Hey all you turkeys! Thanksgiving is in a few short weeks — before you know it, you’ll be gathering your loved ones and favorite humans ’round the table to eat… what? Life is busy, but there are a cornucopia’s worth of restaurants and catering options who are happy to take the pressure off. From curated prix fixe options to choose-your-own-autumnal-adventure menus that you pull together from the oodles of options available, Thanksgiving has never been so delicious (or easy!). Here are our picks to keep your table full (and kitchen work light) this holiday.
Southold Social, 56125 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-8888, takeout only
Not only is this cozy, elegant spot one of our faves for dinner, it must be said: They are generous of portion! Which is a most excellent harbinger of a hella-good Thanksgiving spread. The price here is also above and beyond fair: for $235, you’ll feed an entire clan of six to eight happy gobblers; $450 feeds up to 10 with a wonderful full-on traditional holiday meal of roast turkey and gravy, chestnut velour, cornbread stuffing, autumnal-skewed sides and both apple crisp and pumpkin pie. Got gotcha some by ordering by or before Monday, Nov. 24. And hey, they deliver it all between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (and for free if you live in Southold!).
Art of Eating, 264 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton, 631-267-2411, takeout only
You know when you open the Thanksgiving issues of your favorite food mags and start drooling at the gorgeous photos of holiday delights? Instead, save the paper and go straight to the Art of Eating’s website. But truly, even the beautiful photos here don’t do justice to the Thanksgiving spread they’ll create for you with a sincere locally sourced ethos behind it all. Give John and Cheryl a call, or shoot them an email at [email protected]. And don’t let the Bridgehampton addy put you off — they do tons of work (and partner with many farms!) on the North Fork.
Stonewalls Restaurant, 967 Reeves Ave., Riverhead, 631-506-0777, dine in only
Come for the vol au vent (puff pastry filled with scallops, shrimp and mushrooms in a Champagne cream sauce); stay for nicely chosen options from the über-traditional to the less-so (velvety pot roast; hazelnut-crusted halibut and even linguini and meatballs for those who can’t breathe without a plate of pasta — we feel you). It’s a pick-your-own prix fixe, with the starters and dessert options all up for grabs, with the mains the deciding factor on price (aka, the three-course turkey dinner is $70; the three-course with linguini as your pick is $55). Click here to see the full menu.
Farm Country Kitchen, 513 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-6310, take out only
Complete Thanksgiving dinners are available for take-out, with a big bird to feed up to 10 (if you like — they also will do lamb chops, filet mignon, roast, stuffed pork loin and chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and broccoli rabe), along with your choice of four sides plus gravy and accompanying sauces. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings for your big brood is $350 (seriously, think about it — that’s a pretty darn good deal!). If you pick something other than turkey, the price varies. Check the website for the full catering menu.
The Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island Heights, 631-749-0811, dine in only
Head to Ram’s Head Inn for bountiful buffet of holiday faves. The good thing about dinner here? It appeases the early-early birds with an 11:30 a.m. start time, and runs all the day to 5 p.m. for those who like their dinners dialed to the sundown hour. Grown-up gobblers are $120; kids 10 and under are $50. Click here to get a seat.
The Birchwood of Polish Town, 512 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-727-4449 ext. 4, dine in only
Talk about heading home full. Come by Birchwood’s buffet with a deluxe carving station fulfilling that turkey fix, plus beef, pork and ham options; an appetizer station full of shrimp and salads; plus soups, breads and Polish and Italian entree and side options. For dessert, hit the doughnut wall, chocolate fountain or sweets table stocked with pies and other treats. Two-hour seatings are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., adults for $69.95 cash and kids 3 to 12 years old, $29.95 cash with additional fees for credit card payments plus tax and gratuity. Call to reserve a spot.
Ammirati’s of Love Lane, 135 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-7812, takeout only
Order all the essentials including fresh turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, oven roasted veggies, baked macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce and an autumn salad from Ammirati’s Thanksgiving catering menu. At just $24 per person, it’s everything the table needs. Call to order.
The Catered Fork, 43715 County Road 48, Southold, 631-603-6110, takeout only
Get a 18 to 20 pound fresh roasted turkey without the heavy lifting. Gravy, apple and sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes are also on the docket plus brussel sprout hash with carmelized shallots, roasted cauliflower, whole cranberry sauce and dinner roles with butter chips. A package for 12 to 14 guests costs $385 plus tax. If that’s too much food, get turkey for $9.99 per pound and half trays of side for $55, or full trays for $95. Add on Thanksgiving pies for $25.99. Place your orders before Nov. 20 by emailing [email protected] or put in a request form here.
