By Julie Miller
From traditional Christmas fare to innovative takes on festive cuisine, there’s a Yulefest menu in the Blue Mountains to suit every palate and budget.
The halls have been decked, trees decorated and mistletoe hung – now all that’s missing in this festive Winter postcard is you!
This year, our favourite Blue Mountains restaurants – from Chef Hatted award-winners to grand hotel dining rooms or quirky cafés – are going all out to create memorable feasts that capture the good tidings of the season, with multi-course Yulefest menus guaranteed to fill your belly and warm your heart and soul.
Some restaurants are offering classic festive fare – roast turkey, glazed ham and cranberry sauce, followed by rich plum pudding downed with eggnog; while others have a more contemporary interpretation, with tantalising creations for both carnivores and vegetarians with an adventurous palate.
Here’s a taste of what will be on the menu this coming Yulefest:
Hotel Mountain Heritage
Cnr Apex & Lovel St, Katoomba
T: (02) 4782 2155
https://mountainheritage.com.au
Friday and Saturday nights, June 24 – August 6
The original Yulefest dining room is offering three festive menus – a five course degustation, a five-course vegetarian menu and a three-course children’s menu, accompanied by live music from resident pianist Alan Johnson.
A creative spin is given to traditional offerings, with courses including a Jerusalem artichoke velouté with fresh black truffle, venison with beetroot puree and Botrytis poached pears with meringue and eggnog.
And what would Christmas be without smoked turkey, accompanied by fig, pancetta, chestnut and heirloom carrots? $145 p.p, children $45 p.p. Sommelier-selected wine pairings are available for an extra $50 per person.
Hydro Majestic Hotel
Great Western Highway, Medlow Bath T: (02) 4782 6885 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://hydromajestic.com.au
Saturdays and Sundays in July, 6pm–9pm. Bookings essential. Check website for availability.
With two Chefs Hats and views to die for, a Yulefest celebration at the iconic Wintergarden restaurant at the Hydro Majestic Hotel is a special treat indeed.
The five-course degustation includes mouth-watering creations such as a raspberry coulis and caramelised baby pear ‘Crème Brulee’, Blue Fin tuna and cured salmon mosaic, pan-seared duck breast served with spiced celeriac puree, and a trio of pork cuts.
An equally-enticing menu is available for vegetarians, with a two-course menu for the little ones. $159 per adult, $139 per teenager and $55 for children aged 4-12.
Fairmont Resort & Spa
1 Sublime Point Rd, Leura
T: (02) 4785 0000
http://fairmontresort.com.au
Saturdays 6pm-9pm in July
Fairmont Resort’s popular Yulefest buffets are selling out quickly, so book now for your chance to celebrate the season with live music throughout the night.
The sumptuous buffet overflowing with fresh seafood, soup and a full carvery (with plenty of selections for vegos) includes a 2.5 hour beverage package, with a welcome whiskey eggnog served on arrival, courtesy of Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern. $195 for adults, $118 for teens aged 12-17 and $42 for children 4-11.
Hotel Etico
11 Montgomery St, Mount Victoria
T: (02) 4784 1358
https://hoteletico.com.au
Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunch (12-2pm) throughout July.
Staying true to its Italian roots, Hotel Etico offers a European-inspired five-course ‘Buon Natale’ meal throughout July, featuring antipasto starters, seafood entrees and a main of either roast porchetta or vegetarian parmigiana, rounded out with cannoli and biscotti. Cost $75 p.p or $100 with a trio of wines.
Metropole Guesthouse
Cnr Gang Gang and Lurline St, Katoomba
T: (02) 4782 5544
https://metropolekatoomba.com.au
Dinner throughout July
Snuggle up before a raging log fire in this traditional Mountains guesthouse, with a Christmas in July menu featuring all your festive favourites.
After a glass of bubbly, chef will present a selection of appetisers, followed by a warming bowl of butternut pumpkin soup. Roast turkey and glazed ham with all the trimmings is of course the main offering, followed by a sorbet palate cleanser and an assortment of traditional cakes and desserts. Cost $95, children 5-12 $45.
BLAQ
Kyah Boutique Hotel
13-17 Brightlands Ave, Blackheath
T: (02) 4787 8108
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.thekyah.com.au
Saturday lunch throughout July
Blaq is hosting White Christmas in July, a Yuletide series of dining events every Saturday lunch in July. Feast on a two-course set menu of roast Turducken (turkey, duck and chicken) served with roasted vegetables straight from the Kyah garden, Yorkshire pudding and a Christmas pudding with eggnog custard to finish. See website for details.
Megalong Creek Estate
Aspinall Rd, Megalong Valley
T: 0402 358 100
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.megalongcreekestate.com
July 23, 12pm-5pm
Celebrate Christmas in July in the MCE Barn at Megalong Creek Estate on Saturday July 23, with the ticket including a hot roast lunch, a glass of MCE wine or mulled wine and live music entertainment from local group, the Orchard Boat. Transport and festive cheese graze boards are also available as add-ons through the website. $55 per adult, children $25.
Bygone Beautys
Cnr Grose and Megalong St, Leura
T: (02) 4784 3117
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://bygonebeautys.com.au
Daily luncheon July 16-31, 12.30pm
Traditions are centre stage at Leura’s beloved teapot museum, Bygone Beautys, with all your seasonal favourites on the set menu.
Catering specifically for groups (with a minimum booking of four people), the menu features a canapé platter for the table, an entrée of either pumpkin soup or cauliflower, leek and bacon soup (alternative drop), followed by a turkey and ham roast dinner with all the traditional trimmings. Finish the meal with a homemade plum pudding drizzled with brandy custard or mini pavlovas, and of course a cup of tea accompanied with a homemade shortbread biscuit.
Prices vary according to group size: 4-9 people, $79.95 p.p; 10-19 people $69.95 p.p; 20+ people, $67.50 p.p + a complimentary ‘Teapot Talk’. Children under 12, $33. BYO, with corkage $3.30 per person.
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