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<a name="meatless">
San Francisco, California
415-345-3900
At the spacious Millennium, vegetarian food is all about elegance. For Thanksgiving this year, chef Eric Tucker offers two choices of entrée: roasted stuffed kabocha squash or wild mushroom torte. Both meals start with a Cornucopia Medley of hearty breads, which includes caramelized onion-pumpkin butter and roasted chestnuts, among other fall treats. Pick a bottle of organic, sustainable, or biodynamic wine from the carefully culled wine list and you won't even miss the big bird.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Roasted Chestnuts with Black Pepper Honey
Or
Acorn Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice, Hazelnuts, and Dried Cranberries
Cauliflower, White Bean, and Feta Salad
Apple, Goat Cheese, and Honey Tartlets
<a name="southern"></a>
Charleston, South Carolina
800-849-0082
With its historic buildings centered around a lush garden that features an ancient magnolia tree, 82 Queen has been a Charleston landmark for over 25 years. Chef Brad Jones serves up modern versions of Low Country classics 365 days a year, and Thanksgiving is no exception. This year's menu features the restaurant's award-winning she-crab soup, as well as barbecued shrimp and grits, Tabasco fried oysters, and fried green tomatoes. Entrées include crab cakes with Hoppin' John and a bourbon-brown sugar glazed pork chop with garlic mashed potatoes and collard greens.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Fried Oysters with Holiday Tartar Sauce
Hoppin' John Salad with Molasses Dressing
Pork Roast with Braised Collard Greens, Creamy Polenta, and Pan Jus
Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue
<a name="beef"></a>
New York, New York
212-371-7777
This industrial-chic restaurant in midtown Manhattan serves more than steak, but as the name implies, quality meats—and the steakhouse sides that accompany them—are chef Craig Koketsu's specialty. Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, and whipped potatoes are just a few of the classic steakhouse dishes on offer this Thanksgiving. And if you're looking for an alternative to pumpkin pie, the restaurant's trademark coffee and doughnuts ice cream is the perfect end to the meal.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Chocolate Cookie and Coffee Ice Cream Pie
<a name="southwestern"></a>
Austin, Texas
512-266-1369
Nestled in a stone ranch house off of busy Route 620, Hudson's on the Bend melds Austin's urban sophistication with the flavors—and game—of Texas Hill Country. Start your Thanksgiving dinner with diamondback rattlesnake cakes dressed up with a pistachio nut crust and chipotle cream sauce, then move on to a chili-coffee-chocolate rubbed smoked elk backstrap. For a real feast, Hudson's mixed grill—venison, rabbit, quail, buffalo, and spicy game sausage cooked over a hardwood grill—is not to be missed.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Sautéed Shrimp with Chipotle Chiles
Coffee-Marinated Bison Short Ribs
Southwest Corn, Chili, and Cumin Sauté
Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel-Bourbon Sauce
<a name="seafood"></a>
Del Mar, California
858-792-0476
A view like the one from Pacifica Del Mar's dining room is truly something to give thanks for. And chef Christopher Idso's Asian-inflected menu lives up to the backdrop. This Thanksgiving, Japanese clam chowder—with shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, and scallions—is an innovative twist on the New England beach-shack classic and a surprisingly satisfying holiday opener. An entrée of sautéed scallops with pumpkin risotto, shiitake, and arugula is topped with a truffle-soy vinaigrette.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Parsnip, Yam, and Watercress Chowder
Seared Coriander Scallops with Bok Choy and Hoisin
Risotto with Leeks, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Truffles
Green Tea Panna Cotta with Strawberries
<a name="brunch"></a>
Washington, D.C.
202-419-6755
Giving thanks—and the requisite gluttony that goes with it—doesn't have to be exclusively the domain of dinner. At the Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt hotel, you can start off your day of thanks right with a buffet brunch featuring the typical eggs and waffles, and also a variety of fish, shellfish, and meats from the wood-fired oven. The seasonal menu draws largely from farms in the region—last year's country venison sausage came from Shaffer Venison Farms in Pennsylvania. Sides like bacon braised brussels sprouts and chanterelle croissant stuffing round out the meal.
MAKE IT AT HOME
Spiced Waffles with Caramelized Apples
Rosemary and Mustard Breakfast Sausages
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stuffing
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