Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Its true , can you adam and eve it! Most of us havent been away with our bucket and spade yet. Im still longing for a bit of a frolic on a sandy dune in la belle france ..if it ever stops raining that is.
But onto my doormat this afternoon drops the Dover Marina Hotels Christmas Menu. Thats a definite first...no flies on them..the early bird catches the worm..no use watching paint dry etc etc.
I was in the hotel the other day again and very nice it is too, so it will make a striking venue for a fine christmas do. Only for Tory Grandees and Champagne Socialsts though, as on christmas day it rattles in at £85 per person..although I have to say the menu looks terrific.
There looks to be about 6 courses, but essentially four central courses, and all with a little light mozart tinkling away on the side. Main course is very tempting..after your wild boar starter you can select..
Roast thyme infused Duck presented in Armagnac
or
Roast Norfolk Turkey with wild chestnut and cognac stuffing
or
Fillet of Beef Stephaney with stilton and hollandaise gratin
or
Lanqoustine Thermador on a bed of angel hair rice
oooh I say..mouth watering isnt it. They have other packages for other nights too but I just thought I would leave it with the Christmas day one...now where's me bucket and spade..
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
I'll be sitting down to ham, egg and chips, my wife works all day Christmas Day at Buckland Hospital.
Must say I wouldn't pay £85.00 per head anyway and anybody that does must be off their trollies or spread it over a period with the trusty credit card.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a lot of these christmas day meals seem to take in most of the day and as it i still the women that do most of the work on christmas day i can see them going for it.
a couple over the road from me always go to a restaurant on christmas day with their daughter, not heard them being overly satisfied with the value for money.
best not to mention the names of the places they went to in the last 2 years, both on the outskirts of dover.
i think they paid around 30 to 40 quid a head each time.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,822
I usually cook Christmas dinner for at least four of us, depends who is visiting who. If organised and with clever use of fridge and freezer over a few days or weeks it is no worse than any good Sunday lunch to prepare, I do refuse to wash up though.
One of our ladies went with a friend to the Plough last year and said it was very nice. I can think of a lot better ways to spend/waste £340 plus drinks and tip for the four of us and Mozart is not one of my favourites.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
funny you mention the plough jan, that was one of those that i decided not to name in post 3.
so two different sets of people went to the same venue on the same day and had different views.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,822
Different people, different tastes and expectations and possibly a change of chef and or manager, the last two make such a difference to any establishment.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
There is no doubt that this is an upmarket spread in polished surroundings. You get quite a spread for your £85, I cant write the whole menu out here but very impressive. Of course you will be liking a glass of the oul vino with the above to wash down your wild boar and your languostine, so that will add considerably to your bill. So you wont escape at just £85. Dont forget that. But...hell you only live once.
No doubt the other hotels such as the Premier Inn will be doing it for considerably less. Not sure as yet about the Ramada.
There can be no doubt these are very hard times, many Britons it said on R4 this morning, have scrapped plans for any kind of holiday this year, so are there punters out there for this level of luxury?
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
The Lydden Bell is doing a 7 course gourmet dinner on the last Thursday of each month for £40 per head - judging from the way it has been packed out since reopening then it could be successful. I might pop along to the first one - for a pint and an ogle.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Fingers crossed we will either be on the ferry again (endless free good food and wine) or in the USA for an American xmas
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Advice for anyone invited to an American Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner: give the candied yams a miss. Mashed sweet potato covered with marshmallow and baked in the oven is not my idea of bliss with turkey and gravy!
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Fortunately it would be an English style xmas with English people
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Thank goodness for that!
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Hi all,
I do hope the Dover Marina's bosses have now employed a semi-competent proof-reader/sub (or UK English spellcheck!) to oversee their Christmas menu. I was at the hotel the other day and their drinks and food tariff/menu spellings and typos were shocking. Attention to detail goes a long way towards underpinning a sense of professionalism, which has a positive knock-on effect on the whole business, etc etc...
And don't get me started on their use of the words 'zucchini' and 'eggplant' on said menu. Yes, I know many of our cruise ships' passengers are American, but that doesn't mean we have to kowtow to the buggers! I can't imagine a hotel popular with Brits in the States taking special care to namecheck 'courgettes' and 'aubergines', can you?
Yours weeping on a bed of wilted cilantro leaves,
Andy
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I've emailed them about it Andrew.
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Americans can be fussy and many (not all) are picky in the extreme. We occasionally get room bookings cancelled because we don't have air conditioned rooms. Or because we don't have a lift. I always make sure to ask American and Canadian guests how they like their breakfast eggs. Getting it wrong ruins their whole day. On the whole they are delightful once you break through the defences and frequently recommend us (and Dover) to their friends.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Thanks Roger.
Nick sends his regards.
Cheers,
Andy
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thanks Andy - hope Nick is still doing well and successfully marketing Boulogne and LD Lines - probably more.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
hadn't noticed this before, knew about the main restaurant/bar and ice cream parlour.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Jean and I had lunch on the Terrace (inside) on Thursday.
All I can say is that it is a beautiful place to enjoy a coffee and lunch and very very reasonable - great choices, great food (I had citrus salmon salad (£6.95) and Jean had a jacket potato with cheese (4.95).
Sitting there ovelooking the harbour and in such a lovely setting makes you feel really special. The service is good too, not over attentive, but certainly look after you and not keep you waiting too long.
I've been sent the menu and will circulate round on my newsletter - can't put it on here of course.
Thursday lunchtimes they also do a choice of starters, maincourses and desserts for over 60s for just £9.95 for two courses and £11.95 for three. The menu changes each Thursday.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
sounds good value roger for such a great location.
