Inside The marie claire Christmas Party At The Charles

As each year draws to a close, there’s one event that we look forward to. Of course, we’re talking about the long-awaited Christmas lunch, where we can finally close ours laptop and toast to another year while indulging in an afternoon of fine wine and food.

For the marie claire and ELLE Australia teams this year, it was extra special. Instead of an (admittedly lovely) evening of champagne, we clocked off early and walked down to The Charles Brasserie & Bar. From the moment we opened the door, we were whisked into a festive bubble, complete with fine French dining (appropriate for two French fashion magazines) under flickering candlelight.

Located on King Street in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, The Charles is the kind of restaurant where old world hospitality meets contemporary style. The dining room itself is opulent without being fussy — think, a grand European brasserie reimagined for Sydney. Upon sitting down, we were treated to the kind of service we always prefer, that is, being presented with a glass of wine near-immediately. From there, the team delivered service with warmth and style, making us feel simultaneously spoiled and completely at ease.

We settled in, working our way through The Charles’ menu of French-inspired classics. The conversation flowed as easily as the wine, punctuated by the arrival of beautifully executed dishes that reminded us why taking the time to connect over a meal is what the holiday season is really about.

Then came the moment we’d been anticipating: the dessert trolley. This isn’t just any dessert service, but a roving spectacle of house-baked cakes, pastries and petit-fours that rolls directly to your table. For December, the trolley has been transformed by Etymon Group Head of Pastry Rhiann Mead into a festive delight. “Reimagining [the dessert trolley] for Christmas is our way to capture the holiday joy and give diners a moment of pure indulgence that stays true to The Charles signature style and flair,” explains Mead.

The trolley is overflowing with handcrafted creations, each one more tempting than the last. The Gingerbread Russian Honey Cake caught our eye immediately, alongside the theatrical Black Forest Bûche de Noël with its layers of chocolate mousse, sponge, and cherry jam. There were also whimsical touches — Snowman Macarons filled with coconut ganache and passionfruit gel, and Bauble Bonbons with white chocolate and peppermint ganache that looked almost too beautiful to eat.

The trolley experience itself is pure theatre, combining nostalgia with indulgence in a way that feels quintessentially festive. As we made our selections and savoured each bite, the afternoon stretched on in the best possible way. No rushing back to emails, no checking the time — just the luxury of being present with good people, good food, and the shared relief that another year was complete.

This article was originally published on ELLE Australia and was republished here with permission.