Barrie Hudson found himself in foodie heaven with a visit to The Pick Up Point on Devizes Road, Old Town, for the annual Swindon Link Christmas do.
The thing about booking a work Christmas meal is that it can be a bit of a gamble.
'Tis the season, after all, for restaurants packed to the gunwhales, harried staff and sometimes befuddled customers.
When the time came for our annual festive meal gamble, we decided to shamelessly load the dice by heading for The Pick Up Point (thepickuppoint.com), which has been comfortably among the finest Old Town dining experieces since the day it opened its doors.
Owner and chef Josh West, who trained at one of the most prestigious culinary schools in France, and whose CV features some of the top kitchens in London and beyond, once said that his philosophy was underselling and overdelivering.
In practice this means bringing personal touches and unique angles to each dish - and the formula works, whether during the festive season or at any other time of year.
Between the half-dozen or so people who made up our party, there were too many star dishes to list, although the several imaginative takes on burgers were particular favourites.
The Heisenburger, for example, is a truly delicious combination of aged beef, double cheese, chipotle mayo, jalapeno and dill pickle, with each component prepared to perfection.
Another much-loved feature of the burger selection is the Royale, whose refinements consist of baconaise, crispy onions and dill pickle.
Among the side dishes on offer during our visit, the Korean chicken wings with sesame and coriander were particular favourites. As it was Christmas, a member of our party ordered some sprouts as a side - and was rewarded with a shockingly delicious (they were sprouts, after all) plate of carefully herbed and spiced perfection.
Even the fries were prepared in accordance with the overriding ethos of imagination and attention to detail. For one thing, there was not so much as a single soggy or even faintly tired one in sight, and for another, the garlic and parmesan fries were something I reckon everyone should experience.
By the time you read this, it may well be that the season of works Christmas meals has passed. No matter. As plenty of devoted customers of The Pick Up Point already know, the restaurant is one of the relatively few places where an excellent meal can be expected whenever one visits.
Those who have yet to try it are truly in for a treat.
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