There’s a certain prestige that comes with hosting Thanksgiving dinner.From the fluffy dinner rolls to the picture-perfect turkey to the heartfelt conversation, it’s a time-honored tradition that’s an honor and privilege to continue. And yet, no Thanksgiving in the history of the family unit has ever turned out this way. Want to skip the piles of dishes and couch-snorers this year?
Here’s where you can have your pumpkin pie and eat it, too.
This SoHo hot spot’s Caribbean twist on the classics is going to make you think blasphemous thoughts about your family’s traditional dinner. Mom’s famous stuffing? Meet Miss Lily’s jerk sausage version, served as part of an all-star main course that also includes jerk turkey with gravy, mac-and-cheese pie (we know!) and cranberry chutney. If you’d prefer to pretend like you cooked, there’s also a delivery and take-out menu.$38 per person, 130-132 W. Houston St. Chef Brad Farmerie is quite the host with the most. In addition to a three-course meal that concludes with a “tower of treats,” he’s sending guests off into the night with a warm to-go cup of apple cider (extra warm if you opt for the whiskey). In addition to turkey, guests can also choose from ricotta gnudi, stuffed branzino and a dry-aged N.Y. strip steak.$80 ($40 for children), 316 Bowery Specializing in upscale meat-and-potatoes fare,Mas (farmhouse) is serving pretty much exactlywhat you’d serve — only far, far better. Starring locally sourced ingredients from small organic farms, the prix-fixe menu includes a heritage turkey, all the fixings and optional wine pairings. Give thanks, indeed.$88 (four courses) to $120 (six courses), 29 Downing St. Back Forty is dedicated to keeping you away from dish duty: Both its Soho and East Village locations are open on Thanksgiving and serving quite the spread. The family-style menu includes old standbys (See: Sweet potatoes with roasted ham hocks; chestnut and sage stuffing) as well as more adventurous fare such as five-spiced turkey legs. $65-$70 per person, 190 Ave. B and 70 Prince St. Proceeds from Bubby’s pay-what-you-can buffet-style dinner benefit the NYC Rescue Mission — so, if possible, pay what you can and then a bit more. On the lineup: deviled farm-raised eggs, free-range turkey, glazed ham with spiced apricot sauce and candied sweet potatoes with homemade marshmallows. If you already have plans but are in the market for a pie, this year’s to-go menu includes an organic pecan maple variety that we’d trade drumstick privileges for. $75 suggested donation, 120 Hudson St. and73 Gansevoort St. Daniel Boulud’s East Village outpost has the classics covered, including butternut squash soup, roasted turkey with rye stuffing and an Alsatian apple tart complete with hard cider sorbet. However, the showstopper might be The Gobbler: a stacked turkey burger finished with roasted pumpkin seeds, cranberry ketchup and the promise of a long winter’s nap.$60 ($25 for children), 299 Bowery We’re not even sure you need the wine pairing when the menu is this decadent. Chef Eric Korsh’s holiday offerings include mesquite barbecue prawns, roasted turkey with rutabaga sauerkraut and milk chocolate malted cake topped with cookies-and-cream ice cream. That said, yes, you should of course spring for the$40 wine pairing.$85, 104 North End Ave.
Downtown Thanksgiving: Take your dinner party below 14th Street
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