It may only be the first day of December, but I know many people who have already begun food preparations for Christmas Day. Others I know consider the kitchen to be a place to keep their beer cold - or would simply rather let someone else do the cooking during the holidays.
Below are a few sumptuous options for those diners in the capital region who will not be cooking, but still need a turkey fix on Christmas Day. Please note that menus and times listed are for Dec. 25 only, and do not include taxes or gratuity. Please contact each establishment directly for reservations and further details of other dining options available this holiday season.
- In Sidney, the Beacon Landing Restaurant and Lounge welcomes guests for a buffet from 4 to 8 p.m.
Begin with a selection cold dishes including Greek, pasta and Caesar salads, artisan greens, marinated winter vegetables, crudit脙漏s and freshly baked bread. Save some room for hot dishes including organic free-range turkey with mashed potatoes, yams, seasonal vegetables, cranberry stuffing and pan gravy. Don't like turkey? Choose from baron of beef, baked ham glazed with grainy mustard and brown sugar, wild sockeye salmon with lemon and soybean ragout and vegetarian lasagna. A fresh fruit platter and assorted desserts (including gluten-free options) rounds things out. Adults, $30; children under 12, $17. (537 Beacon Ave., Sidney, 250-656-6690)
- The Hotel Grand Pacific will present a three-course meal in the Pacific Restaurant from 3 p.m.
Appetizers include roasted yam and pear bisque with spiced pecans and cr猫me fra脙庐che and duck sausage with pear chutney and wild rice cornbread, among other options. Continue with roast free-range turkey or pan-seared trout, roasted pork loin and red-wine-braised beef short ribs.
For the grand finale, choose from Christmas pudding with cr猫me anglaise, pumpkin pie with cr猫me Chantilly and a number of other tantalizing options. Adults $55; children five to 12, $26. (463 Belleville St. 250-380-4458)
- In addition to a buffet in the Crystal Ballroom from 3 p.m. ($99; children 6-12, $65), the Fairmont Empress will present a pricier 脙聽 la carte menu in the Empress dining room from 4: 15 p.m.
Begin with an amuse bouche of side stripe shrimp terrine or herbed bocconcini and tomato. Appetizers include duck rillettes and maple-smoked duck breast with black currant vinaigrette or roasted beets with blue cheese mousse, ice-wine-poached pear and walnut vinaigrette. Continue with soup - taking a page from Georges Escoffier to savour consomm脙漏 Bourdaloue or an aromatic hubbard squash and apple potage.
Recharge your palate with a refreshing champagne sorbet before free-range turkey with sage apple stuffing, buttermilk mashed potatoes and traditional accompaniments.
Those who may have had their turkey the night before might prefer beef tenderloin and Congacinfused demi-glace with goat cheese fingerling potato gratin; roulade of salmon and scallops and grilled king prawn. Save room for Christmas pudding, gingerbread, sable Breton and candied kumquats with honey sauce. Adults, $160; children six to 12, $80. (721 Government St. 2503892727)
- At the Delta Ocean Pointe, Lure will offer an 脙聽 la carte luncheon, with seatings at noon and 2 p.m. A separate dinner menu is offered for those who wish to dine later.
To begin, choose from roasted cauliflower soup with smoked Gruy猫re and cardamom-chive oil, or spinach and beet salad with sundried cranberries, and black pepper and ch猫vre mousse. Maincourse options include herbroasted turkey with black truffle pave, pork and pistachio stuffing and wild mushroom jus, or panseared salmon. Finish with gingerbread and chocolate g脙漏noise served with salted maple ice cream, red grape and balsamic compote, or a caramelized lemon tart with clotted cream and housemade blueberry jam. Adults, $45; children under 12, $28. (45 Songhees Rd., 250-360-5873)
- Aura in the Inn at Laurel Point will present a sumptuous brunch buffet with various seating times from 9: 30 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m.
If you're craving breakfast, begin with a made-to-order cr猫pe or omelette, or choose from baked ham, eggs benedict, french toast, house-made breakfast sausage and thick-sliced bacon and a variety of freshly baked breads and pastries.
Assorted salads include spinach, potato and tarragon, marinated beets and apple and celery root salad, all of which will complement the seafood platter offering chilled prawns, maple-infused wild salmon, Sake-steamed mussels and clams, sushi and more.
A kid-friendly section of the buffet includes decorate-your-own Christmas cookies.
In addition to carved turkey with onion and sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, winter root vegetables and brussels sprouts, hot dishes include prime rib of beef, braised duck legs and green lentils, roasted pork loin with couscous and fig and port demi-glace and seafood vol-au-vents.
Finish with cheese and fresh fruit or desserts including traditional plum pudding, Yule log, eggnog cheesecake, cr猫me brul脙漏e and more. Adults $65, children six to 10, $29 plus 20 per cent for gratuities and tax. (680 Montreal St., 250-414-6739)
