Before we knew it we are at “OMG, how can it be it is nearly Thanksgiving?”
Relax. There is a way to be thankful and not knock yourself out to be able to serve up that traditional family-sized turkey dinner.
More and more restaurants are not only open this Thanksgiving with traditional menus and more, but many are also offering the “we cook it you pick it up and serve it” option. Either way, your stress level will be low and your “giving thanks” meter high as you make reservations or order your food.
>>At the Mattabesett Canoe Club on the Connecticut River in Middletown you get a view and a traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet dinner for $34.99 for adults and half price for children under age 10. Seatings are at 11 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2 and 4 p.m.
The buffet includes a breakfast station, carving station with choices including turkey, of course, mashed potato station, Venetian dessert station and $5 mimosa and Bloody Mary drinks. Information: 860-347-9999 or mattabesettcanoeclub.com.
>>Metro Bis, 731 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, will celebrate Thanksgiving with dinner at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. The restaurant is also offering its Thanksgiving To Go menu.
The three-course sit-down dinner includes choices like butternut squash and cider bisque, house smoked salmon, roasted turkey, braised short ribs, pumpkin pie and chocolate ganache. Price is $48.95 plus tax and tip for adults and $19.95 plus tax and tip for children 10 and under.
The restaurant’s “to go” makes dinner as easy as reheating that day. Choices include a cooked turkey for $6.95 a person, gravy at $5.95 a pint, whipped potatoes at $9.50 a quart, pumpkin, apple or pecan pies for $25 each or stuffing for $9.50 a quart. But you want to do a little cooking? Metro Bis also has raw, seasoned ready to cook turkey ranging from $30 to $54 depending on size as well as an “all of the sides” option that includes potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, gravy and pie for $14.75 as person.
To go orders must be placed by Nov. 21 by calling 860-651-7417. For Thanksgiving dinner reservations call 860-651-1908. Information: metrobis.com
>>Confetti, 393 Farmington Ave, Plainville, is serving Thanksgiving turkey dinner for $30 for adults and $20 for seniors 70 and over and children under 10. Other main course options priced up to $35 are also available. Included with the main course is a “grazing table” featuring side dishes including soup, salad, gravy, vegetables, breads and dessert choices — pie, pudding or cheesecake. Information: 860-793-8809 or idineconfetti.com.
>>BALLO Italian Restaurant and Social Club at Mohegan Sun offers a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $42 a person. Selections include crispy pork belly, meatballs, rigatoni, seared shrimp, ricotta gnocchi and pumpkin cannoli for dessert. Information and reservations: 860-862-1100, balloitalian.com.
>> Restaurants at Foxwoods Resort Casino offer Thanksgiving dinner specials, including a roasted turkey dinner entree for $24 at Al Dente, roasted turkey entree for $26 and baked halibut with crabmeat for $40 at Cedars Steak House, a full family-style dinner at Paragon ($65 for adults, $25 for children) and a $22.95 roast turkey prix-fixe dinner at Veranda Cafe. Information: foxwoods.com/dining.
>>The Griswold Inn, 36 Main St., Essex, will present a Thanksgiving buffet on Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $36 for adults and $18.95 for children under 12. Choices include salads, orzo pasta salad, turkey, roasted sirloin, pork loin, filet of sole, side dishes including sweet potato praline, stuffing and desserts including pudding, pie and cake. Information: 860- 767-1776 or griswoldinn.com.
>>Angelico’s Lake House Restaurant, 81 North Main St., East Hampton, will serve a traditional Thanksgiving buffet. Located on Lake Pocotopaug, the buffet presentation includes a carving station with a choice of turkey and steam round of beef, chicken Marsala, seafood, vegetables, a fresh fruit display, cheese board, salad stations and dessert display. Seatings are at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Cost is $27.95 for adults and $13.95 for children from 5 to 12. Children under 5 are free. Information: 860-267-1276 or angelicoslakehouse.com.
Angelico’s is also offering a “take home” menu for those who want to let someone else do the cooking but enjoy it at home. Choices include “The Connecticut” Thanksgiving dinner for 12–15 people, which includes a 14- to 16-pound turkey, sides and a pumpkin pie or “The Pilgrim” Thanksgiving dinner for eight people.
