Thanksgiving used to be a time when families would gather and give thanks for all they had, and kids would learn the story of how the Indians aided the Pilgrims through their first harsh winter and shared a feast together.
Well, we all know that the Native American and Pilgrim story wasn’t real, and it turns out that Thanksgiving is one of the most stressful times of the year because people dread being around their families. So, alternatives have popped up, like Friendsgiving or spending the holiday with chosen family, and rather than Mom and Grandma battling it out in the kitchen, we’re just as likely to see Dad and Grampa in there, or go out to eat, or order in. No matter how you observe the holiday, area restaurants, bakeries, and food companies have got you covered. But, if you plan to eat out or order in, you’d better make your plans early. This week we look at dining out options, and next week at catering and ordering in.
Abe & Louie’s in Boca Raton has a special feast for $78 per person. Start with your choice of lobster bisque, classic Caesar salad, or the refreshing Abe & Louie’s salad, roast turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans amandine, cranberry relish, whipped potatoes, and pan gravy. End your meal with a choice of pumpkin pie or warm apple crisp. Go to abeandlouies.com.
Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale is offering a three-course family-style meal for $125. The festive meal features house-made herb biscuits, fall greens, butternut squash soup, roast turkey breast, confit leg and thigh with cornbread-andouille stuffing, whipped garlic potatoes, and roasted root vegetables served with green beans with creamy mushrooms, cranberry sauce, and gravy. For dessert, enjoy roasted pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream, and candied pecans, and warm apple pie with salted caramel, and vanilla ice cream. The a la carte menu will also be available. To make a reservation go to burlockcoast.com.
Daniel’s, Fort Lauderdale’s newest dining destination, is offering a prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu from 2-8 p.m. for $135. Choose from appetizers including poached lobster bisque and filet mignon carpaccio and entreés include a choice heritage turkey or dry-aged prime rib. Side dishes include maple glazed Brussels sprouts, creamed corn, and potato fonduta. Dessert options include pumpkin and pecan pie. For more information visit danielssteak.com.
Jarana, a Peruvian restaurant in Aventura is offering its “Giving Back” Thanksgiving menu, available from November 1 through the 30. The $55 prix-fixe menu donates a portion of proceeds to the Pachacútec Culinary Institute in Pachacútec, Peru, a cooking school for underprivileged students, founded by Gastón Acurio. The month-long special menu served at Jarana features items including Peruvian corn cake stuffed with beef, a 3-lb turkey leg, 24-hour marinated in Peruvian spices, roasted in-house, squash stew, served with Peruvian sauces; and a pumpkin tres leches for dessert. The menu will be available through the 30th. Visit jaranarestaurant.com/aventura for more information.
At La Fuga, guests can look forward to a four-course Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner for the family at $65 per person ($30 for kids under 12) by reservation only. The evening will start with antipasti, then lasagna al forno di melanzane and Nonna’s Sunday gravy and bucatini. Main course options include turkey breast with turkey leg confit, sweet potato mash, green bean casserole, sausage dressing, and cranberry sauce. For dessert, guests can enjoy assorted cannoli, pumpkin tarts, and pecan tarts. La Fuga is located in the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit www.shorebreakfortlauderdale.com.
Lona Cocina & Tequileria in the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Spa will present a special holiday menu for $30 per person. It begins with sweet cornbread for the table. The main course, served with holiday “salsas” including turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, offers guests a choice between slow-cooked turkey breast or tequila-roasted ham; accompanied by side dishes such as mashed potatoes and green beans al ajillo. For more information, visit lonarestaurant.com.
Timpano Las Olas’ Thanksgiving feast is $75. The prix fixe menu highlights include turkey brodo, cheese tortellini, turkey polpettini or roasted honey nut squash arugula salad; turkey with whipped potatoes, cauliflower casserole, sweet potato buttermilk biscuits, cranberry compote, and gravy; and NY style cheesecake. For more information go to timpanolasolas.com.
