Where should we eat Thanksgiving dinner in Manhattan?
My family is spending the Thanksgiving weekend in the city with me and we need someplace to have our Thanksgiving meal. I'm looking for someplace sophisticated but comfortable, with a meal that has all the Thanksgiving basics, but with a twist. Modern traditional American, I guess? For example, I know my mom will want turkey, but we're not looking for sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top or green bean casserole made with canned soup.
There are 5 of us, and we can eat anytime between, say, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. I live on the UWS, but we don't mind leaving the neighborhood.
Suggestions?
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11 Comments:
We went to Prune last year and it was lovely.
cheapandevilgirl at 11:51PM on 09/25/08
I went to Freeman's last year, which was fantastic. Great atmosphere (that traditional American with a twist, for sure) for the holiday and it was surprisingly not crazy crowded like it usually is.
One trick: we bought into the 'reserve ahead/prix fixe' menu as it was made to sound like the only option. It was about $75 (if I remember correctly) and included a ridiculous amount of food (we went home with leftovers). But, you can just walk in and order from the bar menu, which is pretty comprehensive and would have been a much more affordable option.
I also walked into the Spotted Pig around 2pm a few Thanksgivings ago. Again, surprisingly empty and, of course, delicious as expected.
Sweet Freak at 10:13AM on 09/26/08
I went to Mesa Grill last year, which was nice, but not very Thanksgiving-y. We did stop in to Blue Water Grill in Union Square for a drink, and were surprised at how yummy and *affordable* the menu looked. Plus, the old school marble bank of the place gives it a good holiday feel, especially when they decorate it with pine boughs and white christmas lights. Lovely. Plus their food is always dependable, if not highly innovative.
mh330 at 11:20AM on 09/26/08
Savoy has a lovely Thanksgiving menu, very seasonal and homey. The fireplaces are always a nice touch, too. A little expensive, though.
Hmm... you might find me at the Spotted Pig this year after reading the above!
sporkster at 11:42AM on 09/26/08
I wouldn't call Kitchenette sophisticated, but it's the second-best thing to homemade Thanksgiving food and cozy atmosphere (and don't tell some people whose Thanksgivings I've attended but...sometimes better).
savecara at 12:23PM on 09/26/08
@Sweet Freak--why are you surprised that restaurants are not crazy crowded on Thanksgiving?
wookie at 12:44PM on 09/26/08
I've done it at Cookshop and it was excellent. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner but a little more upscale, with great local ingredients. I bet their sister restaurants (Hundred Acres, Five Points) would do just as good a job.
kathryn at 1:31PM on 09/26/08
We went to Becco last year - they had a prix fixe 4 course dinner with accompanying wines.
It was really nice.
Our waiter was great.
I think we are heading to Bouley this year.
Nonny at 6:57PM on 09/26/08
Wookie—It's not so much that restaurants in general aren't crazy on Thanksgiving. But that those two in particular, which are usually a joke trying to get in, were really quiet and peaceful.
Balthazar, on the other hand, was insane...
Sweet Freak at 6:08PM on 09/29/08
The gf and I did Eleven Madison last year, and it was excellent. They did offer turkey as one of the entrée options—which is the one thing I always insist on when we do Thxgiving out. They offered some somewhat traditional sides but done with modern flair. I remember the pumpkin soup as being amazing, and I loved my beet-and-goat-cheese salad. I think the gf had the foie gras terrine that EM is somewhat famous for. Like all Danny Meyer restaurants, the service was impeccable, and it was just a very pleasant and relaxed evening.
Adam Kuban at 1:56PM on 09/30/08
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! We decided to go with Good in the West Village. I've only been there once, for brunch, but it was delicious and the service was better than average. Also, they have a terrific sounding menu for Thanksgiving:
http://www.goodrestaurantnyc.com/
CandyBean at 1:26PM on 10/20/08