Chicago’s Finest Restaurants Cook Thanksgiving Dinner, You Get All the Glory

 

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Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for your family can usually consume many hours over a hot stove and lots of sweat (mostly yours).  This year, you can take the pressure off, let one of Chicago’s best restaurants do all the cooking for you, and relax with your guests as you enjoy what might be the most glorious Thanksgiving dinner ever.

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In this era of social distancing, many Chicago restaurants, including some world-class favorites, are preparing meals you can take home, heat up, and serve to your thankful guests in your own dining room. Some places even allow dining in (imagine that!), and if that’s the way you prefer to dine on Thanksgiving, you probably should call a few days before and make sure that indoor dining is still allowed (Covid precautions and shutdowns are sometimes announced mere days ahead of time).

 

Here are thirteen of the city’s finest dining destinations, all preparing Thanksgiving dinner so you don’t have to…but for which you will take all the glory. Almost doesn’t seem fair…but whatever: enjoy!

 

The Bristol. Named one of GQ’s top ten new American restaurants when it opened, The Bristol has continued to garner a devoted following among those who appreciate the casual atmosphere, the hearty and rustic preparations, and the undeniable high quality of the meat and vegetable dishes that come out of the kitchen. Thanksgiving from the Bristol is going to be something special, and it will make you and your guest feel the same way. To see the Thanksgiving menu for The Bristol, click here.

 

Beatrix. At the Streeterville location and others in Chicago, Beatrix has proven to be a perfect place to satisfy meat eaters and non-meat eaters alike. The basic Thanksgiving menu features turkey and traditional sides, and Beatrix also offers the option to customize your own Thanksgiving dinner with honey-glazed salmon, squash ravioli and other meat-free options.  To see the Thanksgiving menu for Beatrix, click here.

 

Alinea. Currently the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Chicago, Alinea is offering a take-away Thanksgiving menu that’s in line with the restaurant’s reputation for delicious excess. There’s a fresh, free-range turkey with compound butter (and detailed cooking instructions!), as well as shrimp cocktail, butternut squash soup with date mousse, and baked brie as well as many familiar and favorite sides like green bean casserole and cranberry/orange compote. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Alinea, click here.

 

Bistronomic. Chef Martial Nougier’s Bistronomic is continuing the tradition of French casual cuisine with a take-out or dine-in Thanksgiving menu that proudly shows off his Gallic roots. Enjoy starters like foie gras and chicken liver mousse (served with a baguette, bien sur!) and main courses like sea bass in truffle mushroom sauce and, of course, the signature bird of the day. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Bistronomic, click here.

 

Bub City

 

Bub City. Known as a fun joint for BBQ and country music, Bub City is doing a traditional dine-in dinner with turkey – fried or smoked – in the center of the table, accompanied by all-you-can eat sides like roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. BUT…you can also upgrade the regular feast with some of Bub City’s famous Q: pork shoulder, hot links, brisket, and ham. Even during a pandemic, Bub City is a good time. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Bub City, click here.

 

Travelle at the Langham. Offering both dine-in and to-go options for Thanksgiving, Travelle at the Langham serves up a classic herbed and roasted turkey breast or a not-really-classic-but undeniably-delicious short rib for those dining in. For those who prefer their dinner to-go, you get a whole herb roasted heritage turkey or beef tenderloin. With either option, there are lots of pleasing sides, including caramelized Brussel sprouts, confit garlic potatoes puree, and truffle yellow corn casserole. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Travelle at the Langham, click here.

 

Coco Pazzo. After starters of Tuscan white bean soup or roasted beet salad, the centerpiece of Coco Pazzo’s Thanksgiving feast involves a difficult choice: roast Tuscan herbed turkey with focaccia stuffing, root vegetables, Parmesan whipped potatoes and cranberry compote OR coregone in padella, a pan-roasted Lake Superior Whitefish, celery root puree and sauteed spinach. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Coco Pazzo, click here.

 

The Gage. Aiming for the “perfect balance of traditional and modern” Thanksgiving options, The Gage’s takeaway menu features well-known as well as highly creative holiday dishes. You can have the turkey, of course, but there’s also a heritage bred Brune Landaise chicken, and sides like Black Forest ham and classic mashed potatoes, as well as some surprising additions like persimmon and poached honey crisp apple salad and buffalo chicken dip with tortilla chips. To see the Thanksgiving menu for The Gage, click here.

 

Saranello’s.  You won’t find big surprises on the multi-course carryout Thanksgiving feast from Wheeling’s Saranello’s, but that’s cool because the Thanksgiving menu is just what you’d expect. There’re familiar items like roasted turkey with rosemary-sage dressing, sliced sweet potato, and cranberry relish. Sometimes, for the holiday, we don’t want surprises; we just want what’s comfortably familiar. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Saranello’s, click here.

 

Lobby at the Peninsula. In the Peninsula hotel, Lobby offers both sit-down and takeaway dining. If you’re planning to eat at the hotel, there are the predictably lavish buffet offerings and plated items. If you’d prefer “Thanksgiving-to-Go,” the meal comes with a whole heirloom turkey or an herb strip loin, with a cheese and charcuterie platter, vegetable sides and rolls. Dining solo on Thanksgiving? The Lobby at the Peninsula will put together a special order just for you. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Lobby at the Peninsula, click here.

 

Ema

 

Prairie Grass Café. At Northbrook’s Prairie Grass Café, Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris serve the bird-of-the-day roasted whole, roasted half or with just the breast meat. On the totally a la carte menu there are also potatoes several ways, green beans and sauce made from local cranberries. There’s a lot of flexibility with this menu. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Prairie Grass Cafe, click here.

 

Ema. This year, Ema is doing Thanksgiving with a Mediterranean twist. Available for carryout is a feast including hummus with crudites, truffle baked orzo, chicken and beef tenderloin kebabs, green beans with almonds and a honey pie. There’s no turkey involved, but this is a tasty-sounding menu, and it may be a relief for some who are not big fans of the traditional Thanksgiving bird. To see the Thanksgiving menu for Ema, click here.

 

Marchesa.  One of Chicago’s most elegant restaurants, Marchesa this year offers an equally elegant Thanksgiving dinner to be enjoyed in your own home. Chef Didier begins your meal with roasted butternut squash soup or a mixed green salad of spiced walnuts and pomegranate seeds. Then you have some bigger choices to make: local turkey, roasted Pekin duck, Amish chicken or Scottish salmon, all with five sides and dessert. For Thanksgiving, 2020, choosing your entrée might be the toughest choice you’ll have to make. Relax and enjoy! To see the Thanksgiving menu for Marchesa, click here.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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