*Updated 8th December 2020*
We’ve had to cook a disproportionate amount of our own meals this year and we’re tired, probably a little emotional, and hungry… always hungry. For a lot of people Christmas is the time to make reservations before the onslaught of New Year’s resolutions but, like everything in 2020 this one is shaping up a bit differently. The one upside to this *sweeps hand* whole situation is the fact that restaurants are making it so easy for us to eat quality meals from their kitchens in our kitchens. These are some of the Christmas meal boxes that have caught our eye so far, and we’ll keep this list updated as more make their way onto our feeds and wish lists.
Christmas Roast Kits From Michael's
If your idea of cooking on Christmas Day is to do as little actual cooking as possible (and it really should be), Michael’s has come to the rescue. Their Christmas roast meal kits are designed so that all you have to do is place trays into the oven and sit back with a glass of wine to actually enjoy your day. There are four roast options: turkey with sausage meat stuffing, confit shoulder of lamb, roast duck, or overnight daube of beef, and all are served with fondant potatoes, potato gratin (because Christmas dinner needs at least two types of spud), roast veg, Austrian-style red cabbage, stuffing balls, pigs in blankets and gravy. As we’ve come to expect from Michael’s, the menu is focused on quality local Irish produce including suppliers like Ballymakenny and Rick Higgins, and you can also add on starters, a cheese course, wine and even a baked ham. Collection slots are open for December 21st to 24th, with collection from the restaurant in Mount Merrion or from Higgin’s Butchers in Sutton. See here for details of menus and how to order.
The Cali Kitchen's 'Everything But The Bird' Box
If you’re looking for a stress-free way to add some serious oomph to your turkey, or want to make sure that the vegetarians and vegans in your life are catered for, The Cali Kitchen in Dún Laoghaire has it covered with its 'Everything But The Bird' box. Starting at €55 for two people, it’s a cleverly curated box comprising starter, all the trimmings and dessert - all you need to cook is a nut roast, turkey, or whatever else you’re having as a main. All sides are vegan and there’s an option for vegan desserts also. The starter is Goatsbridge smoked trout so ask any vegans to bring their own alternative and reward yourself with a double portion. Boxes need to be pre-ordered for collection on December 23rd , and all info is on their website.
The Christmas Dinner Takeaway From Uno Mas
If you find yourself unable to look at turkey and ham after the year we've had and badly in need of something different, Uno Mas are planning a Christmas eve takeaway that looks ideal. The roast suckling pig feast for four comes with a PX sherry glaze and red wine sauce, morcilla de Burgos with apple mustard, a chorizo and arrocina bean stew, sprout tops with mustard dressing, roast carrots in brown butter and patatas bravas. Feliz Navidad all round. They're not on sale yet (keep an eye on their social media for release dates) but there's a sneak peak here.
Avoca's Christmas Feast
Avoca have an enormous Christmas feast menu, with both pre-prepared and uncooked options. From the "do all the work for me" section there's starters like smoked duck, prune & armagnac pâté or white onion and parmesan soup, and mains including mustard glazed ham, turkey pies and lentil loaf. There's tonnes of trimmings and a vast array of desserts, and while it ain't cheap, if you've got the cash it will certainly be stress free. Browse the full range here.
Everything In Between From Allta
Delivered nationwide on December 23rd and 24th, Allta’s Everything in Between box is designed to provide ample food for three - four people on the big day, or enough for two to graze on over those bleary days straight after Christmas. House charcuterie, rye bread, smoked salmon, potted crab, terrine, THAT shiitake miso butter, plus plenty of glazes, gravies, sides and desserts are all included. The box comes with a bottle of JM Gobillard Premier Cru Champagne, and you can add on extra drinks including cocktails and Cockagee Boyne Valley cider. Priced at €195, get your Everything in Between box here.
Forest Avenue's Christmas Dinner Box
We picture Forest Avenue’s Christmas Dinner Box arriving wrapped up in a huge bow because it sounds like an absolute gift. A four course meal for four people with a choice of goose or Châteaubriand for main, plus starters, bread, veloute, sides and dessert. Available for collection, with some limited Dublin delivery on December 21st, 22nd and 23rd. All of that with a €200 price tag sounds like excellent value, and wine can be added on. Find more details and order here.
