I’m not sure whether this is a record or not for us? It certainly feels like it – it’s our first official Christmas meal of 2025 – and it’s not even December yet! 😮. Last year, I had to wait until December 7th for my first festive nibble (but c’mon, we had only just returned from New Zealand!) 👍.
Still, in my world, it’s never too early for a Christmas nibble, and I had witnesses to prove it! Step forward Bev & Jules and Jo & Janet, who had the same thought in mind for our Friday night catch-up.
Our eatery of choice was the ever-reliable The Olde Victoria in Burton Latimer where, over the past 20+ years, both the food and service have always been top-notch! It doesn’t offer fine dining but instead, good wholesome pub grub! That suits us!!! 😋😋
I don’t think we’ve ever seen them busier as by the time we arrived, it was already heaving and consequently it had a real buzz about it. Close to us was a table of 12 on a double celebration – an 80th birthday AND a Christmas menu! Best of all, the staff were doing an amazing job (in spite of the increased numbers), where the service levels were as good as ever. Hat’s off to Matt and his team – it’s a well-oiled machine here, and everything was running as smoothly as ever.
This was our first official Christmas Meal where to save time, we’d pre-booked our choices from a tasty range of options:-
Starters
Baked Camembert/Brixworth Pate/Classic Prawn Cocktail.
Mains
Roast Breast of Norfolk Turkey/Gressingham Duck/Venison, Bacon and Redcurrant Pie.
Desserts
Christmas Pudding/Burnt Basque Cheesecake/Chocolate & Sour Cherry Roulade.
I think collectively, we covered the whole menu, but I avoided Turkey at this early stage for fear of being ‘all turkeyed-out’ by the time the big day is upon us! The Venison Pie was probably the best pie I’ve ever tasted (and we’ve been to Brockleby’s!) with so much meat, the pastry was struggling to contain it! Yum Yum!!
Somehow, between the excellent food courses, we even managed an impromptu Christmas Quiz and it was surely a good sign that when the courses arrived and we began to tuck in, there was complete silence! It was all great fun, and I think it ignited the first spark of the Christmas Spirit in all of us! By the time we left, although the restaurant was beginning to quieten down, the Bar area seemed to have every square inch occupied with eaters and drinkers. What Her Majesty is doing, they’re doing it very well!
Well done, The Olde Vic! You didn’t disappoint! 👍😁👍😁👍😁
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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