For some, Thanksgiving brings about giddy feelings of 12-hour cooking marathons, strategically basting a turkey to ensure it comes out perfect. For others, just the idea of contributing a homemade side dish to the Thanksgiving table causes a panic. If you’re part of the latter camp, there are plenty of options for avoiding it all. Here are a few of the D.C.-area restaurants that will be open on Turkey Day, along with the takeout options to ensure a dinner that’s less about debating cooking methods, and more about spending time with family.
Dine In
The Watergate Hotel
2650 Virginia Ave. NW
Trying to eat on the early side? The Watergate Hotel is serving up Thanksgiving Day brunch at its Kingbird restaurant. Dine in from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for a hot and cold buffet brunch menu, including bottomless mimosas, tea, and coffee. Brunch runs $95 per person and $55 for children ages 5-12, and children under 4 dine for free. Later that night, Thanksgiving dinner ($68 per person for three courses) includes Thanksgiving favorites like turkey, sweet potato gnocchi, pumpkin bread pudding, and roasted lamb.
BLT Steak
1625 I St. NW
Spend Thanksgiving at BLT Steak, which is offering a prix fixe option with several special dishes for Thanksgiving. Priced at $82 per adult and $40 per child, the dinner includes an appetizer, one family-style main course, and one dessert. Start the night with a chestnut and celery root soup, and of course, don’t forget the turkey—BLT’s version comes roasted with a chestnut-sausage stuffing, cranberry-grenadine sauce, and rosemary gravy. Sides include classics such as Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato gratin.
Rasika West End
1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Both Rasika locations are offering a Thanksgiving menu for both lunch and dinner. In addition to their traditional a la carte menu, which features such Indian options as tandoori paneer and chicken tikka masala, the restaurant is offering a special Thanksgiving dish that puts a twist on traditional roasted turkey. For $24, guests can enjoy turkey mussalam with butternut bharta, jeera green beans, cranberry pulao, and onion sage kulcha.
Rasika Penn Quarter
633 D St. NW
The restaurant’s twin sister in Penn Quarter is offering a slightly different Indian Thanksgiving dinner: a turkey pot pie with mashed sweet potato, green bean korma, onion sage pulao, and makki cranberry roti. It’s priced at $24.
City Perch
11830 Grand Park Ave., N Bethesda,
Picky eater in the group? City Perch Kitchen & Bar in Bethesda is offering a Thanksgiving buffet with plenty of options. Feast on acorn squash bisque, herb roasted turkey, chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, and lots of other classic Thanksgiving foods. If the available “bread station,” with popovers, honey glazed cornbread, and dinner rolls hasn’t sold you, save room for their “legendary silken pumpkin pie,” a three-layer twist on the classic with chantilly cream and pumpkin mousse. Prices are $58 per person, and $20 per child 12 years or younger.
The Smith
901 F St. NW and 1314 U St. NW
Both locations of this American restaurant are offering a 3-course Thanksgiving feast. In addition to three types of turkey preparations—a turkey osso buco, a roast turkey breast, and a turkey pot pie—nontraditional options include ricotta gnocchi, tuna poke, shrimp scampi, and braised short ribs. Dinner will cost $47 per person, and $23.5 for kids under 12. The raw bar will also be open for oysters, shrimp, and lobster plates.
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
575 Pennsylvania Ave NW
If relatives are still in the city through the weekend, take them to The Source by Wolfgang Puck for a meal that goes far beyond turkey leftovers. On Saturday, the restaurant’s Dim Sum brunch, normally only served in the lounge, will be available throughout the restaurant. Executive Chef Russell Smith has added several family style specials, such as a 24-oz bone-in rib eye steak, and a whole roasted duckling for two with steamed buns. If you’re more of a fan of traditional dim sum, indulge in pork and cabbage dumplings, pork belly sliders, or a lobster and shrimp spring roll. For dessert, finish the meal with an espresso mousse or red miso glazed donut, and wash it all down with a Sichuan Mary, a Bloody Mary with a chili salt rim, stuffed olives, and celery.
Take Out
Bayou Bakery
1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington, VA
Relatives visiting from the South will appreciate the catering options from Bayou Bakery, offering up plenty of Louisiana-inspired side dishes and desserts. Choose items including braised collards, sweet cornbread muffins, buttermilk biscuits, deviled eggs, and more — and don’t forget the mac and cheese, made with New York sharp cheddar. Most side dishes are priced between $10-30, serving upwards of 15 people per serving. For dessert, choose from eight different types of pie, from traditional pumpkin and pecan pies to the more out-there Virginia peanut pie. Final orders need to be placed the Monday before the big day.
BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd NW
Don’t even worry about preparing your turkey this year: BlackSalt will brine and season a bird with fresh herbs at $6.99 per pound, making it ready for you to roast. The turkey itself is from Pennsylvania Amish country, humanely raised and never frozen. Between started, soups, side dishes, and pies, there are endless options on the BlackSalt menu. You can also reserve sides, starters, and desserts. Highlights include caramelized Brussels sprouts with house smoked bacon, Chincoteague oyster stuffing, clam chowder, mini crab cakes, and Kentucky derby pie. All pick ups are scheduled for Nov. 21, and orders must be placed by Nov. 18.
Red Apron
Multiple locations
The butcher shop is offering tons of takeout options for various degrees of kitchen time for the customer. If you feel like getting your hands dirty, Apron has poultry rub, poultry stock, gravy, and a homemade brine pack so you can prep your own bird. If you’d rather have them do the work for you, for a $25 deposit (and an additional fee of $8 per pound due at pickup), Red Apron will prepare a turkey sourced from Earth N Eats in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. All you have to do is stick it in the oven and make sure it doesn’t burn. Red Apron also has roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and other traditional holiday sides. You can also start the evening with a charcuterie board, or end it with a Dutch apple pie or pumpkin pie, both from Buzz Bakeshop. You have until Friday or order online, or through Nov. 21 to make a purchase in-store.
Brookland’s Finest
3126 12th St. NE
Brookland’s Finest will take care of dessert this year: The restaurant is offering chocolate chip pecan, sweet potato, and chocolate cream pies at $19 each. Cakes (priced at $50-$65) include a spiced cheesecake, red velvet cake and chocolate with rosewater buttercream. Order through Monday and pickup by Nov. 21.
