Monday, November 25, 2013

Bird Call

Pancetta-wrapped pheasant breast, butternut squash puree, fingerling potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and maple gastrique at Amp 150. 

If you have an aversion to cooking — even on the holidays — or would rather skip the messy process of fixing a frozen bird, be thankful for these 13 chef-prepared turkey day dinners. Whether you want to take home a savory spread for up to 12 people or dine on slow-roasted beef tenderloin and Ohio City truffle and rosemary pierogies at a downtown restaurant, there’s an option that will satisfy your taste buds without the hassle. More time for a post-Thanksgiving dinner to nap, right?

DOWNTOWN

Mallorca
1390 W. 9th St., Cleveland, 216-687-9494; clevelandmallorca.com; $17, children $11; 1-9 p.m.
Mix it up at Mallorca with a traditional turkey dinner or choose from their Spanish and Portuguese dinner menu, which offers everything from seafood paellas to filet mignon.

Muse
1515 W. Third St., Cleveland, 216-623-1300; ritzcarlton.com; $65, children $29; 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving dinner in an elegant setting, this four-course prix fixe meal at Muse will satisfy your cravings. Enjoy roasted pumpkin soup, smoked duck, stuffed turkey breast (or wood-fired mushrooms for vegetarians) and more.

Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
24 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-696-5600; marriott.com/hotels/travel/clebr-renaissance-cleveland-hotel; $75; 11 a.m.
If you’re interested in giving more than just thanks on turkey day weekend, head to the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Nov. 30 for a luncheon to benefit A Christmas Story House Neighborhood Restoration Project. You’ll be treated to the meatloaf, mashed potato and red cabbage dinner made by Mrs. Parker in the movie, and you may even meet Flick or Scut Farkus.

Sans Souci
24 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-902-4095; sanssoucicleveland.com; $42; 1-6 p.m.
Sans Souci is known for its delicious Mediterranean dishes, but the more traditional flavors this prix fixe menu offers are closer to home. For starters, try the Ohio City truffle and rosemary pierogi. After that, savor the slow-roasted beef tenderloin, and then top it off with a piece of buckeye pie.

EAST

Bistro 185
991 E. 185th St., Cleveland, 216-481-9635; bistro185.com; $45; 6:30 p.m.
If you love the harvest-inspired side dishes but not the bird, Bistro 185’s Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner has you covered. The four-course meal begins with chestnut soup, followed by baby spinach salad, stuffed acorn squash and a pumpkin tart with vegan vanilla ice cream. Wash it down with a glass of vegan-friendly wine.

Nighttown
12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-795-0550; nighttowncleveland.com; 11:30 a.m.- midnight
If you thirst for more than just a meal on Thanksgiving, head to Nighttown for a dinner and a show by jazz vocalist Freddy Cole. This James Joyce-themed jazz club and restaurant will serve specials, including butternut squash soup ($6), roasted pork loin ($17) and a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings ($17).

Table 45
9801 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, 216-707-4160; tbl45.com; pickup 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feeding a big group on Thanksgiving can be rough. Help yourself out and opt for Table 45’s Turkey To Go take-home dinners that feed 10-12 people ($195). The whole roasted turkey comes with a hearty meal of garlic mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, apple sausage and sage stuffing, green beans, roasted baby carrots, cranberry sauce and gravy. Finish it off with your choice of two pies (apple, pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato). Place your orders by Nov. 25.

WEST

Amp 150
4277 W. 150th St., Cleveland, 216-706-8787; amp150.com; $31.95, seniors $25.95, children $11.95; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
For a wholesome but not by-the-book meal, pick up roasted pork loin from the carving station, and then hit the buffet for butternut squash ravioli and white bean cassoulet. Add salad and dessert into the mix, and you’ll be tempted to take the rest of the day off.

100th Bomb Group
20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, 216-267-1010; 100thbgrestaurant.com; $37.99, children $17.99
Airports can be a nightmare on holidays. But from a short distance, through panoramic windows, with family around you and turkey on your plate, the planes rapidly coming and going can be quite nice. Feast on everything from turkey to crab legs to pastas, and toast the season with champagne and wine varietals.

SB Eighty One
24481 Detroit Road, Westlake, 440-835-3559; sbeightyone.com; $29.95, children $11.95: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Not the napping kind? Let loose on the dance floor at SB Eighty One this Thanksgiving. Stay for a traditional dinner of roasted turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie, plus seafood options, such as baked Atlantic salmon and shrimp.

SOUTH

The Bertram Inn
600 N. Aurora Road, Aurora, 330-562-2111; thebertraminn.com; pickup 10 a.m.-noon
Relax and let the restaurants at Bertram Inn make dinner for you. Paws and the Leopard are offering to-go Thanksgiving dinners. Order a 10-pound turkey ($165) or if you’ve got bigger crowd to feed, go for a 20-pound bird ($275). Both come with mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing and pies. Reserve your meals by Nov. 25.

Gamekeeper’s Taverne
87 West St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-7744; gamekeepers.com; $32; noon-4 p.m.
Too many choices making your head spin? Make a reservation at Gamekeeper’s Taverne for a simply elegant meal by the falls. Choose between turkey or honey-glazed ham, or both — why not? — accompanied by salad, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, and a slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream. 

Shula’s 2
6200 Quarry Lane, Cleveland, 216-901-7852; donshula.com; $26.95, seniors $22.95, kids $12.95; noon-5 p.m.
If you want all the traditional fixings but also hunger for variety, try Shula’s 2. The Thanksgiving buffet will feature roast turkey, honey-baked ham, cranberry-stuffed pork loin, French-cut chicken, mahi-mahi and sides including omelets and pasta dishes.

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