Thanksgiving is this Thursday November 28th, and perhaps you’d rather do just about anything than roast a turkey in your own oven. Or maybe your oven is broken (everyone has that horror story, right?) or your great-aunt Susie doesn’t like anything not served on a tablecloth. Whatever the reason for eating out, we feel you, and here are some places to check out for Thanksgiving on the town. Don’t forget to check OpenTable for even more places to try. And for a nice chuckle and some education on heritage turkeys, take a gander at this video from the Food Snob over at Vanity Fair.
Before we get started, we’d like to take a moment to mention those less fortunate than ourselves. The holiday season is full of excess and pleasure, but let’s all remember those who are struggling to make ends meet. This year, the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks are sadly short of enough turkeys for the many Thanksgiving meals they provide to underserved people in our community. You can donate turkeys all the way up to Thanksgiving Day. Donations of birds are accepted at their warehouses, please check the link for details and thanks for helping.
If a British take on Thanksgiving feels frankly un-American, just wait until you check out the menu that chef Jennifer Puccio is running at THE CAVALIER. Sides like minted Brussels sprouts, horseradish mashed potatoes, and bacon-onion stuffing are served family style, plus everyone gets to choose a first course, entrée, and dessert. It costs $75 per person, plus wine pairings for an additional $50. Reservations are available from 11:30am-7:30pm. 360 Jessie St. at 5th St., 415-321-6000.
For chef Rob Lam’s Asian spin on Thanksgiving, head to BUTTERFLY for a menu that includes classic salt-baked turkey breast and turkey leg confit alongside lap cheong fried brown sticky rice and truffled mushroom sauce. The cost is $55 per person and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant.
For all you industry folks who will be working on Thanksgiving, here’s a very cool late-night option for either large groups or smaller parties. The folks at WILD HARE are hosting a dinner from 3pm-1:30am called Turkey Legs for the People. The main course is cider-brined turkey legs and gravy, along with a full lineup of sides and pumpkin pie for dessert; check out the menu here. Dinner is $40 per person, and reservations can be made by email or in person. 2801 California St. at Divisadero, 415-539-3200.
Looking for a Thanksgiving feast that also participates in the new “sharing economy”? And no, we’re not talking about that bizarre leftovers app, gross. Check out Meal Sharing, a website that connects people who like to cook with people who like to eat. Sign up, reach out, and maybe you’ll end up sharing your dinner with your future best friend (or just bringing some happiness to someone who is far from home).
If you’re looking to cook, or attending a dinner and need to bring something killer, we’ve got you covered too. Check out our list of tips from last week and last year for some great Thanksgiving helpers, plus these options below.
~BOXING ROOM~ will take care of your whole dinner for 10-12 people, all you have to do is pre-order and pick up on Thanksgiving between 10am-12pm. Fried turkey, uh-huh. It’s $325, and they’ll even have beer and wine available for purchase at pickup, natch. Give ‘em a call.
The fab BISCUIT BENDER has a full range of biscuits for your Thanksgiving feast, including both sweet and savory options (and butters too!). They’re available either fully baked or frozen and ready for your oven; orders can be placed by email and picked up until Wednesday November 27th. Ferry Building Marketplace, 415-678-9253.
For those of you in the East Bay, check out the options from THE PASTA SHOP (both locations). Their choices range from sides to the whole Thanksgiving feast for 8-10 people ($195) to chopped liver and latkes for some Hanukkah-Thanksgiving flair. 1786 4th St., Market Plaza, Berkeley, and 5655 College Ave. at Keith, Oakland. 510-250-6005.
My overflowing plate at Casa Gagliardi. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
Event Info
Thursday Nov 28, 2013
