Dining Out for Thanksgiving 2006

It may sound untraditional, but for many people Thanksgiving has become a dine-out holiday. They are drawn to the convenience of having someone else cook, as well as the selection and quality of the meals they can get at a restaurant. If you’re thinking of dining out this Thanksgiving, have a look at what these Boston-area restaurants are offering—and make your reservation soon!

• Aujourd'hui

  The Four Seasons’ Aujourd'hui will offer a Thanksgiving Day buffet. Call for details.

  $98 per person including tax and gratuity
  10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street, Boston
  (617) 351-2037
  fourseasons.com/boston/dining/aujourd_hui.html

• Aura

  A three-course prix fixe menu features dishes such as slow-roasted New England turkey, pumpkin bisque with roasted pistachios and truffle honey, and a dessert buffet. Other options include Alaskan king crab over an oven-cured tomato risotto with fontina cheese toast and chive oil. A kid's menu is also available.

  $53 per person
  Three-course prix fixe menu available at 2 and 5 p.m.
  Seaport Hotel, One Seaport Lane, Boston
  (617) 385-4300
  seaportboston.com

• Avenue One

  This five-course prix fixe menu features curried pumpkin soup, cider-brined roast Vermont turkey breast with giblet gravy, lady apples and pearl onions, whipped potatoes, herb-roasted sweet potatoes, Boston brown bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie or warm apple pie a la mode.

  $55 for adults / $27.50 for children ages 5 to 12 / free for ages 4 and under
  Noon to 10 p.m.
  Hyatt Regency Hotel, One Avenue de Lafayette, Boston
  (617) 422-5579
  avenueoneboston.com

• Azure

  This Thanksgiving, Azure offers a three-course prix fixe menu including bourbon-glazed turkey breast, blue Hubbard squash soup with fried sage, andouille sausage and white truffle oil, chestnut glazed yams, fig and cippolini onion stuffing, sticky toffee pudding, roasted figs, and more.

  $60 per person
  The Lenox Hotel, 61 Exeter Street, Boston
  (617) 933-4800
  azureboston.com

• Bristol Lounge

  Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Bristol Lounge with a three-course prix fixe menu. Call for details.

  $65 per person
  11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street, Boston
  (617) 351-2053
  fourseasons.com/boston/dining/the_bristol.html

• Chiara

  For its first Thanksgiving Day dinner, Chiara offers wild mushroom bisque, native turkey with mashed potatoes, pumpkin seed-crusted salmon filet, and pumpkin mascarpone cheesecake with caramel sauce. A children’s menu is also available.

  $45 per person / $18 for children under 12
  Noon to 5 p.m.
  569 High Street, Westwood
  (781) 461-8118
  chiarabistro.com

• dante

  A prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu, featuring naturally-grown, free-range Vermont turkeys, includes appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Enjoy the traditional turkey dinner or the half roasted duck with sour cherries, chestnut stuffing, and rainbow greens. Vegetarian options include a crespelle made with ten vegetables, mascarpone sauce, and arugula and pea tendril salad.

  $65 per person
  (617) 497-4200
  40 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge
  restaurantdante.com

• Eastern Standard

  Enjoy a classic full turkey dinner or other options, including beef Wellington or prime rib.

  $50 for adults / $20 for children 2 to 9 p.m. 528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (617) 532-9100 easternstandardboston.com

• Excelsior

  The four-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner includes Maine lobster and sweet potato bisque; Amish-raised turkey with chestnut, turkey sausage, and semolina bread stuffing; autumn vegetables, brown buttered Brussels sprouts, buttermilk mashed bliss potatoes, cranberry relish; and warm chocolate cake with pumpkin ice cream.

  $78 per person / $98 with paired wines
  1 to 8 p.m.
  The Heritage on the Garden, 272 Boylston, Boston
  (617) 426-7878
  excelsiorrestaurant.com

• The Fireplace

  The Thanksgiving a la carte menu includes cider-glazed turkey with caramelized onion gravy, pan fried salmon cakes with lemony tartar sauce, pumpkin bisque, cranberry-orange relish and stuffing, grilled swordfish with garlicky broccoli and creamy hollandaise, Indian pudding, pumpkin pie, and butterscotch bread pudding.

  11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  1634 Beacon Street, Brookline
  (617) 975-1900
  fireplacerest.com

• Grill 23 & Bar

  Choose turkey, steak, or lobster, and dishes such as smoked shrimp chowder, candied cashew tart, and pumpkin ice cream.

  Four-course turkey menu is $68 per person / the full menu is a la carte
  1 to 9 p.m.
  161 Berkeley Street, Boston
  (617) 542-2255
  grill23.com

• Harvest

  Harvest’s Thanksgiving options include a maple-bourbon glazed turkey with oyster mushroom and cipollini onion stuffing; prime rib with sautéed spinach and truffled pumpkin risotto; Georgia candy squash soup; pumpkin bread pudding; and apple walnut galette.

  $55 for three courses / $65 for four courses
  11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  44 Brattle Street, Cambridge
  (617) 868-2255
  harvestcambridge.com

• Henrietta's Table

  The Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet offers seasonal favorites such as roasted free-range turkey with gravy, traditional bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, house-smoked pork loin, sweet potato gratin, creamed onions, and roasted root vegetables. For dessert, try the chocolate fudge icing cake, warm apple crisp, or pie.

  $55 per person
  Noon to 8 p.m.
  The Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge
  (617) 661-5005
  henriettastable.com

• Legal Sea Foods

  Several Legal Sea Foods locations will be open Thanksgiving Day to offer, in addition to their usual menu, holiday dishes such as slow-roasted turkey breast, wood-grilled salmon, and warm cranberry-walnut tart. Visit their website for details.

  legalseafoods.com

• L’Espalier

  Back Bay’s popular French restaurant is open Thanksgiving with offerings such as the Jerusalem artichoke and turnip soup with braised short ribs; turkey with Madeira truffle gravy and cranberry kumquat relish; and roasted pork loin with pumpkin and sweet potato gratin. Vegetarians can enjoy the pickled pumpkin cocktail with cilantro biscuits or the winter squash risotto with forest mushrooms.

  $82 for six courses / $42 for children
  1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  30 Gloucester Street, Boston
  (617) 262-3023
  lespalier.com