Thanksgiving

Holiday Helpers

Why not take the whole dysfunctional family out to eat this time, and blame the dry turkey on the professionals? A feast to fit any personality.

By Rob Patronite & Robin Raisfeld
Published Nov 12, 2005

The Michelin Man
Alain Ducasse at the Essex House
155 W. 58th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-265-7300
Possibly the first three-Michelin-starred restaurant ever to serve Thanksgiving dinner, which unfolds in six courses, including chestnut velouté with lobster knuckles, and roasted Amish turkey with foie gras–and–wild mushroom stuffing; $120 per person.

The Unfussy Foodie
The Queen’s Hideaway
222 Franklin St., nr. Green St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn; 718-383-2355
If the global-warming effect kicks in, you can gobble your deep-fried turkey with cornbread stuffing and sweet-potato pie out back by the light of a tiki torch; $50.

The Unapologetic Football Fan
Schnäck Express at Brooklyn Lyceum
227 Fourth Ave., nr. President St., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-857-4816
Turkey potpie for $8.95, the Lions or Cowboys on an almost drive-in-size screen, and “beer priced to sell.” Maybe leave Grandma at home.

The Anti-Turkey Euro
Perry St.
176 Perry St., at West St.; 212-352-1900
Screw American tradition. At Jean-Georges’s latest, November 24 is business as usual—the regular menu, in all its sleekly modernist glory.

The Gastropubbing Night Owl
The Spotted Pig
314 W. 11th St., at Greenwich St.; 212-620-0393
Brit chef April Bloomfield tackles turkey and the trimmings—served, along with her regular menu, until 2 a.m.

The Regionalist
Bar Americain
152 W. 52nd St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-265-9700
An Iron Chef never rests: Bobby Flay does maple-horseradish-glazed roast turkey, shrimp and grits, and pumpkin bread pudding for dessert; $75.

The Tofurkyed-Out Vegan
Counter
105 First Ave., nr. Sixth St.; 212-982-5870
Five meat-and-dairy-free courses, from hubbard-squash bisque to pumpkin-maple “ice cream,” and no Tofurky; $40, plus an optional $25 wine pairing.