Thanksgiving 2016 Dining Guide NYC
There used to be something so sad about the thought of spending Thanksgiving at a restaurant; quietly picking at a segmented, prix fixe plate of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, scooped en masse from steam trays. But that couldn’t be a less accurate depiction of eating out during the holidays nowadays; especially since the best restaurants in the city generally remain open for business, offering international, chef-inspired takes on the beloved American meal. So here’s a rundown of eight great places to make a reservation this year. From Oceana (with none other than Bill Telepan as toque) to David Chang’s envelope-pushing Ma Peche…
Oceana
Believe it or not, farm-to-table trailblazer Bill Telepan is the current toque at the shellfish palace, Oceana. So while it might have been an unusual choice for a rustic Turkey Day dinner in the past, it should now be on the top of everyone’s reservation wish list — especially since the gently priced menu (only $65 for three-courses) includes Crab Cakes or Smoked Brussels Sprouts Pasta, Sea Scallops or Roasted Organic Turkey, and Pumpkin Cheesecake or Apple Tarte Tatin; plus an optional raw bar!
Read MoreIl Buco Alimentari
Newly appointed chef, Garrison Price (formerly of Asiate), will cut his teeth with his first holiday meal at cozy Il Buco Alimentari. Priced at $85 per person, the five-course, dinner will feature a choice of primi such as Orzo with black truffle and fairytale pumpkin, as well as secondi including Goffle Road Farm Turkey with cranberry mostarda, and family-style contorni and dulci; think Buckwheat Stuffing with dried figs and leeks, and Winter Squash Pie topped with pepitas and mascarpone.
Read MoreAldea
Let George Mendes add a little Portuguese savor to your standard Thanksgiving spread, in the form of Shrimp Alhinho or Mussel Soup as starters, Arroz de Pato (duck with orange puree) or Pennsylvania Turkey with chorizo stuffing as mains, plus Pumpkin Biscuit Cake, Fried Apple Pie and Concord Grape Sorbet for dessert, to the tune of $85 per person plus $45 for wine pairings.
Read MoreIndian Accent
If you’re stuck in Thanksgiving autopilot, defaulting to the same all-American eats like sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie, consider spicing things up — literally — with reservations at Indian Accent; a glitzy Delhi import offering Roasted Sweet Potato Chaat, Paneer-Stuffed Roast Turkey or Tandoori Turkey with sage butter kulcha, and Doda Barfi Treacle Tart or Candied Pecans with rice kheer.
Read MoreFleisher’s
If you can’t quite give up on the idea of dinner at home, at least lighten your load by reaching out to Fleisher’s; Brooklyn’s artisan butcher shop. In addition to launching a holiday hotline (and making heritage breed and broad breasted turkeys available for pre-order), they’re also selling handy all-in packages, including a Turkey Essentials Kit (with rubs, brining blends, a gravy base and trussing twine) and a Roasting Kit, containing a rack, a thermometer, and a booklet of recipes, tricks and tips.
Read MoreBeasts and Bottles
This new Brooklyn Heights sibling to Atrium DUMBO specifically focuses on whole roasted birds, as well as large format wines, suggested by Master Sommelier Alexander Pratt. Which is to say, it’s a no-brainer choice for Thanksgiving; expect options like Foie Gras Terrine, Chestnut Pasta, Turkey with sourdough stuffing or a series of “Feasts for Two,” including Truffled Chicken, Herb-Crusted Lamb or Market Fish.
Read MoreDirty French
Arguably the most over-the-top of all the Major Food Group’s establishments, sassy and brassy Dirty French is definitely celebratory place to spend Thanksgiving; indulging in hors d’oeuvres like Tuna Tartare with crepe indochine, Roasted Turkey pour la table braised in gravy and mustard jus, “dirty” stuffing and pommes puree. Dreading having to make small talk with distant relatives? Consider the constant throb of music a blessing.
Read MoreMa Peche
What’s more NYC than Thanksgiving dinner at David Chang’s idiosyncratic, Asian-tinged Ma Peche? Impress your wide-eyed, out-of-town relations with a family-style Turducken (a glistening roulade of turkey, chicken and duck) accompanied by a spread of fish sauced Brussels Sprouts, Cornbread Stuffing with Chinese sausage, Pomme Roti with crème fraiche, and Five Spice Apple Pie.
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