(Photo by Caroline Angelo
Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away—so it’s time to start locking down plans for next Thursday. If you’re looking to impress out-of-town guests or just dread the thought of dry turkey or the stress of cooking (and cleaning up after) a multi-course meal in a tiny apartment, restaurants are here to make life easier.
Dine-in options:
Ardeo+Bardeo
(311 Connecticut Ave. NW)
This upscale American dining room will serve a three-course meal for 49 per-person ($25 for children under 12) plus tax and tip from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. Choose from comfort dishes like curried butternut squash, hearty seafood cioppino, crispy duck breast and, of course, turkey.
Bidwell
(1309 5th St. NE)
Head to Union Market for a meal at the airy Bidwell for a home-style dinner from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. The meal is $45 for adults and $25 for those under 12. It will feature Heritage turkey and all the usual fixings and sides. They are also offering a to-go meal. Call 202-547-0172 for details.
Central
(1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW)
As with many of its dishes, Central Michel Richard is putting a subtle French twist on American classics this holiday. The $55 ($27 for kids under 12) three-course menu will showcase Thanksgiving staples in addition to French onion soup and the restaurant’s famous chocolate bar dessert.
Le Diplomate
(1601 14th St. NW)
So what if Thanksgiving is an American holiday? French bistro Le Diplomate is opening from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving with a menu of brunch, dinner and a family-style meal at 1 p.m. It’s $49 per person with soup or salad, turkey and fixings, and a selection of pies.
The Prospect
(1214 U St. NW)
Entertain (or escape) your guests with afternoon football at this lively sports bar. The Prospect will open at 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving in advance of the Washington Football Team vs. Cowboys game at 4:30 p.m. If you’re somehow still hungry, munch on special wings or turkey legs ($15) tossed with stuffing dry rub and sticky cranberry glaze.
Nopa Kitchen & Bar
(800 F St. NW)
Executive Chef Matt Kuhn has been making noise in the kitchen lately, and his Thanksgiving menu is a solid bet to please visiting friends or family. The $50 per person meal (plus tax and tip) has some nontraditional options. Among them is grilled Spanish octopus with black chickpeas, squash and coconut soup, pasture raised turkey with turkey schnitzel, and a cranberry mousse tart. The menu is available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
Teddy & Bully Bar
(1200 19th St. NW)
Give the day some presidential flare with a meal at Teddy & the Bully Bar. A Thanksgiving menu is planned from 1 to 8 p.m. and runs $59 a person ($21 for 12 and under). Dishes include an apple parsnip bisque, turkey, cedar plank salmon, mac and cheese, and pumpkin pie.
Take-out
Acadiana
(901 New York Ave. NW)
The southern-influenced Acadiana is advertising a Thanksgiving to-go dinner for eight people for $175. It includes a 16-to-18 pound Cajun-spiced turkey, gravy, four Southern-style sides, biscuits, and choice of pie. Orders must be placed before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 by calling (202) 408-8848
Carmine’s
(425 7th St. NW)
Carmine’s is ditching its Italian identity for a Thanksgiving meal that’s friendly on large groups and procrastinators. The $249 feast is enough for eight to ten people and can be ordered through Wednesday, Nov. 23. You get an 18 pound turkey, five sides, and choice of pie. Call the restaurant at (202) 737-7770 to make arrangements.
Colada Shop
(21430 Epicerie Plaza, Sterling and D.C. pickup at 1904 14th St.)
Leave the baking to this new Cuban cafe, which will open its D.C. location at 14th and T St. NW in January. It’s offering an apple-guava crumb pie and a pumpkin dulce de leche pie for $25 a piece. They serve six to eight people and a 48 hour notice is required for Thanksgiving day pickup.
Kapnos and Kapnos Taverna
(2201 14th St. NW and 4000 Wilson Blvd. NW)
For something different, try Kapnos’ Greek twist on Thanksgiving dinner. Items include Greek-spiced roasted turkey, mac and cheese, and more. Orders must be placed by Sunday, Nov. 20. and can be picked up Thanksgiving morning.
Maketto
(1351 H Street NE)
Break out of the norm and go with an Asian flare this Thanksgiving with catering from Maketto. Why serve turkey when you can stuff yourself with leek or pork bao, cumin lamb, or the restaurants signature fried chicken. The restaurant is accepting takeout orders through noon on Friday, Nov. 18.
Rare Sweets
(963 Palmer Alley NW)
The bakery is selling seasonal cakes and desserts including apple fall spice and pumpkin, bourbon and cocoa. The smallest cakes are 6″ and priced at $45. Raresweets has also created a number or bake-at-home breakfast and desserts like cinnamon rolls and buttermilk biscuits ($30 for eight). Decide quickly if you want to go this route, as orders are due by November 18 at 5 p.m.
Red Apron butcher
(multiple locations)
Meat-lovers can up their Thanksgiving games with charcuterie, sides and pre-brined local Heritage breed turkeys from this inventive local butcher. Online reservations are closed, but limited orders will be accepted through November 21 by calling your local Red Apron shop.
Woodward Takeout Food
(1426 H St. NW)
The to-go menu for 2016 is a little smaller than others, serving four to six people. It includes a roasted Amish turkey, giblet gravy, cranberry shrub, a selection of four classic sides, rolls and a pie. It’s $195 a meal and can be ordered through Friday, Nov. 18.
