Boston
Boston may offer many options for your Thanksgiving meal, but few will make you feel like you're dining at home. The cozy atmosphere of Brookline's Fireplace exudes New England charm. The Fireplace is aptly named for the wood-burning fireplace within that adds to the ambiance for this fall holiday.
Enjoy Thanksgiving by a roaring fire — Photo courtesy of The Fireplace
Preparing food from local purveyors, The Fireplace creates a menu of mouthwatering Thanksgiving table staples like traditional turkey and stuffing, along with the chef's innovative offerings which include a selection of soups, meat, seafood and sides you won't find at Mom's. Celebrate better than the Pilgrims while keeping alive the allure of a real New England Thanksgiving meal at the Fireplace.
San Francisco
If you can't be at home for Thanksgiving, then spend Thanksgiving at San Francisco's home: Tommy's Joynt. With the same family owning this hof-brau style restaurant since 1947, and with massive turkey legs on the menu year round, Tommy's Joynt has become that home away from home for many in the Bay Area. Tommy's Joynt — Photo courtesy of sfgate.com
This is a no-frills buffet-style restaurant with a great beer selection and lots of corner booth hideaways that give it that cozy and snug holiday feel, no matter what the season. Conveniently located on the corner of Van Ness and Geary, right on Route 101, you can stuff yourself with turkey and all the trimmings then roll right out the door towards North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square and all parts in between. But if the urge to stay with your newfound family at Tommy's Joynt makes you linger all night, no one will blame you.
Los Angeles
For a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a twist, head to L.A.'s most famous garlic-centric restaurant: The Stinking Rose. The quirky, yet cozy, decor consisting of rich reds, opulent chandeliers and hanging wine bottles sets a comfortable, warm tone for your holiday meal.
The Stinking Rose — Photo courtesy of The Stinking Rose - Beverly Hills
The Thanksgiving menu includes three courses beginning with a house salad followed by the main dish: a 400 clove garlic roasted turkey breast served with gravy, mashed yams, cranberry and stuffing. Garlic-lovers will think they've died and gone to heaven. Finish the delicious meal with a slice of pumpkin pie and their house-made kustard ice cream. Prices are $34.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.
Dallas
If you're in Dallas for Thanksgiving, and you're looking for an elegant meal, head on over to Fearing's at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas hotel. Led by Chef Dean Fearing, this upscale Southwestern/New American restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate Turkey Day in style! Fearing's will serve a special three-course Thanksgiving meal at both lunch and dinner time.
Chef Dean Fearing in the kitchen — Photo courtesy of Fearing's Facebook page
Diners will be greeted with freshly-made blood orange margaritas and then served the first course of butternut squash soup topped with pecan whipped cream. The main course will feature a tangerine and sage-glazed turkey paired with jalapeno-tortilla dressing. And in Texas, it is called "dressing," not stuffing! Other main course treats include an avocado, red pepper and caramelized onion relish, sage and thyme creamed onions, glossy green beans with country ham, and brussel sprouts served in cranberry-brown butter. True to Texan style, the dessert course includes pecan pie, as well as classic pumpkin pie and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. This year's Thanksgiving dinner starts at $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.
Memphis
The historic Peabody Hotel is best known for its ducks, but when it comes to a Thanksgiving feast, there’s nowhere in Memphis that can beat the grand dame of Southern hotels. Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a festive brunch from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm is just the ticket for those who want a true taste of the South.The historic Peabody Hotel's 32-foot long dessert bar awaits guests at its annual Thanksgiving Brunch — Photo courtesy of The Peabody Hotel
A variety of made-to-order breakfast items, including waffles and omelets, a carving station with a variety of meats and all the Thanksgiving favorites are just the start. Add in the whimsical – a fried green tomato station, a children’s station, and a 32-foot long dessert bar – and it's truly impossible for anyone to leave with a less-than-full stomach.
Tampa
For some people, Thanksgiving is about history and celebrating the melting pot that is America. In Tampa, those two ideals come together at the famous Columbia Restaurant, one of the oldest restaurants in the city. For Thanksgiving, the Columbia serves roast turkey direct from Vermont with their own take on stuffing along with sides like sweet potato casserole with pecans, soup, salad and a dessert. This truly unique Thanksgiving dinner is a bargain at $19.95 for adults and $5.95 for children under 10. Their fabulous regular menu of Spanish/Cuban favorites is also available for non-traditionalists. Both menus are available all day at most Columbia locations throughout the Tampa Bay area.
The Columbia is just as exquisite on Thanksgiving as the other 364 days of the year — Photo courtesy of The Columbia Restaurant
Savannah
If a feast at an 18th-century haunted mansion isn’t enough to convince you to book a Thanksgiving Day reservation at the Olde Pink House, then head to the venerable Savannah restaurant for its outstanding Southern-inspired holiday cuisine. The Historic District eatery offers a three-course, prix fixe Thanksgiving lunch and dinner featuring both classic holiday dishes and fresh, seasonal Low Country fare.
Celebrate Thanksgiving in an elegant 18th-century Savannah mansion — Photo courtesy of Olde Pink House
Those craving a traditional Thanksgiving meal have plenty to choose from, including turkey, ham and stuffing, but the menu is also filled with the restaurant’s signature brand of flavorful, upscale Southern favorites. Past choices have included she crab soup, roasted venison, rainbow trout and the Olde Pink House’s world-famous BLT salad topped with fried green tomatoes and bacon. The meal includes a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, and reservations are encouraged.
Chicago
One of Chicago's premier restaurants, BIN 36, will be celebrating Thanksgiving and you're invited. From 3 pm to 9 pm, a three-course meal will be served. If you seek a traditional Thanksgiving meal with a gourmet twist, this is not to be missed.
BIN 36 — Photo courtesy of BIN 36
With choices that range from duck prepared 3 ways to chestnut sage soup for the first course and maple syrup brined turkey to salmon and crab coulibiac for the second course, there will be something for everyone. And don't forget dessert, which includes a choice of English toffee pudding cake, caramel apple pie or pumpkin cremeux. Prices are $20 for children under 12 and $48 per adult; children under 4 years of age eat free. Reservations are available.
Denver
If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving culinary treat in Denver to share with your family, look no further than the EDGE Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. This Thanksgiving, the creative chefs at EDGE are serving their usual signature comfort foods like roasted turkey, but they also spice it up with creative culinary dishes.Thanksgiving culinary adventure at the EDGE Restaurant at Four Seasons Denver — Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Denver
The EDGE Restaurant offers a lunch or dinner three-course, prix fixe menu ($55 per adult) including turkey, beef filet or Idaho trout. For larger families, consider reserving a seat for the Grand Ballroom Thanksgiving Buffet ($75 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under) featuring an amazing buffet with many stations, including multiple carving stations from traditional Tom Turkey to leg of Colorado Mountain lamb, a sushi station, seafood bar, eggs Benedict station and more.
Nashville
Experience a Southern-style Thanksgiving at Monell's in Nashville. With three locations offering up a Thanksgiving meal that will have you loosening your belt buckle, there's plenty to go around. The Downtown Monell's and Monell's at the Manor will be open from 10 am to 6 pm, and the Gallatin location will be open from 11 am to 4 pm.
Monell's — Photo courtesy of Michael King - Monell's
The menu includes traditional turkey and dressing, baked ham, sweet potato casserole with pecans and apples, fresh cranberry relish, caramel pumpkin pie and more. Reservations are not accepted and it's first come, first serve. Adults pay $21.98 per person (plus tax), children ages 4-12 are $10.98 (plus tax) and children 3 and under eat free.