They say the best things in life are worth waiting for.
With that mantra ringing in my ears, I headed to Morrison’s cafe this week.
I was there to sample something shoppers have been eagerly anticipating for ages – the supermarket’s festive menu.
While most of the big supermarket chains like Asda, Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury’s rolled out their festive menus several weeks back, Morrisons has been keeping us waiting – and hungry – for its own take on turkey dinner and all the trimmings.
Launched this week and running until 24 December, the retailer has gone all out with this year’s offer – and my hopes were high. Served from 11:30am until 3:30pm, this year’s Christmas cafe is offering a three-course dinner complete with nostalgic takes on dishes like prawn cocktail, classics like Christmas pudding and of course, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
READ MORE: We tried Christmas dinners at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and M&S, and one nearly broke a tooth
As far as the other supermarkets offering festive dishes are concerned, it’s a mixed bag – both in terms of the variety and quality. Many have opted for Christmas toasties or baguettes – to varying degrees of success – while others have gone big on sugar-laden drinks, ranging from Toffee Nut Lattes, S’Mores Hot Chocolates, and Chocolate Gingerbread Milkshakes.
As I walk into my nearest Morrisons, I’m glad to see they’ve kept it refined. Rather than an endless list of options, it’s just a straightforward three-course Christmas dinner, none of the faff and filler I’m used to.
Strolling up to the digital ordering screen, which I can only think would baffle my gran, I’m feeling quite optimistic. I’ve always found supermarket cafes a bit hectic, but today feels a bit different – there’s definitely something in the air.
From the starters it’s either tomato & basil soup served with a bread roll and butter (£3.50), or prawn cocktail served with slices of brown bread and salad (£4.50). I opt for the latter, conscious not to take on too much liquid early on into the outing.
There’s a decent variety of Christmas dinner options for main. The classic (£8.50) boasts roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, sage & onion stuffing, mash potato, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables, sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce and gravy, while the vegetarian and vegan options are adapted accordingly. There’s also a kids dinner for £3.95, and children also eat free with any adult meal over £5.
Last but not least, desserts. There’s a Hot Apple Crumble Pie, Hot Christmas Pudding and Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake (all £3.50) to choose from. I spot some individually wrapped mince pies on the counter too, if that’s more your thing.
Digital ordering screen deftly handled, I head over to the counter to grab a receipt. It’s from this point on that something begins to come apparent. I don’t know if you’ve ever had this thought but I’ve always found the supermarket cafe experience quite anonymous.
There’s something a bit impersonal about it. And while I imagine this is ideal if you’re just nipping in for a brew or quick bite to eat after a food shop, something about ordering a three-course meal alone and sitting in such an environment feels a bit flat.
On this occasion though, I felt like everyone went all out to make conversation with me. From the woman at the counter making polite chit chat about when Morrisons used to do an offer on the Christmas dinner, to another member of staff asking me the amount of time I would like between courses, I received more attentive service than I have in some of Manchester’s best restaurants.
Perhaps it was because I was alone and taking pictures of my food. It might have made them concerned about why I was so enthusiastic towards the occasion. Or maybe they’re just really nice.
I’m also fairly sure I heard one woman say she was ‘keeping her eyes’ on me – but regardless, I felt very welcome.
The cafe itself also had a buzz about it. Absent of crying children and Christmas tunes blaring on repeat from the speakers, it almost felt peaceful.
Growing up, Christmas Day was always a busy one. Lots of extended family packed like sardines around the table, a sea of arms jostling about trying to scoop up the last of the roast potatoes and palm off watery Brussel sprouts to their least-favourite relative.
Crackers pulled, bad jokes told, our gran missing her seat after one-too-many Bucks Fizz, and arguments ensuing over games of Trivial Pursuit. It’s fun, and I wouldn’t change it, but having a quiet sit-down meal alone in a supermarket cafe shouldn’t be overlooked if you just want to eat your dinner in peace.
A prawn cocktail to start feels pretty decadent. I’m just glad it’s not presented in a posh glass, which would draw undue attention.
Some would say a prawn cocktail – very much an ’80s staple – is now served with a degree of irony, but on taste alone this one isn’t too shabby. Prawns are fresh and served on a bed of leaves, while there’s some plump bit of bread on the side to mop up the Marie rose sauce. All round, not a bad effort and one you would be pretty happy with on your table on Christmas Day.
When the roast dinner arrives there’s two items I’m immediately a bit concerned about. The very thin and pale slices of turkey, and a hockey puck-esque stuffing balling that’s seemingly stuck inside the Yorkshire pudding. I’ve got my eyes on them, just like the server has her eye on me.
There’s always a debate about what should be on a Christmas dinner plate, but frankly I don’t think today is the day to drag that all up. I’ll simply deal with what’s in front of me.
Dousing the meal in gravy, I tackle the cauliflower cheese first. An early contender for one of the meal’s highlights, its flavour and texture is only matched in quality by the mash. Silky smooth, it’s far better than the roast potatoes.
I really try to work out the taste of the slightly undercooked potatoes but I get nothing. They literally taste like nothing.
Moving swiftly on, the sprouts, parsnip and carrot are nicely charred, though a bit mean on the portion size, while the peas are pretty average.
Finally tackling the turkey, and despite first impressions, I’m quite impressed. Even the parts untouched by the gravy are pretty juicy, while the gravy itself is a nice midway point between too runny and too thick.
No real notes on the Yorkshire pudding – it just does what it says on the tin and has most likely just been quickly heated up. But now I must confront the anaemic stuffing ball I’ve been pushing around the plate.
Tearing off a mouse-sized bite, I quickly regret it and I’m desperately trying not to choke. Very dry and uninspired, maybe skip this if you get the roast dinner – you deserve better, we all do.
It’s quickly forgiven though when I’m served the Hot Caramel Crumble Pie. Served in a sea of illuminous yellow custard, it feels more nostalgic than the prawn cocktail and quickly reminds me of what I loved most about school dinners.
I personally like when there’s a bit of a wobble to the custard and a skin forming on top of it, but I know that’s not to everyone’s taste. Regardless the pie itself is lovely – piping hot, with buttery pastry and thick slices of apple.
Without a drink the meal comes in at £16.50, which for lunch may sound a bit grand, but I have had three courses and doubt I’ll need another meal today.
With a cappuccino it comes in just shy of £20, but should you fancy just the Christmas Dinner on its own you’re looking at £8.50. This might be a bit steep for what’s on offer but if you’re after a Christmas dinner without the competitive eating, argumentative relatives and cacophony of noise, a trip to Morrisons cafe might just be the ticket.
