Restaurants: Christmas Alternatives

The North Pole

131 Greenwich High Road, SE10 (0181-853 3020)

This popular and much-needed addition to the south-east London gastronomic scene is offering three Christmas menus, at pounds 20, pounds 26.50 and their top- of-range menu at pounds 32.50 which includes a glass of champagne.

Montana

125-129 Dawes Road, London SW6 (0171-385 9500)

Canyon

Riverside, Richmond, Surrey (0181-948 2944)

Main courses with a twist at these contemporary American restaurants include chestnut and molasses-crusted rump of lamb, and whole-roasted partridge with brown buttered brussels sprouts.

L'Ortolan

The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Shinfield, Berks. (0118-988 3783)

It's a no-turkey zone here. They are offering roasted pheasant garnished with rashers of smoked bacon, breadcrumbs, and cranberries, as well as sea bass, lobster etc.

Mash & Air

40 Chorlton Street, Manchester M1 (0161-661 1111)

Oliver Peyton's Manchester restaurant is offering turkey, but unsurprisingly it's not slices of "white meat" with gravy. Their pounds 21.50 a head menu (available until 24 Dec) features Goosenargh cornfed turkey, sprout risotto with chestnut puree and sage jus.

Momo

25 Heddon St, W1 (0171-434 4040)

North Africa prefers pigeon to turkey. The pastilla pigeon is a speciality from the Maghreb consisting of sweet pastry layers filled with almonds and cinnamon and pigeon.

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