Where to eat out on Thanksgiving
Imagine your typical stressed Thanksgiving day preparations: A frazzled mother who clatters around the kitchen; dozens of dishes, from turkey to yams, that must be cooked to perfection or your Uncle Ned will grumble; and you sporting a splattered apron, your hair frizzy and your face red.
Thanksgiving doesn't need to be an exercise in cooking en masse or a test of your nerves. There are other ways to celebrate the holiday-namely, strapping on a pair of festive heels and going out on the town with the family in tow. Restaurants big and small, obscure and famous offer sumptuous, delicious courses on bird day.
Tried and True Turkey
Griffou
This chic West Village spot was conceived by New York restaurant veterans Larry Poston and Johnny Swet with Jonathan Hettinger and Jesse Keyes. Griffou has managed to capture the bohemian, creative atmosphere for which Downtown New York is known, adding a dose of history as well. The establishment gets its name from the 1870s boarding house located in the same building, which was originally presided over by Madame Marie Griffou, a big-hearted French woman with a soft spot for creative types.
Though no longer a hotel, Griffou retained a certain magic from its early days. It was one of the first places the early suffragettes met, and Mae West stopped by for a celebratory drink after winning her trial on indecency charges.
This holiday season, Griffou is offering a special Thanksgiving day prix-fixe menu prepared by new chef Mark Strausman, who also remains the Executive Chef at Fred's at Barneys. Highlights of the meal will include a traditional entrée of turkey, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, whipped potatoes and cranberry sauce, which can be finished off with pumpkin soufflé.
21 W. 9th St. (betw. 5th Ave. and Ave. of the Americas), 212-358-0228, www.griffou.com; reservations advised, call from 3-9 p.m., $75.
Porter House New York
Enjoy a traditional roast natural turkey, sweet onion stuffing with gravy, bourbon mashed sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce in Columbus Circle. The Thanksgiving menu also includes filet mignon, ribeye or salmon and, a holiday dessert tasting plate-think arm apple pie, chocolate cake and eggnog.
10 Columbus Circle, 4th Floor (betw. 9th Ave. and Broadway), www.porterhousenewyork.com; $85.
Ciano
Go to town with Ciano's pasta tasting menu. Eighty-nine dollars for the table also includes filet of wild sea bass or Giannone chicken for two at this Italian-style eatery.
45 E. 22nd St. (betw. 5th and Park Aves.), cianonyc.com; $33-$55.
Kid-Friendly Choices
Rock Center Café
A welcoming atmosphere for kids where mom and dad can chow on jumbo shrimp, Berkshire pork chops and key lime pie while tots snack on crispy chicken tenders, grilled cheese or petit filet-and a brownie sundae.
20 W. 50th St. (at Rockefeller Center), 212-332-7620; $65.
Murals on 54
A buffet-style, kid-oriented restaurant with roast turkey and pepper-rubbed beef tenderloin carving stations, a raw seafood bar.
65 W. 54th St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.), www.murals54.com; $54 adults, $17 kids, children under 5 free. Bohemian Chic at Griffou. Photo courtesy of Griffou