can get three courses for just £18.99.
Feli’s Bar and Restaurant
If you are tired of the same old Christmas dinner and want to try somewhere different this year, then consider Feli’s Bar and Restaurant in Stoulton.
A three course meal here is £75 per adult, £35 for those age 12 and under and £15 for kids under four.
Their canapes look very unique and diners can choose between lobster ravioli, duck and chicken parfait, butternut squash, honey and thyme soup or pressed vegetable terrine.
As well as the classic turkery dinner, diners can opt for a fillet of Aberdeen angus, roasted cod or even a vegetable and goats cheese roulade.
Save room for pudding though as there are four delicious options to choose from- one of which is Feli’s special Christmas pudding which comes with a spiced rum sauce.
We might be in tier 2 but some people might not feel safe heading to a restaurant for their Christmas lunch.
However, Feli’s has you covered offering takeaway Christmas dinners for diners to enjoy.
They can be made ready to eat hot, or to be reheated later.
Barn Owl pub, Warndon
A three course Christmas Day dinner at this pub is just £46.99.
Some of the starters include a red onion, brie and cranberry tart or a classic French onion soup.
Along with the classic turkey dinner, a candied nut roast, champagne salmon and garlic mushrooms sir loin steak are some of the main dishes available.
If you have room there are six puddings to choose from on the menu- including Christmas pudding, mint chocolate gateau and cheese and biscuits.
Book you meal on the company website.
What are your Christmas dinner plans? Leave your answers in the comment section.
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