You dine out every night of the week, so why would you be untrue to yourself and actually attempt (horror of all horrors) to cook your own meal on Thanksgiving -- especially if you are going to be entertaining family and friends?
If Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what we have and promoting family togetherness, then there is nothing wrong about being THANKFUL for a restaurant meal and being together with your loved ones outside of the home where you won't have to wash the dishes.
Here are three options for decadent Thanksgiving feasts that are just as good as (and let's face it – most definitely BETTER than) anything you'd whip up at home.
Kit Kat's Pre-Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Dinner
Tuesday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 26; $35 per person Call ahead for reservations: 773-525-1111.
Choose an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the following menu, and wash it all down with a pumpkin martini.
Appetizers
Butternut squash soup with crème fraiche and cranberry compote;
Baby spinach salad with pine nuts, apricots, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette;
Spicy tuna, halibut, and shrimp ceviche with corn tortilla strips.
Entrees
Traditional turkey breast with dill mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry pineapple chutney and brown sugar glazed baby carrots;
Panko crusted grouper fillet with creamed parmesan spinach and sauteed rock shrimp;
Marinated skirt steak with havarti mashed potatoes and haricot vert with orange zest;
Orecchiette pasta in a smoked mozzarella cream sauce with sautéed root vegetables.
Desserts
Pumpkin cupcake with a caramel cream cheese frosting;
Pecan pie tartlet.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
3700 North Halsted
773-525-1111
Rosebud Restaurants
All four Rosebud restaurant locations will be open on Thanksgiving Day from noon until 10 p.m. The regular Italian menu is available, as well as a Thanksgiving special that includes turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes. Call ahead to make a reservation, or just show up:
Rosebud on Rush
720 N. Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-266-6444
Carmine's
1043 N. Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-988-7676
Rosebud of Highland Park
1850 Second Street
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-926-4800
Rosebud Old World Italian
1370 Bank Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-240-1414
Spirit of Chicago Thanksgiving Cruise
If the idea of being cooped up in the house on Thanksgiving makes you queasy, why not get out on the open water?
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving menu as well as a live performer and DJ for dancing. Boarding begins at 6 p.m.; the cruise is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $62.90 per person, excluding taxes, fees, prepaid service charges and fuel surcharges.
For reservations, call 866-211-3804 or visit www.spiritofchicago.com.
