Has any Xmas dinner been so fantastic that you can remember it, or was it just the atmosphere?

I can honestly say I don't remember eating a meal in a restaurant for Xmas that was any good. But me and Sue are going to Caost Restaurant on Poole Quay, where they are doing 8 different xmas meals from around the Med. French, Italian, North African etc - And it looks excellent and not too badly priced

I used to love Xmas dinners when my sister and I were young, my mum is a fantastic cook, we always spent the day at home, stuffed our faces with a fabulous lunch and then got the selection boxes out and played with our new toys. It's a totally different thing when you get older, although I still love Christmas. Nick - your day sounds fab!

I was just thinking the same thing Porridge, it feels different when you are older. Christmas has more magic to it when you are a child.

The Christmas celebrations that stand out in my mind are the ones I've shared with family and friends. Enjoying each others company and sharing our favourite dishes.

One in particular was a lunch with immediate family and some close friends. We each prepared a dish or two and had a lovely, peaceful day (no long car trips!). The friends in question have an Austrian/German background so trying some of their traditional foods was fantastic. Lebkuchen was one of them...Mmmm!

Have never gone out on Christmas Day for dinner Nick. We keep saying we will do, but dont.I love the ritual of preparing the Turkey the night before and then going on to do the rest of the meal. The kids love to sit down to dinner. Know this phase with them wont last forever, suppose thats why I love it

Same here bestmum.Since leaving home,I have never had Christmas dinner out because I have a large family.

Also,my own family would be devastated if I suggested going out,as they find it a tradition to have it at home.I hope they don't think like that when they actually flee the nest!!!

we still love having the traditional xmas dinner even though its just the two of us now. as we live in spain its easy to eat out any time so aways cook xmas dinner with the trimmings.

We did try to gouout for Xmas dinner once with some friends. It was my little girls 1st Xmas. Absolute disaster, we ended up walking out without getting fed. They had taken far too many bookings (as a lot of places do! just greed I think) half the staff didn't turn up. We waited about 1 hour after being seated then had the worst starters ever. We complained as we were paying about £35 per head and £i8 for children but were told we would still incur the full cost of the meal. We ended up not having to pay but ended up sozzled with a fry up for dinner. Sorry to be so negative but I think home wins every time BTW Nick hope you have a super meal

Now thinking of christmas preserves. Know it a bit late, but I need you advice Nick, Relishmama

I can tell how ill I have been recently, I have been only half writing postings.

I actually meant pre Xmas dinners, as I have never been out (Except France) on Xmas Day!!! Sorry !!! I seem to be saying sorry an awful lot at the mo. !!!! Sorry !!!

The restaurant is actually called Coast not chaos or whatever I called it. Anyway - I'll get me coat !!!!

Yes - Bestmum what are you looking for? What about a Cranberry Chutney - If you made it this weekend, it would be ready by Xmas Day (Only takes 21 days to mature)

Oooooooh Nick I feel like Pavloves dog just thinking about the Cranberry chutney.
Sorry to hear you haven't been well Nick. Hope you are soon feeling much better
Managed to restore your site to my favourites.