Feasts Without the Fuss
Don’t feel like stuffing the bird this year? Visit one of Boston’s favorite restaurants for a unique Thanksgiving meal that just might leave grandma in the gravy.
This holiday, you don’t have to slave away grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning to let your family know you love them. Give thanks by giving it up, and head to one of these wonderful Boston restaurants for a gourmet feast that just may become a newfound tradition.
dante
11/22
1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Patio at dante
Royal Sonesta Hotel
40 Edwin H. Land Blvd.
Cambridge, MA
$65
617-806-4200
sonesta.com/boston
Description:
Whether you’re worried about burning the turkey, or simply prefer to wine and dine in the comfort of a refined and chic restaurant, dante will help you celebrate Thanksgiving in style! Featuring an evening of delectable dishes, including a wild mushroom tart, hubbard squash bisque, and naturally raised, free range Vermont turkey, this dinner will certainly satisfy your palate.
Excelsior
11/22
1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Excelsior
272 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
4-course menu is $78; with wine pairings, $98 half glass and $118 with full glass.
(617) 426-7878
excelsiorrestaurant.com
Description:
Experience a contemporary and modern take on the traditional Thanksgiving turkey at Excelsior. Take in beautiful views of the Public Garden while delighting your taste buds with Nantucket Bay scallop bisque topped with pear and watercress, a carved organic Amish-raised turkey paired with black truffle-potato puree and Anise-honey glazed autumn vegetables and, of course, a filling slice of New England apple pie.
Grill 23 & Bar
11/22
1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Grill 23 & Bar
161 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
4-course menu is $65/ $95 with wine pairings
617-542-2255
grill23.com
Description:
Feel like celebrating Thanksgiving at one of Boston’s premier steak and seafood grills this year? Head over to Grill 23 & Bar for smoked shrimp chowder garnished with avocado and cilantro, an organic free range turkey with all of the fixings, and a savory pumpkin cheesecake to top it all off.
Sandrine’s Bistro
11/22
Noon – 8:00 PM
Sandrine’s Bistro
8 Holyoke St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
4-course Prix Fixe, $50; a la carte menu is also available.
(617) 497-5300
sandrines.com
Description:
Want to experience a few different flavors this Thanksgiving? Then sit back, relax, and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner inspired by French cuisine at Sandrine’s Bistro! Choose appetizing meals from the Prix Fixe menu, such as pumpkin soup with hazelnut oil, and a maple roasted turkey paired with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and fresh cranberry fruit relish, or select a few items a la carte like the pan seared fois gras tatin, or the terre et mer, which is a rich pairing of roasted Long Island duck magret and sautéed blue water prawns.
Sel de la Terre
11/22
Noon – 8:00 PM
Sel de la Terre
255 State St.
Boston, MA
$58
(617) 720-1300
seldelaterre.com
Description:
If you’re looking to sample something other than the traditional turkey this Thanksgiving, but just as delicious, check out Sel de la Terre. With courses like forest mushroom soup topped with a confit garlic-parmesan crostini and cinnamon spiced sugar pumpkin gnocchi with escarole and toasted almonds. Though, if you still want to go the traditional route, roasted farm raised Vermont turkey with apple and sourdough stuffing is available as well.
Go on to the next page for even more Thanksgiving feasts, and find out about the Pie-in-the-Sky fundraiser…
UpStairs on the Square
11/22
1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
UpStairs on the Square
91 Winthrop St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
$68 per person; $34 for ages 12 and under.
617-864-1933
upstairsonthesquare.com
Description:
Thanksgiving at UpStairs features delicious New England clam chowder topped with chive crackers, a salad of autumn lettuces and herbs with crispy shallots, and roasted farm raised Vermont turkey paired with cornbread and a pecan and sage stuffing. Can’t decide between pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie for dessert? Don’t worry. UpStairs on the Square offers a trio of these flavors along with some Tahitian vanilla ice cream to satisfy your craving.
Aura Restaurant at The Seaport Hotel
11/22
Seatings at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
$55 for adults; $20 for children
Aura Restaurant
1 Seaport Lane
Boston, MA 02110
617-385-4300
www.seaportboston.com
Description:
See spectacular views of Boston’s waterfront, while dining on delectable dishes like fork-rolled chestnut gnocchi with an organic pumpkin puree and toasted pistachio cream, a slow-roasted New England turkey with all the fixings, and a scrumptious dessert buffet.
The Fireplace
11/22
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Fireplace Restaurant
1634 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA 02446
617-975-1900
fireplacerest.com
Description:
Whether you want to sit down to a hearty Thanksgiving dinner or take it to go, The Fireplace Restaurant will meet your needs. With a charming atmosphere, and filling menu choices, such as hearth-roasted Wellfleet oysters with apple-squash puree and asiago cheese, sweet-spiced squash bisque with Great Hill blue cheese & crispy pumpkin seeds, and a cider-brined local heritage turkey with apple and sage brioche stuffing, cranberry-vanilla compote, and rich turkey gravy, this dinner will fill you to the brim!
1627 Harvest Dinners with the Pilgrims
11/17, 11/18, 11/21, 11/23, 11/24
5:30 PM; Advance reservations required
137 Warren Ave.
Plymouth, Ma 02360
$55.95 for adults and $40.95 for children (12 & under); $38.95 for adult members and $30.95 for children members
800-262-9356, ext. 8364
www.plimoth.org
Description:
Travel back to 1627 and have a real Thanksgiving dinner with the pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation. Relax, sit back, and eat with your hands at this festive meal, featuring traditional Thanksgiving dishes like a pottage of cabbage, leeks and onions, a sweet pudding of native corn, a dish of turkey, and cheesecake ma
de with spice and dried fruit. You’ll feel like you’re dining with your ancestors straight off of the Mayflower.
AND FOR DESSERT…
Pie in the Sky Fundraiser
10/17-11/14
Pies will be available for pickup at various locations on 11/21 at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pies are $25; raffle pies are $75
Pieinthesky.org
617-522-7777
Description
Apple and pecan and pumpkin, oh my! Add some flavor and a whole lot of sweetness to your Thanksgiving dinner with delicious pies baked by Boston-area chefs. The proceeds from each pie sold help benefit people living with life-threatening illnesses. So eat and enjoy – it’s for a good cause!