Kefi: Three courses, $25.95; children, $10.95 (Menu)
505 Columbus Ave., nr. 84th St.; 212-873-0200
Michael Psilakis steps out of Greek tradition this Thanksgiving to serve roast turkey and mashed potatoes. He nods to another Turkey in his seasonal take on the Turkish dumplings called manti, flavored with chestnut and glazed with brown butter and sage. Dessert is pure Greek: walnut cake.
Jo’s: Four courses, $40; children $15 (Menu)
264 Elizabeth St., nr. Houston St.; 212-966-9640
For a filling vegetarian alternative to turkey, this American bistro offers seasonal mushroom lasagna. Sides like sautéed Brussels sprouts with toasted macadamia nuts and pan-roasted stuffing are shared among the table, and pumpkin pie is the sole dessert. If you’re over the traditional fare, grab a burger off the à la carte menu.
DuMont: Three courses, $60 (Menu)
432 Union Ave., nr. Devoe St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-7717
This cozy ‘burg joint aims to poach the few fresh-faced locals not attempting to cook their first holiday meal with friends, or those who want variety in the form of five entrée picks. Beyond the roast turkey: grilled pork chop with apple, mostarda, and Swiss chard; or squash ravioli crowned with a quail egg and seasoned with sage.
Prune: Three courses, $72; children, $36
54 E. 1st St., nr. First Ave.; 212-677-6221
For the holiday spread by chef Gabrielle Hamilton, expect even less elbow room here than there is at brunch. She honors suburban traditions like crudite, cheese plates to start, and that sweet, tart sliceable jelly: Ocean Spray cranberry sauce. But juicy roasted capons sub in for turkey, and you won’t find many families serving stewed chestnuts with ricotta and squash with candied bacon.
SHO Shaun Hergatt: Three courses, $75 (Menu)
40 Broad St., at Exchange Pl.; 212-809-3993
One of the highlights of New York Taste was Aussie chef Shaun Hergatt’s succulent short-rib nib over creamy polenta. For Turkey Day, he keeps to tradition, with roasted organic turkey with Brussels sprouts and cranberry accents, and a pecan tart with bourbon cream for dessert. You can sample his style in trout tartare with kalamansi dressing to begin.
Marea: Four courses, $99 (Menu)
240 Central Park S.; 212-582-5100
We can vouch for Italian-accented Thanksgivings—what, your family doesn’t have a manicotti course?—but chef Michael White is in his own league for this family-style feast. Four primi options range from seafood risotto to garganelli (pasta quills) with roasted chestnuts and wild mushrooms. That’s pre-turkey (or sirloin, or snapper), of course. A dessert combining chocolate, hazelnut, and fior di latte is as equally tantalizing as his menu, which is also quite reasonably priced.
Aureole: Three courses, $115 (Menu)
135 W. 42nd St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-319-1660
Chef Chris Lee’s yellowfin tuna Wellington fits the holiday mood, as does a butternut-squash soup amped up with lobster, black trumpet mushrooms, and “hot cinnamon cotton candy.” Plus, fill any awkward table silences by discussing the curious dessert: blue cheesecake with poached figs, quince, and walnut leaves.
A Voce Columbus: Parade-viewing breakfast, $295 including tax and gratuity (Menu).
Dinner: Four courses, $95
10 Columbus Cir., at Broadway, third fl; 212-823-2523
Chef Missy Robbins’s four-course dinner is $95 per person, but if we had the pocket change we would spring for her breakfast abbondanza and a warm, uncrowded seat overlooking the Macy’s parade and the standing-room-only fray. Even if that means an omelette for dinner.
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