Escape the merry dance of shopping and cooking for the Christmas feast and treat yourself to lunch out. Coralie Dorman picks four world-class restaurants - situated in the UK - where the food is simply superb.
Northcote Manor, Manchester
Chef Nigel Haworth heads the kitchen in this homely hotel, with roaring fires, comfy rooms, and - our favourite - the bar ‘for those who enjoy and afternoon cocktail’.
You're speaking our language, Nigel. There are fantastic gardens, too, which supply the restaurant with organic vegetables. Over Christmas, enjoy butternut squash soup with orchard apple puree and curry foam, lobster ravioli, caramelised onion soup with cheese and caper toast, free-range Gloucester Old Spot pork with champ, prime English beef fillet with smoked foie gras, cherry and kirsch ice cream with balsamic juices, cranberry trifle and raspberry meringue with vanilla ice and mint jelly.
Northcote Manor, Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn, Lancashire
£55.00 lunch and £60.00 dinner on the 24 December; £38.00 lunch and £50.00 dinner on the 26 December.
For reservations call 01254 240555.