The festive feast is available in-store now
Christmas markets are in full swing across the country, and with festive displays filling shops and supermarkets, there’s no denying we’re firmly in the countdown to the big day.
Despite it only being mid-November, seasonal menus are appearing throughout cafes and restaurants up and down the land.
Marks and Spencer launched its Cafe Christmas menu earlier this month, unveiling what could be their most indulgent festive offering to date.
Those who aren’t keen on traditional turkey will be pleased to discover numerous innovative takes on seasonal classics featured in this year’s M&S café selection, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The high street retailer has introduced an array of new substantial toasties and sweet options, whilst debuting a Yorkshire pudding wrap for the very first time.
For customers seeking a satisfying midday meal, there’s also a newly launched pigs-in-blankets mac and cheese dish.
The beverage selection features chocolate “Rodney Reindeer” antler hot chocolates and milkshakes, whilst puddings include a reindeer-themed Yule log.
Maple has emerged as a key flavour throughout M&S food halls this Christmas, with Canadian maple spiced beverages available both hot and cold.
In an attempt to sample the entire menu, I brought along a tupperware box to take home a portion of the food because honestly, this menu is incredibly indulgent.
I was somewhat taken aback when I calculated the calorie content of some of these dishes, but more on that later.
Here are my thoughts on all the festive treats.
Yorkshire Pudding Wrap
Now, most of us have probably had one of these, so you sort of know what to expect.
However, this one was not what I was expecting at all. It’s filled with slow-cooked beef making it lovely and tender, and instead of gravy to moisten the whole thing, it’s enveloped in a mustardy cheesy sauce which was surprisingly tasty.
They’ve even managed to make the vegetable component taste good, with thin slices of carrots and a bit of greenery thrown in for good measure.
The one I received was slightly burnt, but other than that, this was a real hit.
My rating: 4/5.
Pigs in blankets
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I’m not a huge fan of M&S’ pigs in blankets as I find them slightly salty in taste.
However, pairing them with the bland creaminess of macaroni cheese is a smart move for the café menu.
Mac ‘n’ cheese fans will appreciate this one, although personally, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to purchase it again. It’s a substantial, comforting dish, particularly if you’re after a winter warmer, but it’s also the priciest item on the menu at £8.95.
My rating: 3/5.
Turkey toastie
I believe we can all concur that M&S have mastered the festive toastie, they are undoubtedly the supermarket café champion of this treat.
Their classic Turkey Toastie, which has received glowing reviews in recent years, is making a comeback to cafes for the 14th consecutive year and is accompanied by a gluten-free version as well.
It’s maintained its price this year at £7.50, which I consider quite a bargain given the widespread price increases elsewhere.
Every layer is drenched in indulgence – from the salty, herby, buttery crunch of the bread to the gooey melty filling inside.
My rating: 5/5.
Pigs under blankets toastie
However, the turkey toastie has a new competitor for my affections this year, and that’s the new Pigs Under Blankets Toastie (also £7.50).
The indulgence continues here, with four sausages enveloped in heaps of bacon, a delightful sweet maple gravy all sandwiched between that sinfully buttery bread.
Oh, and there’s a slice of cheese and onion chutney thrown in for good measure.
I made the error of checking the calorie count on this one and it clocks in at a hefty 717. This isn’t winning any health awards, but blimey, it’s as delicious as they come.
My rating: 5/5.
Rodney Reindeer Hot Chocolate.
I’m not typically a hot chocolate enthusiast, but the adorable appeal in the promotional photos of this one drew me in.
However, the reality was slightly less picture-perfect, as the chocolate cream appeared to have been dropped from a great height onto my mug. It resulted in a somewhat lopsided reindeer with a cherry nose and chocolate antlers, but that didn’t matter when it tasted so good.
Chocolate squirty cream should become a staple because this one was simply delicious. The substantial chocolate antlers added to the indulgence, although mine quickly sank to the bottom, turning everything into a melty chocolate delight.
My rating: 4/5
Rodney Reindeer Yule Log.
Resembling a creamier and more luxurious Colin the Caterpillar, this year’s café yule log follows the Rodney Reindeer theme with antlers on top.
It’s covered in a rich buttery ganache with a pleasant hint of cherry red cream inside.
Although there’s so much ganache that trying to serve yourself a slice is particularly challenging. That’s why it looks such a mess in the photos.
My rating: 4/5.
Christmas Tree Cake.
A gingerbread cake inside a chocolate tree?
This is brilliant!
Topped with a cute white star, it’s all very charming and tasty too.
Among all the extreme decadence of the other treats, this one actually felt quite light.
Like you could eat it after several toasties. Or maybe that’s just me.
My rating: 5/5.
Iced maple latte.
This was the only item which I’d describe as a big miss in this year’s line-up. Not to my taste at all.
But in fairness I’d only ordered this one as they’d run out of the Rodney Reindeer shake. Maybe if you like iced drinks generally you’d like it, but I found it tasted quite sour and unpleasant.
My rating: 1/5.
The Verdict.
There is much to enjoy on this new MandS Christmas Café menu, particularly with those epic toasties that the retail giant really has nailed now.
My one big problem with it all is just how super decadent it all is, with the lavish creamy sauces, extra buttery soaked bread on the toasties and the extra chocolatey cream on the hot chocolate, although don’t get me wrong it makes everything taste so good.
It means you’re kind of spoilt for choice on which one to go for. But they’re all definitely on the naughty end of the calorie spectrum.
If you went for the Rodney Reindeer hot chocolate (326 cals), the Pigs-under-blankets toastie (717 cals) and then the Rodney Reindeer Yule Log (417 cals) as I did, then you’re racking up nearly your entire recommended daily calorie allowance in one lunch.
But hey, ’tis the season to be jolly, and the season for investing in stretchy-waistband clothing, so I guess we’ll all just roll with it – and get on the health kick come January.
The new M&S Christmas Café menu in full.
- Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, £8.50.
- Turkey Toastie, £7.50.
- Pigs Under Blankets Toastie, £7.50.
- Gluten Free Turkey Toastie, £7.50.
- Cheeseboard Toastie, £6.50.
- Pigs in Blankets Mac and Cheese, £8.95.
- Iced Maple Spiced Latte, £4.
- Rodney Reindeer Milkshake, £4.25.
- Rodney Reindeer Hot Chocolate, £4.25.
- Mini Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cake, £4.00.
