Flavour Festive Food Guide 2011

flavour food & drink guide 2011

Inspired ideas for Christmas and the New Year

The Ruby & White shop is a modern twist on the traditional butcher’s shop and offers you an experience like no other. Visit the shop and you’ll not only find a veritable selection of high quality, locally sourced meats, but also a passionate team of experienced butchers, ready to prepare and hand-cut meat, poultry and game to your exact specifications, or provide their own expert recommendations.

Passionate about British meat, the name Ruby & White is inspired by two of the finest breeds of British cows: the Ruby Red and British White. Both cows are not only beautiful, but offer outstanding beef and are locally reared too.

The Ruby Red originates from Devon and is prized for its good temperament and marbled, succulent beef, while the British White is a pedigree native breed dating back more than 800 years.

Ruby & White take extraordinary care over the origins of everything they sell, with absolute provenance on all of the meat as it is sourced directly from farmers rather than markets or wholesalers. The Master Butcher has a personal relationship with all of the farmers, ensuring the meat is ethical, sustainable and offering outstanding flavour – sensational…

There is also a spice kitchen, where you can have your prime cut of Ruby & White meat marinated by the in-house chefs, or pick up one of the freshly-prepared ready-to-cook meals. The Deli Counter offers a range of tantalising cheeses, cured meats, antipasti and more, or select your own produce from the seasonal mix of fresh fruit and vegetables. You can also match any of your meats and spices from the specially-selected wine range.

48 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NH • www.rubyandwhite.com • 01179 730333

Welcome 2011 Festive Food Guide It’s that time of year again… whoop! whoop!... where we have to start thinking about our office party, dinner with the outlaws or a festive meal with friends.

Here at flavour we have put together some of our favourite restaurants, hotels, delis, cafes and butchers to provide you with a wealth of options for planning that memorable dining experience, and we are very lucky here in the West Country to have so many great places to eat, drink and be merry.

Christmas is all about giving - whether that be gifts, a meal out or just a little bit of extra love - and we think the best way of showing that is through the medium of food.

There can be no better way!

So, whether you are heading out to one of our selected venues or staying in with Ronnie’s offering, I hope your festive experience is a memorable one.

Merry Christmas!

Nick Gregory

Published by: Flavour Magazine 151-153 Wick Road BS4 4HH 01179 799 188 www.flavourmagazine.com

The kitchen is led by Head Chef Steve Pidgeon and his brigade of talented, young, local chefs. Steve is one of only 80 Masterchefs and his consistently high standard of food has been recognised over the last 17 years by the accolade of two AA Rosettes. His food is locally sourced, seasonal and offers a blend of contemporary and traditional dishes.

The elegant restaurant has recently been redecorated and, with its high ceiling, glittering chandelier and huge Christmas tree, is ideal for a Christmas lunch or dinner.

A choice of set menus start at £17, while Steve is more than happy to design individual bespoke menus to suit all individual tastes and budgets.

For private parties of up to eight guests, the Ottery Room is a recently-restored classic Georgian room. With its original wooden shutters in the bow window, log fire and illuminated by candles, it enhances the warmth and ambience of an intimate gathering.

For a more informal setting, the old school house Tamar Room is popular for parties and discos for up to 100 people with its own bar and food service.

The village pub, the Lifton Courthouse, is attached to the hotel and offers local ales and hearty, quality pub food. Formerly the village police station, it has exposed stone walls and the original cell bars at the windows. It has a lively informal atmosphere particularly on live music nights.

Whether it’s the Lifton Courthouse, Tamar Room or the Restaurant, The Arundell Arms has its own unique warmth and ambience – the essence of Christmas.

THE aRuNdELL aRMS

T

he Arundell Arms Hotel and Restaurant has been owned and run by the same family for 50 years and, as a former coaching inn, it has been welcoming guests for over 300 years. It is a unique venue that has the flexibility to create the perfect Christmas experience for any size of party up to 100 guests. All of the staff are local, professional and friendly (as consistently commented on in customer reviews), and really help to create a welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of Christmas.

hotel & restaurant

Christmas Party Menu

£27.50 per person (for parties of 6 or more) FREE glass of bubbly on arrival

STARTERS • Crown Prince squash soup (v) with parmesan shavings and olive oil • A smooth chicken liver and Foie Gras parfait with apricot and fig chutney and brioche toasts • Pan-fried organic salmon fishcakes with warm salad leaves, red onions and a sweet chilli dressing • Montgomery Cheddar Rarebit (v) with mixed baby leaves and a mustard vinaigrette MAINS • Roasted farmhouse turkey with caramelised chestnuts, shallot and herb stuffing and a Madeira gravy • A light pastry croustade of provençal vegetables (v) with gruyère cheese, creamed leeks and tarragon leaves • Slowly cooked duck confit with spiced red cabbage, honey glazed parsnips, smoked bacon and a peppercorn sauce • A casserole of sea fish with saffron, potatoes, leeks, tomato and chives • An artichoke, wood mushroom and celeriac risotto (v) with sweet potato crisps and thyme DESSERTS • Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy butter and clotted cream • Chocolate mousse cake with ginger poached pear • Orange and hazelnut praline parfait with a winter fruit compote • Cornish Yarg with oatcakes, celery and grapes Coffee and Mince Pies

The Arundell Arms Lifton, Devon PL16 0AA 01566 784666 www.arundellarms.com

Gold Medal Claret for Christmas Plus free carving set worth £30.48 Order by December 19th for guaranteed Christmas delivery!

Prepare your wine racks for Christmas with this top vintage gold medal winning claret and save more than £65.

“This is a magical vintage!” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Château Bernot is Averys wine merchants’ best-selling claret and the exceptional 2009 vintage has already won gold in Paris. Fruit-driven with no oak, it is rich and smooth with aromas of crushed raspberries and ripe plums. With opulent, ripe fruit flavours and a fresh finish, it shows all the hallmarks of this exceptional vintage.

Save

£65

Your FREE Carving Set for Christmas

Exclusive Fl avour Magazine Offer

As a token of festive goodwill, Averys are kindly offering you a carving board and knife and fork set absolutely free (worth £30.48), when you order 12 bottles of Château Bernot in the next 7 days.

12 bottle of Chateau Bernot 2009 Bordeaux Rouge

Now only £72.99 (plus £6.99 p&p)

(equivilent to £6.08 / bottle)

Plus your free carving board and knife and fork set

Save over £65

With limited stocks available, you will need to order now.

Call 0843 224 1224 Or pop into our Culver Street Cellars

You can order online at:

www.averys.com/r4213

Established in 1793, Averys is one of the UK’s most pioneering wine merchants.

“Quality is at the heart of everything we do. As a customer you are guaranteed exceptional wines and service, if at any time you are not satisfied, we will refund or replace your wine without quibble. I look forward to welcoming you to Averys.”

John Avery, Master of Wine, Chairman

Averys Wine Merchants, 4 High Street, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 1BT • 08432 241224 • www.averys.com

THE BaTH PRIORY A

t this festive time of year The Bath Priory prides itself on making every experience magical. The sumptuous Drawing Room is the perfect spot to relax over the busy period, enjoy a tipple in front of the cosy log fire, indulge with the finest cuisine and enjoy the seasonal surprises.

Michael Caines will be in attendance on December 8 for a special Festive Dining menu, talking you through his award-winning cuisine, accompanied by matching wines for each of his four courses.

Round off 2011 in style with the James Bond-themed New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner – a glamorous black-tie affair. Begin your night with a champagne reception, followed by a six-course gourmet dinner, before dancing the night away and only stopping for midnight fireworks to welcome in the new year.

For further details on the James Bond New Year Gala Dinner or Festive Dining throughout December contact the Bath Priory on 01225 331 922 or visit the website: www.bathpriory.co.uk

Meet the Chef 2011 has been a year to remember for The Bath Priory’s outstanding head chef Sam Moody. His hard work, dedication and raw talent has not gone unnoticed and Bath Priory are delighted to announce he finishes the year with an Acorn Award, being championed Best Chef in the Bath Good Food Awards and winning Visit Englands’ Breakfast Award. Sam has excellent relationships with local suppliers, only using the freshest produce to deliver exquisite flavours and sublime presentation in every single seasonal dish.

The Christmas Celebrations menu: Starters • Pressed terrine of local game, with a spiced apple compote • Crisped smoked haddock brandard, tomato vinaigrette • Pumpkin and cumin velouté, seared Brixham scallop Mains • Traditional roast turkey, traditional garnish • Braised beef shoulder, horseradish mash, glazed carrots, red wine sauce • Pan-fried fillet of brill, puy lentils, braised chicory, bacon foam • Fresh truffle tagliatelle, wild mushrooms, cepe sauce

“At “At this this festive festive time time of of year year The Bath Priory prides itself on The Bath Priory prides itself on making making every every experience experience magical.” magical.”

Desserts • The Bath Priory traditional Christmas pudding, clotted cream, cognac sauce • Duo of chocolate (milk chocolate mousse, white chocolate ice-cream) • Warm cinnamon doughnuts, apple compote

Sample menu subject to change

The Bath Priory Hotel Restaurant & Spa Weston Road Bath BA1 2XT 01225 331922 www.thebathpriory.co.uk

Bell’s Diner Christmas Menu STARTERS

Bell’s Diner

T

he delectable Bell’s Diner, in Montpelier, is one of Bristol’s most treasured foodie haunts. For over 10 years, it has been honed to perfection by chef/patron Christopher Wicks – one of the country’s most admired and respected fine dining chefs.

Chris and the team have developed a fun and exciting Christmas menu, using flavours and aromas that bring to mind associations of the festive season.

Starters include a rich and tender pork ‘Ferrero Rocher’, consisting of butternut squash and praline, which has been wrapped in picked pork and crumbed; a really playful and unique experience. For the main course you might opt for the seasonal venison, which has been paired with salted, baked beetroot, cocoa, foraged salsify and bone marrow.

