Christmas Meals dilemma

Ok, we thought we might like to go out to eat on Christmas. As we don't have a car, that means 1) expensive taxi (not happening) or 2) needs to be near to us (Glasgow West End).

So, we thought we'd go to Masala Twist, as they have a great buffet. Made a reservation a few weeks ago for Christmas Day. Got a phone call today from them saying that there's a 10 pound per person deposit for Christmas Day. Having found a few of that chain online, I found a Christmas Menu for the one in city center and apparently instead of a buffet it's a fixed price (35 per person) four course "festive" meal. Not at all what we want to do.

Seriously, we just want to go out to eat. We do not want a fifteen-course banquet with booze we can't drink, and excessively sweet deserts we also can't eat.  Just the same food we would have on any other day of the year.  I take it that's not going to be possible, as everything will either be closed, be offering the "festive" menus, or cost more than a week's grocery money per person for like a prawn on a plate?

We may end up just ordering a couple of pizzas from Dominoes on Christmas Eve and then munching them throughout the next day, at this rate. Unless someone knows a West-End place that will be open "as normal"?

Ok, we thought we might like to go out to eat on Christmas. As we don't have a car, that means 1) expensive taxi (not happening) or 2) needs to be near to us (Glasgow West End).

So, we thought we'd go to Masala Twist, as they have a great buffet. Made a reservation a few weeks ago for Christmas Day. Got a phone call today from them saying that there's a 10 pound per person deposit for Christmas Day. Having found a few of that chain online, I found a Christmas Menu for the one in city center and apparently instead of a buffet it's a fixed price (35 per person) four course "festive" meal. Not at all what we want to do.

Seriously, we just want to go out to eat. We do not want a fifteen-course banquet with booze we can't drink, and excessively sweet deserts we also can't eat.  Just the same food we would have on any other day of the year.  I take it that's not going to be possible, as everything will either be closed, be offering the "festive" menus, or cost more than a week's grocery money per person for like a prawn on a plate?

We may end up just ordering a couple of pizzas from Dominoes on Christmas Eve and then munching them throughout the next day, at this rate. Unless someone knows a West-End place that will be open "as normal"?

Everything I've seen so far is a Christmas menu. We are doing Christmas dinner with Stuart's mum, step dad and uncle. None of them cook so it's to their normal "special occasion" restaurant where we are forced to spend £50 per person for a mediocre meal.

If I lived in a place bigger than a postage stamp I would start hosting Christmas dinner at my place. Until then, I'm stuck paying big money for a shite meal.

At least I will be having a proper Thanksgiving this year.

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Ok, we thought we might like to go out to eat on Christmas. As we don't have a car, that means 1) expensive taxi (not happening) or 2) needs to be near to us (Glasgow West End).

So, we thought we'd go to Masala Twist, as they have a great buffet. Made a reservation a few weeks ago for Christmas Day. Got a phone call today from them saying that there's a 10 pound per person deposit for Christmas Day. Having found a few of that chain online, I found a Christmas Menu for the one in city center and apparently instead of a buffet it's a fixed price (35 per person) four course "festive" meal. Not at all what we want to do.

Seriously, we just want to go out to eat. We do not want a fifteen-course banquet with booze we can't drink, and excessively sweet deserts we also can't eat.  Just the same food we would have on any other day of the year.  I take it that's not going to be possible, as everything will either be closed, be offering the "festive" menus, or cost more than a week's grocery money per person for like a prawn on a plate?

We may end up just ordering a couple of pizzas from Dominoes on Christmas Eve and then munching them throughout the next day, at this rate. Unless someone knows a West-End place that will be open "as normal"?

I recommend keeping an eye on some of the fresh options at the grocery store if you just want a normal-ish meal that's a bit nicer. We had a really good small lamb cut last year that was marinated. Served with roasted potatoes and steamed veg. Easy peasy, everyone was together and it was tasty.

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Ok, we thought we might like to go out to eat on Christmas. As we don't have a car, that means 1) expensive taxi (not happening) or 2) needs to be near to us (Glasgow West End).

So, we thought we'd go to Masala Twist, as they have a great buffet. Made a reservation a few weeks ago for Christmas Day. Got a phone call today from them saying that there's a 10 pound per person deposit for Christmas Day. Having found a few of that chain online, I found a Christmas Menu for the one in city center and apparently instead of a buffet it's a fixed price (35 per person) four course "festive" meal. Not at all what we want to do.

Seriously, we just want to go out to eat. We do not want a fifteen-course banquet with booze we can't drink, and excessively sweet deserts we also can't eat.  Just the same food we would have on any other day of the year.  I take it that's not going to be possible, as everything will either be closed, be offering the "festive" menus, or cost more than a week's grocery money per person for like a prawn on a plate?

