Review: Beefeater Basingstoke Christmas dinner at the Spruce Goose

When the invitation came in to try out Beefeater's Christmas dinner, I thought it would be okay, bearable maybe, so I accepted, rallied the troops (two kids and hubby) and headed to the Spruce Goose in Basingstoke for Sunday lunch. We weren't expecting much. 

The weather was not particularly great, everyone was feeling a bit frazzled from all the festive events, and nobody could summon up the motivation to embrace a family trip out to a chain restaurant. Anybody with young kids knows the stress of eating out. 

However, we should not have been so negative, as what we got at Basingstoke's Beefeater totally surprised me and my family. And it's left us checking our diaries to see when we can go back for more. 

Let's start with our arrival. The Leisure Park car park is not the most attractive of places - the route in is confusing - and the kids wanted to go to the aquadrome, bowling or McDonald's instead, but we parked up and headed into the Spruce Goose, which is attached to the Premier Inn. 

Once we stepped foot inside, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who took our name and showed us to our table. The place was decorated nicely, a large blow-up Santa at the front door caught my daughter's eye, and the tree was also nicely decorated. In fact, the whole restaurant has a tasteful festive decor. 

We were shown to our tables and presented with the menu - and the new Christmas menu. Our waitress Tequilla was an excellent host, friendly, polite and attentive - a shining example of customer service. She set us at ease, and the kids were given activity sheets and crayons to keep them occupied - always a sign of a welcoming family venue. The place was busy, packed with families, many with grandparents or older relatives with them too. 

The kids' menu had quite a selection - catering for even the fussiest of eaters - with three courses for £7.99. 

My six-year-old son, who doesn't really like roast dinners, opts for a vegetable and dip starter, basically vegetable sticks of carrot, cucumber and pepper badged up as reindeer food, and a standard kid's order of chicken, chips and beans.

My daughter has the same reindeer food, followed by a kid's Christmas dinner. 

My hubby picked the Christmas halloumi burger - the Festival Hallo-Me Burger - and I joined my daughter with an adult-sized Christmas dinner.

Halloumi burger (Image: Kimberley Barber)

My other half's burger was great - big and fresh, with a full plate of fries and slaw. He even ordered a side of grilled Brussels sprout gratin on the side (£3.99). Very festive. 

I went for the traditional Turkey Roast, which came served with all the trimmings. There was a huge pile of succulent turkey, perfect roasties, parsnips, peas, carrots, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets, lashings of gravy and the piece de resistance - a perfectly cooked Yorkshire pudding. 

Turkey dinner (Image: Kimberley Barber)

I find many places are not able to produce a crunchy golden roast potato - and even more are not able to make the perfect Yorkshire pudding, crunchy on the edges but still chewy and big enough to wipe up the gravy, but the Spruce Goose has nailed it. They have excellent meat, served with excellent sides, it's a great roast and an even better Christmas dinner. 

My daughter's mini version of the Christmas dinner was also excellent, a great big portion, but she loved having the same as Mummy, and even ate extra Brussels sprouts!

For dessert - the Christmas menu is two courses for £20.95, add a third course for an extra £3 - I go for a Christmas pudding, which comes with the most delightful brandy sauce. Not too rich but with a hint of booze, it's divine. 

My other half picks a mince pie and coffee, while my son goes for plain vegan vanilla ice cream. He has a dairy allergy and that sometimes spoils a meal out as he can't have certain things but here it's all par for the course, expertly handled by the waitress. There is a great choice for vegans or dairy-avoiders, and it's all dealt with so smoothly that we have every confidence in eating here. 

My daughter picks the Smash The Igloo! dessert, which is served as a chocolate dome, surrounded by smarties, which you smash to get to the ice cream. It's fun and a clear winner. She immediately wants another one. 

Smash The Igloo! (Image: Kimberley Barber)

The atmosphere at the Spruce Goose was friendly and laid-back but professional - they couldn't do enough for us. 

Our bill, including unlimited fizzy drinks, comes to £84. For once, we feel success that we have managed to eat out with our kids and everyone has left happy. There were no fights, meltdowns or upsets - and for a young family, that's a perfect way to spend a Sunday lunch. 

@basingstokegazette Beefeater in Basingstoke have released its Christmas menu. This is the kids’ dessert - a real hit! #Beefeater #Basingstoke ♬ Christmas song "Let's decorate" - 3KTrack

If you are thinking of meeting friends or family for a meal out this December, then you won't go far wrong with the Spruce Goose. It's certainly got something for all ages - and it's certainly a place we would not hesitate to go back to. 

To book go to beefeater.co.uk/