Those who prefer eating out for Thanksgiving usually have their standard annual hangouts. Eater contributor Holly Beretto shares some places locals might not have considered in this Thanksgiving list. As always, send us your tips if we missed a spot.
Bistro Provence [Official Site]
This Thanksgiving, give thanks that chefs around town are doing all the heavy lifting to give you a terrific Turkey Day celebration. Here's a sampling of places where you can dine in or even just chill out on that day dedicated to giving gratitude for all your many gifts in life. Just be sure you add a little bit of thanks for the gang at Eater.com for tipping you off – and all the chefs, cooks, hosts and servers who are doing all the work.
Unless otherwise noted, reservations are necessary. Call individual restaurants or visit their websites for further details.
Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse adds turkey breast (with and without bacon) to its grill, along with its regular steaks and chops. There will also be some added sides, including cranberry sauce and deviled eggs. $30 includes the extensive salad bar and all the meat you can eat.
12000 SW Fwy 281-277-9292
Red Lion British Pub $26 buys you a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, served all day long. Reservations required.
2316 Shepherd 713-782-3030
Cadillac Bar serves up a Thanksgiving Brunch from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., including a waffle, enchilada and taco stations, as well as roasted turkey with trimmings, Honey Baked Ham, Caribbean spare ribs and sides. $26.99/adults ($21.99/seniors, $9.99/kids). Reservations required.
1802 Shepherd 713-862-2020
McCormick and Schmick: Eater will not confirm or deny that the writer of this piece may be taking part in this Landry's empire-owned $24.99 complete Thanksgiving feast, featuring turkey and all the trimmings, including seasonal veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, apple cobbler and a choice of butternut squash soup or green salad. But, we can say it's a great deal for a great price.
Bistro des Amis 2347 University Blvd. 713-349-8441 and The Federal Grill 510 Shepherd 713-863-7777: There are two seatings available for a three-course Thanksgiving dinner at both this quiet Rice Village eatery and its sister spot on Shepherd. $48 for adults ($12 for children) buys a choice of soup or salad, turkey with traditional accompaniments, with a dessert choice of either pumpkin or pecan pie. Reservations required. (Seatings at Noon and 2:30 p.m.)
Luby's has shortened dining hours from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., after which Post Oak Boulevard will be closed off for the annual Uptown Park Lighting event. But you can get your comfort food fix before that, since this beloved cafeteria will be serving up its regular menu.
1743 Post Oak Blvd 713-622-1713
Bar Boheme will be open and featuring their eclectic menu of bites. See if any of the new menu items from Test Kitchen Tuesday have made their way on the permanent menu yet.
307 Fairview 713-529-1099
Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar: For $59/$89 with wine pairing for adults ($25 for kids), you can sample a three-course bistro menu, with choices including lobster bisque, Virginia ham, turkey and apple bread pudding. Be sure to make reservations; Thanksgiving hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
1985 Welch 713-533-0200
Rio Ranch offers a Thanksgiving buffet from 10:30 – 3:00, with butternut squash soup, slow roasted turkey, candied sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing and assorted pies. $39.9/ adults ($15.95/kids 6-12) Call for reservations.
9999 Westheimer 713-952-5000
Osteria Mazaantini: Put some Italian flair into Turkey Day dining, courtesy of Chef John Sheely of Mockingbird fame, who named this new Houston restaurant after his mother's family. Two seatings, at Noon and 2:00 p.m., offer a three-course menu, featuring choices ranging from pumpkin ravioli, porccini and chestnut soup, turkey with proscuitto, New Zealand king salmon prepared with lemon and garlic, to cranberry panna cotta. $59 for adults/$89 with wine pairings ($25 for kids). Reservations required.
2200 Post Oak #140 713-993-9898
Bistro Provence: Give your Thanksgiving a French accent with a three-course dinner from Bistro Provence. Selections include a choice of soup or salad, fish, beef or fowl (a roulade of turkey breast) and a choice of desserts. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. only, and the cost is $19, $24 or $25 each, depending on the main course chosen. Reservations required.
13616 Memorial Dr. 713-827-8008
Brennan's: $60 buys you a three-course dinner, with choice of starter, entrée and dessert. Selections at the Houston favorite include turtle soup with sherry, hunter's gumbo, herb-roasted turkey, shrimp and grits, Creole grilled filet mignon and bananas foster.
3300 Smith St 713-522-9711
Ray's Gourmet Grill is open and serving a Thanksgiving brunch, featuring an omelet station, a cold bar with smoked salmon and shrimp cocktails, as well as traditional carved turkey, roast beef and multiple Thanksgiving sides. $35 for adults ($15 for kids 4-12).
8502 FM 359 Fulshear 281-533-0099
Au Petit Paris offers a three-course Thanksgiving dinner that blends French-accepted options such as goat cheese on a toasted baguette and escargot with American Thanksgiving fare, including slow-roasted turkey and butternut squash soup.
2048 Colquitt St 713-524-7070
Kiran's brings back annual favorite Tandoori Turkey, stuffed with wild mushrooms, apricots and red onion, and offers three seatings for buffet dining: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Besides the turkey, look for poached Gulf shrimp, braised cabbage, cumin-scented yellow squash, daal makhni and pumpkin pie. Reservations required.
4100 Westheimer 713-960-8472
Gaido's will open at 5p.m. serving its regular seafood-laced menu. But you can enjoy the Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet from 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., with offerings of turkey soup, shrimp salad, green bean casserole, honey-glazed ham, creamed spinach and cornbread dressing.
3900 Seawall Blvd. 409-762-9625
Both Américas restaurants and three Churrascos locations are open on thanksgiving with a special brunch. More details here.
Shade in the Heights will be open, too. See the complete menu here.
—Holly Beretto
· All Other Thanksgiving 2013 Coverage [-EHOU-]