Diners with a sweet tooth can anticipate exciting treats such as minced pie soufflé with brandy butter anglaise, served with a clotted cream and pastry ice cream. Or try the fragrant tonka

bean and vanilla rice pudding, with native sloes, and a very novel Christmas tree ice cream.

Whatever you choose, you can be sure that it will be very different to what any other restaurant might offer: Bell’s Diner is truly unique.

Bell’s Diner also presents a newly extended wine list with house wines starting from £16.50, including a section dedicated to natural wines and a more esoteric collection for connoisseurs. There is also a carefully selected assortment of premium spirits, bottled beers and, for the extravagant, vintage Champagne.

Large parties can be catered for in a reserved area of this intimate, yet quirky former grocery shop. The knowledgeable front of house staff will guarantee that you enjoy a most spectacular fine dining experience.

For a Christmas dinner that is lavish and indulgent, as well as original and idiosyncratic, Bell’s Diner is the ultimate festive destination. Book early for a once in a lifetime experience.

1-3 York Road, Bristol BS6 5QB • 0117 924 0357 • www.bellsdiner.com

Salt baked celeriac, olive, clementine, raisin Scallop, parsnip, brussel sprout, cranberry, potato Crab, seashore garnish Snail fricassee, hen egg, mushrooms, Iberico ham, quinoa Pork ‘Ferrero Rocher’

MAIN COURSES Truffle gnocci, cep, walnut Confit, goose, endive, potato, pear, walnut Monkfish, oxtail, salsify, alexanders Duck, jerusalem artichoke, mushroom, goose, chips Venison, salted baked beetroot, cocoa, salsify, bone marrow

DESSERTS Minced pie soufflé, brandy butter anglaise, clotted cream and pastry ice cream Tonka bean and vanilla rice pudding, sloes, christmas tree ice cream Acorn custard tart, coffee, salted caramel Chocolate brownie, marshmallow, malt, crème fraiche ice cream British cheeses, fig, walnut bread, chutney, biscuits (sup £2.50)

The Biddestone Arms F inding the perfect place to eat out over the Christmas and New Year period can often be a bit of headache, especially if you’re booking a family celebration or a company function for a lot of people. Fortunately there is a solution: The Biddestone Arms. This traditional pub offers fine cuisine, fine wines, a wide selection of real ales and excellent service, and the staff will work with you to ensure that the organisation of your special festive meal is as hassle-free as possible.

Licensees James and Louise Hedges will ensure you receive a warm and friendly welcome to the quintessential Cotswold village of Biddestone in Wiltshire, near Chippenham.

Most of their food is locally sourced and includes local game in season as well as fresh seafood delivered direct from the quay side in Looe, Cornwall.

James, who leads the talented kitchen team, knows more

than a thing or two about food: He first trained as a chef with the famous Roux brothers in London, before later becoming head chef at The Cottage Inn, in Maidens Green, Berkshire. James then ran his own restaurant in Binfield, Berkshire, before moving to Biddestone.

James says: “Our fine cuisine may be best described as ‘Modern British’, using the finest quality and local ingredients.

Our menus feature classic English dishes cooked to a very high standard but simply presented. Many customers comment of finding a real hidden gem”.

The Biddestone Arms was recently voted the ‘Best in the South West’ in the Punch Taverns Pub Excellence Awards, and has been awarded Cask Marque accreditation for its real ales.

The Biddestone Arms’ impressive stone and oak

beamed restaurant can hold up to 80 guests and James and Louise can cater for a wide range of events. Whether it’s a romantic meal for two, a family celebration, a business lunch or a larger company function, you’ll find the Biddestone Arms offers its own unique warmth and ambience.

James and Louise are now taking bookings for their Christmas and New Year party menus from December 1 to 31. As always, booking early is less likely to result in disappointment.

The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7DG, 01249 714377 • www.biddestonearms.co.uk

The Boathouse T he Boathouse is a splendid riverside pub in Bath, which overlooks the Avon River.

It has expansive landscaped gardens, which lead down to the river, and for the days when the cold is not too biting, there is a lovely al fresco dining deck.

The atmosphere here is very friendly and relaxed; the staff are really attentive, and knowledgeable about their food and drink. The team at The Boathouse are looking forward to Christmas, and preparations are well underway.

The Christmas menu has just been released, and is incredibly appetising. Fresh crab cakes with alioli and lime are zingy and delicious as a starter, and the herb crusted salmon on chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables with pesto dressing provides a tasty alternative to the roast Pembrokeshire turkey, which is similarly exceptional and comes with all the trimmings.

For a classic Boathouse dessert, try the Old English sherry trifle,

which is rich and creamy, as trifle ought to be. And don’t forget to take a look at the excellent selection of real ales and continental beers on offer, as well as the carefully picked wine list.

Wherever possible, The Boathouse sources British, and always from quality producers it can trust. The provenance is top notch, and includes Madgetts free-range chicken from the Wye Valley, Aberdaran crab and Celtic Pride Welsh Pork.

If you want somewhere to rest your weary head after all the festive celebrations, The Boathouse also has nine well-appointed guest rooms, all individual, and many come with balconies overlooking the river and gardens.

For an authentic festive riverside experience, with great food and drink, The Boathouse has plenty to offer.

The Boathouse, Newbridge Road, Bath, Somerset BA1 3NB • 01225 482584 • www.boathousebath.com

Burford House B

urford House offers that ‘home from home’ traditional Christmas - hassle and stress free - to give you that extra time to spend with a special loved one.

Offering a comprehensive three-night stay, you certainly will not be going home hungry.

The house is dressed beautifully for the festive season and the wood burner in the main lounge makes it an ideal location for an afternoon nap. The team has made sure that Santa has Burford House on his rounds!

Guests wishing to chill out for a little longer can take advantage of extending their stay, either before or after Christmas, at the special rate of just £55 per person on a bed and breakfast basis. Deluxe en-suite doubles and twins are still available at an inclusive price of £640 per person.

Small private parties, up to a maximum of 20 people, can also be catered for at either lunch

or dinnertime, where a two or three-course festive meal is available.

If you’ve already catered for Christmas then why not consider Burford’s New Year celebration package. From the minute you arrive the celebrations start. ‘Wicked’ cream teas are served by the fire with a glass of Champagne, before wrapping up warm for a ghost tour around Burford, returning to the house for warming mulled wine and hot supper. Enjoy breakfast and then the day at leisure, making sure that you work up a good appetite for the New Year Celebration Gourmet Dinner.

Begin with evening cocktails with entertainment before moving into the dining room for a scrumptious seven-course dinner. As the clock ticks nearer to midnight, join fellow guests, hotel management and staff with a glass of champagne to welcome 2012. There is no need to rise early as a brunch will be served instead of breakfast.

Again, Burford offers the chance for guests to extend their stay either before or after New Year’s, at the special rate of £55 per person on a bed and breakfast basis.

Deluxe four-poster en-suite doubles, deluxe en-suite doubles and twins are available from £395 per person.

99 High Street Burford House OX18 4QA 01993 823151 www.burfordhouse.co.uk

Christmas 2011 Menu Starters Chestnut & sprout soup with sage croutons Spinach & goats cheese roulade with roasted pepper & pine nut pesto Duck & pheasant terrine with apricot & cranberry chutney Smoked salmon & hot, spicy, crispy prawn salad Breaded mushrooms, deep fried, filled with mozzarella, served with garlic mayonnaise

The Catherine Wheel C osy up this Christmas at The Catherine Wheel, which has a warm and inviting ambience, enhanced no end by the gentle crackling of open hearths and the murmuring of contented diners.

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, in Marshfield; The Catherine Wheel is an impressive building, much of it dating back to the 16th century. The inn is run by Roo, whose excellent standards of service are always a pleasure to encounter in this day and age. Her kitchen team are both hard-working and talented, and cook up a formidable storm of classic English cuisine.

The Catherine Wheel is highly regarded for its home cooked food and real ales. Local produce is used when available and all the food is freshly prepared. A variety of eating areas are available, including an elegant dining room perfect for a Christmas party, which seats up to 20, and weather permitting, a lovely patio.

The Christmas menu this year is a delight to behold and a snip at only £20 for three courses; the team at The Catherine Wheel are pulling out all the stops to make this season’s dining experience a really special one.

The Catherine Wheel, The High Street, Marshfield SN14 8LR 01225 892220 • www.thecatherinewheel.co.uk

Main Courses Turkey breast filled with cranberry & thyme stuffing served with a light red wine gravy Roast butternut squash risotto topped with roasted red peppers & parmesan Venison stew, marinated in red wine, slow cooked with shallots, pickled walnuts & sage dumplings Grilled sea bass fillet served on a potato & capers cake with a lemon & honey dressing Roast peppered beef with Yorkshire pudding & gravy Festive lentil & nut roast with sauté winter vegetables & a tangy tomato sauce Pot roasted loin of pork, stuffed with apricot & sage served with crispy crackling & apple sauce ALL MAINS SERVED WITH ROAST POTATOES & VEGETABLES Puddings Warm chocolate cheesecake with Marshfield ice cream Apple & blackberry crumble with custard Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Cherry & almond tart with local cream Selection of Cheese & biscuits (£2 supplement) £20.00 for three courses pre-booked crackers included!

Price includes VAT Service charge is not included A non-refundable deposit of £5 per person is required on booking Please complete a menu pre-order form and return within five days of your reservation date. If you have any allergies or special requests please do not hesitate to talk to us

Casanis Christmas Dinner

Casanis A

s the recent winners of Best Restaurant at the Bath Good Food Awards - a most prestigious accolade - Casanis is the perfect destination for winter dining.

Casanis’ cuisine is described in the Michelin Guide as “the skilful cooking of classic French dishes,” the Good Food Guide writes that it is “French to its fingertips,” and Hardens were similarly wowed, noting that the dishes were “simple, elegant, delicious and refined.”

