Don't get served a stuffing by greedy restaurants on Christmas Day

IT'S the great Christmas restaurant rip-off.

Evening Standard research reveals top London restaurants are doubling normal prices for Christmas Day. Consumer watchdogs condemned the prices as "excessive". The Dorchester Grill has added as much as Pounds 122 to a three course menu while Gordon Ramsay's Maze has raised its prices by 150 per cent. A Maze spokesman said: "People know that they will get the finest food in return."

Venue: Dorchester Grill, W1

Christmas package: Champagne reception and five-course lunch with wine Price: Pounds 195 Usual: Pounds 73 Difference: 167%

Venue: Maze, W1

Christmas package: Threecourse lunch, without wine Price: Pounds 125 Usual: Pounds 50 Difference: 150%

Venue: Savoy Grill, WC2

Christmas package: Fivecourse lunch and mince pies, not including wine Price: Pounds 175 Usual: Pounds 77 Difference: 127%

Venue: The Ritz, W1

Christmas package: Fourcourse dinner with half-bottle of champagne, no wine Price: Pounds 200 Usual: Pounds 89 Difference: 125%

Venue: The Connaught, W1

Christmas package: Fivecourse-lunch, wine not included Price: Pounds 160 Usual: Pounds 78 Difference: 105%

Venue: Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, W1

Christmas package: Canapes, four-course lunch and mince pies but no wine Price: Pounds 175 Usual: Pounds 83 Difference: 111%

Venue: Windows On The World, Park Lane Hilton Hotel, W1 Christmas package: Fourcourse lunch, without wine

Price: Pounds 155 Usual: Pounds 80 Difference: 94%

Venue: Rib Room And Oyster Bar, Carlton Tower Hotel, SW1 Christmas package: Fivecourse lunch, without wine Price: Pounds 140 Usual: Pounds 75 Difference: 87%

Venue: Maroush Garden, W2

Christmas package: Four hot and four cold starters, two main courses and dessert, plus a bottle of wine and appetisers Price: Pounds 32 Usual: Pounds 40 Difference: minus 20%

Venue: Boxwood Cafe, SW1

Christmas package: Fourcourse lunch and mince pies Price: Pounds 95 Usual: Pounds 57 Difference: 67%

Venue: Chapter Two, SE3

Christmas package: Fivecourse lunch, without wine Price: Pounds 60 Usual price: Pounds 36 Difference: 67%

Source: Harden's London Restaurants, Usual price based on three- course meal with half a bottle of wine and coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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