Heating instructions are included. Customers must pre-order meals by Nov. 21, and plan to pick up on Nov. 26, from 1 to 8 p.m.
>>La Trattoria, 21 Old Albany Turnpike, Canton, will host “A Feast without A Fuss” dinner on Thanksgiving Day. The menu includes a family-size turkey carved tableside, choice of soup and cider, side dish and choice of pie. Leftovers can packaged for home. Information: 860-673-5000 or idineconfetti.com
>>Apricots, 1593 Farmington Ave., Farmington, is serving Thanksgiving Day dinner and featuring both an a la carte and fixed price menu including a complete turkey dinner for $29.50. Information: 860-673-5405 or apricotsrestaurant.com.
>>Millwright’s Restaurant, West St., Simsbury will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The three-course menu features turkey with family style side dishes. Cost is $55 for adults and $25 for children under 12. Information: 860-651-5500 or millwrightsrestaurant.com
One Fifty Central, 150 Central St., Forestville, will serve Thanksgiving dinner featuring an a la carte menu with seatings at 11:30 a.m. 1:30 and 4 p.m. The sitdown limited seating features roasted turkey with sausage stuffing, salmon, veal, shrimp and flat iron steak. A children’s menu is also available. Information: 860-261-7009 or onefiftycentral.com.
>>Carmen Anthony’s restaurants will serve a traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet at all three locations in New Haven, Waterbury and Woodbury. Price is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for children over 5. Children five and under are free. Information: carmenanthonys.com
>>Capital Grille, 44 Front St., Hartford, will be serving Thanksgiving dinner in Hartford from noon to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
The restaurant will feature its full, a la carte dinner menu, as well as a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner entrée option with all the trimmings and a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Information: 860-244-0075 or thecapitalgrille.com.
>>Cavey’s, 45 East Center St., Manchester, will serve a three-course turkey dinner with all the fixings for $42 per person and $21 for children under 12. Dinner choices include herb-roasted organic turkey with gravy, sausage and mushroom stuffing, pureed potatoes, organic carrots and rutabaga, autumn vegetables and dessert. Dinner is served from 1 to 7 p.m. Other menu items will also be served. Information: 860- 643-2751 or caveysrestaurant.com.
>>Elizabeth’s Café, 885 Boston Post Road, Madison is offering a complete “to go” menu for Thanksgiving. Choices include appetizers like spanakopita, Asian meatballs and pepper spread, soups including wild mushroom, beef chili, and butter squash and apple, individual turkey dinners, whole roasted turkeys, gravy, stuffing, sides and dessert. Information: 203-245-0250 or perfectparties.com.
>>The Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road, Madison, is serving Thanksgiving brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The brunch includes stationary displays featuring cheese, fruit, salads, breads and omelet stations, a hot buffet including chicken, pork loin and salmon, and choice of desserts. Cost is $46 for adults and $21 for children from 6 to 12 years old. Children under six are free. Information: 203-245-1404 or madisonbeachhotel.com.
And remembering that Thanksgiving is about giving as much as celebrating, well-known restaurateur Billy Grant is asking for help.
>>Once again, Grants and Bricco in West Hartford are collecting $20 donations for turkeys that will be purchased and donated to the annual Foodshare Turkey Drive.
“The donations will cover the cost of a turkey with a little extra to be donated to Foodshare,” said Grant who regularly sponsors the turkey drive to help the non-profit organization. Information: billygrant.com
Holiday Tea
And if it is almost Thanksgiving, can Christmas be far behind.
To get into the spirit, Max Downtown in Hartford and Max Tavern in Springfield will be holding respective “Teddy Bear Tea” and “Teddy Bear Brunch” events in December.
Max Downtown will host its event on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children under 12 and includes a cupcake and popcorn bar, candy buffet, treats, photos and a signature MAX bear.
At Max Tavern, brunch will be held on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children and includes a gourmet brunch, cupcake and popcorn bar, candy buffet, dancing and games, a signature MAX bear and photos.
Children are asked to bring a new unwrapped town to the event to be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House.
Information for the Hartford event: 860-522-2530. Information for the Springfield location: 413-746-6299.
