The NYC culinary scene is know for its wide swathe of cuisines, so why not venture out this Thanksgiving 2023 for something a little different? We’ve got a few suggestions in the Asian category that fit the bill. For traditionalists, especially those who want a clean kitchen at home, we’ve got two take out suggestions that will be sure to impress. Or head out for a traditional meal in a traditional setting with these star chefs. Either way, make it a holiday to remember and cherish.
Frenchette
This Thanksgiving is to-go! Pre-order Frenchette’s Thanksgiving dinner boxes which feeds up to six guests. You just have to go get it, everything is fully prepared with simple instructions to finish. $700. The Menu:
Pate En Croute: Heritage pork, pistachio, Koginut squash
Pumpkin Soup
Salade De Chicorees: radicchio, Castelfranco, Treviso, Banyuls vinaigrette
Pull-Apart Parker House Rolls: rosemary, sea salt
Heritage Turkey: Good Shepherd Ranch, soy glaze
Sides: Rick’s Brussels Sprouts, Chestnut Stuffing, Pommes Puree, Roasted Carrots & Parsnips, Turkey Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Preserve
Dessert: Pumpkin Pie, creme fraiche chantilly
Frenchette, 241 West Broadway, (betw Beach/White St, below the triangle Tribeca Park), Tribeca
Chef Guo
Now here’s a true departure from American tradition. If you are seeking something exotic and over-the-top, reserve your spot at Chef Guo and be treated to a 19-course Imperial Chinese Tasting Menu. Chef Guo has last-minute reservations, with exclusive seatings at 6 pm and 8 pm on Thanksgiving day. You will be fully immersed in Chinese culture, surrounded by 200-year-old artifacts from the chef’s personal collection and servers dressed in a traditional red robes. To make things more enticing, Chef Guo is hidden on the ground floor of The Randolph House luxury residences and can be accessed by ringing a doorbell. Food is served in an intimate dining room made to look like an imperial courtyard at a table that seats 10 people. Each dish is an absolute work of art. The Menu:
Pre-Meal Tea: White Pekoe Silver Needle
Five Cold Hors d’oeuvre
Butterfly Falls in Love with the Flower
Tofu and Caviar
Magic Elixir and Fruit of Longevity
Chinese Tea: Big Red Robe
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
Mustard Green, Black Rice, and Premium Lobster Tail
Pan Fried Foie Gras Au Jus
Guo Se Tian Xiang
Sea Bass with Fried Noodle
Flame Smoked Duck Breast
Authentic and Traditional Wagyu Beef
Braised Morels with Double Mushrooms
Braised Black Gold Lion Head
Noodle in Secret Sauce, Crab Meat & Black Truffle
Post-Meal Tea: Pu’er
Stewed snow swallow with papaya
Dessert
Chef Guo, 135 East 50th St (betw Third/Lexington Ave), Midtown East
La Marchande
One of my favorite chefs in NYC, Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser brings a French twist to Thanksgiving down in the Financial District. You can’t find a more charming dining room and bar, which significantly adds to the home-iness of the holiday. They’re open from noon to 8:30pm and offer a three-course feast with all the fixings. $105 per person. $55 for children 12 and under. The Menu:
FOR THE TABLE
Brioche Pull Apart: Scallion Crème Fraîche
Crudités: Smoky Ranch Dip
Dressed Shrimp Cocktail
FIRST COURSE (choice of 1)
Citrus & Chicories: Blood Orange, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Endives, Candied Walnuts, Fines Herbes
Baked Stuffed Clams: Smoked Sourdough, Celery, Lemon
Ragout of Autumn Beans & Chanterelles: Marinated Tomatoes, Burgundy Truffles, Parmesan Tuile
MID COURSE (Supplement +$75)
Parmesan Risotto: White Truffles from Alba
MAIN COURSE (choice of 1)
Heritage Turkey: Roasted Breast, Confit Leg, Honeycrisp Apple
King Salmon: Truffled Melted Leeks, Roasted Delicata Squash, Miso-Apple Glaze
Beef Tenderloin au Poivre: Broccoli Rabe, Grilled Shiitakes
Cauliflower Tarte Tatin: Vermouth-Poached Golden Raisins, Marcona Almonds, Vadouvan Crème Fraîche
SIDES FOR THE TABLE
Pommes Purée, Giblet Gravy, Sourdough Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Brussels Sprouts
DESSERT (choice of 1)
Pumpkin Pie Tart: Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Chantilly
Chocolate Cheesecake: Candied Pecans
La Marchande, 88 Wall Street (NW corner Water Street),
Wano
Wano is the spot for Japanese fine dining, serving a kaiseki tasting menu by Chef Ryota Sakaba. He is a master kaiseki chef and vegetable sommelier, who has trained in over 60 types of vegetables. Showcasing the vibrant flavors of Japan, Wano will offer a Thanksgiving-inspired 8-course Kaiseki tasting menu from November 21st to the 25th. Dishes include some of the chef’s wondrous vegetables: an opening course of Mushroom Chawanmushi with Truffle Mushroom sauce, Japanese Kabocha Squash Pumpkin & Corn Soup. Lobster Tempura, and A5 Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Sauce and Mashed Potatoes fill out the offering. For dessert, savor the Mascarpone Cheese Ice Cream and fruits. On Thanksgiving day, Wano will be opened from 6 pm to 11 pm.
