There’s no getting around it—Thanksgiving is all about the food. The grocery shopping, the hours around the oven, the feast itself, and then all those dirty dishes. While we’re reluctant to recommend that you forego the family get-together this year, it’s not a bad idea to evade the cumbersome cook and cleanup to spend more precious time with your loved ones. Here, we roundup the holiday hotspots we’re thankful for this year.
Baltimore City
Apropoe’s, Harbor East: Reservations required. Seatings at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Prix-fixe buffet with à la carte entrée, $19-42. 410-385-3000. Starters are served buffet style and include roasted blue hubbard squash, apple chestnut soup, and deviled eggs; entrées include brined heritage turkey, lamb shanks, flat iron steaks, and crispy salmon, with two sides; desserts include classic apple crisp, pumpkin panna cotta, and cranberry pear cobbler.
Blue Hill Tavern, Canton: Reservations recommended. Seatings at 12-12:30 p.m., 2:30-3 p.m. & 5-5:30 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $39.99. 443-388-9363. Traditional twists on tavern favorites. Starters include butternut squash soup, calamari salad, and mussels; entrées include turkey platter, shrimp and grits, seared salmon, and mushroom wellington; desserts include cobbler, blood orange sorbet, and pecan pie. Kids menus are available upon request.
The Capital Grille, Inner Harbor: Reservations recommended. 12-9 p.m. À la carte menu featuring turkey dinner, $12-36. 443-703-4064. The full, regular menu is offered with the addition of a Thanksgiving dish that includes: slow-roasted turkey, butter brioche stuffing, green beans, pear and cranberry chutney, and mashed potatoes. Pumpkin cheesecake is available for dessert.
Charleston, Harbor East: Reservations recommended. 3-7 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $79. 410-332-7373. Traditional Thanksgiving meal with a modern twist. Highlights include: local sweet potato and Andouille sausage soup, turkey leg confit, and braised beef short rib with Vidalia onion beignets. Complimentary valet service provided.
Farmstead Grill, Canton: Reservations required. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $38. 410-762-2100. Farmstead’s first ever Thanksgiving. Sweet cornbread and buttermilk biscuits with honey-butter for the table. Starters include butternut squash soup, Chesapeake chowder, and arugula apple salad; entrées include pork loin, buttermilk fried chicken, mushroom paté, and braised short rib; various sides options; desserts include apple tart, pumpkin cheesecake, and pot de crème.
Kali’s Court, Fells Point: Reservations recommended. 12-8 p.m. À la carte menu featuring turkey dinner, $34.95. 410-276-4700. Highlights from the menu include: crab and artichoke phyllo crisps, grilled portobello mushroom, butternut squash bisque, lamb shank, and grilled whole fish.
The Mt. Washington Tavern, Mt. Washington. Reservations recommended. 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Regular menu plus Thanksgiving specials, $24-28. 410-367-6903. Entrées include traditional turkey dinner, sliced country ham steak, slow roasted prime rib of aged beef, fresh halibut with cilantro lime butter, seasonal vegetables, and potatoes; special made-in-house desserts.
The Prime Rib, Midtown: Reservations required. 1-8 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $45-50. 410-539-1804. Menu includes roasted tomato soup or salad to start, traditional roasted turkey, stuffing, mash, and cranberry sauce, and dessert. Complimentary valet service provided.
Waterfront Kitchen, Fells Point: Reservations recommended. 2-7 p.m. Three course prix-fixe menu, $64. With optional wine pairing: $89. 410-864-0215. Starters include roasted chestnut soup with prosciutto or mixed green salad; entrées include a stuffed, glazed turkey leg with family style sides; desserts include pumpkin pie panna cotta with pecan chutney, vanilla ice cream, and bourbon whipped cream.
Wit & Wisdom, Harbor East: Reservations recommended. 1-8 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $35-74, plus $35 optional wine pairing. 410-576-5800. Starters include pear and endive salad, duck confit and acorn squash risotto, and pumpkin soup; entrées include Turducken roulade, crab cake, pavé, and tilefish; desserts include maple napoleon, black forest cake, and specialty cheeses. Additional sides available for $9 each.
Baltimore County
The Milton Inn, Sparks: Reservations required. 12-7 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $26-52, as well as à la carte menu. 410-771-4366. Starters include cream of asparagus soup and salad; entrées feature white and dark meat roasted turkey with various accouterments; desserts include pumpkin pie, linzer torte, and macadamia torte.
The Manor Tavern, Monkton. Reservations required. Seatings at 12:30, 3, & 5:30 p.m. Prix-fixe buffet, $15-39. 410-771-8155. Starters include granola parfait shooters, salad, cornbread muffins, and charcuterie; entrées options include turkey, brown sugar ham, and prime rib with au jus; sides include sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls & honey butter, and glazed carrots; desserts include pumpkin pie and assorted mini desserts.
Oregon Grille, Hunt Valley: Reservations required. 1-7 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $49. 410-771-0505. Starters include butternut squash bisque and beef barley; entrées include fresh roasted turkey with yams, baby zucchini, and whipped potatoes for main course; desserts include pumpkin cheesecake and pecan pie. Men are required to wear jackets after 5 p.m.
Anne Arundel County
Harry Browne’s, Annapolis: Reservations recommended, 12-7 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu, $42. 410-263-4332. Menu highlights include poached pear and blue cheese salad, turkey, duck breast, maple-glazed salmon, and pumpkin spice cake. Vegetarian options available upon request.
Sam’s on the Waterfront, Annapolis: Reservations required, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Four-course prix-fixe menu, $14.95-52.95. 410-263-3600. Starters include cream of crab, butternut squash, and organic greens salad with poached pears and almonds; entrées include prime rib, turkey, local rockfish with crab imperial, and crab cakes; desserts include chocolate decadence, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie.
Carroll County
Baldwin’s Station, Sykesville: Reservations recommended, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. À la carte holiday menu featuring turkey place, $12.95-$23.95. 410-795-1041. Menu highlights include pumpkin bisque with ginger spice, traditional turkey plate, Louisiana fried chicken, and apple cranberry crumble.
Howard County
Tersiguel’s, Ellicott City: Reservations required. 12-7 p.m. À la carte menu. 410-465-4004. The rustic French restaurant offers a variety of hors d’oeuvres, including artichoke soup with pumpkin polenta, homemade paté, and oysters on the half-shell. Main courses include: traditional roast turkey and ham, filet mignon with red-wine demi, lamb chops with potato gratin, and poached salmon. Additional sides available.
Victoria Gastropub, Ellicott City: Reservations recommended. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. À la carte menu. 410-750-1880. Regular menu favorites like duck fat fries and Wagyu beef burgers along with traditional choices; entrées include roast turkey with cranberry cherry compote, roasted duck breast with stuffed pears and port wine sauce, and a 10 oz. pork chop with cider and pancetta braised brussels sprouts; desserts include pumpkin pie and gingerbread trifle.
