Christmas Lunch

December 1998

How to find and choose a place for Christmas Lunch, that all important celebration in our year? If you have a large family it's hard to find somewhere special and affordable enough. Or if you are a twosome or, on your own, you might just want a good meal without the trimmings. There are some splendid menus around town, many lavish offerings at over $100 so we've hunted out some good places offering lunch from $18-$80.

The Plough Hotel in Footscray offers very good family value with a three course traditional menu (choice of soups, of main and of dessert) for $35, $15 children under 12. There will be a real Christmas tree and decorations as well as an AIM (Arts & Crafts Maribyrnong) exhibition with a Christmas theme. Currently the large open room has concrete Spring Rams rampant on each end of the kitchen counter and a large Clydesdale and other animals on display along with a bull's head with glowing red eyes (called Eat More Meat) and other interesting art works (possible presents?) around the walls. The wine list offers a good range at reasonable prices, dishes are generous and well plated by friendly staff. It's a lively space set on the corner of Barkly Street and Geelong Road with large windows around the three corners letting in plenty of light (phone: 9687 2070)

At The Laurel Hotel in Ascot Vale the dining room is booked out but there is still room in the Punters Bar for a three course menu at $25 for adults and $12.50 for children (phone: 9370 5800).

In Brighton the Half Moon has a three course menu which includes a glass of champagne for adults $60 and a gift for children $30 (phone: 9591 0611)

At Shark Fin Inn City there is a Christmas Banquet Menu for $32.80 of nine Chinese dishes (minimum of 4 people) and at Shark Fin House and Shark Fin Keysborough menus ranging from $26-40. At Dragon Boat Little Bourke Street there is a $35 menu of nine dishes (minimum of 2 people) children half price. The other Dragon Boat restaurants, like many other Chinese restaurants in the suburbs and some in the city are offering their normal Yum Cha service at lunch and a la carte menus at dinner.

With an outside garden for children to play in and an informal and inexpensive Asian lunch of soup, noodles, curry, stir fries, and dessert, at just $18 (less for children) The Palms in Syndal is still taking bookings (phone: 9803 9668).

At the recently opened Kanzaman in Richmond (same owners as Dunyazad), a Middle Eastern banquet will be served for Christmas lunch for $30, including seafood $40 (phone: 9429 3402).

There won't be Swiss snow but there will be a Swiss Antipasto, Turkey salad; a choice of Beef Wellington or Atlantic Salmon followed by Christmas pudding, tea and coffee included for $47.50 ($15 for children) at The Swiss Rösti Bar in the city (phone: 9654 0088)

Also in town, Republique Brasserie, is offering Champagne and canapes to start with a choice of 3 entrees, 3 mains (including lobster) and 3 desserts. The cost including tea, coffee and petit fours is $75. Children can order roast turkey or battered whiting, both with chips, for $13.50 and have a choice of 3 desserts for $9 (phone: 9654 6699).

In Fitzroy, Guernica has two sittings, 11.30am and 2pm for lunch of three courses at $55. (phone: 9416 0969) Further north in Brunswick Street, Matte's has a four course menu for $75, $45 for children (phone: 9481 1177)

Toorak Rd's France Soir offers some real French classics and a splendid wine list to spoil yourself with. Amuse-gueule to start; a choice of oysters, salmon or snails followed by foie gras or crayfish or king prawns then a choice of eye-fillet or turkey or fish in champagne sauce, followed by crème brulée or Christmas pudding or bûche de noël, coffee and petits fours for $80, children $35 for two courses (phone: 9866 8569).

Over the road at Cosi, chances are you will be given a glass of champagne and there might be some Italian style Christmas Day specials. But you don't have to commit to the 'big meal', there is no set charge and there are still bookings available for lunch and dinner (phone: 9867 3999).

Jimmy Siu (of the Shark Fin group) has recently opened Citrus in Beaumaris (not yet visited) and is offering a menu which includes a choice of crayfish, smoked salmon or quail to start; followed by a mango sorbet; choice of four mains including turkey and of four desserts including Christmas pudding. The menu is $55 including coffee, tea and petits fours (phone: 9589 2199).

In Eltham, award winning chef Stephen Mercer offers a four course set lunch including savouries, petits fours and a glass of sparkling wine for $70, children $35 for two courses and soft drinks. (Mercer's phone: 9431 1015)

George's Cafe, at the Westend Market, in Sunshine, is booked out for Christmas lunch, however is opened for usual a la carte service at dinner (phone:

Piero's By Tony Sassi, at the Crown Complex offers a set 5 course Lunch menu for $85, children $50. Christmas dinner will be a la carte (phone: 9645 5400).

The Red Emperor at Southbank will be opened for service as usual. With a Yum Cha luncheon, and a la carte dinner (phone: 9699 4170).

Flouch's Restaurant, in Armadale have a 5 course set Lunch menu (including coffee and petit four) for $75, children (under 12) $40 for three courses (phone 9822 8515).

The Angler's Tavern in Maribyrnong, have a five course Lunch menu including beer, wine, soft drinks and coffee, for $55. Children; under 12 years $20, and under 5 years $12.00 (phone 9318 2811).

Aquis, in Williamstown, have a 4 course set Lunch menu including coffee and glass of sparkling wine on arrival for $80, children under 12 $35 (phone 9397 2377).

O'Connells in South Melbourne, have a four course set Lunch menu with a Middle Eastern twist, for $85, children under 12 for $45 (phone 9699 9600).

The Brasserie at Georges in the City, have a 4 course lunch menu including a champagne cocktail on arrival and coffee and hand made chocolates for $95, and children under 12 are $45 (phone ).

Arthur's Peak Restaurant in Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, are offering a four course menu with a selection of two courses with each course and tea and coffee served with petit fours for $90, a three course menu for children for $50. As entertainment pianist Allan Young will be performing (phone 03 5981 4444).

Marchetti's Latin in the City, have a four course Lunch menu including a glass of French champagne and coffee for $105, and $45 for children (phone 9662 1985).

Peppers Delgany Portsea , are offering a 7 courses including coffee, for $95 (phone 03 59 844 000).

Plume in Doncaster are open for service as usual, dinner however is booked out (phone 9840 1122).

The Point on Albert Park Lake, in the Restaurant a set four course lunch menu including coffee and chocolates for $90, and $40 for children under 12. The Point cafe have a three course Lunch menu, including coffee, for $45, and $25 for children under 12 (9682 5577).

The Treasure in Forest Hill, have two Lunch sitting for Yum Cha, with the usual menu offered at dinner (phone 9803 2388).

111 Spring Street at The Windsor Hotel have a buffet style Christmas lunch available including wine, beer, soft drinks and entertainment for $145, children aged 5-12 years, are $65.00. In the Canberra Room, the buffet is available also including all beverages for $135, and children aged 5- 12 years $55 (phone 9633 6004)