C H R I S T M A S
P A R T I E S
Thali is shunning tradition this Yuletide, while venues like Timbrell’s Yard and Whatley Manor are offering classic Christmas experiences
Fizz (don’t mind if we do) will come the starters – hickory hot-smoked salmon with horseradish mousse, pumpernickel and crispy quail egg, say – which will gear you right up for the main event. Roast turkey with port and cranberry sauce, confit lamb breast with roast lamb rump, and heritage squash risotto with crispy chives and vegan parmesan are among the selection there. thespottedcowbristol.com
STON EASTON PARK
(near Bath) Want to make it a special one this Christmas? This 18th-century mansion is set among lush, preened gardens and guests can expect log fires, candlelit dinners and luxurious feasts a plenty. Three-course festive meals will be happening in the Sorrel restaurant (from £32), but if you want a proper knees up, get involved with the Black Tie Dinner Dance (£70). There, diners will get a glass of bubbly, a threecourse feast (perhaps goat’s cheese and salt baked beetroots followed by traditional turkey with chipolata and sage stuffing, and C-pud with brandy custard), and dancing until midnight. stoneeaston.co.uk
THE SWAN INN (Rowberrow)
Set in the picturesque ex-mining village of Rowberrow, The Swan is steeped in history and has been kicking about since the 18th century. Keeping it traditional is key here, and guests can expect plenty of reindeer jumpers and paper crowns to be making appearances. The Crimbo menu (from £24.50) has wintery classics to please both meat eaters and vegetarians: there’s confit
duck leg with roasted plum and red wine gravy, slow-braised beef pie, and a wild mushroom Wellington with confit onions and spinach purée. Seeing as the pub started life as a cider house, why not wash it down with an Ashton Press Cider? (Any excuse.) butcombe.com
THALI (Bristol) Never been one to follow tradition? We hear you – and so does Thali. These colourful South Indian inspired restaurants are snubbing stuffing and passing up the pigs in blankets. Instead, festive feasters here will be tucking into starters such as spiced pakoras (made to the head chef’s family recipes), mains like slow-cooked jackfruit curry with potatoes, peppers, chilli and garlic, and desserts along the lines of rasmalai with chai, and exotic fruit crumble. That break enough rules for you? Three courses here will be £20 at lunchtime and £25 for dinner, and the menu is available across all the Thalis. thethalirestaurant.co.uk TIMBRELL’S YARD
(Bradford-on-Avon) This pretty riverside pub has a couple of Xmas feasting options on the go, Perhaps go for the set menu (from £27), which includes roast turkey with pancetta and honey-roasted parsnips, as well as some less traditional alternatives. Or, if there’s 30 or more of you, you can make use of the private dining room and the buffet menu (£22), and expect plates of truffle and old Winchester arancini, and squash, pistachio and quinoa terrine to tuck into.
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WHATLEY MANOR (Malmsbury) Set among the gorgeous Cotswoldian landscape, luxury country house Whatley Manor is offering some pretty swish Yuletide parties. Its package (£70 a head) includes exclusive use of the Garden Room (which will be properly decked out in festive style, might we add), welcome canapés and fizz, three courses (featuring dishes such as pressed turkey leg with smoked sausage, and pumpkin tagliatelle), wine, coffee, crackers, music... the list goes on. If you want to go more low key, Grays Brasserie will look equally as festive, and be serving three-course menus for £32.50. whatleymanor.com YURT LUSH (Bristol) You can book out the whole of this quirky venue, a single yurt, or just a straight up table for your Christmas do. There’s a festive set menu (from £25) for groups numbering from single figures up to 90, and it includes a glass of something fizzy. You could begin with mulled pear and ewe’s curd with walnut salsa, and follow up with housesmoked and glazed organic beef brisket, or squash, Cheddar and leek Wellington. Cosy up in the heated yurt with great-quality food for a Xmas do with a difference. eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk
Hey, you! All the prices listed here are per person, and if any take your fancy then get it booked sooner rather than later – all those Organised Odettes out there already have their events in the bag!