Wano, 245 East 44th St (betw Second/Third Ave), Midtown East
Delmonico’s
Though Delmonico’s has already been booked up for Thanksgiving, here’s a heads up for heading there over the holiday season. Brunch has been added to their repertoire plus the restaurant will be open for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, so book now and get your spot.
Beginning Saturday, December 2, Delmonico’s will be open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 12 pm to 3 pm. Brunch will feature a mix of traditional dishes, plus creative concepts from Chef Eddie Hong, including The Original Eggs Benedict, Crunchy Chicken & Waffles, and the Delmonico Burger. Don’t forget the steak! Steak & Eggs is served with hand cut french fries, béarnaise, plus the option to add lobster. How decadent! On Christmas Eve and Day, Delmonico’s will be doing a 3-course menu with some of their favorites: Yellowtail Crudo, Eye of Delmonico Steak, and their famous Baked Alaska. $145 per person.
Say goodbye to 2023 at one of Delmonico’s three seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first two seatings, from 5-7pm and 7-9pm, guests can order a la carte or from the four-course menu, at the final seating from 9pm onward, guests can enjoy the four-course tasting menu: Tuna “Tagliatelle,” Dry Aged Bone In Ribeye and Chocolate Layer Cake. $195 per person.
If you are hosting Thanksgiving at home, serve your guests this festive, seasonal cocktail (seen above) at your gathering. Here is the recipe:
Never Say Never
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Neversink Apple Aperitif
.5 oz Amaro Montenegro
.75 oz fresh lemon juice
.25 oz ginger syrup
.25 oz orgeat syrup
Shaken and double strained over 1 large ice cube. Grated nutmeg for garnish.
Delmonico’s, 56 Beaver Street (at the intersection of William/S. William St), Financial District
Hortus
Hortus is known for its Modern Asian cuisine and sleek environs. They’ve blended the cuisines of China, Thailand, and Korea, among others at this Michelin spot, to create an interesting menu that mobilizes these flavors in a new way. They are offering a splendid Thanksgiving dinner for $80 per person, which can come with an accompanying wine pairing +$40 per person. The Menu:
HORTUS Royal Platter: Chilled lobster tail, tuna tataki, shrimp cocktail
Truffle Ribeye-Cap: Black bean puree(jjajang), portobello mushroom
Choice of One Appetizer
Choice of One Main or Korean BBQ Feast: Prime center ribeye, duck, lobster and special sides (+$20 for two)
Thanksgiving Special Dessert
Hortus, 271 5th Ave (betw 29th/30th St), Nomad
The Tin Building
Another idea for a festive turkey dinner to-go, look no further than Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten’s illustrious Tin Building. This mecca for foodie delights is celebrating the season with a full dinner or just desserts. Their Thanksgiving dinner is delivered hot and ready to your door and serves 6 to 8 people. $568. If you just want dessert, they include an assortment of pies, all 10 inches, for $58. Spiced Pumpkin Pie comes with a flaky pie crust and pumpkin seed praline; Organic Granny Smith Apple Pie is spiced with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a flaky pie crust with vanilla anglaise; Pecan Pie houses a load of pecan halves in golden syrup, orange zest, and smoked maldon sea salt. Pre-order through Mercato. The Take Out Menu:
Assorted Dinner Rolls
Organic, Herb Roasted Turkey with Turkey Jus
Sides: Chestnut Stuffing, Brussels Sprouts, Delicata Squash, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Mushroom, Macaroni & Cheese, Cranberry Compote
Dessert: Pumpkin Pie
The Tin Building, 96 South Street (at the end of Fulton St), Financial District/Seaport
Anita Gelato
Everyone loves ice cream, and whether you serve these with your pies, or on waffle cones, you cannot get a more delicious ending to your Thanksgiving feast. Anita La Mamma del Gelato has its doors opened across its three New York City locations on Thanksgiving offering their stunningly beautiful pints of their signature gelatos. They also offer sugar-free and vegan options. Choose from 36 flavors and 25 toppings. Plan in advance to pick up your pint, as Anita Gelato is known at times to have a long lines. Anita Gelato will be open from 8 am to 12 am on Thanksgiving.
Anita Gelato, 1141 Broadway (betw 26th/27th St), NoMad; 207 West 45th Street (betw Seventh/Eight Ave), Times Square; 1561 2nd Ave (betw 80th/81st), Upper East Side
