Christmas Dinner Christmas Day
Anon asks
"I wonder if you know any pubs or restaurants that are open in Greenwich on Christmas Day for lunch. Everything in Blackheath is incredibly expensive."
The Phantom replies:
I guess the problem is that few people want to actually work on Christmas Day if they can help it - and if they do, they want to be well-remunerated for it. I did it once and I hated it so much I swore I'd never, ever do it again. So restaurants do charge more on that day.
Right-ho - no Blackheath venues, then, which, I confess cuts down the list of really good eateries.
It's been an interesting time trying to find out what will be open. I started with the places I'd actually choose to eat at for Christmas lunch, and worked out from there.
The Plume of Feathers, from its website, at least, has a Christmas menu but doesn't appear to be serving on the day itself. Inside, too, is shut between the 23rd December and 2nd Jan. The Rivington closes Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Ditto the Greenwich Union. The Hill is open - but full. I was only able to find the test page for the Ashburnham Arms's website and they weren't answering their phone, but if they're doing something, it may well be worth a look. The Cutty Sark uses that bloody awful telephone answering service supplied by beer comparison websites which I refuse to subscribe to, as does the Yacht, so I don't know what they're up to.
The Guildford would be my top choice. And it would have been anyway, even if all the others weren't closed. I love that place - and the food. The proprietor is great - sincere and passionate about his place. The Christmas menu is here and comes in at £24.95 - I don't know if there's a Christmas Day supplement - but it seems pretty reasonable to me for three courses. Nougat ice cream bombe. Mmmm.
If you're cool with Greenwich Inc, The Spread Eagle is open on Christmas Day, for both lunch and evening meal. Their menu is here and costs £35 or £42.50. Also the Bar du Musee, which has a choice of menu at £33. I confess I find the place soulless (it began so promisingly, but as it's been taken over and enlarged and enlarged, until it's developed an almost warehouse-like feel.) but plenty of people like it. The Trafalgar Tavern, which I would have expected to be a dead cert, is closed.
So there you have it -the bad news and the good news. The bad being that practically nowhere's open - the good being that the one place that personally I would choose over all the others is open.
Good luck and Merry Bookings...
"I wonder if you know any pubs or restaurants that are open in Greenwich on Christmas Day for lunch. Everything in Blackheath is incredibly expensive."
The Phantom replies:
I guess the problem is that few people want to actually work on Christmas Day if they can help it - and if they do, they want to be well-remunerated for it. I did it once and I hated it so much I swore I'd never, ever do it again. So restaurants do charge more on that day.
Right-ho - no Blackheath venues, then, which, I confess cuts down the list of really good eateries.
It's been an interesting time trying to find out what will be open. I started with the places I'd actually choose to eat at for Christmas lunch, and worked out from there.
The Plume of Feathers, from its website, at least, has a Christmas menu but doesn't appear to be serving on the day itself. Inside, too, is shut between the 23rd December and 2nd Jan. The Rivington closes Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Ditto the Greenwich Union. The Hill is open - but full. I was only able to find the test page for the Ashburnham Arms's website and they weren't answering their phone, but if they're doing something, it may well be worth a look. The Cutty Sark uses that bloody awful telephone answering service supplied by beer comparison websites which I refuse to subscribe to, as does the Yacht, so I don't know what they're up to.
The Guildford would be my top choice. And it would have been anyway, even if all the others weren't closed. I love that place - and the food. The proprietor is great - sincere and passionate about his place. The Christmas menu is here and comes in at £24.95 - I don't know if there's a Christmas Day supplement - but it seems pretty reasonable to me for three courses. Nougat ice cream bombe. Mmmm.
If you're cool with Greenwich Inc, The Spread Eagle is open on Christmas Day, for both lunch and evening meal. Their menu is here and costs £35 or £42.50. Also the Bar du Musee, which has a choice of menu at £33. I confess I find the place soulless (it began so promisingly, but as it's been taken over and enlarged and enlarged, until it's developed an almost warehouse-like feel.) but plenty of people like it. The Trafalgar Tavern, which I would have expected to be a dead cert, is closed.
So there you have it -the bad news and the good news. The bad being that practically nowhere's open - the good being that the one place that personally I would choose over all the others is open.
Good luck and Merry Bookings...
Labels: Christmas at Greenwich, Eating Out
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
07:52
9 Comments:
Not "in" Greenwich, but goes "to" Greenwich is the river-restaurant, Bateaux who also do an Xmas lunch thingy.
I don't know how good their food is as I haven't been on them, but they plough past my flat several times per day, so based on popularity alone they can't be that bad.
(yes, I know that based on popularity alone, McDonalds is quite good - but I suspect different criteria apply here)
http://www.bateauxlondon.com/special-occasions/christmas-lunch-river-cruise.asp
Good idea, Ian.
I went to the Hill last year and it was great. £55.00 (I think) for a three course dinner. The atmosphere was brilliant. I'm going again this year but not sure yet what they are charging. Although if they are full this info isn't that helpful! The Ashburnham Arms nearby is usually only open until 3.00 for drinks but again the atmosphere is super (as are their New Year Eve parties)
I have heard good things about the Novetel for Christmas lunch. I would also agree with your suggestion of the Guildford but I know they get booked up fast too. What about SE10? I believe they were open last Christmas Day for lunch.
Lord, you're so right about the Bar du Musée. It was a wonderful place, and has been so comprehensively ruined. I occasionally go in for coffee and last time there was tumbleweed blowing through its cavernous, empty interior.
As has been pointed out here before, I was told by an ex-managed that Frank keeps all the service charge. So if you do drop in there, make sure you tip in cash.
The Bar du Musée long ago became a Harvester Inn, a dining area in a Costa Del Sol hotel and airport lounge all in one. I wouldn't have Christmas dinner there if you paid me.
How about the Vanbrugh Tavern - is that open?
I had Christmas lunch at Cafe Rouge in Greenwich 2 years ago. Was just under £50 for 3 courses and the food was pretty good. The atmosphere was fine, and their slow service is actually not a bad thing on Christmas day. Probably a good fallback option if the Guildford is full.
Just get a nice curry delivered, very traditional.
I can't believe no-one's mentioned Green Village......
cafe rouge in blackheath is open for christmas lunch
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