Good Taste : Dining out on Thanksgiving
By Eleni Collins
Published: November 5, 2009
There are some weighty benefits to eating out on Thanksgiving. Among them are no cooking, and no cleaning up. Several Island restaurants offer an alternative to feasting at home.
It's time to make your Thanksgiving Day reservations. Photo by Ralph Stewart At Mediterranean in Oak Bluffs, enjoy an eat-in traditional meal for $35; $15 for children 12 and under. Or, if you'd like, take home a Thanksgiving dinner: an oven-roasted turkey, side dishes, and desserts (cakes, crisps, and pies), for $20 per person. Reservations are required for eat-in, and the seatings are from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, and again between 5:30 and 6:30 pm.
For more information, call 508-693-1617 or visit med-mv.com.
Thanksgiving at Zephrus in Vineyard Haven has become a tradition for both Mansion House visitors and Islanders. Though chef Robert Lionette is disappointed he could not order Island turkeys (they're from Vermont), he is excited about the other local menu items. Diners get the choice of one of three starters, appetizers, entrees, and desserts, which include Wild Mushroom Bisque with Island Shiitake; Native Bay Scallops and Fennel Risotto; Local Applewood Smoked Ham with Quince-Ginger Compote, Cornmeal-Chicken Sausage Stuffing, Souffléd Rutabaga wrapped in Bacon and Cauliflower Gratin; and Pumpkin Cheesecake, Candied Pumpkin Seeds, and Chantilly Crème Fraîche. Two-hour seatings are available from 1 to 5 pm; $38 for four courses; $18 for children in elementary school and younger. For more information or to make reservations, call 508-693-3416.
At l'etoile in Edgartown, chef Michael Brisson offers a four-course dinner, with an entrée choice of turkey, lobster, and venison. Diners also have a choice of two soups, three appetizers, and three desserts. Prices range from $52 to $89, depending on one's choice of entrée.
While State Road Restaurant is not serving dinner on Thanksgiving, they do have a take-out selection of Thanksgiving Day food, from turkey, to sides and pies. Call 508-693-8582 for more information.
Lambert's Cove Inn offers a prix fixe menu beginning at 1 pm, with the last seating at 6 pm. Expect a traditional turkey dinner, as well as other items to select from as well. Diners are also treated to piano playing by Michael Gately. Dinner is $75 for adults, plus a corkage fee per table, since the restaurant is BYOB. For reservations, call 508-693-2298.
Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown offers eat-in or take-out on November 26. For $39.95, enjoy either their Thanksgiving Dinner or order from the regular menu. For $150, take home a wild 12- to 14-pound roast turkey with traditional and chestnut brioche stuffing, homemade gravy, fresh orange and cranberry sauce, rosemary roasted garlic fingerling potatoes, roasted mixed vegetables, and a choice of pumpkin or apple pie. November 20 is the last day to place orders. For more information, call 508-627-7001.
And at the Harbor View Hotel, get ready for their Grand Thanksgiving Buffet, complete with a complimentary and old-fashioned apple cider press station, carving station, and raw bar. From 12 noon to 6 pm, eat your fill from the Artisan Cheese Display, Cold Selections including Tuscan Beans with Roasted Tomatoes and Shaved Pecorino, Hot Selections such as Atlantic Salmon with Boulanger Potatoes and Carmelized Onion Jus, and Desserts: Individual Pumpkin Tarts, Spiced Marshmallows, and Warm Apple and Berry Cobbler with Fresh Whipped Cream, to name a few. Adults are $48; $24 for ages 12 and under; and free for ages 3 and under. Reservations are strongly suggested.
In other news
Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch from 7 am to 2 pm, Menemsha Café now serves dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings until 8 pm. They also accept the Island Club card, and use ECO-MV products as mush as possible, says co-owner Josh Aronie.
This past Wednesday, Michael Brisson of l'etoile started something new: cHappy Grille II Go, a counter service lunch out of the l'etoile bar. Mr. Brisson's specialties include his soups and stews ($3.95 for small, $5.95 for large) such as Chicken Pot Pie with Vegetables and Broad Noodles; Panini's and Chilled Wraps such as the Two Cheese and Tomato Panini ($5.95; $1 extra for bacon); and Salads. There's also coffee ($1.50), hot cider ($1.75), espresso ($3), and cappuccinos ($3.75). Open from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. To order, call 508-627-5187.
