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Christmas Dining: It’s Not All About The Turkey!

At The Merchant Steakhouse, Christmas dining goes beyond the traditional turkey, offering an indulgent experience with three distinct festive menus. In this edition of The Chef Diaries, our Executive Chef explores our three new 2024 festive menus.

For many, Christmas dining is synonymous with traditional fare like roast turkey and rich puddings. At The Merchant Steakhouse, however, festive dining goes far beyond the expected.

 

Our Executive Chef, William Lee, brings over two decades of culinary expertise to create Christmas menus that blend timeless classics with modern twists, offering a variety of dishes to cater to all tastes. With three distinct menus—Christmas Day, Festive Lunch, and Festive Dinner—each crafted with precision and flair, guests can expect a festive experience that’s luxurious, comforting, and full of surprises.

 

Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or colleagues, each menu promises to deliver the magic of the season through carefully selected ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The Christmas Day menu serves up an indulgent three-course feast, featuring everything from Lobster Risotto to 50-day aged Beef Fillet, ensuring a meal that’s as memorable as the occasion itself. For those who prefer a midday gathering, our Festive Lunch provides lighter yet equally sophisticated options, while the Festive Dinner offers an evening of culinary delights, including premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and inventive vegetarian dishes.

Skip Ahead To A Question...

Question

Can you walk us through the three different Christmas menus you’ve crafted?

Of course. We have three festive menus for Christmas 2024: Lunch, A La Carte, and Christmas Day menu.

 

Our Festive Lunch offers dishes like Pan Seared Cod Fillet and Pumpkin Ravioli—perfect for a daytime celebration. The Festive Dinner adds a bit more indulgence with options like 8oz Ribeye and Cumin Spiced Duck Breast.

 

And for Christmas Day, we pull out all the stops with a three-course menu featuring dishes like Lobster Risotto, 50-day aged Beef Fillet, and our flambéed Christmas Pudding for dessert. Each menu offers a unique experience but shares the same dedication to quality and flavour.

Question

Turkey is synonymous with Christmas, but why do you enjoy going beyond the season’s traditional dishes when creating your festive menus?

While turkey is a classic choice and has its place, I enjoy pushing beyond the traditional to create a more diverse and exciting dining experience. Christmas is a time to indulge, so why limit it to just one dish? 

 

By offering options like 50-day aged Beef Fillet, Butter Poached Halibut, and unique vegetarian dishes, we can cater to different tastes and make the occasion truly special for everyone. It’s about elevating the holiday meal into something memorable and unexpected.

Question

What makes the Christmas Day menu so special?

Our Christmas Day menu is designed to be a luxurious three-course experience. Start with refined options like Leek and Potato Soup or Lobster Risotto.

 

For the main event, enjoy dishes such as the Oven Roasted Turkey Ballotine with all the trimmings, 50-day aged Beef Fillet with a rich bordelaise, or Butter Poached Halibut paired with champagne and caviar velouté. End your meal with indulgent desserts like a flaming Christmas Pudding or Tipsy Laird trifle for a truly festive finish.

Question

What can diners expect from the Christmas Lunch menu?

Our Festive Lunch menu offers an elevated midday celebration with dishes that bring a contemporary twist to traditional favourites. Start with options like Beetroot & Gin Cured Salmon or Harissa Spiced Scotch Broth.

 

The main course features choices such as 8oz Ribeye with truffled wild mushrooms, Cumin Spiced Duck Breast with smoked carrot purée, and Pumpkin Ravioli for a vegetarian delight. The dessert selection includes indulgences like Cinnamon Spiced Apple & Rhubarb Crumble and a decadent Chocolate Torte.

Question

What does the Festive Dinner menu offer?

The Festive Dinner menu is ideal for those looking to enjoy a relaxing evening with loved ones, friends and colleagues. Begin with a starter like Beef Cheek & Bone Marrow Spring Roll or Pan Seared King Scallops. For mains, guests can choose from exquisite dishes such as Pan Seared Cod Fillet, 8oz Fillet Steak, or vegetarian Pumpkin Ravioli.

 

The dessert selection rounds off the evening perfectly with options like Key Lime Pie with coconut ice cream or a Trio of Sorbets for a refreshing finish.

Question

Any tips for people cooking Christmas dinner at home?

Don’t stress! Prep as much as you can ahead of time. And if something doesn’t go to plan, just enjoy the day and have a laugh about it. Alternatively, you could just come to The Merchant Steakhouse as you unwind and let us do the hard work!

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Chef Lee's New A La Carte Menu is now available!

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