In Good Taste

Dining Out on Thanksgiving Day

A host of restaurants caters to the family for the holiday.

There’s a lot going on this November 28 besides turkey, including Hanukkah and the Ravens-Steelers dust-up. Who has time to cook? If you’re looking forward to a delicious Thanksgiving spread—or just a nice meal—without the dreaded cleanup, we’ve compiled a list of restaurants around the metropolitan area that will do the work for you.

Here’s a roundup by city and county.

Baltimore City

The Ambassador Dining Room, Tuscany-Canterbury: Regular menu is offered from 4:30-10 p.m. Reservations are required.

Bluegrass Tavern, South Baltimore: Reservations required, 2-8 p.m. Traditional holiday dinner, whole smoked hog, smoked turkey, vegetarian options, and selection of sides. “Big boy plate” includes meats and all sides, $26; healthy portion includes one meat and all sides, $22; vegetarian plate, $18; kids portion includes choice of one meat and select sides, $10. Limited game-day fare will also be available.

The Capital Grille, Inner Harbor: Reservations recommended, 12-9 p.m. Regular menu offered in addition to Thanksgiving menu of slow-roasted turkey, stuffing, and a cranberry-pear chutney, pictured. Pumpkin cheesecake offered for dessert. Adults, $36; children (12 and under), $15.

Charleston, Harbor East: Three-course Thanksgiving dinner, 3-7 p.m. Includes sweet-potato-and-andouille-sausage soup, Southern chopped salad, roasted turkey breast and turkey-leg confit, braised beef short rib, and pan-roasted wild rockfish. Sides and desserts are also available. $79 per person, including complimentary valet parking.

Dick’s Last Resort, Inner Harbor: In honor of the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick’s will be open from 11 a.m. until whenever the party stops. Tailgate items include gator bites, wings, and a slice of pumpkin pie, which are available to go. Happy hour from 4-7 p.m. features $3 house liquor, $2.50 domestic bottles and pints, $4 margaritas, and select appetizers for $5. Enter in the Thanksgiving pie-eating contest for a chance to win a $100 Dick’s gift certificate.

Grille 700 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Inner Harbor: Traditional Thanksgiving buffet served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $24 per person. Menu items include carved turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and mini desserts in addition to the regular breakfast buffet. Reservations required.

Kali’s Court, Fells Point: Regular and a la carte Thanksgiving menu offered, 12-8 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Mt. Washington Tavern, Mt. Washington: Regular menu and special turkey dinner available, starting at 12:30 p.m.

The Prime Rib, Midtown: Three-course, fixed-price menu, 1-8 p.m. Choice of one appetizer: roasted tomato soup, Maine lobster bisque, house salad, or Caesar salad; entree of roasted turkey with sides, and homemade pumpkin pie for dessert. Adults, $45.95; children (12 and under), $24.95. Regular menu is also available.

Rusty Scupper, Downtown: Thanksgiving buffet, 12-6 p.m. Carved roast turkey, roasted salmon, herb-crusted roast prime rib or beef, sautéed Prince Edward Island mussels with a white-wine reduction, choice of sides, raw bar, salads, and desserts. Adults, $44.95; kids (10 and under), $19.95. Reservations are required.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inner Harbor: Three-course turkey dinner with first-course options including Louisiana seafood gumbo, Caesar salad, steak house salad; entree selection of oven-roasted turkey breast with homemade gravy, sausage-and-herb stuffing, and cranberry relish; additional choice of sides; and pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Adults, $38.95; children’s menu offered (12 and under), $12.95.

Wit & Wisdom: A Tavern By Michael Mina, Harbor East: An a la carte breakfast will be served from 7-11 a.m. Thanksgiving dinner, 1-8 p.m. Choice of pear-and-endive salad, fried oysters a la poulette, duck confit and acorn squash risotto, or pumpkin soup for the first course; second course, turducken roulade, Maryland jumbo-lump crab cake, Gunpowder Bison rib-eye, or Maryland rockfish; dessert options of pumpkin parfait, chocolate tart, or mid-Atlantic cheese selection; choice of sides available. Adults, $69 with an optional $30 wine pairing; children (under 12), $35. A holiday tavern menu to be available in the lounge from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., closing at 12 a.m.

Baltimore County

Cafe Troia, Towson: Regular menu and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 2-9 p.m. Adults, $39.95; for a smaller portion size, $22.95. Reservations are suggested.

