I do not intent to cook on Thanksgiving. My family basically invited themselves to my house, but little do they know cooking isn't in our future. Neither is cleaning up. Going out to eat is!
My friends at Guidelive put together this list of places that are open for business for Thanksgiving here in DFW, and there's a lot of great options!
Blue Mesa Grill
Dine at the Arlington location a half-mile from AT&T Stadium before the Cowboys game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. The holiday brunch buffet includes roast and Cajun-fried turkey, meatloaf, candied yams, stuffing, cranberry sauce, baked mac 'n' cheese, roasted vegetables, soups, salads, pumpkin pie, nutty pecan-walnut bars, a hot chocolate bar and more for $22 per person, $7 for children 6-11, free for kids 5 and younger. Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 550 Lincoln Square, Arlington. 682-323-3050. bluemesagrill.com.
Canary by Gorji
The intimate Far North Dallas restaurant will serve a three-course dinner prepared by chef Mansour Gorji for $59. It includes a choice of mixed field greens or Caesar salad to start; turkey breast, prime bone-in pork chop or three-cheese lasagna for the entree; and a choice of a kefir cheese butterfly or flourless chocolate cake for dessert. A three-course dinner with prime petite filet or grilled arctic char and shrimp entrees is $69. Nov. 23 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at 5100 Belt Line Road, Dallas. 972-503-7080. chefgorji.com.
Carso
Sip on a glass of sparkling wine with brunch at the Hilton Granite Park Hotel's restaurant. The buffet includes a carving station with roasted turkey and prime rib of beef au jus with cranberry mango relish and gravy, artisanal breads and cheeses, an assortment of breakfast pastries, made-to-order pasta, mini bites, Mediterranean dishes, a create-your-own omelet station and a pastry dessert table. $58 for adults, $20 for children 6-12. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5805 Granite Parkway, Plano. 469-353-5035. dallasplanogranitepark.hilton.com.
Cool River Cafe
Order from the full menu or choose options from a special holiday menu that includes hickory-smoked turkey breast or herb-crusted turkey breast entrees with cornbread stuffing and gravy, yam purée, green beans and cranberry relish ($26.95 for adults, $16.95 for children 12 and younger) and pumpkin cranberry bash pie or pecan pie for dessert ($5.95). A la carte items from chef Kent Rathbun's newly designed menu will also be available. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1045 Hidden Ridge, Irving. 972-871-8881. coolrivercafe.com.
Cru Food and Wine Bar
Begin your meal with a warm Angry Orchard spiced cider and a basket of savory breads followed by three courses. The menu includes sweet potato and lobster bisque, bobwhite quail, arugula salad, lump crab cake or pumpkin mascarpone ravioli to start; entree options include roasted turkey breast with cornbread stuffing and sides, seared diver scallops, grilled beef tenderloin or roasted branzino; and bread pudding, chocolate molten lava cake or pumpkin pie for dessert. $42 per person, $21 for children 12 and younger. Nov. 23 from noon to 9 p.m. at 3699 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 214-526-9463; 7201 Bishop Road, Plano, 972-312-9463; and 842 Market St., Allen, 972-908-2532. cruawinebar.com.
Del Frisco's Grille
All four North Texas locations will offer a holiday menu that includes butternut squash bisque, sliced roasted turkey with green beans, sweet potatoes, sage apple sausage stuffing and cranberry sauce. Dessert options include a pumpkin cheesecake and salted caramel pudding jar. $39 per person. Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 3232 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 972-807-6152; 154 E. Third St., Fort Worth, 817-887-9900; 7200 Bishop Road, Plano, 469-661-8012; and 1200 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, 817-410-3777. delfriscosgrille.com.
Fairmont Dallas
The historic Arts District hotel will offer a three-course Thanksgiving meal in its Pyramid Restaurant that includes a choice of salad or chestnut bisque; free-range turkey, prime rib-eye (add $8 per person) or Atlantic salmon (add $5 per person); family-style sides; and a dessert buffet. $49 for adults, $24.50 for children 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger. Complete gourmet ready-to-serve dinners for four or eight guests ($140-$265) with optional a la carte items will also be available for pre-order by Nov. 18. Nov. 23 with brunch seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1717 N. Akard St., Dallas. 214-720-5249. pyramidrestaurant.com.