IT’S December, which means pubs are restaurants are starting to roll out their festive menus.
However, this Christmas will be different to previous years for the people in East Lancashire.
The current tier 3 restrictions mean pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues have to remain closed.
Many local venues are waiting until the 16th December when the current tier system will be reviewed.
Despite this, many venues are still taking bookings in the hope of being moved into Tier 2 later this month.
Other places are offering a Christmas dinner click and collect service, meaning you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you are trying to make dinner plans for the big day itself or if you just fancy a festive roast on a random day in December, here are some of the best places in the county to order from.
The New Waggoners, Burnley
Fancy a Christmas dinner from the comfort of your own home?
The New Waggoners Christmas takeaway menu is out- and there are some delicious looking food items available.
As well as a turkey dinner, the restaurant also sell braised beef and mushroom stroganoff (or mushroom and asparagus for vegetarians) and poached salmon with crayfish in a creamy tomato sauce.
Pigs in blankets are part of the starters, along with breaded brie wedges which look like a cheese-lover’s dream.
Three courses are £20 and two courses are £15.
Aspinall Arms, Clitheroe
(Facebook/The Aspinall Arms)
The Aspinall Arms are still taking Christmas Day bookings in the hope that Lancashire will be moved down into tier 2 later this month.
If you want to indulge in this dinner, then it will cost £79.95 per person.
Venison pasties, seared salmon and duck liver pate are some of the luxurious starters available.
If you don’t fancy roast turkey for your Christmas dinner, they also have the option for halibut, sirloin of beef or a vegetarian lasagne.
Their puddings also look delicious and include a sherry trifle, Christmas pudding, a chocolate plate and a small cheese board for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
A spokesperson for the company said: "At this moment in time we are not offering take away Christmas dinner, but this will be reviewed once we know if we can open or not."
The Fernhurst Lodge, Blackburn
This pub is still taking bookings for Christmas Day and are a more affordable option for those who want to avoid doing the dinner and washing up themselves.
Stilton and Peppercorn mushrooms, traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings and glazed pork belly are just some items on the menu.
Pigs in blankets are also available to add to your dinner, but they will cost an extra £1 per meal.
Four courses will cost £45.99 and an additional deposit of £10 per person will be needed to secure your booking.
While they can't guarantee to be open on Christmas day, a spokesperson for the team said all deposits are fully refundable if the pub cannot open.
Food by Breda Murphy, Clitheroe
(Facebook/ FoodByBredaMurphy)
This award-winning restaurant has you covered this festive season- especially if you prefer a unique and more contemporary and up-market Christmas menu.
Their mains will last up to five days in the fridge and all are suitable to freeze.
The last date to order this food is Friday 18th December. Collections will take place on 22nd and 23rd December.
While the classic turkey dish is absent from the menu, there is a beef and cranberry stroganoff (£51) and Murphy’s festive pie (£40).
Luxury canapes are also available for purchase and include red king prawns, confit duck and goats cheese just to name a few items.
Breda Murphy spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph and said: "We are now into our 15th year of creating our Christmas collection menu.
"It is one which has grown both in offerings and customer demand, mainly due to us listening to customers and hearing what they would like to eat over the Christmas period.
"When you choose to buy from us you can be assured of the highest quality dishes and accompaniments which have developed year on year with easy to follow reheating instructions, helping you to relax and enjoy this special time of year."
If you are spoilt for choice and just don't know what to order, Ms Murphy has some advice:
"Some of our best selling dishes include our Ballymaloe chicken liver pate, our famous fish pie and Murphy’s festive pie.
"Of course, not forgetting Mammy’s delicious Christmas pudding and brandy butter."
View the full menu and place your order before the deadline.
The Spread Eagle, Blackburn
(Photo: Geograph/ John H Darch)
The Spread Eagle in Blackburn has a unique click and collect service for those who don’t want to cook this Christmas.
After you order the box, just relax until Christmas Eve when you can pick it up.
Starters include a choice of brown shrimps, smoked salmon and chicken liver parfait.
For the mains, you can have the classic turkey breast and fillet of beef wellington; both are ready to go straight in the oven.
What’s Christmas dinner without the trimmings? Veg, roast potatoes, mash, sprouts and more are also available.
For pudding there is the option of spiced Christmas pudding, dark chocolate and salted caramel tart, or a cheese board for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
You can get all of this for £100 and there is enough food to serve two people.
However, if you want one make sure to order fast as there are a limited number available.
Order your box via Facebook messenger, or email: Info@thespreadeaglemellor.com
What are your Christmas dinner plans this year? Leave your answer in the comment section.
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