As the festive season gets into full swing, pubs and restaurants across the UK are launching their seasonal offerings. The popular chain Wetherspoon is the latest to join the fray, unveiling a new Christmas menu featuring both classic and inventive dishes.
Our Festive Feast: Six Dishes Put to the Test
On a brisk Sunday afternoon, my family and I visited our local Wetherspoon to sample the new festive fare. We invested approximately £65 in total, trying six different items from the menu. This included two distinct burgers, a pizza, the traditional roast dinner, and two desserts. Below is our definitive ranking, from the most disappointing to the absolutely sublime.
The Main Events: Hits and Misses
Starting at the bottom of our list, the Chicken, stuffing, bacon and brie pizza (£11.52) was a let-down. While the combination of ingredients sounded promising on paper, the execution lacked flavour. The brie and rocket topping overwhelmed the other components, resulting in a rather bland experience that failed to deliver a festive punch.
Next up was The Big Cheese Beef Burger (£10.89). My cousin, who ordered it, was unequivocal in her assessment. She found the burger to be overly dry and was not a fan of the Emmental and Cheddar cheese sauce, which she said resembled a Béchamel. An extra barbecue sauce was required to make it palatable. On a positive note, the accompanying halloumi fries and steak-cut chips were enjoyed.
My own main, the Buttermilk chicken & stuffing burger (£10.89), also suffered from dryness. The large breaded chicken was bland, and the provided cranberry sauce was insufficient. I even paid an extra 99p for gravy, which did little to rescue it. The saving graces were the pigs in blankets on top and the chips, which were cooked well.
The Standout Stars and Sweet Finale
In a strong third place was the Giant Profiterole (£5.58). This dessert was refreshing and pleasant, featuring a ripe strawberry and delicious chocolate sauce. The pastry was light and fluffy, though it contained a generous amount of cream that might be too much for some. A side of toffee sauce made it even more scrumptious.
The runner-up was the classic Sliced turkey breast and winter vegetables (£13.99). My brother devoured his plate with a grin in under ten minutes. He praised the incredibly smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, the perfectly steamed parsnips, and the beautifully roasted carrots. The only minor complaint was that the peas were slightly undercooked. The gravy, with its hint of sweetness, was also a hit.
However, the undisputed champion of the entire meal was the Cookies and Cream Blondie (£5.58). This dessert was nothing short of phenomenal. Served warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, the gooey white chocolate brownie was packed with crunchy cookie pieces. Our first bite was met with a collective 'wow', followed by a moment of silent appreciation for the slice of heaven we were experiencing. We unanimously gave it a 10/10.
Wetherspoon's Christmas menu offers a mixed bag, but the exceptional Blondie and solid roast dinner prove that there are some truly festive gems to be found for those willing to look.
