Where To Eat Thanksgiving Dinner In New York City

Rather than associating the last Thursday in November with feelings of gratefulness and love, some of us cannot disassociate Thanksgiving with stress. Whether it's a conviction for culinary perfection or a fear of turkey brine, sometimes it's better (and cheaper!) to dine out on this day of thanks.  

For an all-American feast, check out Chef Michael Ferraro's Thanksgiving menu at Delicatessen ($42/pp). The menu will incorporate some of his family's favorite holiday dishes such as turkey tortellini soup, local farm roasted turkey with all the trimmings, and an assortment of Thanksgiving Day pie. And, of course, you can't skip out on the cast iron skillets of Ferraro's famed mac and cheese.

The Middle Eastern inspired Thanksgiving meal at Fish Tag ($40/pp, $22 wine or beer pairing) stands out with its Turducken and fixins: a roasted terrine of chicken, duck and turkey with bread and mushroom stuffing, Kabocha squash puree, cranberry chutney, and brussels sprouts. In addition to the tasty bird-trio, enjoy roasted Squash Salad with dry cherries and Tuscan kale; grilled prawns with feta and spicy chilies; smoked turkey tortellini in turkey broth; roasted salmon, a lamb burger, and Mediterranean bulghar salad. 

Give thanks at Alain Ducasse's adorable Midtown bistro Benoit ($65/pp), which will serve up a family-style French feast including highlights like Butternut Squash Soup, Maine Lobster Salad, Twice Baked Upside Down Comté Cheese Soufflé, Homemade Foie Gras Terrine, Vermont Farm-Raised Turkey, foie gras/chestnut stuffing cranberry chutney, fricassee of potato, pearl onion and wild mushroom, Organic Scottish Salmon Tournedos, Filet Mignon aux Poivres, and Fresh Ricotta and Pumpkin Ravioli with sage.   

Marble Lane ($65/pp) will serve a southern-style, globally-inspired Thanksgiving, with dishes like Turkey Gumbo with fried okra and biscuits; Sweet Potato Risotto with roasted pecans, chives, and Parmigiano reggiano; Herb Roasted Turkey Breast with sweet potato puree, sprouts, giblet gravy and stuffing; and pumpkin cheesecake.

International wine bar and American bistro Madison & Vine ($50/pp) will serve a globally inspired three-course meal featuring Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Bisque with Toasted Pumpkin; Free Range Organic Roasted Turkey served with homestyle mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, Haricot Vert, cornbread, herb and sausage stuffing and cranberry orange relish; or slow roasted Black Angus Prime Rib with homestyle mashed potatoes, sauteed baby vegetables and a Port, raisin and black peppercorn sauce; or Wild Mushroom and White Truffle Ravioli with toasted pine nuts in a brown butter sage sauce. Pumpkin and apple pies will be available for dessert.  

Recette ($85/pp) will serve a specially created four-course meal including pumpkin Espuma with bay scallops and pear; roasted Sable Fish with chicken dumplings and root vegetables in consommé; Turkey Roulade featuring a confit leg, chestnuts and cranberries ; and a Pumpkin Custard topped with candied pecans and pepitas, cinnamon brown sugar ice cream, chocolate ganache. 

French-born culinary master Daniel Boulud is hosting Thanksgiving dinner in all of his NYC restaurants. Cafe Boulud ($135/person, $55/child),  will serve a three course tasting menu with fall squash soup, heritage farm turkey breast stuffed with ciabatta alongside crangerry marmalade and sweet potato puree, as well as a pecan tart with bourbon ice cream for dessert.  But not being home doesn't exclude having leftovers! Guests will go home with a box including a turkey sandwich on a rosemary and sage focaccia bun with braised red cabbage, herbed aioli and apples, sweet potato salad and dessert.

For a less-expensive option, check out DBGB Kitchen and Bar ($55/person, $26/child). The three courses will include  autumn squash soup with pumpkin seeds, preserved gooseberries, and sage cream; roasted turkey breast and leg with rye and chestnut stuffing; and a pumpkin pie with maple cream for dessert.

If you've been looking for a reason to splurge at Daniel Humm's restaurants, the anniversary of the arrival of the pilgrims may be just the reason to do so. Eleven Madison Park ($195/pp) will serve a prix fixe of Foie Gras with Maple and Wood Sorrel, Heirloom Beets with Horseradish and Rye Crumble, Organic Turkey with Butternut Squash and Chestnut Stuffing, Black Angus Beef with Red Wine Braised Shallots and Seared Foie Gras, Tilefish, Poached with Matsutakes, Broccoli Rabe and Garlic, Potato Mousseline; Red Wine Braised Cabbage; Cranberry Chutney; Brussels Sprouts with bacon; Parsnip Ecrasse; Baked Sweet Potatoes and a dessert of Apple with hibiscus and bay.

The NoMad ($135/pp, $65/child) will serve dishes like Foie Gras with Pear, Licorice and Red Wine; White Truffle and Parmesan Risotto; Bone Marrow Encrusted Beef with Short Ribs and Sweet Potato; Chicken with Black Truffle, Brioche and Foie Gras Stuffing; Turkey; Buttermilk and Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes; Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots; Acorn Squash with Maple and Pumpkin Seeds; Chestnut Stuffing with turkey sausage and sage; Roasted Parsnips with Creme Fraiche and Parsley, and Sweet Potato Custard with Maple Ice Cream, gingerbread and chestnuts.