We may end up just ordering a couple of pizzas from Dominoes on Christmas Eve and then munching them throughout the next day, at this rate. Unless someone knows a West-End place that will be open "as normal"?

Have you looked at the Chinese restaurants, if you enjoy Chinese food, that is?

Festive menu and expensive is all you would find in my area.

Just order tamales from the tamale lady (pricey but not Christmas dinner pricey) and call it done.   

Nan, one of my friends and his wife order a normal Indian food takeaway meal on Christmas Eve, has some of it, and then reheats the leftovers the next day on Christmas.

Nan, one of my friends and his wife order a normal Indian food takeaway meal on Christmas Eve, has some of it, and then reheats the leftovers the next day on Christmas.

Yeah, we were looking at that option, and the two-fer pizzas, on Christmas Eve. What we had really wanted to do was to get out of the house on Christmas Day. But that looks like it's just going to be for a walk instead of a meal, at this rate.

found a Christmas Menu for the one in city center and apparently instead of a buffet it's a fixed price (35 per person) four course "festive" meal. Not at all what we want to do.

Seriously, we just want to go out to eat. We do not want a fifteen-course banquet with booze we can't drink, and excessively sweet deserts we also can't eat.  Just the same food we would have on any other day of the year.  I take it that's not going to be possible, as everything will either be closed, be offering the "festive" menus, or cost more than a week's grocery money per person for like a prawn on a plate?

Christmas curmudgeons!! 😁😉😉😉

I think, if you're refusing to pay for a Christmas Day taxi, and are pretty much limiting yourselves to Byres Road/Great Western Road area, you're going to struggle,  as the vast majority of punters in that area are wanting something festive and special. 
The proper Pakistani/Afghani/Bengali curry shops on the Southside are what you'll be wanting, but again...the taxi issue.  Same with Chinese in the City Centre in places like Loon Fung and Ho Wong. Taxi job.

I agree with the tamales suggestion.  Order them ahead, and go and get ingredients from Lupe Pintos and do a Mex meal at home.

Incidentally,  we did Masala Twist in Helensburgh on Christmas day 4 years ago and it was really nice. ☺

Tamale lady is doing preorders!

http://mexika.co.uk/shop/tamales/

Tamale lady is doing preorders!

http://mexika.co.uk/shop/tamales/

I'm going to order some for Boxing Day!

I'm going to order some for Boxing Day!

I can vouch for them -  excellent!

Christmas curmudgeons!! 😁😉😉😉

I think, if you're refusing to pay for a Christmas Day taxi, and are pretty much limiting yourselves to Byres Road/Great Western Road area, you're going to struggle,  as the vast majority of punters in that area are wanting something festive and special. 
The proper Pakistani/Afghani/Bengali curry shops on the Southside are what you'll be wanting, but again...the taxi issue.  Same with Chinese in the City Centre in places like Loon Fung and Ho Wong. Taxi job.

I agree with the tamales suggestion.  Order them ahead, and go and get ingredients from Lupe Pintos and do a Mex meal at home.

Incidentally,  we did Masala Twist in Helensburgh on Christmas day 4 years ago and it was really nice. ☺

Yeah, that's why I mentioned it needs to be in the West End.   I was rather hoping someone might know of a place, having actually gone there or knowing someone who had gone there on Christmas.

Will scout the shops down on Dumbarton Road. Not a bad walk. If we're lucky, Dumpling Monkey will be open. Also not a problem to walk east on Great Western a couple of miles. (We do that all the time.) I think there is an Indian place up off Cleveden Drive - will have to check that one. As well as a Chinese one. In a little strip mall. A good hike, but that would be ok as long as it's not sleeting.

[PS Have just ordered some Masa and will be making tamales of our own. The Daughter is getting the recipe from the Mexican mom of a friend of hers back in the States. I really like beef tamales.   ]

Tamale lady is doing preorders!

http://mexika.co.uk/shop/tamales/

And this is why I love this forum. Definitely ordering some!

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Please explain tamales and their Christmas association?  I think I've had a tamale, but I honestly don't know.  I looked at that site and I'm not sure.  If I did have one, I don't think I liked it if I remember correctly. 

Yeah, that's why I mentioned it needs to be in the West End.   I was rather hoping someone might know of a place, having actually gone there or knowing someone who had gone there on Christmas.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to convey, from my experience ...sorry if I wasn't clear.  I don't think you will find anything round your way that's not festive .  To find something non-festive,  you will need to go further afield, which you won't do if it's a taxi job.  However, you guys are willing to walk much further than I ever would, so you might well find something.  Dumpling Monkey is a good idea to try!