NYC's Most Unique Takes On Classic Thanksgiving Dishes
Plenty of restaurants in New York are open for Thanksgiving, but we're happy to report that lots of places serve Thanksgiving-esque favorites all year-round. Read on for our favorite spots for noshing on turkey, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, and -- of course -- pie. By Jessica Allen.
Charred Brussels Sprouts at Nix
72 University Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 498-9393
More: Best Nontraditional Thanksgiving Desserts
After successful stints helming the kitchens of Narcissa and Dovetail, Michelin-starred chef John Fraser decided to turn his full attention to vegetables. At Nix, his vegetarian restaurant, you can opt for any array of vegetables and preparations, including Brussels sprouts doused in jerk spices and blackened, served with apple, mint and chèvre. If you hear the words "Brussels sprouts" and immediately think "ick, no way," prepare to have your mind utterly and irrevocably changed. The "cacio e pepe" made with polenta and shiitake mushrooms is another must-order.
Foie-Gras Stuffing (and Roast Chicken) at The NoMad
The NoMad Hotel
1170 Broadway
New York, NY 10001
(212) 796-1500
Exploring NoMad: Eat, See And Play
Okay, so we're cheating a bit on this one, because you can't get the foie-gras stuffing at The NoMad without also ordering the roast chicken for two. This legendary dish includes foie gras mixed with brioche and black truffles, then stuffed into a plump, pleasant bird alongside rosemary and lemon. Everything gets roasted and presented table-side, with luscious herbs. Simple as it sounds, this dish has helped make hotel dining in New York synonymous with destination dining.
Pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds
439 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 499-2917
More: Best Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner
Does "pie" seem a bit vague? Maybe. But the pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds is not to be beat. And by "pie," we mean "every single type these folks mix up and make in their Gowanus space." Among the seasonal offerings are matcha custard, lemon chess, salted caramel apple, black bottom oat, plum streusel, and brown butter pumpkin—quite possibly better than anything Mom used to make (sorry, Mom.) Everything is sourced locally and freshly made, sometimes using recipes handed down through the family of the two sisters who run the place.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes at Melba's
300 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10026
(212) 864-7777
Melba's specializes in comfort food, the kind of victuals that stick to your ribs and take you straight back to the dining rooms or kitchens of your youth. We're particularly enamored by the candied yams, the "low country collard greens," seasoned with smoked turkey, and the "très mac & cheese," featuring mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and pepper jack. But the garlic mashed potatoes is really and truly a dish of our dreams. The secret -- or so it seems to us -- is the liberal amount of roasted garlic, along with tons of cream and lots of butter.
Turkey Sandwiches at Court Street Grocers
485 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 722-7229
More: Best Sandwiches In NYC
Some say turkey's the thing, while others prefer leftovers -- preferably nestled between two slices of bread and topped with layers of mayo, tomato, lettuce, and a little onion. If you fall into the latter camp, check out the "turkey and durkee" at Court Street Grocers. It features white meat, roasted to perfection, sweet pickles, romaine lettuce and several squirts of Durkee's Famous Sauce on a seeded hero. The "Ollie" also features roast turkey and a seeded hero, but it gets a bit jazzier, with broccoli rabe, mayo, provolone, and Sriracha honey.