Appetisers Saumon Mariné et Fumé Gravadlax and Smoked Salmon Platter with Celeriac Remoulade Soupe à L’oignon Classic French Onion Soup with Cheesy Croutons Terrine de Gibier Game & Wild Mushroom Terrine with Chestnut and Honey compote Ravioli d’Escargot Homemade Ravioli with Snails and Mushroom Velouté Sauce Main courses Ballottines de Dinde Roasted Turkey with all the Trimmings and Roast Potatoes. Jus Gras

For Christmas dining Casanis offers stunning three-course set menus for lunch at £22.50 or dinner at £30, which feature a selection of seasonal favourites, and has the added bonus of a beautiful first-floor dining room which can be reserved for exclusive use depending on the size of your party. Their discreet and efficient service will ensure you can relax and enjoy the festive fun. And if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a fabulous dinner in the New Year, Laurent has crafted a special New Year’s Eve menu for you to enjoy.

Dorade Provençal Roasted Sea Bream Filet, Root Vegetable and Potato Ratatouille. Champagne Sauce

Without a doubt, Casanis is one of the most exciting restaurants in the South West It's recommended that you book early for Christmas to avoid disappointment – tables are likely to get snapped up very, very quickly.

Crème Brûlée à la Lavande Lavender Crème Brûlée

Casanis, 4 Saville Row, Bath BA1 2QP, 01225 780055 • www.casanis.co.uk

Pavé d’Agneau Lamb Chump, Gratin Dauphinoise Potatoes and Winter Vegetables. Herb Jus Risotto à la Courges Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto with Honey and Almonds Desserts Tarte Tatin Warm Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream

Tarte au Chocolat Chocolate tart with Chantilly and chocolate sauce Les Glaces et Sorbets Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream, or Raspberry Sorbet £30.00 inc. VAT

CriCklade House

S

tanding in over 30 acres of peaceful, secluded grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds, the privately-owned Cricklade House offers a traditional, warm and friendly welcome for those in search of tranquillity, with extensive recreational facilities including a nine hole golf course, swimming pool and spa. The venue is also ideal for a Christmas party, or an intimate festive feast.

This beautiful and dignified country house, built at the turn of the last century, has been tastefully restored and carefully extended to include 46 en suite bedrooms. Perhaps the most impressive addition is the magnificent Victorian-style glass conservatory that runs the full length of the original building, making the most of the hotel’s elevated position, with wonderful panoramic views over the Wiltshire countryside.

Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the setting of the nine-hole golf course and indoors is similarly well equipped, as you can discover the health suite with swimming pool, hot spa bath, Turkish steam room, snooker room and a well-equipped gym.

The Dining Room Restaurant set in the Victorianstyle conservatory is the perfect venue to celebrate or entertain. Under the direction of executive

award-winning chef Lee Scott, The Dining Room Restaurant serves modern European cuisine with artist’s flair and an emphasis on fresh, organic and local produce. Presentation is key as Head Chef Terry Greenhouse and his skilful team work up such delights as seared fillet of seabass with shrimp risotto and tomato butter sauce, or sweet treats that include chocolate roulade with caramel ice cream and a chocolate straw. The colours and textures are harmoniously balanced and the flavours are deep, individual and rich.

For larger festive gatherings, and weddings, the Ballroom provides a stunning venue for all occasions.

With its own bar, cloakrooms and private walled garden, this is the ideal location to host a lavish event with every thought and detail covered by the team.

Cricklade House delivers on every front, with style, charm and passion emanating from every facet of the experience that they offer.

Cricklade House Common Hill, Cricklade Wiltshire SN6 6HA 01793 750751 www.crickladehotel.co.uk

Cotswolds88 Hotel C

otswolds88 Hotel is an intimate boutique hotel set in the hauntingly beautiful village of Painswick, which in winter looks like it has been catapulted straight out of a fairytale. In here, the modern and vintage merge as the historic exterior and funky interior breathe new life into the foundations of this stunning country retreat. The hotel’s ethos is idiosyncratic and on trend; lavish luxury and chillout blend seamlessly together.

With easy access to the nearby towns of Cheltenham, Cirencester and Gloucester and only 40 minutes from the heritage city of Bath, Cotswolds88 is in a prime location for both town and beautiful countryside. Whether you are there to enjoy festive spectacles and the multitude of festivals, polo matches and horse racing in the area, or planning to escape the city to relax and enjoy the Cotswolds scenery, Cotswolds88 houses the best of both worlds.

Resting on an ancient Roman site, the 18th-century classical

mansion is a spectacular example of late Palladian architecture, and has been altered over the decades by a variety of architects including Arts and Crafts impresario Detmar Blow.

Try the pot roast Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, served with blood sausage roll, savoy cabbage and apple purée, and finished with a thyme and honey sauce.

Magnificent.

The 88 Room Restaurant has been winning new fans since the arrival of award-winning chef Lee Scott, whose impressive career has included running Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill. The restaurant can be hired for special occasions, with menus designed personally by the Head Chef to cater to the most discerning of tastes. Alternatively, the launch of 88 At Home makes for a refreshing and ingenious option, you can now host your dinner party in the privacy of your own home, with an unforgettable meal prepared and cooked by Lee Scott.

As well as the fantastic festive menu, lovingly crafted by Lee Scott and his dedicated team, visitors can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the ultimate afternoon tea seven days a week, either in the restaurant or outside on a terrace that boasts splendid views over the Cotswold Hills.

Organic and local ingredients are key to the contemporary menu and complemented by internationally sourced wines, spirits and champagnes. Dishes tend to be variations on great classics, with Scott’s signature touch elevating flavour combinations no end.

Cotswolds88 Hotel Kemps Lane Painswick Gloucestershire GL6 6YB

With 17 luxuriously designed en suite rooms providing breathtaking views across the Cotswold Hills, Cotswolds88 provides a unique and eclectic venue for dining, weddings, Christmas parties or that luxury get-away.

01452 813688 www.cotswolds88hotel.com

Charingworth Manor C haringworth Manor is an idyllic 14th - century Cotswold manor house set in a 55-acre estate just east of Chipping Campden.

The hotel has ancient oak beams, roaring log fires, wonderful antique furniture and a wealth of original features. But as well as character and charm, you’ll find all the modern comforts and amenities you could wish for.

Christmas is traditionally a time when family, friends or colleagues come together to celebrate. Whether you are planning an intimate meal with a few close friends or letting your hair down at a party with music and dancing, Charingworth Manor is the perfect place to be. The atmosphere and ambience are superb and the two AA Rosette cuisine is sure to satisfy even the most demanding palate!

Throughout December, the hotel is holding Christmas lunches and dinners complete with crackers and novelties. The menus feature traditional Christmas favourites along with some very tasty alternatives! You can dine in under the oak beams of the cosy John Greville Restaurant or enjoy the privacy of your own private room.

If you are planning a party with music and dancing, the head chef can prepare a special two Rosette festive menu. They also provide a DJ who will really get things going.

All you’ll need to do is issue the invitations and make sure everyone brings along plenty of party spirit!

Each of the 26 bedrooms has its own distinctive style and has recently been refurbished. As well as standard rooms, there are superior rooms, suites and four-poster rooms. If you’d like to make a night of it, your party guests can take advantage of overnight accommodation and breakfast from £42.50 per person, including the hearty classic breakfast.

Festive Lunch Menus from £23.50 Festive Dinner Menus from £32.50 Christmas Breaks from £449 per person for two nights and £645 for three nights Pre and Post-Christmas Breaks from £60 per person including dinner (December 1-23 & December 27-30)

Chpping Campden, Gloucestershire GL 55 6NS 01386 593 555 www.classiclodges.co.uk/ charingworthmanor

Clavelshay Barn Restaurant B

ased in a sympathetically converted barn on a working dairy farm, Clavelshay Barn really can offer a taste of the countryside.

Winning a Silver Taste of the West Award for the third year running clearly proves that Clavelshay Barn Restaurant is committed to local produce and delivers consistently good food. Owner Sue Milverton said; “ we are delighted to receive this award again which proves that we will not compromise on quality and we will always continue to use the best local produce. We are lucky to have a great team in Head Chef Guy Horley, restaurant manager Alex Ballinger and our young waiting staff who have all worked hard to achieve this award”.

Bookings are now being taken for Christmas parties. Clavelshay Barn is the perfect venue – off the beaten track but with all the facilities needed for a great night. The food is the key – if you are looking for a memorable experience rather than the

mediocre – look no further, and the service is both friendly and efficient.

The Christmas party menu is reasonably priced at £18.50 for 2 courses, £23.50 for 3 courses.

All dishes are made on site, including bread, which is made daily. To whet your appetite, start with baked Somerset goats cheese with sun dried tomato and parmesan salad, followed by a braised Somerset lamb shank on smoked bacon and grain mustard mash. Finish it off with a dark warm dark chocolate torte served with marmalade ice cream… mmmm.

Also on the menu is superb local turkey with all the trimmings and home-made Christmas pudding, for the traditionalists amongst you.

An extensive but reasonably priced wine list helps to complete the evening along with lots of local beers, cider and soft drinks Clavelshay Barn can also arrange special entertainment for you – simply ask and they can deliver. Ideas such as murder

mystery evenings, barn dancing, race night, wine tasting, themed evenings – add a touch of the exotic with a French, Spanish, Italian or Greek night.

Do you have a favourite film you would like to share with your friends with a supper themed to the film? Why not dress up and make a real night of it?

Clavelshay Barn can arrange and screen a film of your choice.

Love music? Live music can be arranged to suit your tastes.

Art lovers will be delighted to see work by four local artists on show at Clavelshay until Christmas, with exquisite embroidery from Jo Butcher, delicate watercolours by Kate Mears, stunning stained glass by Sue Heys and bold animals from Alison Jacobs.

Claveley Barn will tailor your experience so that you can have an evening of festive frivolity – just the way you want it.

Lower Clavelshay Farm, North Petherton, Taunton, TA6 6PJ 01278 662629 • www.clavelshaybarn.co.uk

Festive Season Menu Available throughout December Lunchtime and Dinner Spiced Parsnip Soup Caramelized Shallot.