Volpe Nera's Christmas Supper Box
Packed full of cured meat, Irish cheeses, bread, cep butter, almonds, crackers, panettone, poached pears, Cocoa Atelier chocolates and two bottles of wine, the Christmas Supper Box from Volpe Nera has everything for a Christmas Eve supper, or to graze over on St. Stephen’s Day. Priced at €150, it will be available to order online from December 1st for collection from the restaurant on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Hamper From Dermot Staunton
Since October, chef Dermot Staunton (known on Instagram as Derry Beau Downs) has been selling homemade Guinness brown bread from his window in Stoneybatter, as well as giving loaves to elderly and vulnerable people locally. His range expanded with smoked salmon and pies and profits going to charity, and for Christmas he’s upped his game again, selling hampers feeding four or eight people starting from €260. Everything is included for a very indulgent Christmas day, from chicken liver parfait to turkey breast and stuffed-leg with all the sides, plus a boozy rhubarb trifle and cheese. After all of that you won’t want to move off the couch for a good 24 hours, so it’s no harm that the hamper includes a smoked ham and leek pie for the following day. Best of all, 33% of profits will be going to local charities, and there’s a plan to allow customers to buy hampers that will be donated to families in need. Keep an eye on his Insta for more info.
The Gobble Box From Rock Farm
In addition to organic turkeys, hams, pork, beef and breakfast packs, Rock Farm in Slane have added the Gobble Box to this year’s line-up, created by new resident chefs Keith Coleman and Aisling McHugh of Roots. Containing a brine for your turkey, soy and whiskey ham glaze, a paprika, brown butter and honey glaze to elevate your sides from mere vegetables, herb butter for your stuffing (and leftover sandwiches, obvs), and a gingery cranberry sauce, it’s available for €39, or €35 when added on to a ham or turkey order. This one has to be collected but there are several ways to order including from the McNally Family Farm Shop, Neighbourhood Food Slane, or directly from www.rockfarmslane.ie with collection from Honest to Goodness Market in Glasnevin, Naomh Olaf producers’ market in Stillorgan, or Temple Bar Market.
Hugo's Moveable Feast
Hugo’s Moveable Feast is available to order from December 13th, with collection from the Merrion Row restaurant on December 23rd and 24th. Starting at €50 per person, the meal boxes are very adaptable with turkey, beef and duck available for two, three or four people, plus you can always double or triple up for a bigger crowd. The menu is impressively large and luxurious and comes with smoked salmon, spiced beef, butternut squash soup, lots of sides, Christmas pudding, mince pies, Valhrona chocolate brownies, and an Irish artisan cheese course. We feel full and happy just reading that. Order here.
Richard Corrigan's Virginia Park Lodge Hamper
When were heard that Richard Corrigan’s Virginia Park Lodge will be delivering their Christmas Day Hamper to Dublin, Cavan, and Meath addresses on Christmas Eve, we thought it’d come with a Michelin-starred price tag, but a full hamper to feed up to six people for €285 is pretty impressive. The main course is turkey wellington (the addition of pastry to anything is ATF-approved), with mustard-glazed ham hock and all the sides, plus smoked salmon, duck rillettes and a Corleggy cheese and beetroot salad to start. Desserts include Corrigan’s Christmas pudding with brandy custard and mince pies. One lucky hamper will also contain a winning ticket for an overnight stay at the Lodge. That’s some next level Willy Wonka stuff right there. The order book closes at 18:00 on December 17th, but we can see this one selling out early. Details are here.
Poulet Bonne Femme's Christmas Feast
If you’re not looking for a full dinner but would love to have someone else take the turkey and ham hassle off your hands, Poulet Bonne Femme have a great solution. Boned and rolled rotisserie cooked turkey (from €75 to feed up to 10) and hams (serving up to 15 and costing €85) are available for collection from Monkstown, or delivery within 7km, on Christmas Eve. For the full Christmas box experience, you can add sides like potato gratin, stuffing, mash and gravy which are priced from €5, and there's also handmade homemade plum puddings up for grabs. Order details are on their website.
