5 stellar ways for you and your mates to spend your orphans' Christmas

If you find yourself flying solo this Christmas, you’re not alone (ironically). In Canberra, it’s a tradition almost as ubiquitous as the Christmas tree for friends and family to take a coastal or overseas frolic.

Many of us stay, however. And though Australian Red Cross data suggests almost one in three people feel lonely around Christmas, some venues in the nation’s capital spring into action on this magical day to pose the question – why not be alone together?

Whether you go solo, or manage to pull together your own crew, these six awesome options will ensure your orphans’ Christmas is no consolation prize.

Christmas Feasts by QT at Home

When: Order by Thursday 21 December for pick up between Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December
Where: QT Hotel Canberra, 1 London Cct, Canberra
Cost: $680 (serves four to six people), book here

Those who have assembled their own rowdy rabble, whether that be loved ones or your fellow orphans, can enjoy all the decadence of QT feasting at home with an extravagant seasonal spread. QT Canberra’s executive chef Michael Box has curated a breezy banquet for up to six guests from Capitol Bar & Grill’s award-winning menu and packaged it up into a take-home feast drizzled in dazzle and garnished with glee. Expertly crafted with simple assembly, these feasts feature the finest local ingredients, and instructions for a dash of heating and a pinch of plating.

Your table will be deliciously dressed with hand cured meats, freshly steamed tiger prawns with cognac mary rose and lemon sauce, Canowindra pork cutlet with lilliput caper and golden raisin, or slow roasted Junee lamb shoulder. Expect all the trimmings, including andean sunrise potato galette with confit garlic and smoked butter and chives, or zucchini with salsa verde and garden mint.

The decadence continues with Christmas pudding with brandy custard and sour cherries to winter wattle seed pavlova with crème Chantilly, winter stone fruit, mint and lemon balm, or QT’s famous, freshly-made tiramisu with espresso, cocoa nibs and hazelnut.

And if you’re looking for the right tune to set the tone for your decadent at-home dining extravaganza, QT’s music maestro Andrew Lewis has even put together a Spotify playlist including renditions of Christmas carols with a heavy helping of soul and funk, from James Brown to John Legend to Kasey Musgraves.

Christmas at Louis

When: Monday 25 December, from 11:30 am
Where: Louis, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton
Cost: $235, book here

If you’re looking to really spoil yourself, and cut out all the hassle of hosting and clean up, celebrate Christmas Day at Louis in the five-star Hotel Realm. Here you’ll find a memorable decadent four-course menu curated by culinary director Ben Willis.

The sample menu (subject to change) starts with barbajuan (a Swiss fritter) with prosciutto and prawn cocktail with butter lettuce. The entree proposes confit rainbow trout with shaved fennel salad and saffron bourride, followed by a main of chicken ballotine with chou farci, fondant potato and roast chicken jus. Finish off with coffee délice, dark chocolate sorbet and honeycomb.

Christmas at Ostani

When: Monday 25 December, from 2 pm
Where: Ostani Bar, Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton
Cost: Shared festive Christmas feast $130 per person, seafood platter for two to share $150 per person (preorder required), book here

Elegant dining meets a casual atmosphere at Ostani where you can join family and friends for a relaxed shared Christmas feast to remember. There will be two dining options on the day. The first is a seafood platter including prawns, South Coast oysters, calamari salad, Balmain bugs, salmon and tuna sashimi and sourdough baguette.

The second is a shared festive Christmas feast that begins with a delectable charcuterie and seafood platter of cured meats, prawns, oysters and sourdough baguette followed by a main of wagyu sirloin, free-range turkey breast with chestnut stuffing and cranberry sauce, raddichio, green bean, pear and Reggiano parmesan salad and roasted butternut pumpkin with Labneh. To finish off will be a range of decadent desserts including warm Christmas pudding with Rhum anglaise, gin and tonic cheesecake, mini pavlova and dark chocolate and strawberry lollipops.

Hotel Realm’s Christmas at Home

When: Order by Tuesday 19 December to pick up between Sunday 24 December and Monday 25 December
Where: Ostani, 18 National Circuit, Barton
Cost: Various, book here

Hotel Realm is also offering gourmet Christmas platters to share with your loved ones at home. All the hard work is done – all you need to do is reheat and plate it up, giving you more time to celebrate with family and friends.

The menu is a la carte, and includes shucked South Coast oysters, mignonette, tabasco and lemon, whole king prawns, cocktail sauce and lemon, Canadian pure Maple glazed local smoked boneless ham, traditional roasted turkey crown with chestnuts and cranberry stuffing, slow roasted lamb shoulder, beef wellington and a range of delicious sides including roasted root vegetables, duck fat baby roasted potatoes and baked maple glazed pumpkin.

Christmas Day Lunch at Midnight Hotel

When: Monday 25 December, 12 pm
Where: Braddon Merchant, Midnight Hotel, 1 Elouera Street, Braddon
Cost: Adults $165, children 10 to 12 years $50, children nine and under a la carte kids menu, book here

Midnight Hotel’s onsite venue Braddon Merchant will be staging a Christmas Day Lunch with all the makings of a memorable Christmas day: good company, fine food, exceptional wine, and not a dirty dish in sight. Expect a selection of festive shared-style courses and a complimentary Christmas cocktail on arrival.

Kids under 10 can order from the kids’ menu, and 10 to 12-year-olds will be charged at $50 a head. Midnight Hotel private dining rooms are also available – enquire via [email protected]

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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