"Christmas day lunch needs to be a bit special and when you have reserved a table at £95 a head you cannot help but feel nervous that you have made the right choice. We had no need to worry. Expecting a good quality pub type meal we were surprised to be served a meal more akin to fine dining but not stinting on the quantity of the food unlike many top class restaurants. The meal kicked off with an 'amuse bouche ' of roast celeriac veloute on poached apple, roast hazelnuts, chestnuts and crispy rice, served at at the table. Delicious! Starters followed, again beautifully presented on the plate, Duck and pork terrine for me and beetroot and poached apple for my wife. Then a really nice touch. Before the mains, we were presented with a wine glass containing a boule of lychee sorbet and the waiter topped it up with prosecco. Having cleared our pallets the main courses arrived, turkey for me and lamb for my wife, again cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The meal was rounded off by a good selection of desserts, both traditional and old favourites, We were well satisfied, in fact we had no room for the mince pies and coffee that we were offered. Service charge was automatically put on the bill, but for me that was no problem as I would have happily added it myself. The waiting staff were excellent and helped make the whole experience special. Thank you all at The Poplars."
