Christmas is getting closer, and if you're anything like my family, you're scouring the local shops for crisps, crackers and biscuits, stocking up on massive tins of chocolates and spirits, wine and mixers, and filling your utility room, kitchen or spare bedroom with enough food to get you through a nuclear attack!

However, it can be all too easy to spend too much time in the kitchen or the shops, and we all need a bit of a break from all the planning, preparing and stockpiling. Rather than slaving away over a hot stove, why not let someone else prepare a delicious meal for you? Why not spend an evening relaxing over some great food, perhaps a bottle of wine, and take the time to look forward to the holidays rather than approaching Christmas with a sense of dread and panic? 

Bishop's Stortford restaurant, The Lemon Tree, has established itself as one of the most loved fine dining eateries in the area. Family-owned and run by Luke and Sue Fishpool, it has received numerous accolades, including listings in the Michelin and Good Food guides. 

This December, The Lemon Tree has devised a mouthwatering festive Party Menu, although if you want to hold off on turkey with all the trimmings until Christmas Day, you can opt for the set menu or A La Carte menus.

For just £29.50 per person, The Lemon Tree's Party Menu comprises:

Starters

White bean, fennel and thyme soup

Duck liver parfait, homemade brioche and plum chutney 

Twice baked black bomber soufflé, tomato vierge

Warm crab cakes with lime pickle mayo

Smoked salmon mousse, pink grapefruit reduction, micro herbs and crostini

Main courses (all served with seasonal vegetables)

Spinach, ricotta and date pastilla, butternut squash puree

Fillet of trout, flaked almonds, lemon, baby capers and crushed new potatoes

Fillet of cod, curry leaf sauce, potato, lentils and baby spinach

Daube of beef with colcannan potatoes, roast parsnips

Breast of turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast new potatoes and cranberry jus 

Desserts

Apple and gingerbread trifle

Baked honey cheesecake with blackberry sorbet

Mincemeat and almond tart with vanilla ice cream

Chocolate torte with expresso syllabub

Three British cheeses: cheddar, stilton and tunworth, chutney, biscuits 

Christmas crackers

Chocolate truffles, whiskey sour gums

Filter coffee or tea

Please note that larger parties need to pre-book as there is limited availability.

25% off your meal in January

If you dine at The Lemon Tree during December, you will be given a voucher that entitles you to 25% off the A La Carte menu if you return to eat in January 2013. However, there are only 500 vouchers available so the earlier you book, the more chance you have of being able to take advantage of this fantastic offer.

Please click here for further details. 

Gift vouchers

Are you struggling to think of the perfect gift for a friend or family member? If they love their food, they'll adore a gift voucher for The Lemon Tree. You can choose the value, so whether it's enough to cover a bottle of wine or a full meal for multiple people, it's completely your call.