Hot Hay Smoked Salmon Keta, Cucumber Raita, Blinis.

Game Terrine ‘En Coute’ Orange Jelly, Honey Roast Fig Baked Goats’ Curd Cheesecake Beetroot Textures, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Fillet of Seabass Saffron, Shellfish, Samphire, New Potatoes Roast Breast of Pheasant Chestnuts, Creamed Parsnip, Braised Potato, Cranberry Compote Slow Braised Pork Belly Maple Mash, Sprouts, Apple Braising Juices Woodland Mushroom Ravioli Rosemary Scented Cream, Garlic Foam ‘Baileys’ Iced Parfait Poached Satsuma, Spiced Dried Fruit.

White Lake Farmhouse Cheese Oatcakes and Chutney Lemon and Lime Tart Crushed Meringue Carrot Cake ‘Revisited’ 2 courses £15.00 3 courses £18.00

Restaurant Fifty C lifton, the most affluent suburb of Bristol, is home to a lovely new restaurant, which is already making its mark among both locals and visitors from further afield.

Restaurant Fifty offers a high quality dining experience in an incredibly relaxing environment, and the team there are getting very excited about the forthcoming festive season.

After stints on both Alderney and Islay, head chef and owner Scott Chance has brought his 33 years of fine dining experience to the mainland.

Scott’s traditional training stands him in good stead; his years of experience and pedigree background in high level catering make him a formidable chef and restaurateur, one that any restaurant would love to possess.

Upon moving to the South West, Scott was amazed at the wealth of quality, locally sourced ingredients available and this is reflected in

his menus; he and his dedicated kitchen team will seek out the best of local producers and hunt for wild foods to add that extra special touch to their dishes.

If roast turkey is really not your thing, you will be right at home here, as the set festive menu offers interesting and delicious alternatives such as pheasant and slow braised belly pork.

Being an independent restaurant, Fifty can also create a bespoke menu to your requirements with ease. With a great wine list that is carefully selected to perfectly complement the food, Restaurant Fifty offers a great all-round experience.

Should you wish to have an office party at lunchtime but are limited on time Restaurant Fifty can take pre-orders to ensure you are back at work within the hour. This is typical of the thoughtfulness that is present in every aspect of their service, which is most memorable.

Whatever your culinary needs this Christmas, Fifty is there for you.

50 Princess Victoria St, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BZ 01179 733711 • www.restaurantfifty.co.uk

THE fox S

ince taking over at The Fox over two years ago, Alex, Derek and Lisa Geneen have been building a very well-regarded destination dining pub. It's a real family business. Alex is responsible for the business side and running of the pub, while Lisa and Derek look after the interiors and outside space.

With its roots firmly in the community, The Fox has become a firm favourite of foodies and locals alike.

The food offering is based on seasonal and local ingredients, with the vast majority sourced from a 15-mile radius. Alex and his team in the kitchen work closely with their suppliers to ensure that only the highest quality, local produce is used and The Fox also has a smallholding at the rear of the beer garden which enables them to produce all their own eggs (chickens and ducks). There are rare breed pigs raised on site and the kitchen team make all their own bacon, sausages and charcuterie in house.

Although food is of great importance to the team at The Fox, drinkers are equally well catered for, with a great selection of lagers and West Country cider.

With four real ales on hand pump and 15 wines by the glass on offer there really is something for everyone.

Now that the autumn is firmly with us the log fires will be lit and more game will be on the menu. It is now open on Monday nights from and is starting an early menu deal between 6pm and 7pm Monday to Friday of ‘a plate and a pint for £10’, consisting of pub classics such as toad in the hole, fish and chips, ham egg and chips, steak and ale pie and others.

Bookings are now well under way for Christmas parties. The Fox is open Christmas Day for lunch.

This will be a popular time so it’s advised to book early.

Broughton Gifford, Melskam SN12 8PW • 01225 782949• www.thefox-broughtongifford.co.uk

The Green Park Brasserie

T

he team at Bath's Green Park Brasserie are Christmas party experts with over 20 years of experience.

The Green Park Brasserie’s excellent traditional Christmas menu provides a great selection for carnivores and vegetarians alike, with all your favourite Christmas trimmings included.

A fun and frivolous disco is also organised each evening.

Ideal for company Christmas groups, clubs and associations, friends or family groups, special dietary requirements are also provided for and the brasserie can cater for any size of party from 4 to 150. Bookings can be taken from November onwards.

Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath Somerset BA1 1JB 01225 338565 www.greenparkbrasserie.com

Christmas Evening Menu Smoked salmon and watercress salad with horseradish crème fraiche Three cheese and caramelised onion tartlet with sweet chilli dressing Chicken liver and port parfait with cranberry and balsamic chutney Roasted tomato and pepper soup with parmesan croutons and rosemary oil ~o0o~ Roast breast of turkey with honey mustard chipolata Sage and onion stuffing with roast potatoes and vegetables Slow roast belly pork with Somerset cider apple compote, roast potatoes and vegetables Organic mushroom and chestnut risotto with goats cheese stuffed mushroom and green salad Fillet of sea bass with roasted red pepper, squash and cumin couscous with sunblush tomato salsa ~o0o~ Chocolate bread and butter pudding with clementine custard Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Winter spiced fruits with Madagascan vanilla parfait Lemon, mango and cassis Marshfield Farm sorbet ~o0o~ Filter coffee and Elizabeth Shaw chocolate mint crisps Service charge is not included, and is left to your discretion

Three courses, coffee and chocolate mints and disco - £31.50 Reduced rate on 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th December of £21.00. Special rate on 3rd, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd December of £26.00

The Greenway Spa hoTel

C

hristmas is always a very special time of year for Michael Obray, Jose Teixeira and the team at The Greenway Hotel and Spa, as this grand Elizabethan manor pulls out all the stops for the season of goodwill.

Set in the lovely Cotswolds, only a few minutes from Cheltenham, The Greenway boasts a whole host of facilities including a state-of-the-art Elan Spa facility. Whether staying in one of the sumptuous bedrooms, or supping-on a festive meal – or both the staff at The Greenway will make your Christmas truly special, serving fantastic food and wonderful wine in a manner most charming and hospitable.

All details and requests are taken care of, allowing you to sit back and relax, enjoying every minute of the festivities as you soak up the Christmas spirit in a chic yet traditional setting.

The splendid restaurant and two beautifully designed private dining rooms are ideal for any occasion and will enhance the magic of your Christmas festivities, as they are carefully and thoughtfully decorated in keeping with the rustic glamour of the venue.

The bedrooms at The Greenway Spa Hotel are all refurbished, sophisticated and luxuriously comfortable, and Christmas and New Year’s packages are offered. All hotel residents get full complimentary use of the stunning Elan Spa facilities, which include a hydrotherapy pool,

experience shower, sauna, steam room, sanatorium and an outdoor hot tub.

The festive menu is traditional, yet it still remains imaginative, this is what we have come to expect from head chef Robin Dudley. He and his team are focused and dedicated, and do some wonderful things with the most seasonal of produce, much of which is sourced locally. This is deliciously fine Christmas fayre.

The Christmas experience at The Greenway begins on December 1st and runs right up to the December 23rd. Prices are very reasonable, with a three-course Christmas dinner setting you back around £35, and lunch even easier on your pockets at £18-£24; this offer only applies to festive parties of 6 or more.

The Greenway’s inaugural New Year’s Eve dinner and dance party will rapidly allay any post-Christmas blues! A glass of Champagne and canapés kicks off the evening; these are followed by a fine sevencourse dinner. Then it’s onto the dance floor to dance the night away to the mellow sounds of the Discerning Disco. At midnight you will be handed a glass of bubbly to toast in the New Year! Then dance away till 1am before your ‘carriages’ arrive to take you home.

The Greenway Spa Hotel, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 4UG • 01242 862352 • www.thegreenway.co.uk

Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds

RONNIE’S

R

on Faulkner is the owner-chef of Ronnie’s and The Muset by Ronnie. His distinguished career has seen him work in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the UK and Europe, for celebrated chefs such as Anton Mosimann and Ed Baines. Schooled in classic French techniques, Ron’s modern European cooking style is underpinned with a passion for using the very best seasonal ingredients.

The thing I love most about Christmas lunch is the sight of the table covered with delicious treats. There is

always an excess, more than we could possibly eat, which is quite clear by the number of little dishes surrounding a centrepiece of roasted meat which in the past few years has been a turkey and a ham.

This year why not try something a little different, while keeping with the traditional centrepiece and garnishes? How about a Venison Wellington with sides of red cabbage, Brussels sprout with almonds, carrot and swede purée and chestnut, onions and bacon.

Happy cooking!

11 St. Mary Street, Thornbury, Bristol, Avon BS35 2AB • 01454 411 137

I have suggested refreshing the sprouts in iced water. This could be done the day before and is aimed at taking the pressure off the big day.

It also allows the dish to be brought together quiet quickly leaving you to spend more time with your friends and family.

Ingredients 400g Brussels sprouts 50g butter 100g flaked almonds Salt and ground pepper Method Peel the skins of the sprouts and slice into quarters.

Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add some salt followed by the sprouts.

Cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove the sprouts from the water and plunge into iced water. Once the sprouts are cold remove from the water and drain.

To serve, melt the butter in a large ‘heavy-bottomed’ pan, add the almond and cook until the butter begins to turn golden brown. Add the blanched sprouts and toss. Season with salt and pepper and place in a warm dish.

Chestnuts, Onions, and Bacon Serves 6 to 8

125g pancetta 250g baby onions 250g Peeled and roasted chestnuts (available from a good deli) 2 tbsps honey Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley leaves Method: Peel the baby shallots and cut the pancetta into batons, about ½ cm thick and 2-3cm long.

In a large heavy-bottomed pan, start to cook the bacon over a medium-low heat, stirring often.

