Great time to enjoy a festive treat Without doubt it is a great treat at Christmas time to go out for a festive meal with all the family or with a group of friends, and where better than to choose one of our fantastic local restaurants?

They have a truly wonderful selection of menus into which has gone an enormous amount of thought and preparation by their expert chefs.

Chefs are well ahead of the game.

They started preparing menus in the summer and experimenting with new ideas for sauces, puddings and combinations of what might go with what for a change.

They began putting honey, fresh orange and lemon juice dressings on poultry at home and experimenting with spices and herbs, so if it didn’t always go right they would only be disappointing family and friends, and by now they have their menus perfected.

From Portland to Weymouth and Dorchester, from the Piddle Valley and Cerne Abbas to Osmington and on to Lulworth, from Southill and Upwey to Winfrith, there are many restaurants to choose from.

Over the last decade the choice has widened enormously to include cuisine from around the globe not only at our specialist Indian, Italian, Chinese and Thai restaurants, for example, but also at others which you might at first put in the slot of ‘traditional English’.

They too have been influenced by world cuisine in their sauces, more interesting vegetables and special finishing touches, making for much more exciting menus than in times past. And our palates are enjoying this spicy change.

If you are planning a Christmas lunch with a friend or two in November or December, how about combining it with a Christmas shopping trip? Whatever you are planning for the festive season, it is worth booking tables and functions well ahead to ensure a releaxed and enjoyable time for yourself, your family and friends.