What's the first choice for Thansgiving dinner? Easy. Mom's house or grandma's. On that we all agree.
But if, for whatever reason, the decree is to "go out for Thanksgiving," choices become limited. Turkey Day dinners are available at only a small number of restaurants locally, are most often buffet-style, and, for some reason, take place early in the day. If, God forbid, one is looking for a plated Thanksgiving dinner, and would prefer dining at a civilized hour--like at dinnertime--the choices become fewer still.
But there are choices. We found four, and in no special order, they are:
Home Wine Kitchen - Home opened earlier this year to great reviews (SLM crowned it the best of the Best New Restaurants) and chef Cassy Vires is pulling out the stops this Thanksgiving...and cooking turducken (a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey--all de-boned) with the trimmings, for what she's calling "a family-style Thanksgiving dinner at Home." Seatings are at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. only. The cost is $55 pp. For the complete menu, click here.
Harvest - Since it opened 15 years ago, it's been a tradition at Harvest to serve a coursed dinner on Thanksgiving evening. This year, it's 4 courses for $60, with choices within each category. (Other entree options include beef tenderloin and diver scallops...and one of the courses is a turducken terrine.) The restaurant opens this day at 3: 30 p.m., with the last seating at 8 p.m. For additional information or to make reservations, click here.
Pietro's - Here, diners have the option of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner ($18.95) or choosing from Pietros' regular Italian menu. (So yes, it is possible for junior to have a cheese pizza on Thanksgiving, but please, can you make it be the first course, then order the kid some real food?) Thanksgiving hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunset 44 - Anyone who's had a brined turkey can attest to its tenderness, and on this day, owner/chef Bob Menendez brines all of his turkeys for hours using an old family-recipe Spanish brine. In addition to the traditional turkey and fixin's, other dishes--several different proteins, plus vegetarian items--are available as well. Prices hover near the $25 mark ($10 for kids). but the turkey dinner is handled much like at grandma's...second helpings are free. Hours are from noon to 8:00 p.m.
For a more complete list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving--including those with buffets--the P-D's Joe Bonwich keeps an extensive list here, on his forum.
