Thanksgiving Dining in Miami

Your options for dining out on Thanksgiving in 2010 are plentiful. It’s time to start planning so you have time to sift through these sumptuous options — taking that traditional turkey dinner to a whole new level. Whether you like it roasted, grilled, stuffed, braised or don’t want a turkey at all — the area’s top chefs have their creative juices flowing to take your taste buds on a culinary journey — making your Thanksgiving Day a time to sit back, relax and spend time with everything (and everyone) you love.

660 at The Angler’s is located at 660 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 786.594.5811 (map)

660 at The Angler’s will be serving a $34.95 Thanksgiving dinner from 3-11 pm (Kids 12 and under can enjoy their meal for $19.95). This prix-fixe dinner — specially prepared by Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli — will include classic dishes like the Oven Roasted Turkey,  a sauce of fresh cranberries with port wine, orange and Gran Marnier; and an a la carte menu for those who want to get away from traditional dishes.

Bulldog BBQ, 15400 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami 305.940.9655

Bulldog BBQ is doing all of the work for you this Thanksgiving Day — and it will only cost you $20/person. Maple Brined Hickory Smoked Turkey, homemade cranberry dressing, cornbread sage stuffing, sweet potato casserole, collard greens and housemaid apple strudel are all on the menu . All orders must be placed in advance.

Cecconi’s is located at 4385 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. 786.507.7902 (map)

Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House will host a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all of the fixings — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, candied carrots, praline bacon, butternut squash ravioli — along with apple, pumpkin and chocolate pudding pie. Cost is $65/person or $20/child. This Thanksgiving feast will be served from 11am onwards .

Escopazzo, 1311 Washington Ave, Miami Beach 305.674.9450

For an organic, feel-good Thanksgiving celebration, visit Escopazzo. Chef Giancarla has created a sumptuous menu that you are sure to enjoy. Cost is $68++ per person or $90++ with wine pairings. Start off with New Caledonia Shrimp with Sicilian sweet and sour pumpkin, mint and pink peppercorn. Next, comes your creamy indulgence — Robiola, prosecco and chestnut risotto. For course three, it’s Roasted Squab with caramelized root vegetables, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, shallot and wine confeture; and finish off with a Cranberry Tart with chilled mascarpone cream.

Gotham Steak, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach (map)

Chef de Cuisine, John Suley, of Gotham Steak has created a festive 3-course menu for $60++ that will be served from 2-10 pm. Highlights include a Roasted Fall Squash Soup, Grilled Double 22-oz Pork Chop, Roasted Free Range Turkey and Confit Leg, Pumpkin Pie and Apple Tarte Tatin.

La Terraza Cafe & Bar at the JW Marriott Hotel, 1109 Brickell Ave, Miami. 305.329.3500

La Terraza will be serving a luxurious special menu for Thanksgiving from 11am-7pm for $36++ with complimentary valet parking.  Start off with a cup of Cream of Sweet Potato soup with bacon bits and creme fraiche; warm up to a plate of Butternut Squah and Cranberries Ravioli with truffled butter; for your main course — you’ll be served up a traditional turkey dinner served with red basmati rice stuffing; and finish with pumpkin cheesecake.

Meat Market, 915 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach 305.532.0088 (map)

Meat Market will be open on Thanksgiving evening and be serving up their classic menu with a few Thanksgiving additions. Ignite your senses with an order of the Bell & Evans fresh Turkey Leg stuffed with black rye and brioche with morel mushrooms and prunes served with a smoked pumpkin sauce, fresh cranberry gastric, grilled pumpkin and wild mushrooms ($28) or try the Fresh Juniper and White Cranberry Marinated Sous Vide Turkey Breast wood grilled with sweet flan, bitter green salad and flash fried artichoke ($32). If you can’t decide between those two, the mixed grill of 3 is always an option ($42) and you’ll be served the above two — along with a house made “ham” kurobuta pork belly with tangerine, pear king crab salad and toasted pine nuts.

Neomi’s Grill at Trump International Resort, 18001 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach

Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 3-7 pm at Neomi’s Grill for $49++ for a 4-course meal. Highlights on the menu include  Mini Cornbread Muffins with sage-cheddar cheese puffs, pumpkin bisque, jumbo lump crabmeat over creamed corn, apple salad, butter basted turkey, wild salmon and more.

Palme d’Or at The Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables 800.727.1926 (map)

Prepare for a luxurious feast at one of the best French restaurant — Palme d’Or — at the Biltmore prepared by Chef Philippe Ruiz. Highlights include Pumpkin Soup, Grilled Turbot Filet, Maine Lobster Fricassee and Farm Roasted Turkey. Finish off with some signature dessert items like the Pumpkin & Pecan Cheese Cake or the Chocolate Dome with Hazelnut Ice Cream Dinner will be served from 6-10 pm and cost $85++.

Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, 1014 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. 305.531.4833

Quattro brings the authentic flavors of Italy to Lincoln Road for a Thanksgiving Feast.  This 3-course prix-fixe will be served from 4-close and cost $70/person. The regular menu is also available for all those who prefer. Highlights include Pumpkin Strudel with foie gras served with Robiola cheese sauce; Braised Turkey Breast stuffed with focaccia Italian sausage and pistachio, served with whipped potatoes and gravy; Oven Roasted Leg of Lamb with brussels sprouts and crispy truffle potatoes; and Warm Apple Brioche with gingerbread zeppole and caramel gelato.

Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 2700 Tigertail Avenue, Coconut Grove (map)

The Ritz-Carlton will be offering a Thanksgiving-To-Go special for $105++ and it will serve 6-8 people. This lavish feast must be ordered by 2pm, November 23. This can be done by calling 305.644.4680 and can be picked up at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove on November 25 between 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. Now for the feast — be prepared to enjoy a Roasted Tom Turkey with giblet gravy; Porcini and Velouté of Sunchokes Soup; a Harvest Fall Salad with Frisse, Spinach, Endive, Cranberries, Spiced Pecans, Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette; Orange Rosemary Corn Stuffing with spiced pecans; potatoes, harvest vegetables; and a homemade pumpkin pie.

Scarpetta, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave

Dine in style at Scarpetta this Thanksgiving day. From 1-8 pm, Scarpetta will be dishing up an Italian buffet featuring a carving table — traditional turkey, sliced ribeye with truffle sauce, suckling pig, sausage sprouts with dried cherries pumpkin tortilla and sweet potato gnocchi with sage & butter sauce. This gourmet feast is priced at $65++ for adults, or $30 for children 10 and under.

The Restaurant at The Setai,2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach (305) 520-6400 or setaidining@ghmamericas.com

The Setai has something for everyone — a Thanksgiving brunch served from 11am-4pm ($85++ or $30 for kids), or an American or Asian-themed dinner ($85++ and $30++ for wine pairings) — all accented with live jazz. Brunch will be served from 11am-4pm and feature a sprinkling of special Thanksgiving dishes intermixed into the regular brunch menu. For the 4-course Asian dinner menu, served from 6-11pm, you will start off with a glass of Taittinger Champagne.  Highlights on this menu include — Kaw Thang Nha Tang (Crispy Rice Cracker with cooked ham in garlic and coriander coconut dip); Steamed Double Boiled Turkey Soup with dried chestnuts, brussels sprouts, pumpkin and gammon ham; Tandoori Turkey Tikka; and Warm Five Spice Egg Custard Tart. The American menu also begins with a glass of champagne and highlights include — Lobster Avocado Salad; Pumpkin Veloute soup with shaved Parmesan and truffle oil; Roasted Turkey and Gammon Ham; and your choice of dessert.

Smith & Wollensky, 1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach (305) 673-2800 (map)

Take your pick between a chef-inspired Thanksgiving menu ($49++ for adults or $20++ for children 12 and under) and the regular menu for Thanksgiving Day at Smith & Wollensky. If the Thanksgiving menu is what you prefer, this is what you will enjoy — your choice of Butternut Squash Soup, Bibb Salad, Crab Cakes or Roasted Beet Salad; for your main entree, it’s all about the succulent Herb Roasted Turkey paired with your favorite side dishes like Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Butter and Leek Potato Puree or Green Beans; and for dessert try the Classic Pumpkin Pie, the Apple Brown Betty or the Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake. Coffee or tea will be included in your dinner.

Solea at the W South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach 305.938.3111

Solea has created a tempting menu featuring Thanksgiving favorites with a Spanish twist for $65++/person or $35++ for kids under 12. Start off with an Apple, Beet and Candied Walnut Salad with Cider -Vinegar Dressing. Next, move onto Pumpkin and Andouille Sausage Soup with Cinnamon-Lime Creme Fraiche. For you main, choose between a traditional turkey dinner or try the seared scallops with sage-sweet potato risotto and Piquillo Pepper Coulis. For dessert, check out the Pumpkin Tart with sweet potato gastrique or the Warm Caramel, Apple and Brioche Bread Pudding.

Soyka is located at 5556 NE 4th Ct, Miami. 305.759.3117 (map)

It’s all about tradition at Soyka where they will be serving up your favorite classic dishes from 5-11pm. Enjoy your choice of a roast turkey breast ($22) served with gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato and green beans or opt for the Rack of Lamb ($24) served with a red wine-mint sauce, roast new potatoes, goat cheese and sauteed spinach. If you want to add in dessert, it will be an additional $8 for a slice of Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bread Pudding or Pecan Pie. If you want some to imbibe on a a holiday cocktail or wine pairing, they have you covered.

Whole Foods Markets, multiple locations

If slaving away in the kitchen is out of the question with your busy schedule, there’s no one better to turn to than Whole Foods Market. The team at Whole Foods Market is now taking orders for pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals starting at $115 for 10-12 people. This will include your turkey, side dishes, kosher items and desserts. All orders must be placed by Sunday, November 21.

Photo Credit: Chadmiller @ flickr