Restaurant options for lunch on Christmas day?

Advance Note: I/we have no association with Hotel Realm or the Konoba restaurant (as following might sound like an advertisement)

We had Christmas lunch today at the Konoba restaurant at Hotel Realm in Barton. We had a very good experience and think it was exceptional value for the money.

Cost was $120 per head which included:

– 4x Entrees served in the middle of the table to share including tempura prawns, oysters, prosciutto, salmon and bruschetta.

– Passionfruit sorbet

– Mains choice of either beef or turkey. We chose the beef and it was divine – melted in your mouth.

– Dessert of Christmas pudding (very yummy) with custard, home-made ice cream, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries

– Petite fours chocolates and very good coffee.

Now one of the best parts of the whole experience was that drinks were included – very nice sparking Chardonnay and very smooth Shiraz (both Bare Hands from SA), beer, coffee etc. We probably saved $200 just on drinks being included.

Now this was our fist visit to Konoba and the atmosphere was very pleasant – not too quiet and not too noisy just a good jovial atmosphere. The layout and style of the restaurant is modern but not pretentious. Clean lines but not too cold or generic. The large windows facing out from the restaurant really open up the light only adding to a great Christmas lunch atmosphere.

Overall pleasantly surprised and a very good experience. Looking forward to next year!

“- Boathouse Restaurant ($210 per head excluding drinks – too expensive!)”

Looks like they won’t be opening this year.

Due to a change in plans I’m after tips for Christmas dinner (for two) if anyone has any. Yes, I know it’s a bit late in the game to start this process.

AdventureTime said :

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I agree that the Boathouse is a nice venue, and the food there is good, the main problem is that some of the fussier members of my family won’t be willing to pay $210 per head. Podfood looks like a good option, though.

despite having worked there (the boathouse) I wouldn’t either. But I must admit I wouldnt pay to go out for christmas day lunch anywhere. My extended family does the ‘everyone bring a plate’, cold meat and salads thing

Pod food is a very good option. An ex-boathouse chef now owns and runs the business

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. I agree that the Boathouse is a nice venue, and the food there is good, the main problem is that some of the fussier members of my family won’t be willing to pay $210 per head. Podfood looks like a good option, though.

Went to Podfood at Piallago last year. Set menu (delicious) and attentive service. Space for children to play in courtyard outside within view of parents. They don’t currently have this years’ menu & prices posted on their website but the 2010 menu is still up (likely to give you a good idea). Also did matched wines for those that wanted or by the glass for those being more restrained.

I used to work at the boathouse when I was at uni. I had a quick look and noted $210 gets you a 6 course set menu meal plus chocolates to end and a small starter… Thats not too bad I guess (remembering all restaurants open Chrissy Day pay double time and a 1/2 or triple time staff wages.) The meal structure was similar when I worked there, not for everyone, but from the service point of view people didnt wait a decade to get through the whole meal (the boathouse had christmas day down to a fine art food service wise)

When I was there children were welcomed (I hope warmly). They used to offer a kids meal, at a reduced cost of course, and probably still do on inquiry as well as a vegetarian alternative for the set menu. Usually kids were given small activities to do e.g drawing etc, but no not age specific. Plus the venue location meant the older kids usually went outside and played with parents having a clear view of them from inside.

All this said, I havent worked there for years and therefore cannot comment on them now but I would doubt much has changed with their christmas day experience.

Jethro said :

So… are (very small) children welcome at these places on Christmas Day?

All of the establishments mentioned welcome small children, with some like the Hyatt making extra effort to entertain them. The question is, will they enjoy themselves for long enough to make the price worth it ?

lobster said :

KFC is open on Christmas day.

The Dickson one wasn’t when I tried to have an impromptu Japanese-style Christmas meal 🙁 (yes, it’s ‘tradition’ to eat KFC on Christmas day there- the power of advertising at work)

johnboy said :

beats sitting alone eating pudding out of a can with your fingers though.

It’s a tough decision for those people. $210 dinner, or sitting alone eating pudding out of a can with one’s fingers? I often face this dilema. Probably many do.

i dunno. Xmas dinner at a restauranty place just isn’t right. Even if I was on my own, I’d probably cook a chook and stuff. And if you’re lonely, head to the local YHA hostel, full of people in the same boat.

KFC is open on Christmas day.

Or…
Normally one of two of the clubs do a Xmas lunch but they normally only advertise closer to the event.