my fantastic fake thanksgiving plans!
not your average thanksgiving newsletter, i swear...
it’s that time…my tiktok feed is bombarded with side dish recipe videos and the long awaited alison roman thanksgiving special just went live! i just had a wonderful friendsgiving with blake and his friends, which reminded me (as someone who didn’t come from a family of many traditions) how special these types of events are.
thanksgiving seems to be the epicenter of american tradition and even though my family does not have many traditions, i’ve really cherished our usual thanksgiving plans which started in the past 6 or so years. one year my dad said “fuck it” and randomly decided to make us do thanksgiving in the small town of mystic, connecticut. we have no connection to this town (perfect) and no family there ( even more perfect). we stay at the same hotel and would eat at the same restaurant for thanksgiving dinner and just get to relax and enjoy each other’s company. at first i was so taken aback by the randomness but the more we did it, the more i grew to love it, especially as our family grew with my sister’s kids and our partners.
my family just recently made a move from upstate ny to virginia, so this thanksgiving we will be resetting the tradition clock yet again, and i hope we create some new lasting memories and experiences around the holidays. i’m really looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.
however, i thought “if i was to stay in the city for the holiday, what would i do?” and the answer was I would eat a fabulous meal out! during covid, we had a brief break from mystic and my sister went to spend the holiday with her boyfriend’s family and my parents would come to the city and the three of us created a new (chic) mini-tradition of thanksgiving at pastis. i am all in on eating thanksgiving dinner out (no prep, no dishes) and having a martini alongside your meal (can’t guarantee no fighting with this one)! if any of you need last minute plans, i hope this can help as i linked Resy pages to the restaurants where applicable!
(just be sure to tip your server generously! i shouldn’t have to say this!)
if i were eating out, it would be at any of these places -
pastis - part of the kurlander family tradition! always good, and they have a celery root au poivre that makes for a great vegetarian main in the same world as a turkey + gravy situation!
borgo - on the pricier side, but surely fabulous!
joseph leonard - another new york classic – homey, cozy, and i love the variety of mains. the price is also very good for the quality!
checchi’s - also pricier, also surely fabulous! this is where i want a martini with my dinner…
leland eating + drinking house - on the less traditional side, but this is one of my favorite places in nyc for a reason. always amazing food and service and a perfect homey, casual feeling!
il buco - for those wanting more of an italian thanksgiving, seems to have plenty of slots open for those who need a last minute reservation!
vinegar hill house - the coziest, chicest brooklyn staple. walk off the turkey along the DUMBO waterfront <3
barbuto - for if you want to walk off the turkey on the west side highway instead!
friend of a farmer - if you want to feel liek you are actually eating thanksgiving at a home and not a restaurant. the food here is always delicious and comforting and exactly what i would want from a thanksgiving meal. vegan and veg options available too!
i hope everyone has a fabulous thanksgiving this year – i know it seems like there is not much to be thankful for right now (or maybe it does? do i have any republican readers here?) but i hope everyone reading this is able to find something they’re grateful for and have a delicious meal, ideally with loved ones who won’t spout any conspiracy theories (praying 4 u all on that one!).
also, if you have fun thanksgiving traditions or great restaurants you would recommend, send them here!
xx