WE'VE just been looking at Velvet's Christmas menus and have gone into a little daydream about tender roast turkey, crispy roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, and sage and onion stuffing, all the flavours mingling together on a plate dowsed with flavoursome gravy.

It's traditional, please-all food with panache, and prices are just right for an office outing or festive meet-up with friends

It's a few months off yet, but if you want a Christmas dinner that will send you into a reverie when you look back on it, here's one to book before the best dates are taken.

Resta

Velvet Canal Street and its younger sibling Velvet Central (where Beluga was) have just published their scrumptious-sounding Christmas menus. It's traditional, comfort food with panache, and prices are just right for an office outing or festive meet-up with friends, starting at just 13.95 for a 2course Christmas lunch

See the Velvet Canal Street Christmas Menu.

See the Velvet Central Christmas Menu.

As well as the Christmas menus, they offer various private party options. At Velvet Canal Street you can book the opulent upstairs bar for a Christmas buffet in gorgeous surroundings. At Velvet Central, you can book the rococo-styled mezzanine floor or the just-opened downstairs function room or restaurant for Christmas buffets, canapés, small plates or sit down meals. The mezzanine lounge accommodates up to 30 people, the restaurant seats 70, and the function room 60 to 80.

The food is a big draw but it's the atmosphere that sets the Velvets apart. If you're looking for a restaurant or bar with lots of spirit and character, head here. With playful, opulent -style décor, a dinner or party here has in-built glamour without any pretension. Both Velvets are known for being friendly, welcoming places, and at Christmas they go out of their way to make your celebration special.

For Christmas bookings at Velvet Canal Street, please call 0161 236 9003 or email info@velvetmanchester.com .

For Christmas bookings at Velvet Central (Mount Street) please call 0161 819 1008 or email info@velvetcentral.co.uk .