KK Dinner @ Lotus

A tradition that has been running for the last 5 to 6 years is our annual Kris Kringle dinner. This is an extremely exciting time that takes months of planning. About 2 month prior to the event a date is set in our calendars and a resturant booked, the budget is set between $100 to $150. This may sound like a lot, but it sure beats having to buy $20 to $30 presents for 10 people.

Names are then picked out of a hat and distributed. A condition of KK is that everyone must keep who they got a secret. A detailed email is then sent out to all participants where they must fill out the questions and 'reply to all'. It details things like favourite colours, wants, don't wants, underwear size, shoe size, dress size etc.

This year our dinner was held at Lotus in Potts Point. The restaurant is extremely popular and made it into the SMH Good Food Guide for 2005. Whilst the place was a lot smaller than we expected (making it a very tight squeeze) the food and atmosphere did not disappoint. The crowd is vibrant and the wait staff are extremely friendly and rather good looking!

On a Saturday night bookings is a must! the minimum 2 course meal will set you back $50 or $60 for 3 courses. The servings are your average size but the high quality of the food makes it value for money.

Above Entree: Gazpacho with persian feta.

Because we didn't start ordering till 9:00pm we decided that 2 courses would be enough. Most people went for a main and dessert as opposed to entree and main.

Mains: I got the special of the day: Alantic crispy skin (something - not salmon) with a fennel and dill salad, rosted potatoes and grapefruit. Despite me not being a big fan of dill, I still give this dish 10 thumbs up!

Mains

1. Spiced lamb loin with crushed chickpeas, spinach and sheep’s yoghurt

2. Grilled spatchcock with pea and pancetta puree, chicken jus

Dessert:

1. Buttermilk pudding with summer berries

2. Chocolate marquise, macerated strawberries and clotted cream.

Betty enojyed her Buttermilk dessert but I wasn't a big fan because the buttermilk had a funny sour flavour? the chocolate marquise is a VERY rich dessert so it would be great for the chocolate lovers. If I were to go again, I would go with entree and main instead of main and dessert.

Opening the presents!

Lisa got a dress and earrings that were very Lisa! Belinda got a new bikini, earrings and a fondue set.

Betty's present was made up of more than 5 things (I can't remember what they all were now) and Roula who has renovated her room got some really nice things from Country Road.

Part of Lisa's present for Kat was a Seduce top, to her dismay Katina had bought the top herself and was wearing it at KK dinner! (Note the top that Kat is wearing and the top that Betty is holding in her hand. I think Betty's laughter said it all!) Christina on the other hand was very pleased with her new Morrissey dress.

I had Dee and I bought her some Chanel earrings and an underwear set which caused the guys from the next table to cheer out loud!

Nat received a beautiful George necklace and a voucher for 2 people to go para sailing at Manly. I didn't get any pictures of myself but I received a beautiful Oroton Red soft leather clutch from Roula (Thank you so much!)

Here is to another successful KK dinner! Thanks for all the effort in putting together your gifts!

Merry Christmas Y'all