olive's top 5

Some winter cheer courtesy of olive, here are our top 5 festive treats. From bargain hotels to a restaurants for special occasions, you need look no further things to do this festive season.

JUST OPENED

Try Italian 'tapas' at new ste-fro-stardom restaurant Bocca Di Lupo in Soho - take a crowd and choose 6 or 7 small or large plates of such as fritto romano (whole fried artichoke with veal sweetbreads). Save room from brioche sandwich of hazlenut, pistachio and chestnut gelato.

BUDGET

Veggies and ardent meateaters a like will love the selection of serve-yourself vegetarian dishes at Tibits, healthy fast food restaurants. Great coffee, too. in Heddon St, W1 and also in the new Westfield shopping centre, W12.

BLOW OUT

olive readers who book a table for January at Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, (pictured above) will receive £25 off the a la carte menu plus a glass of Champagne. Offer excludes Saturday nights. For full terms and conditions see page 121 of the January issue.

ESCAPE

Still looking for somewhere to decamp to over Christmas or NYE? Book a self-catering cottage or castle for 2 to 20 at Unique homestays.

SHOP

Take advantage of a great deal from U2's Bono and The Edge, their boutique hotel in Dublin, The Clarence, has a Shop 'n Rock offer of rooms from just €145.