When the fat starts to render, add the onions with a couple of tablespoons of water, cover with a lid or tin foil and bake in a pre-heated oven at 160°C for 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven, add the chestnuts and honey and toss to warm through being careful not to break the nuts. Season with salt and plenty of pepper, and then sprinkle with the parsley and serve in a small bowl.

Red cabbage

¼ red cabbage 1 small onion 50g butter 250ml Red wine (shiraz) 50g caster sugar ½ cinnamon stick Method: Shred the cabbage into fine strips and slice the onion. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and sweat the onion. Add the cabbage, wine, sugar and cinnamon, cover with water and bring to a boil. Turn the pan down to a simmer, cover and gently cook for an hour. Remove the lid and continue to cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Season and keep warm. (The cabbage can be made a day in advance, cooled and reheated when needed).

Venison Wellington

1kg venison loin, trimmed and cleaned Sprig of yhyme 3 Garlic cloves 2 tbsps vegetable oil 50g butter 300g mushroom duxelles (see recipe right) 4 large crepes (see recipe right)

1 large sheet puff pastry 2 egg yolks Method: Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and season the venison with salt and pepper. Add the oil, thyme and garlic to the pan. Once the herbs start to colour add the venison and butter.

Seal the venison all over, remove from the heat and leave to cool.

Lay out a large kitchen cloth.

Place the sheet of puff pastry on the kitchen cloth. The pastry should be 3mm thick, 30cm wide and 50cm long. Cut the crepes into squares and lay them over the pastry leaving a 4cm border. Spread the mushroom duxelles evenly over the crepes. Brush the borders of the pastry with egg yolk.

Place the sealed loin of venison in the centre of the duxelles. Using the kitchen cloth lift the pastry over the venison and roll. The cloth will help keep the tension and wrap the pastry tightly around the venison.

Press the edges of the pastry together to seal it.

Place the Wellington on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush the pastry with the egg yolk and score a pattern with the back of a knife.

Place in the fridge until you are ready to cook.

Bake at 200°C in a pre-heated oven for 50 minutes for medium rare. Remove from the oven and rest for 15-20 min. (To cook it through, leave it to rest in the oven, but switch it off.)

To serve, cut the Wellington into 5cm thick slices and knapp with the sauce.

Mushroom Duxelle

75ml white wine 250g button mushrooms 150g shallots 50g unsalted Butter 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Method: Heat a saucepan, add the mushrooms and the wine, season with a little salt, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Finely chop the shallots, melt the butter in a pan and sweet the shallots (cook without colour).

Once the mushrooms are cooked, place them in a food processor and

chop them finely. Add the mushrooms to the shallots and cook until dry. Season with salt pepper and chopped parsley. Leave to cool.

Crepes

55g plain flour A pinch of salt 1 egg 100ml milk Method: Sift the flour and salt together and place in a bowl. Make a well in the centre.

Crack the egg into the well and whisk, slowly incorporating flour from the sides of the well. Once a paste forms gradually add some of the milk until all the flour is incorporated. A smooth paste should form. Add the rest of the milk to make a batter. Melt the butter and add half the butter to the batter.

Use a non-stick frying pan and lightly coat with some of the melted butter, and then add enough batter to form a thin pancake. Cook until it begins to solidify. Using a palette knife, turn the crepe and cook until golden.

Leave the crepe to cool and make another three.

Madeira Sauce

Venison trimmings 2 tbsps olive oil 50g shallots 4 large cloves of garlic 2 sprigs of thyme 1 tbsp butter 50ml chicken stock 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1 tablespoon cognac 100ml Madeira Wine Method: Chop the trimmings into small pieces, about 2cm. Sauté in a thick-bottomed pan until the trimmings start to turn brown. Add the shallots, garlic and thyme and continue to fry for a minute.

Add the cognac and flambé. Once the flame has burnt out add the sherry vinegar and reduce to syrup.

Add the Madeira and reduce again so half the volume of Madeira is left. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 30min. Adjust the seasoning and pass through a fine sieve.

THE HORN OF PLENTY “Head Chef is passionate about amazing diners by bringing classic dishes bang up-to-date with a touch of ‘wow!’”

The Christmas Celebrations menu: Starters • Ham hock terrine with fig chutney and walnut bread • Smoked salmon and trout mousse wasabi with toasted avocado • Whipped goats’ cheese, gingerbread and spiced beetroot • Bayonne ham with mustard, mint dressing, mustard frills

S

et on the edge of Dartmoor and overlooking the spectacular Tamar Valley, The Horn of Plenty is a country house that has been thrilling diners for over 40 years, with some of the very best food and drink Devon and Cornwall have to offer.

Head Chef Scott Paton has recently joined from The Jack in the Green near Exeter, and is passionate about amazing diners by bringing classic dishes bang up-to-date with a touch of ‘wow!’

The Horn has all the ingredients for a magical and memorable festive occasion. Renowned for its superb food, elegant surroundings, stunning views and warm, friendly staff, this time of year brings the added appeal of mulled wine, roaring log fires and wonderful Christmas decorations.

The Horn’s Christmas celebrations menu features a superb selection of festive favourites, using the very best, locally sourced produce.

Alternatively, select from their wonderful table d’hote menu, with lunch from £19.50. However, why not stay the night? Prices start at just £37.50 per person, based on two sharing. For those looking for something truly special, there’s a chance to indulge in a gourmet three-day festive break over Christmas or the New Year. Give The Horn a call and they will be delighted to provide full details.

The Horn of Plenty Gulworthy Tavistock PL19 8JD 01822 832 528 www.thehornofplenty.co.uk

Mains • Roast breast of free-range Devonshire turkey with stuffing, cranberries and roasting juices • Fillet of gilt head bream, saffron risotto and crispy squid • Slow braised belly pork, creamed cabbage and bacon, caramelized chestnuts • Mushroom and hazelnut pithivier with truffle cream sauce Desserts • Horn of Plenty Christmas pudding with brandy sauce • Classic crème brûlée • Apple ‘Bakewell’ tart with cinnamon ice cream • Chocolate and hazelnut mousse with passion fruit and banana parfait • £32.50 (lunch or dinner) • Lunch: £19.50 (2 courses + canapés) £24.50 (3 courses + canapés) • Dinner: £49.50 3 courses + canapés

The coffee den

at Jon Thorner’s Christmas Lunch Menu Starters

D

on’t be fooled by the wooden exterior, because inside the Coffee Den is a contemporary and fresh look you may not be expecting. Having opened just over a year ago, this café-style bistro has evolved into a dining destination and is full of pleasant surprises.

The café is run by local butchery and farm shop business Jon Thorner’s, and is built on the same ethos of promoting the best Somerset has to offer and finding the finest quality, local produce to serve to its customers. With this focus on local sourcing and cooking food from scratch, you can enjoy great tasting foods, whether you are joining them for a freshly ground coffee and a homemade cake, a delicious breakfast or a full-blown three-course meal.

They also offer an extensive wine list, with a selection of beers and locally-produced ciders.

During the festive period there is a Christmas lunch set menu,

• Roasted red pepper and parsnip soup • Chicken liver and cognac pâté with toasted granary bread • Prawn salad served with warm bread where you can enjoy hearty dishes such as belly pork in Somerset cider and indulge in Chantilly cream-filled brandy snaps. On Friday and Saturday evenings the lights are dimmed and the venue is transformed, serving up a variety of delectable dishes such as wild boar and apricot terrine, beef Wellington in a Madeira and juniper berry jus and sea bass with a tomato, olive and basil sauce.

The Coffee Den takes bookings for large and small parties and also offers private hire options, so it really is the perfect venue for a romantic meal for two, a relaxing afternoon for one or an overdue get together with friends – it has all the right ingredients for a delicious day or evening out.

Stockwood Farm Buildings Pylle Shepton Mallet BA4 6TA 01749 838938 www.jonthorners.co.uk

Mains

• Traditional roast turkey, chestnut stuffing and parsnip crisps • Seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes • Fillet of salmon on creamed leeks roasted cherry tomatoes and sautéed potatoes • Crisp belly pork with Somerset cider sauce, dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal vegetables • Butternut squash risotto with fresh Parmesan cheese and grated nutmeg

Desserts

• Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce • Blackberry cheesecake • Brandy snap curls filled with Chantilly cream and mulled winter berries

Coffee or tea Two course set menu £14.95 Three course set menu £17.95 Available lunchtime Nov 28th - Dec 23rd

The King’s Arms Hotel S

ituated in the centre of the historic and beautiful hilltop town of Malmesbury is a 16th century coaching inn with bundles of charm, and all the facilities to make your Christmas there an unforgettable one. The King’s Arm’s Hotel has long been a local favourite, and is attracting more and more visitors as a ‘destination’ inn.

There are 12 rooms available at the King’s Arms, all individually furnished and boasting en-suite bathrooms. Each room has its own unique character, allowing the King’s Arms to provide a variety of accommodation types.

The King’s Arms is offering a special festive rate of just £79.00 per night over the festive

period - from the December 15 to January 2.

The Hotel offers something for everyone with its Festive lunchtime and evening menus. It aims to ensure that both private and business guests can enjoy the highest standard within a comfortable, sophisticated yet informal atmosphere. The head chef has introduced some mouth-watering dishes on both the festive menu and Christmas day menu using locally based suppliers.

In addition to the main restaurant there is a function room; a pillared room providing a great space for larger groups for Christmas lunch, dinner or parties. There is also the

Orangery; a beautiful light and airy room that lends itself to smaller parties.

The King’s Arms is a small hotel, that is proud of it’s individual service. Whatever your needs we will tailor something to suit your needs.

The King’s Arms is an excellent destination choice this winter, and caters to all types of event.

The versatility of service there is matched only by the quality; whatever it is you need, the King’s Arms will do their utmost to provide it.