The Manor Tavern, Monkton: Traditional Thanksgiving buffet with seating at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. The menu includes Caesar salad, cornbread muffins, turkey, brown-sugar ham, caramelized-onion prime rib au jus, mini crab cakes, sweet potatoes, Yukon mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie, and assorted cheesecakes. Adults, $38; children (3-12), $15; under age 3, free. Reservations required.

The Milton Inn, Sparks: A la cart traditional three-course Thanksgiving feast, 12-7 p.m. Choice of split-pea soup, Caesar salad, or baby spinach salad; entree of hand-carved white and dark meat turkey accompanied by a variety of sides; dessert selection including pumpkin pie, apple pie, or chocolate truffle torte. Adults, $52; children (12 and under), $26.

The Oregon Grille, Hunt Valley: Full regular menu and a three-course Thanksgiving dinner, 1-8 p.m. Offerings include butternut-squash bisque or beef-barley soup, fresh-roasted turkey, sausage dressing, cranberry, whipped potatoes, yams, baby zucchini, maple-apple cheesecake, and pecan pie. Adults, $49; children (12 and under), $32.

Anne Arundel County

Maryland Live! Casino, Hanover: A fall heritage buffet featuring traditional Thanksgiving favorites in addition to offerings from the snow-crab-and-seafood menu; $35 per person plus tax and gratuity. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 5-9:30 p.m.

The Prime Rib at Maryland Live! Casino, Hanover: Regular menu plus a three-course “prix-fixe fall heritage menu,” 5:30-10:30 p.m. First-course options include roasted butternut-squash soup, mizuna-and-butter-lettuce salad, or oysters on the half shell; entrees are herb-roasted heritage turkey or butter-poached cod loin; sides are oyster stuffing, black-truffle mashed potatoes, and sautéed green beans with crispy leaks. Each course is paired with a glass of Roederer Brut or George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. Desserts include pumpkin cheesecake, a caramel-pecan bar with pumpkin ice cream, and a 16-layer chocolate cake with eggnog ice cream. Reservations recommended, $75 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Severn Inn, Annapolis: Buffet and appetizer selection, butternut-squash soup, crab bisque, raw bar, light and dark meat turkey, prime rib, jumbo crab cakes, mashed potatoes, and selections of pie. Three seating options: 12-12:30 p.m., 2:15-2:45 p.m., 4:30-5 p.m. with the buffet closing at 7 p.m. Adults, $49.95; children (5-12), $24.95; ages 4 and under eat for free. Reservations required.

Carroll County

Antrim 1844 Country Inn, Sykesville: Six-course Thanksgiving dinner, $68.50 per person (tax, gratuity, and beverages not included). Limited seating available for 1 p.m. hors d’oeuvres and 1:30 p.m. seating or 1:30 p.m. hors d’oeuvres and 2 p.m. seating.

Baldwin’s Station, Sykesville: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., reservations recommended. A la carte Thanksgiving dinner with slow-roasted, hand-carved turkey, pan gravy, herb cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, pumpkin bisque, and pumpkin cheesecake.

Harford County

Josef’s Country Inn, Fallston: Limited a la carte menu in addition to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, 12-6 p.m. Dinner includes Maryland crab soup, turkey breast and sides, and pumpkin pie. Adults, $31.50; children (12 and under), $15.95.

Mountain Branch Grille & Pub, Joppa: Reservations required, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. A traditional Thanksgiving family buffet, carving station, butternut-squash soup, Caesar salad, broccoli wild-rice salad, roast turkey, roasted Norwegian salmon with lemon butter and crab, beef tenderloin tips with wild mushrooms, roast pork loin with shallot demi-glace, and selection of sides. Kids menu is offered. Adults, $27.95; children (3-10), $10.95; ages 3 and under eat for free.

Howard County

The Kings Contrivance, Columbia: Reservations recommended, 12-7:30 p.m. Three-course Thanksgiving dinner with first-course options of roasted butternut-squash soup, shellfish bisque, mesclun salad, Caesar salad, baked Brie, crispy fried oysters; choice of entree including roast turkey from Maple Lawn Farms, jumbo-lump crab cakes, pan-roasted Norwegian salmon, pan-seared prime pork chop, New York strip au poivre, and veal Marsala; choice of dessert. Adults (not including beverage, tax, or gratuity), $45; children (12 and under), $25.

Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant, Ellicott City: Limited a la carte menu, with an additional traditional Thanksgiving meal, 12-7 p.m. Adults, $30.95; children (12 and under), $17.95.

—Danielle Moore