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Christmas dining to free the inner-home cook


Christmas joy and cheer, in truth, are only reserved for those who don't have to baste a turkey for hours and contend with peeling prawns and making sure guests and relatives are adequately lubricated with libations of beer and bubbly.

This Christmas it's important to celebrate those who are hard at work in front of a hot grill or oven, by setting them free from their turkey-basting and prawn-peeling duties. This list offers those wanting to celebrate Christmas by freeing the home cook - or inner-home cook - with a variety of options where they can sit back and celebrate in style while having someone else cooks the bird.

1
 
Baguette
Ascot
This little slice of France in sunny Queensland is offering some very French takes on Christmas staples. Dishes such as the turkey paupiette (purse) on crushed vegetables with dried cranberry sauce will have Christmas traditionalists enthused, as should the roast venison with cauliflower puree, caramelised peach and brandy sauce. This three-course meal costs $150 for adults, $95 for young adults aged 13-17, and $50 for children aged 3-12. Bookings are essential and are taken from 11.30am.

2
 
Times on the Park
Sydney
This fine-dining restaurant offers patrons a Christmas degustation lunch combining traditional Christmas dishes, such as pistachio-crusted turkey roulade, with Aussie staples such as John Dory with marinated squid. Prices are $250 per person including alcohol. Kids can eat for $185. Lunch starts at 12.30pm

3
 
Mosaic
Sydney
Beginning with a buffet entree and followed by an a la carte main, this venue offers diners a selection of dishes to start, including Sydney rock oysters, prawns and blue swimmer crab. For mains, slow-roasted turkey breast is on the menu, alongside honey-glazed ham; and slow-cooked root vegetables with cranberry jus. Head back to the buffet for dessert. Prices are $180 per person and $70 for children aged 3-12, and festivities get underway at noon.

4
 
Du Jour Restaurant
Acton
This Canberra restaurant is offering a Christmas lunch filled with the delights of the sea, but for Christmas purists the turkey also makes an appearance on the menu. The Christmas pudding will delight those with a sweet tooth. Prices start at $50 per head for the traditional Christmas lunch and $65 a head for those wanting seafood. Guests are invited to BYO with a corkage fee of $8.

5
 
Waterfront Station Pier Restaurant
Port Melbourne
Relax with a glass of wine and take in the beautiful views as you choose from a set menu of predominately seafood. There s a porterhouse steak for those who must absolutely have meat, but the turkey is left out of the equation. Prices are $110 per person and $55 for kids aged 4-12. Kick-off is at noon, so make sure the kids have opened all their pressies.

6
 
The Botanical Dining Room
South Yarra
Anointed by many of the South Yarra cognoscenti as the restaurant to see and be seen, it s a classy Christmas affair with a four-course degustation on offer. Dishes such as wood-roasted snapper and the obligatory turkey prepared in an equally sexy manner will have diners truly enraptured. Prices are $140 a head and $45 for children under 12, and bookings will be taken between noon and 1.30pm up until the day.

7
 
The Brasserie
Adelaide
Simon Bryant, celebrity chef and executive chef at the Hilton in Adelaide, has personally authored a four-course menu utilizing the best produce South Australia has to offer. There will be live entertainment and a glass of bubbles on arrival. Adults are $135 per person, while young adults aged 13-17 are $75, and children aged 5-12 are $48. Festivities start at noon.

8
 
Opus Restaurant
West Perth
This Perth restaurant is truly special, as Santa has decided it s his chosen place to dine for lunch while celebrating a West Australian Christmas. There s a four-course menu on offer and live entertainment. Adults are $158 per person and children under 12 are $74. Lunch starts at noon.

9
 
C Restaurant
Perth
With revolving views of the Perth skyline, this restaurant offers a three-course meal with dishes such as parma-wrapped turkey and brie roulade with roast zucchini and mango and macadamia relish; and grilled snapper with champagne tomato carpaccio and thyme vinaigrette. Prices are $150 for adults and $70 for children under 12. Bookings will be taken between noon and 3pm.

10
 
Restaurant 373
North Hobart
This Hobart restaurant offers diners a five-course meal beginning with an antipasti platter of king prawns followed by such selections as pork belly with creamy fennel puree, crackle and watercress. Turkey also features on the menu, accompanied by roast vegetables and the obligatory cranberry jelly. Prices are $105 per person and bookings are taken between noon and 1.30pm.