Wayside Market, 55575 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-3575, takeout only
Yes, Wayside is your one-shot-gourmet-stop for all-things of the red meat ilk, but they are not messing around when it comes to Thanksgiving. In addition to ordering fresh, local turkeys (and if that’s your plan, get on it — quantities are limited; birds don’t grow on trees, silly rabbit!), they are doing full-on turkey dinners with stuffing and gravy, plus a la carte sides. They’ll even cook you up dinner for one ($29.99). Check out the full menu here — pick-
Modern Snack Bar, 628 Main Road, Aquebogue, 631-722-3655, takeout only
Assorted pies and pints and quarts of the Modern Snack Bar’s famous mashed turnips, stuffing, red cabbage, mashed potatoes and gravy will be available for order. Also, select cakes and sliced white meat turkey will be sold by the pound. Call to place orders at the Thanksgiving order line 631-722-4747 before Nov. 23 and check out menu details here.
North Fork Table & Inn, 57225 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-0177, dine in and takeout
This farm-to-table dining experience is nothing short of the restaurants norm. The three-course prix fixe menu and family-style sides are available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $115 per person plus $75 for the wine pairing. Make a res here. If you’d rather bring the goodness to your own dinner table, order the feast for four, with a roasted turkey, fresh seasonal sides and dessert for $350. Pre-order here.
Ali Katz Kitchen, 55 Middle Road, Mattituck, 631-298-7694, takeout
Ali Katz Kitchen has an Everything but the Bird menu which is exactly what you think — no turkey here, but a range of appetizers and sides like butternut squash soup, kale salad with roasted squash, maple whipped sweet potatoes with caramelized apples and Fritz’s sausage stuffing. Delicious desserts include chocolate bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, a gluten-free Moroccan orange cake, and assorted cookie platters. There’s even post-Thanksgiving breakfast offerings, like quiche, housemade granola, and a selection of homemade scones, muffins and croissants. Must order by Nov. 16; call for details.
East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Baiting Hollow, 631-846-2335, dine in only
Sashay on into the Grand Ballroom at East Wind for a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings (and seconds, too). East Wind’s buffet-style holiday feast funs from 1 to 6 p.m. (although seatings are staggered — reserve your spot here) and are kept tightly to two-hour increments. Which is fine — it’ll get you back home in time for football. Adults are $79.95; kids are $39.95, unless they’re under two, which will cost you nothing (just bring your own highchair, please). Check out the full menu here.
Peconic Eatery, 871 Old Country Road, Riverhead, 631-591-0291, dine in and takeout
Thanksgiving dinner just got simpler with Peconic Eatery’s delicious prix fixe list. For just $24.95 each person get a choice of roasted turkey, beef or pork, glazed ham or bistec encebollado. Select two sides including macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, stuffing, sweet potato casserole or rice and beans. And finish off with a dessert of your choice, including pies and cheesecake. Call for more details.
The Halyard, 58775 County Road 48, Greenport, 631-477-0666, dine in only
There’s nothing better than Thanksgiving with a view. Make your reservation for the holiday dinner at the Halyard, where the annual Turkey Day buffet — this year from venerable chef Francis Derby — comes with a side of a sigh-making gorgeous vista of the Long Island Sound. Dinner served from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27 costs $98 for grown-ups and $45 for kids under 12. Make your rez by calling the number above or hitting up OpenTable.
aMano, 13550 Main Road, Mattituck, 631-298-4800, dine in and takeout
Three courses are available from 1 to 6:30 p.m. in-house or for takeout. Antipasti includes seasonal soups and salads, plus a burrata or slowly simmered meatballs. The Italian twist on Thanksgiving classics shines on the Secondi portion of the menu featuring roasted free-range turkey with all the fixings like apple cornbread stuffing, Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and maple-cranberry sauce. If your not in the mood for these flavorful holiday staples, get some short ribs, pork chop, ravioli, salmon or chose from other rich options. Close out the meal with sweets like cakes, crisps or a chianti poached pear. This meal is $65 per person. Make a reservation here.
Country Corner Café, 55765 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-6766, dine in and takeout
On Wednesday Nov. 26, dine in from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner featuring roast turkey and stuffing, sweet or mashed potatoes, mashed turnips or creamed spinach, and apple, blueberry or pumpkin pie or rice pudding for $28 per person. Takeout orders may be picked up from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. only. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Pip’s Cafe & Provisions, 218 Main St., Greenport, 631-318-0363, takeout only
Pre-order your sweet and savory treats from Pips. They’ve got ready-to-bake pie shells and puff pastry sheets if you’re looking to chef it up yourself, or options for if you’d like to grab it and go. Duck pot pie, roasted pumpkin pie and fluffy Parker House Rolls are on this menu. You can also get spiced oatmeal cookies or homemade cranberry sauce from the Greenport joint. Place your order here, available for pickup Nov. 9 through 30.
