I tried Morrisons’ new £16.50 three-course Christmas dinner and came away with one regret

The service provided by the staff at Morrisons was better than what I had received at the better restaurants.

The saying goes that the best things in life are worth waiting for. With that in mind, I headed to Morrison’s Cafe this week to try something shoppers have been eagerly awaiting: the supermarket’s party menu.

Unlike other major supermarket chains like Asda, Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury’s, which launched their festive menus a few weeks ago, Morrisons is keeping us in suspense with its own version of a turkey dinner with all the trimmings . The retailer’s festive menu, which runs until December 24, launched this week and my expectations were high.

Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., this year’s Christmas Cafe is offering a three-course meal featuring nostalgic dishes like shrimp cocktail, classics like Christmas pudding and, of course, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. When it comes to festive offers from other supermarkets, it’s a mixed bag in terms of variety and quality.

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Many have chosen to offer Christmas toast or baguettes, with varying degrees of success, while others have focused on high-sugar drinks, including caramel and nut lattes, S’Mores hot chocolates and chocolate and gingerbread milkshakes. Walking into my local Morrisons I was pleased to see that they kept things simple.

Instead of a never-ending list of options, it’s just a simple three-course Christmas dinner, without any of the unnecessary extras I’m used to, reports the Manchester Evening News.

As I approach the digital control screen, which I imagine would confuse my grandmother, I feel hopeful. Supermarket cafes usually seem chaotic to me, but today the vibe is different – there’s definitely something in the air.

For starters, it’s either tomato and basil soup with a roll and butter (£3.50) or prawn cocktail with slices of brown bread and salad (£4.50). I choose the latter, being careful not to consume too much liquid at the start of the outing.

The main course offers a good variety of options for Christmas dinner. The Classic (£8.50) includes roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, mashed potatoes, cauliflower cheese, vegetables from season, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce and gravy, while vegetarian and vegan options are adjusted accordingly.

There is also a children’s dinner for £3.95, and children eat free with any adult meal over £5. Finally, desserts.

Choices include a warm apple crumble tart, a warm Christmas pudding and a warm chocolate fudge cake (all £3.50). I also notice individually wrapped tartlets on the counter, if that’s more your style.

After browsing the digital ordering screen, I walk up to the counter to collect a receipt. From this point on, something begins to become clear.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way, but I’ve always found the supermarket coffee experience to be quite impersonal. And while I imagine it’s ideal if you’re just grabbing a brew or a quick bite after a grocery store, ordering a three-course meal alone and sitting in such an environment seems a bit flat.

But on this occasion, I felt like everyone was going out of their way to chat with me. From the woman at the counter politely chatting about when Morrisons was doing a Christmas dinner offer, to another member of staff asking me how much time I wanted between courses, I received more attentive service than at some. of the best restaurants in the Northwest.

Maybe it was because I was alone and taking pictures of my food. It might have made them concerned as to why I was so enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Or maybe they’re just really nice. I’m also pretty sure I heard one woman say she “kept her eyes on me” – but regardless, I felt very welcome.

The coffee itself also created a buzz. With no crying children and no Christmas carols blaring over the speakers, it was almost peaceful.

Growing up, Christmas Day was always a busy day. Many extended family members crowded like sardines around the table, a sea of ​​arms jostling to try to scoop up the last of the roasted potatoes and hand the watery Brussels sprouts to their least favorite relative.

Crackers fired, bad jokes shared, our grandmother missing her seat after indulging in too many Bucks Fizz, and arguments breaking out during games of Trivial Pursuit. It’s all part of the fun and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

However, the idea of ​​enjoying a meal peacefully alone in a supermarket cafe shouldn’t be discounted if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. Starting with a shrimp cocktail sounds pretty luxurious.

I’m just relieved it’s not served in a fancy glass, which would attract unwanted attention. Some might say that shrimp cocktail – a classic dish from the 80s – is now served with a touch of irony, but based on taste alone, this one is not at all bad.

The prawns are fresh and served on a bed of leaves, accompanied by a generous piece of bread to soak up the Marie rose sauce. Overall, it’s a decent effort and something you’d be very happy to have on your table come Christmas Day.

When the roast dinner arrives, there are two items that immediately raise my eyebrows. Very thin, pale slices of turkey and a ball of stuffing that looked like a hockey puck, apparently stuck in the Yorkshire pudding.

I have my eye on them, just like the waiter has his eye on me. There’s always debate about what should be included in a Christmas dinner, but frankly, I don’t think today is the day to rehash that argument.

I will simply deal with what is presented to me.

Starting with the cauliflower cheese, which stands out from the start of the meal, its flavor and texture rivaled only by the mash. The mash is silky, far superior to roasted potatoes.

Despite my best efforts, I can’t discern any taste from the slightly undercooked potatoes – they literally taste like nothing. Next, the sprouts, parsnip and carrot are nicely charred, although a little stingy on portion size, while the peas are pretty average.

Finally, I tackle the turkey, and despite first impressions, I am pleasantly surprised. Even the parts not touched by the sauce are quite juicy, while the sauce itself strikes a good balance between too runny and too thick.

Yorkshire pudding doesn’t deserve much comment – it does what it’s supposed to do and has probably just been reheated quickly. But now I have to deal with the ball of pale stuffing I pushed around the plate.

After taking a small bite, I instantly regret it and try desperately not to choke. It’s very dry and uninspired – you may want to skip this if you order the roast dinner.

You deserve better, we all deserve it. However, all is forgiven when I am served the warm caramel crumble tart.

Swimming in a sea of ​​bright yellow custard, it’s more nostalgic than shrimp cocktail and quickly reminds me of what I loved most about school dinners.

The tart itself is a delight – served piping hot, with buttery pastry and thick slices of apple. Personally, I enjoy a bit of the custard jiggling and a skin forming on top, but I understand that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

The meal, without drinks, costs £16.50, which may seem a bit expensive for a lunch, but given it’s three courses I doubt I’ll need another meal today today. Including a cappuccino the total comes to just under £20.

If you’re only interested in the Christmas dinner, it’s priced at £8.50. It might seem a little pricey for what’s on offer, but if you’re looking for a celebration meal with no competition, no arguments between parents and no noise, Morrisons cafe might be the place to be.