There’s something about Christmas that calls for sparkle, and nowhere does it quite like San Carlo.

Step inside and you’re met with that unmistakable hum of Italian hospitality: the chatter of friends over wine, the clink of glassware, the scent of truffle and fresh basil drifting through the air. It’s the perfect antidote to grey winter days. An instant escape to Milan without leaving the city.

San Carlo’s story began in Birmingham in the early 1990s when founder Carlo Distefano, armed with passion and family recipes, opened his first restaurant. His dream? To bring authentic Italian dining – where food, family, and flair collide – to the UK. Three decades later, the San Carlo name has become synonymous with la dolce vita. Think impeccable food, glamorous interiors, and that signature service where every guest feels like a regular.

This season, San Carlo invites you to celebrate with a line-up of festive menus that are pure indulgence. Whether it’s a laid-back lunch with colleagues or an evening of sparkle with friends, the Christmas Fayre Lunch & Dinner Menu sets the scene for something special.

Start with Antipasti to share and savour. Perhaps Gamberoni Luciana (king prawns with garlic and chilli), Mozzarella in Carrozza (fried mozzarella in bread with a basil and tomato sauce), or Burrata e Pomodoro (creamy burrata from Puglia with marinated beef tomato carpaccio).

For mains, there’s everything from Branzino (pan-fried sea bass with lime sauce) to Tagliatelle Porcini (chestnut pasta with porcini mushrooms and black truffle) and the ultimate festive favourite, Tacchino con Ripieno di Castagne (turkey with chestnut stuffing, pancetta-wrapped chipolatas and Italian jus).

And because San Carlo never skimps on the finale, desserts are a dream. Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding, Ferrero Rocher Cake, or a silky Panna Cotta that feels like Christmas in every spoonful.

At £48.50 per person, including tea and coffee, it’s a three-course celebration of Italian flavour, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes ensuring everyone gets a taste of the magic. If your perfect Christmas Day involves zero cooking and maximum glamour, San Carlo’s Christmas Day Festive Lunch is the one to book.

Start with six beautifully curated Antipasti, from the showstopping Avocado Bernardo (avocado topped with lobster, scampi, and prawns in Marie Rose sauce) to Crostone Funghi e Tartufo (toasted Altamura bread with mushrooms, truffle and Grana Padano). A crisp Champagne Sorbet follows to refresh the palate. An elegant touch that sets the tone.

Then come the mains: Tournedo Rossini (fillet of beef in Madeira wine with truffle), Salmone Prosecco e Gamberetti (pan-fried salmon with Norwegian prawns and Prosecco sauce), or the classic Tacchino con Ripieno di Castagne. Each dish arrives with seasonal vegetables and rosemary potatoes – the kind that make you wish every Sunday dinner came from an Italian kitchen.

Desserts are pure festive joy: Torta Pistacchio (Sicilian pistachio cake), Meringata alle Fragole (strawberry meringue cake), and Pere al Chianti (Chianti-poached pears with hazelnut ice cream).

Priced at £94.50 per person (children under 12 half price), it’s an indulgent yet effortless way to make Christmas Day unforgettable.

With its blend of elegance, energy, and unapologetic indulgence, San Carlo turns every meal into a celebration and Christmas into something truly special. Whether you’re there for a long lunch, a glittering evening, or the big day itself, one thing’s certain: you’ll leave with a smile, a story, and probably a craving to come back.

To book your festive celebration, visit www.sancarlo.co.uk