“A beautifully refurbished coaching inn, in the heart of England’s oldest borough”

The Kings Arms, 29 High Street, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9A • 01666 823383 • www.thekahotel.co.uk

Festive Menu To Start Oven Roasted Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

Christmas Day Gourmet Lunch Amuse Bouche Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad

Served with Crusty Bread

Butternut Squash and Coconut Veloute

Homemade Duck Liver Parfait with a hint of Cognac and Pistachio

To Start Fine Smoked Scottish Salmon

Served with Toasted Brioche and Homemade Spiced Chutney

Served with Pea Cress

Garden Pea and Black Rocket Risotto Served with shavings of Spanish Grana Padano cheese

To Follow Roast Turkey with homemade stuffing and all the trimmings Served with Roast Potatoes, Brussel sprouts, Carrots and Turkey Gravy

Confit Belly Pork served with Wholegrain Mustard Mash Served with Braised Red Cabbage and Star Anise Reduction

Butterfly of gently grilled Salmon served with Champagne Sauce Served with Asparagus, Carrots and Boiled New Potatoes

Bell Pepper Piemontaise stuffed with couscous, fresh herbs and topped with Mozzarella Served with Thyme Jus, Carrots and Boiled New Potatoes

To Finish Chocolate Fondant With Crème Anglaise

Traditional Christmas Pudding With Brandy Sauce

Cheese Board of Local and Continental Cheese Served with Homemade Apple Chutney and Biscuits

Chicken Liver and Brandy Parfait Served with Homemade Apple and Pawpaw Chutney and Toasted Brioche

Ratatoui Risotto Served with Parmesan shavings

To Refresh Mango Sorbet With Cointreau

To Follow Roast Turkey Supreme With Chestnut Stuffing, all the trimmings and a Turkey and Rosemary Jus

Gently Grilled Sea Bass Fillet With Roasted Potatoes topped with Fresh Tomato, Coriander, and Red Onion Chilli Salsa

Roasted Pork with Celeriac Mash Served with a selection of Seasonal Vegetables, Crackling and Apple Sauce

Bell Pepper Piamontaise Stuffed with Couscous, Fresh Herbs, topped with Mozzarella and served with Vegatables

To Finish Christmas Pudding Traditionally served with a Brandy Sauce

Chocolate Fondant With Crème Anglaise

Lemon Tarte With Vanilla ice cream

Selection of Local Cheeses

Please ask for flavours

Served with Homemade Apple Chutney and Biscuits

From £14.95

£49.95 per head

Selection of Ice Creams

LuckNaM PaRk F or the very best in stylish and contemporary dining, The Brasserie at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa is the perfect place to celebrate with family, friends or colleagues this festive season. Just six miles from Bath, this spectacular Palladian mansion and luxurious spa sits proudly within a 500-acre private estate, so why not take a stroll across the estate or through the gardens before lunch?

Award-winning Executive Chef Hywel Jones has created a delicious, festive three-course menu showcasing his talent with a mix of contemporary dishes and traditional favourites for just ÂŁ35, including coffee and mince pies.

This special menu is available for both lunch and dinner from December 1st, finishing with lunch on December 31st, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

GIFT VOUCHERS With the festive season fast approaching Lucknam Park has the perfect solution to your gift idea worries; you don’t even have to leave home! Browse through the extensive selection of luxury gifts and experiences, from spa days to afternoon tea for two, a gourmet dinner, horse riding lesson or a luxury weekend for two.

The voucher can be sent beautifully gift-wrapped to you or direct to the lucky recipient. To view the collection or to buy online, visit the website at

www.lucknampark.co.uk

To enquire or to make your reservation please call The Brasserie on 01225 740575, for groups over ten, call 01225 740520, or email: banqueting@lucknampark.co.uk

Made

By Bob

M

ade by Bob is an undeniably stylish restaurant and deli based in the centre of Cirencester, in the Cotswolds. Great food is served all day, starting with breakfast from 7.30am until 10am. Lunch is served from 12noon until 3pm.

A mid-morning and afternoon snack menu is now available from 10am until 12noon and 3pm until 5.30pm, with paninis, soup, fresh bread, olives, charcuterie platters and mouth-watering cheeses being served as well as a stunning choice of freshly baked cakes and pastries.

Made By Bob is open for dinner on Thursdays and Fridays from 7pm until 9.30pm, this can get very busy, so booking is advisable. The menu changes daily and the delicious food is prepared in front of you in a huge open-plan kitchen!

It’s good news for the hungry masses, as Made By Bob have recently expanded the restaurant section of their premises, now seating 30 diners.

If you’ve no time to sit and dine, but still want something delicious for lunch, Made By Bob has extended their takeaway offerings. Freshly prepared salads, soups, savoury tarts and paninis

are available throughout the day to grab on the go.

For festive treats and gifts, look no further, as the deli shop will be packed with Christmas goodies, perfect stocking fillers and treats. Their shelves will also be full of their own Made By Bob products, pasta sauces, chutneys and dressings.

Made By Bob are now taking orders for whole and half honey roast ham, terrines, cheeses, black and white truffles and charcuterie platters – just pop in for an order form or email them.

In addition to this, Made By Bob are re-launching the Christmas hampers that were such a success last year! Hampers can be ordered via email or in the shop. You can browse the deli and select the items you want or, you can let them choose them for you. Hamper prices start at only £75.

Made by Bob can cater for almost any event, be it a wedding for 200, an intimate dinner party for 12 or a canapés and drinks party to get you into the festive swing!

The outside catering is bespoke, so get in contact, and Bob will get to work on menus just for you. This restaurant and deli combo is a breath of fresh air, and undoubtedly just what the area needs.

Market Place, Gloucestershire, Cirencester GL7 2NY • 01285 641818 • www.foodmadebybob.com

City Café L ocated in the heart of Bristol, a stone’s throw from Temple Meads train station, Mint Hotel’s City Café offers a refreshingly unique Christmas and New Year’s celebration.

With an uncompromising approach to service and quality, plus plenty of seasonal goodwill, the team at City Café will make sure your get-together is both enjoyable and memorable.

Be it a convivial office party, an intimate family meal or a chance to kick back and celebrate with close friends, City Café offers modern function space from small private dining rooms to larger event spaces to suit your party needs. There are a host of culinary options to tickle your festive taste buds, ranging from the ever-popular great classics such as roast turkey with all the trimmings, to more contemporary variants of the nation’s beloved Christmas feast.

At City Café, the philosophy is

simple: Their team of awardwinning chefs skilfully and carefully prepare fantastic food from locally sourced and fine quality ingredients to give customers only the very best of what’s in season. Not for nothing have they garnered two AA rosettes, and the accolades keep mounting up: City Café is the winner of the ‘Best Food Award’ awarded by the Bristol Evening Post Restaurant Awards.

Why not stay in one of the beautiful rooms, all of which are light and airy, and many come with views across the gorgeous Temple gardens. The rooms come with thoughtful touches throughout; all guest suites come equipped with Apple iMacs with free, high-speed Wi-Fi access and Skype, as well as an amazing array of satellite and terrestrial TV channels and luxury White Company toiletries.

Tis the season to be merry, and City Café would like to share their buoyant mood with you.

Book a Christmas table before

November 31 and receive a glass of bubbly per person. Or if you are booking a table of ten or more, City Café will give you four bottles of wine for the table, completely free of charge!

Enjoy a happy Christmas at City Café, as they pull out all the stops to ensure that this will be a meal that stays with you, always.

Mint Hotel Bristol Temple Way Bristol BS1 6BF 01179 251001 www.minthotel.com

Mud dOck caFé P

erched above its very own bike shop and overlooking the cranes and boats of Bristol’s floating harbour, Mud Dock Café enjoys one of the best and most unusual locations in Bristol, especially on a cold winter’s day. Even with its spacious, wooded and industrial interior, it still manages to be cosy – an extremely difficult combination to pull off.

If it’s sunny, head to the southfacing terrace and enjoy the view.

If not, the warmth and welcome within will calm the nerves and soothe the soul. Black and white cycling footage on TV, bikes suspended from rafters, a bar constructed from dockside detritus and chilled out music create an unusual but perfect setting for a festive drink, meal or party. During its 15 years, Mud Dock has become both an institution as well as a venue where everyone feels at home, whether it’s for a coffee break,

family lunch, evening meal, office party or wedding reception..

The Mud Dock kitchen crew combine their passion for taste, local produce and value for money to create full-flavoured and affordable festive menus to tantalise the taste buds.

This year the less formal Party Menu is really popular with larger groups. It’s a more relaxed and slightly cheaper option to the traditional two-or-three-course meal and is served either as a buffet or on large plates to share at the table. The open, airy space of the café is ideal for larger private parties and, weather permitting, guests are welcome to use the terrace for pre-dinner drinks.

Bookings are also being taken for New Year’s Eve (details of the menu and live music can be found on the Mud Dock website soon).

The Christmas À La Carte Menu (For parties of 2 -102) 2 courses £18.95 3 courses £25.95 (lunch) 3 course supper £25.95

The Christmas Party Menu (For parties of 10+) 2 courses £16.95 3 courses £19.95

Mud Dock 40 The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB 0117 9349734 www.mud-dock.com

Oak and Glass

C

hristmas is a time when family and friends get together to share the magic of the festive season, and Weston-super-Mare’s Oak and Glass offers a great place to celebrate those tidings of joy.

Sit by a cosy, open log fire supping a glass of mulled wine, before enjoying a beautifully prepared three-course festive meal, finished off with your favourite tipple and a mince pie.

Throughout December, owner Amy Hunt and her team are serving Christmas lunches and dinners using the finest local ingredients, and transforming them into a Christmas celebration to remember.

Whether you are a table for two or a party of 32, your time at Oak and Glass will be intimate, relaxed and enjoyable. They are hosting Christmas parties every Wednesday to Saturday, so if you are looking for somewhere special for your office party, getting together with friends or ‘just because’, Oak and Glass

is a splendid place to wine and dine.

Enjoy a fantastic New Year’s Eve celebration, starting the evening with canapés and live music, followed by a five-course tasting menu and Champagne at midnight (soulful renditions of Auld Lang Syne optional). Then start the New Year on a high note with a four-course Sunday lunch served on New Year’s Day. Oak and Glass is open every Thursday to Sunday serving morning coffee, lunches, afternoon and cream tea.

