By Sylvie Bigar and Pauline M. Millard
If spending a week cooking for Thanksgiving doesn’t appeal here are some of the best places in the city to eat out.
1.) Café Gray
10 Columbus Circle
(212) 823-6338
For a platinum level Thanksgiving, Café Gray is the place to be. Above Columbus Circle, a few lucky families will get the best seats to view the Macy’s Parade, gourmet style. Starting with breakfast at 8:30 a.m., patrons will watch the parade live and on large plasma screen TVs. Kids will be treated to a comedy and magic show before parents can learn the art of carving from Gray Kunz himself. The pastry chef will follow with a dessert demonstration. Dinner will be served early, at 12:30 p.m. The tab for all this merriment? $500 per person.
2.) Orsay
1057 Lexington Ave.
(212) 517-6400
If your perfect Thanksgiving involves a more French fare such as steak tartare, oysters and tarte tatin, then Orsay would be a perfect match. The art deco brasserie on E. 75th St. features not only a classic Thanksgiving menu including organic turkey, but also a whole array of French classics. The restaurant is prepared to welcome the entire family with high chairs, crayons and a special children’s menu.
3.) Zoë
90 Prince St.
(212) 966-6722
For an all-American event with emphasis on seasonal and local products, head to Zoë on Prince Street where Chef Michael Kaphan will prepare a $59 three-course menu for the grown-ups and another three-course menu for children. Have a vegetarian in your midst? Zoë offers tasty options such as roasted hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and blue Hubbard squash risotto. About 450 patrons who will be offered a choice of 250 American wines and 30 wines by the glass.
4.) Daniel
60 E. 65th St.
(212) 288-0033
Daniel Boulud's sumptuous flagship is one of the city's worthiest fine dining destinations. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will offer a multi-course dinner that includes turkey for traditionalists and seafood for nonconformists. It's $125 for adults and $65 for children under 12, with seating from noon to 6 p.m.
5.) THOR: The Hotel on Rivington
107 Rivington St.
(212) 475-2600
If your holiday finds you south of Houston Street, consider having your meal at the THOR, the restaurant at the Hotel on Rivington. This modern hotel in the heart of the Lower East Side will offer venison and turkey star on the central European menu. The restaurant is open from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight.
6.) BLT Steak
106 E. 57th St.
(212) 752-7470
If you want to stay close to the attractions in midtown, Laurent Tourondel’s steakhouse offers a three-course traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It will include roast turkey, prime rib and salmon from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $68. Takeout is available.
7.) Fleur de Sel
5 E. 20th St.
(212) 460-9100
For a cozy, romantic Thanksgiving, try Fleur de Sel. This restaurant, that specializes in classic haute French cuisine, offers a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $75 or a five-course dinner for $92. A full menu will be available as of Nov. 14.
8.) Cesca
164 W. 75th St.
(212) 787-6300
This Upper West Side, Mission-inspired restaurant offers traditional holiday menu options as well as rustic Italian dishes. On Thanksgiving, patrons will receive a three course meal which will include an antipasta, a choice of an entrée of either turkey, yellow fin tuna, a market fish or a heritage pork chop. The meal is $75 for adults and $40 for children under 12. Seating between 2:30pm and 8pm.
9.) Jane
100 W. Houston St.
(212) 254-7000
Jane will keep to its New American menu on Thanksgiving by offering a traditional, three course turkey dinner with sides and fixings. It will be $45 prix-fixe from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., but diners must have a reservation.
10.) Agave
140 Seventh Ave. South.
(212) 989-2100
This southwestern inspired restaurant offers a $45, three course prix-fix menu that includes one cocktail such as a hot apple manzana or the pumpkin pie eggnog. Guests, with a reservation, can look forward to appetizers such as an autumn leaf salad or a Texas blue crab chowder. Entrees stay in the southwestern flavor with a pumpkin seed crusted salmon filet or a cider brined Hudson Valley Turkey. Save room for dessert, because Agave plans, among other choices, a coconut macadamia pumpkin pie as well as a sweet potato pecan flan.
