Maybe the political climate’s still a little too frosty to head home for the holidays. Or maybe you were never leaving town because traffic’s your worst nightmare. Or maybe you just don’t feel like cooking a turkey and want to treat yo self. Either way — here are our favorite picks for staying in, going out and hoarding leftovers for later without ever turning on the stove. The Beehive Mandarin Oriental, Boston Deuxave Bambara Scampo Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
In the South End, the Beehive will host an all-day feast, with live jazz and a three-course prix fixe for $65. Guests can nosh on lobster chowder or roast squash salad with warm cider vinaigrette, before digging into roast organic turkey or wild Alaskan salmon with all the fixings — followed by pie. (Vegetarian options are also tempting — including a smorgasbord of sides or roasted cauliflower lasagna.) Secondly, “Thanksgiving Leftovers” will be later served a la cart, featuring the Turkey Melt sandwich and select options from the day.541 Tremont St, Boston, Thanksgiving menu will be offered 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., $65 per person ($19 for children 10 and under); Leftovers from 10 p.m. to midnight; Reservations recommended, 617-423-0069, www.beehiveboston.com
Executive Chef Daniel Burger of the Mandarin Oriental in Back Bay created a Thanksgiving Feast To Go for four to six, or 10 to 12 hungry houseguests. On the menu: an oven-roasted turkey with citrus-cranberry chutney, savory sausage and chestnut stuffing, lobster mac and cheese and truffle-infused potato puree. To finish: a homemade brown butter sable-encrusted pumpkin pie — and some petite pastries from Pastry Chef Robert Differ that make perfect takeaway gifts for your guests. It’s quite the sweet relief. 776 Boylston St., Pickup 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., orders must be placed by Nov. 21; $550 for four to six guests, $900 for 10 to 12 guests, service fees not included; for additional information, 617-535 8887, Mobos-Sales@mohg.com
Executive Chef Chris Coombs is in the house on Thanksgiving — so you know you’re in good hands. The Back Bay kitchen of Deuxave will churn out three courses featuring Misty Knoll Farm’s “Turducken” — a very elegant interpretation of meat on meat on meat — and braised bone-in beef short ribs with an array of traditional sides. Dessert comes as spiced pumpkin semifreddo, apple coffee cake or chocolate mousse with roasted persimmons. 371 Commonwealth Ave., noon to 8 p.m., $89 per person, optional wine pairing for $40; reservations at 617-517-5915
Executive Chef David Bazirgan isn’t taking his first holiday at this Kendall eatery sitting down. Roasted heritage turkey, chestnut stuffing, roast sweet potatoes and creamed onions take the main stage, but we’re excited for the starters. Options include highlights from the restaurant’s globally inspired menu, like pumpkin falafel with spiced yogurt and pomegranate and a tahini Caesar with boquerones and fried bread. 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., reservations recommended, bambara-cambridge.com
Chef Lydia Shire’s grand Thanksgiving Feast seems perfectly situated at the peak of the picturesque Charles Street. A four-course prix fixe includes roast heritage turkey with muscat gravy and anadama bread and fig stuffing or olive oil-poached halibut with risotto nero and candied butternut squash. Additional sides will come family style — with blistered green beans with quince and Marcona almonds and maple-glazed yams. Dessert comes in the form of pecan pie with bourbon zabaglione or apple crostata with buttermilk ice cream. 215 Charles St., noon to 8 p.m., $65 per adult, $25 for children 12 and under, reservations recommended, 617-536-2100, scampoboston.com
We think smoked turkey is highly underestimated. While a glistening, moist, roast turkey may make up the dreams of many — we fantasize about next-day sandwiches, stacked high with smoked turkey breast and thick smears of cranberry chutney and cornbread stuffing. Satisfy (our) cravings at Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q, where their Arlington and West Newton locations have a Groaning Table Turkey Feast for six to eight people or 13 to 15 or family-size portions of smoked turkey, brisket and ham a la cart. Orders must be placed by Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. to 617-BIG-RIBS; Pickups Nov. 23 at both locations, Groaning Table Feasts start at $129.
Where to order Thanksgiving dinner in Boston
Scott Gardner