And of course, they will be continuing to serve their ever-popular Sunday lunches from 12 noon, so book early to avoid disappointment.

A worthy destination, Oak and Glass is sure to be packed to the rafters this Christmas.

Its jovial atmosphere and delicious dishes make it a firm favourite with both the local crowd and visitors from afar.

1 Uphill Road North, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 4NE • 01934 641874 • www.oakandglass.co.uk

New Years Eve Menu 7.30pm: Canapés and punch Live acoustic music by local singer songwriter Ryan Inglis 8.30pm: 5-course dinner is served Velouté of celeriac and apple, sage cream Line caught sea bass, tarragon risotto, baby fennel Exmoor duck breast, foie gras, red grape and chicory Lemon posset, ginger tuile ‘White and 70% chocolate plate’ Cheesecake, brownie and ice cream Coffee, tea and chocolates Champagne at midnight to bring in 2012

Vegetarian menu also available £45.00 per person We can organise carriages from 12.30am if you wish, please ask when booking

Service charge is not included.

If you have any specific dietary needs please let us know. for bookings and more information please call us on: 01934 641874

Christmas Celebration Menu 2011 2 Courses £19.95, 3 Courses £24.00

paulet arms

T

he Paulet Arms, a village pub in all senses of the word, recently reopened after 200 years in the wilderness and is delighted to welcome guests to enjoy its fine ales and delicious, locally sourced food.

This charming pub has something for everyone; come in for a game of darts, host a cricket team meeting, eat some tapas at the bar or enjoy a glass of beer with your pie and chips, expertly prepared by renowned chef Adrian Jones.

Christmas time is an exciting time at The Paulet Arms, with a menu that reflects fun, tradition and most importantly care and attention to ensure guests enjoy the perfect meal in glorious surroundings.

It is a 'must-visit' destination, it certainly ticks all the boxes.

Westbury rd, Edington, Wiltshire BA13 4PG • 01380 830940

Starters Parsnip, lemon & tarragon soup Home baked bread and Butter Baked portobello mushroom With melting Blue Vinney & port sauce Potted shrimp Brown Toast Pheasant, clementine & beetroot chutney salad

Main Courses Roast free range turkey Stuffing, pigs In blankets, bread & cranberry sauces Roast saddle of venison Cardoman, fennel & red wine sauce Priory Farm rainbow trout fillet Lemon marmalade, horseradish sauce Layered vegetable & feta pie Shortcrust filled pastry pie, mixed salad with beetroot dressing

All are served with a selection of seasonal vegetables & roast potatoes Puds Christmas pudding Brandy sauce Clementine cheesecake Honeycombe Ice cream Warmed chocolate cake, chocolate sauce Chocolate Ice cream!!

Local cheeses Oat biscuits & cruit chutney Fresh ground coffee & mince pies

country’s kitchens. Follow this up with a delectable duo of duck breast and meltin-your-mouth confit duck leg on a bed of braised red cabbage. Those with a sweet tooth will not leave disappointed either: the caramelised white chocolate crème brûlée served with vanilla shortbread is quite divine. Discounts are available for those who dine on Mondays or Tuesdays, making this menu, already very reasonable, even better value.

The Primrose Café plays host to two quirky and intimate dining rooms, and both can be hired free of charge for large parties of festive revellers. When the frost is not biting too hard, there is also a charming terrace that is ideal for predinner drinks. Smaller parties can also be catered for in the buzzing downstairs dining room.

Primrose Café

E

ighteen years young, and still going strong, the Primrose Café in Clifton - the area many call Bristol’s answer to Chelsea - is a firm favourite for Christmas parties, with so many repeat bookings year after year, and there’s a reason for that: they serve some fantastic, boldly unpretentious food in a gorgeous setting, and the staff are to put it simply, wonderful.

This year they are offering a deliciously festive menu from just £25 for three courses using the very best of local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients.

Dishes are well designed; colour, flavour and texture are all balanced perfectly in this classic yet innovative menu. For starters, try the home-cured gravlax with dill sauce, which is simple yet perfectly prepared, and clearly takes influence from the Scandinavian-cuisine craze that is sweeping the

The Primrose Café will also be offering their seasonal á la carte and specials menus for parties of six or less, and will be offering a table d’hote menu from Tuesday to Thursday evenings up until December 1, when the Christmas menus come into play.

All dishes use ingredients that have been traditionally harvested without the use of artificial fertilizers and growth promoters, which reflect the seasons and support local businesses. Their wild fish comes from Cornwall and is caught on day boats using lines or small nets and delivered every day. Meat and poultry come from local farms that pay particular attention to the welfare of their livestock. The Primrose Café also raises pigs (!) and serves them on the menu as often as they can, making their own hams, chorizo and bacon.

Book early for the Christmas meal as tables at The Primrose Café fill up fast. Your festive experience will be one to remember, that much is sure.

Primrose Cafe 1 Clifton Arcade Boyces Avenue Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA 0117 946 6577 www.primrosecafe.co.uk

Christmas Party Menu 2011 Available from Thursday 1st - Friday 23rd December Please note this price and menu is for parties who have pre-ordered and paid the appropriate deposit - our normal á la carte and specials menus will also be available Home-cured gravlax, dill sauce, toasted rye Cream of celeriac soup, chestnuts and truffle oil (v) Potted pheasant, hot buttered toast Baked Chavignol goat’s cheese in thyme crumbs, mixed leaves, tomato relish (v) Seared scallops, black pudding and bubble & squeak (£2 supplement) Warm salad with sticky, smoked, shredded pork shoulder, mustard sauce and garlic croutons -------Wild duck breast, confit leg, braised red cabbage, port sauce and quince jelly Roast hake fillet, herb crust, spaghettini with crab and cherry tomatoes Portobello mushroom, nut croquette, sweet potato chips and red wine glaze (v) Baked salmon stuffed with smoked salmon, buttered greens, lemon and ginger sauce Chargrilled fillet steak, braised oxtail, parsnip purée and herb butter (£3 supplement) Rich and hearty game pie with a puff pastry top -------Caramelised white chocolate crème brûlée with vanilla shortbread Poached pear in Marsala wine, crème fraiche, hazelnut praline Hot chocolate fudge cake, chocolate and orange ice-cream Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and clotted cream Iced Christmas pudding parfait with hot rum butter Colston Bassett stilton, Montgomery cheddar and Bath Oliver biscuits We pride ourselves on using local, seasonal and organic produce where possible; our eggs are free-range or organic and we use fish from sustainable sources and locally-reared meat and poultry

£28 *special discounted price £25 Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays until 14th December* An optional 10% service charge will be added to the final bill.

Full details at www.primrosecafe.co.uk

The Olive Tree E verything that makes The Olive Tree, at The Queensberry Hotel, such a lovely place to celebrate all year round makes it even lovelier at Christmas. Under head chef, Nicholas Brodie, the restaurant continues to go from strength to strength. Nick and his team have established a unique style deriving partly from his varied experience and travels and partly from the benefits of Bath's own beautiful setting.

The city's location keeps the kitchen stocked with fantastic produce from highquality producers, whether of fruit, vegetables, cheeses or meat. Nick and the team take advantage of these fresh, seasonal ingredients, combining them expertly to fill the restaurant's frequently-changing menu.

And this year, while the

Christmas quality will be higher than ever, its cost represents amazing value. Two-course lunches start at £18.50, with three courses from £22.50.

Dinner begins at £32.50 for two courses and £38.50 for three.

These prices refer to the set lunch menu or table d’hôte dinner menu; à la carte begins at £37 for two courses and £46.50 for three.

This high quality has earned The Olive Tree three AA rosettes, an accolade afforded only to a select few. In the AA's words, three rosettes are proof of “cooking underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients. Timing, seasoning and the judgement of flavour combinations will consistently be excellent.” And, because the sum total of a restaurant's appeal lies in what you'll find in your glass as well as on your plate, The Olive

Tree is serious, too, about the wines it offers. So serious that the 2011 Good Food Guide named its list as the year's very best.

For no extra charge, The Olive Tree will make table plans and personalised place cards for your festive group bookings and - also for nothing - can arrange private use of one of their lounge areas, too. The private dining room is available for up to 28 guests, and, for a once-in-twelve-months event, there could hardly be a more special place to celebrate.

Russel Street Bath BA1 2QF 01225 447928 www.olivetreebath.co.uk

O

ur Christmas and Recharger programmes give you the perfect combination of the finest cuisine, attentive yet unobtrusive service and as much or as little entertainment as you could wish for. All that is left for you to do is sit back and enjoy our hospitality.

Ston Easton Park could have been purposebuilt for Christmas. The beautifully proportioned rooms, open log fires and stunning festive decorations come together to create the perfect atmosphere for a traditional Christmas house party. Join us for our two or three day break and let us take all of the strain out of the arrangements and provide you with the relaxing escape you deserve.Special accommodation rates are available for those wishing to stay overnight.

Festive Entertaining There are so many reasons to visit us over the festive season whether it is for a private family meal, an office party, or simply a festive lunch or dinner to get you in the spirit of the season. We will be serving a festive menu in the Sorrel restaurant from 1st to 23rd December 2011. If you would prefer a private dining room, we have a choice of options to suit the size and nature of your party. Why not call our dedicated special events co-ordinator to discuss your individual needs and wants. We have a choice of private dining menus for lunches or dinners, each one certain to make your Christmas celebrations an occasion to remember.

Black Tie Dinner and Dance Friday 16th December 2011 £46.50 per person Are you planning your office Christmas party or looking for the perfect way to celebrate with family and friends? This evening we will be hosting a Christmas party to bring together

groups of eight or more.

Join the party and enjoy a glass of Winter Pimm’s on arrival, followed by a special three course festive dinner menu and coffee. The tables will be decorated with traditional crackers and party novelties and after dinner there will be dancing until midnight. Special accommodation rates are available for those wishing to stay overnight.

Contact our special events department to discuss your own requirements and to make your reservation.

Christmas at Ston Easton Park is a feast for all of the senses. Whether you are in need of a quiet, relaxing break, seeking a venue to entertain friends and colleagues or in search of a decadent treat, our gift to you is the very best of cuisine and service, wrapped up in a stunning 18th century Palladian mansion. Exquisite antique furnishings, paintings and ornaments grace every room and the house is adorned with decadent decorations, stunning Christmas trees and traditional log fires.

The finest of seasonal fayre prepared by our chefs, combined with the service offered by our team of dedicated staff, will ensure you have a festive and relaxing celebration in one of the West Country’s most romantic estates.

Nr Bath, Somerset, BA3 4DF 01761 241631 info@stoneaston.co.uk • www.stoneaston.co.uk

The Queens Arms S

et in the picturesque village of Chew Magna, the Queens Arms has a sterling reputation for serving great, home-cooked food.

Fresh fish is a speciality here and the pub also offers a wide selection of fine wines and real ales.

The Queens Arms has a function room and skittles alley which can be hired out for private parties, perfect for your Christmas do. Your hosts James and Josephine will always extend a warm welcome to you and your festive friends.

Silver Street Chew Magna Bristol BS40 8RQ 01275 332151

Christmas Menu

Tomato, roast red pepper and mascarpone soup

Chicken liver and mushroom terrine served with granary toast Smoked salmon served on a bed of leaves with pickled cucumber and rye bread ~o0o~

Traditional roast turkey, sausages wrapped in bacon and sage and onion stuffing served with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes Grilled fillets of sea bass served on a bed of roast vegetables with a vermouth cream sauce Locally sourced 8oz rib eye steak with a green peppercorn sauce served with peas, tomato and wedge potatoes Butternut squash and chickpea tagine served with rice ~o0o~

Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Winter berry cheesecake served with cream Profiteroles vanilla cream with chocolate sauce West Country cheese and biscuits ~o0o~

Cafeteria coffee and mints 2 Course ÂŁ18.95 3 Course ÂŁ22.95

Christmas Menu 1st-23rd December 2011 Priced at £50.00 per person.

Curried Parsnip Soup Roasted Chestnuts, Apple, Parsnip Crisp

THORNBURY CASTLE

K

ings and queens have stayed here, courtiers have flirted with ladies-in-waiting in the ancient yewhedged gardens and serving girls have chattered in the stone-flagged courtyard. Today, Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire, still resonates with history, however, step behind the heavy oak doors and you’ll find a magnificent hotel with roaring fires, delicious modern cuisine and sumptuous bedrooms – a truly special setting for an overnight stay, a weekend away or for more formal occasions. And what better time of year to visit than over the Christmas period.

Complimentary Stay Host a lunch or dinner party throughout December for 20 or more guests and you will receive a voucher (valid for three months) for a complimentary stay for two in one of the beautiful bedchambers to include full English breakfast.

Murder at Thornbury Castle Saturday, November 12 Our chilling evening of murder, mystery and suspense will begin at 7pm. It costs £65 per person to include a glass of Champagne on arrival, a three-course dinner with coffee and a murder to solve!

Stay the night Based on two people sharing, Thornbury Castle is offering a special rate of £150 per night to include accommodation in a Classic Bedchamber and full English breakfast. Quote ‘Events’ when making the booking.

Thornbury, South Gloucs, BS35 1HH • 01454 281182 • www.thornburycastle.co.uk • info@thornburycastle.co.uk

Duo of Foie Gras (Parfait, Roasted) Gingerbread, Beetroot, Apple and Vanilla Chutney Seared Orkney Scallops Herb Gnocchi, Pancetta, White Onion Puree Roasted and Confit Quail Braised Baby Vegetables, Quail Consommé Lapsang Smoked Organic Salmon Pickled Vegetables, Horseradish Chantilly, Watercress Dressing ~o0o~ Roast Loin of Local Venison Dauphinoise Potato, 48 hour Marinated Red Cabbage, Spinach, Sour Cherry Jus Ballontine of Salisbury Pheasant Breast Pomme Anna, Creamed Sprouts, Smoked Bacon and Wild Mushroom Dressing Poached Wild Sea Trout Crispy Soft Shelled Crab, Lobster Pomme Puree, Carrots, Bisque Vinaigrette Duo of Hereford Angus Beef Roasted Fillet, Braised Feather Blade, Swede Mash, Salsify, Red Wine Jus Chestnut Gnocchi Roasted Artichoke, Beetroot, Pumpkin Puree, Parsley Foam ~o0o~ Warm Chocolate Fondant Malted Barley Ice Cream, Honeycomb Nougat Parfait Armagnac Soaked Prunes, Biscotti, Almond Foam Lemon and Lime Tart Lemon Confit, Mint Dressing, Raspberry Sorbet Chocolate Torte Chocolate Soil, Banana Ice Cream, Toffee Crème Brulée “Custard Slice”, Marinated Clementine Salad, Coconut Tuille Selection of Cheese, Biscuits, Fruit and Chutneys (£6 supplement per person)

Turnbulls I n the bleak mid-winter, there’s nothing quite like tucking into a hunk of cheese layered over a cracker, preferably with a sizeable glass of mead/wine in your other hand. Of course, the truth of that statement depends largely on the cheese so it’s fortunate that Turnbulls Deli and Café stock some of the finest fromages on the planet.

Turnbulls is a curiosity: Shaftesbury’s not a very big town, only 8,000 strong, and it’s a surprise to find a shop there displaying some of the best speciality cheeses outside of London. But Shaftsbury is pretty special too. Perched on a hilltop its location is one of the most beautiful in the English countryside, so much so that its locals jokingly dub it “The Shire”.

Turnbulls started up 8 years ago when its owner, Charlie Turnbull, quit being an

accountant and started selling cheese. “When we started, many of my suppliers were unique to me, locally anyway. Now most post offices, farm shops and village shops are selling the same stuff. But they can't compete with my cheese. And there are some great cheeses that are just a joy to sell.” He mentions local varieties such as Montgomery, Westcombe, Keens, Dorset Blue Vinney and Woolsery, as well as some quality European curds: he talks of 30-month-old Emmentals and rich Gorgonzola Dolce.

His store and café restaurant – he has about 40 covers and just about every dish is under a tenner – are all about the food.

“The photos on the walls I took myself – they are of cheeses I met on my travels. Those are rows of Ossau Iraty at Agour in the Pyrennees – you can try some here. It won the world

cheese awards a few years ago and it’ s the best.”It’s a two metre black and white photo that is a cross between a cheese store and the final scene in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Turnbulls is the kind of place we need more of: galleries to speciality foods where curiosity and delight collide, and with people like Charlie as their curators. Head for Shaftesbury this season. Life’s too short not to.

Turnbulls Deli & Cafe, 9 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8HZ 01747 858575 • www.turnbulls-deli.co.uk

Zazu’s Kitchen Z azus Kitchen is a wonderfully relaxing and homely eaterie that has up until now been based in Stokes Croft, but is now opening in a beautiful site complete with walled garden on the sunny side of the street on The Mall in Clifton Village.

Along with their now legendary breakfasts and lunches (all available to takeaway and enjoy in the comfort of your own home and/or workplace) they are introducing a two and three-course evening menu for dining in. Two courses cost £13 and three courses £16.50

(cheaper at lunchtime).

Add to that a BYO policy with corkage at £3.50, Zazu provides a great value and ethical dining experience, coupled with informative, friendly, efficient and non-intrusive service to give you an evening to enjoy without breaking the bank.

Menus will change fortnightly so there will always be something new to try, executed with the same skill that saw them pride of place in the Good Food Guide. So get down there and see for yourself then you can answer the question, do you Zazu?

52 The Mall Clifton Bristol BS8 4JG 07840 560868 www.zazuskitchen.co.uk

J

ust outside the historic city of Bath is Park Farm, in Kelston, where the historic organic Bath Soft Cheese is made.

Once well-known, and a firm favourite of Admiral Lord Nelson, this gooey, mushroomy, square, white-mould ripened cheese is now making a big comeback, and is still being made using the old-fashioned methods used in the 17th century, which imbues the cheeses with more flavour, before being served wrapped in parchment paper.

The Bath Soft Cheese Company make many other varieties of organic cheese, including the multi-award winning Wyfe of Bath Cheese, a sweet, nutty semi-hard cheese. It picked up a gold medal at Nantwich International cheese show this year and last year, and came first in the organic hard cheese category at the National Cheese awards held at the Bath & West Show in May - the second year in a row that it has won that category.

The company also make the Kelston Park cheese, a

larger more citrus flavoured soft cheese. According to the Daily Telegraph, it “has an authentic mix of creaminess and a delicious rind… as good as anything from Meaux”.

The Bath Blue Cheese is a newbie, and has only been around for a few years but is already winning many awards and admirers. It is creamy, moist and crumbly. This blue cheese has a strong flavour, but without the sharpness that put some people off blue.

You can get Bath Soft Cheese Company cheese in any quality deli, for example at the Fine Cheese Co; Nibbles or Paxton and Whitfield, online at Pong or Abel & Cole, or by visiting the farm shop at Park Farm, Kelston. Bath Soft Cheese will also be co-hosting a stall with Paxton and Whitfield at the Bath Christmas Market.

It’s cheese and cracker season, and without a doubt the Bath Soft Cheeses will be the first to disappear off of that festive platter.

Park Farm, Kelston, Bath BA1 9AG • 01225 331601• www.parkfarm.co.uk

Ode to Wyfe of Bath Think of early morning sun coming up through trees.

Then a breeze comes and gently sways the leaves.

Sunlight falls on farmyard walls, moves dappled shades on backs of cows and timber boards.

Now, see a dairy maid with bucket full and fresh.

See her pause and gently place the milk to rest.

This is how a ”Wyfe of Bath” will taste, brimful of life and earthy love, but at the same time blest.