A slew of restaurants are offering Thanksgiving Day specials, and we've sorted through them for you. This means a studious scrutiny of the menus as they relate to value and overall allure (listed prices do not include tax or tip).
We have no idea how these meals will actually taste, although there is some speculation involved based on each restaurant's track record on cuisine in general. We've already mocked the worst and cheered the best. Today we cover the rest -- just about all of which (exceptions noted) seem like decent enough deals.
660 at The Anglers
Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli serves up a "family-style prix fixe menu with holiday favorites from Oven Roasted Turkey basted with duck fat, fresh herbs and grade a maple to Sauce of Fresh Cranberries with port wine, orange and Grand Marnier. A limited a la carte menu will also available."
660 at The Anglers, 660 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 786-594-5811 $34.95 per person $19.95 for kids 12 and under. Reservations available from 3 - 11 p.m.
Our Take: Not enough info to go on here - don't know the number of courses, what's for dessert, etc. Still, if the weather is nice, the outdoor patio would be a pleasant place to enjoy your meal, and the price seems reasonable so long as there are other sides, good desserts, etc.
Caffe Abracci
A three-course menu that of course includes roasted turkey, and coffee too.
Caffe Abbracci 318 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 305-441-0700. From 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Price is $35 for adults $20 for kids.
Our Take: Caffe Abracci seems an ideal environment for a Thanksgiving get-together, and $35 represents the most attractive deal out of today's listing - had we found out about this earlier, and knew more about the menu, Abracci probably would have made our list of the best deals.
Biltmore Hotel Brunch
Hotel executive chef Rolando Cruz-Taura offers the Biltmore's famous Champagne brunch with an added selection of traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as Natural Roasted Turkey, Traditional & Vegetarian Corn Bread Stuffing; Mashed Potatoes; Sweet Potatoes; and Green Bean & Wild Mushroom Casserole. A wall of desserts by executive pastry chef Olivier Rodriguez covers favorites such as Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Pie and Carrot Cake.
Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is priced at $85 for adults, plus tax and gratuity ($37.50 for kids ages 5 to 11).
Our Take: OK, it's the Biltmore, we get it - and we also understand that it will be quite a spread. Still, the Thanksgiving items seem pretty prosaic. There are better turkey day dinners around for $85.
Fontana
Chef de cuisine Betania Salles prepares a four-course Italian dinner with choices such as: Yellow Lentil & Pumpkin Soup, Sweet Potato Dumplings with Gorgonzola, and Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast.For dessert, Warm Pear Tart with Caramelized Pecan Ice Cream and Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon, Whipped Cream & Vanilla Sauce.
Dinner is served from 6 to 10 p.m. and is priced at $59.
Our Take: Fontana's ambiance is alluring, the $59 price a relative Biltmore bargain.
Palme d'Or
A four-course Thanksgiving dinner prepared by chef de cuisine Philippe Ruiz and hosted by Sebastien Verrier, Maitre D' and head sommelier. Among the menu choices included are: Pumpkin Soup, Grilled Turbot Filet, Maine Lobster Fricassée and Farm Raised Turkey.Desserts by Oliver Rodriguez include Pumpkin & Pecan Cheese Cake and Chocolate Dome with Hazelnut Ice Cream.
The Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables; 305-445-8066, ext. 2407. Dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is priced at $85.
Our Take: On paper it doesn't sound like much, but Ruiz, Verrier, and the Biltmore team are sure to deliver an excellent Thanksgiving meal.
The Forge
Dewey LoSasso and team will serve a four-course menu that includes roasted Carolina turkey.
The Forge, 432 41 St., Miami Beach; 305-538-8533. Seating begins at 5:00 p.m. Price is $65.
Our Take: Thanksgiving was made for Mr. LoSasso, who has always seemed most at home cooking good old American fare - with contemporary twists, of course. We don't have the menu, but this has gotta be a worthy one.
Gotham Steak
Chef de cuisine John Suley has created a three-course, pre-fixe menu comprised of a choice of three starters, main courses and desserts.These include Roasted Fall Squash Soup, Grilled Double Cut 22-oz Pork Chop, Roasted Free Range Turkey and Confit Leg, Pumpkin Pie and Apple Tarte Tatin.
The menu is priced at $60 per guest, and will be available from 2 to 10 p.m.
Our Take: It's $5 less than at Solea, and only $5 more than Quattro, but menus at Quattro and Solea boast elegant touches that turn the dishes into something you wouldn't or couldn't make at home. They seem special (at least on paper). Suley's meal will probably be delicious, but I can get squash soup and pumpkin pie anywhere.
Neomi's Grill
A four-course meal with main course options of butter-basted turkey, wild salmon and ravioli, or slow-cooked cider ham.
Neomi's Grill, Trump International Beach Resort, 18001 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach; 305-692-5770. The meal will run from 3 to 7 p.m., and costs $49.
Our Take: We don't know what the sides or desserts are, but $49 for 4-courses at the Trump Resort seems eminently reasonable in comparison to other prices.
Scarpetta in the Fontainebleau
Offering a buffet orchestrated by chef de cuisine Michael Pirolo. Expect a carving table with the traditional turkey as well as Sliced Beef Ribeye of Beef with Truffle Sauce; Suckling Pig; and Sausage Stuffing Buttermilk Chestnut Biscuits. Other dishes include Braised Turkey Legs with Foie and Thyme Emulsion; Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dried Cherries; Pumpkin Tortelli; and Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage and Brown Butter.
The buffet runs from 1 to 8 p.m. It is $65 for adults, $30 for children 10 and under.
Our Take: No doubt the buffet will be impressive and the food tasty; Scarpetta is a lovely place to dine. The price is not out of place because, after all, the place is Fontainebleau - but it's still too expensive for a buffet to qualify as anything special.
The Setai
This Thanksgiving Brunch includes unlimited Taittinger Champagne and Bloody Marys.
2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-520-6500. The price is $85 per person and $30 for children up to 12 years old. It will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Our Take: We have no menu, so not much to go on. The Setai generally delivers, so this will likely be a rewarding brunch if you've got the dough.
Sublime Restaurant
Dinner begins with Waldorf Salad. Main course choice is Gardein "Turkey" or Roasted Acorn Squash filled with quinoa stuffing, both accompanied by fresh green beans, button mushrooms and cranberry sauce. Dessert is Pumpkin "Cheesecake" with an almond nut crust. Coffee, tea and fountain soft drinks are included.
If reservations are made on or before Monday, November 22, price is $39 for adults and $29 for children 12 and under (plus tax and gratuity). After that it's $49 for adults and $39 for kids. Sublime's regular menu will not be available. Seatings are available from 2 to 6 p.m. For complete details, or call 954-615-1431.
Our Take: This one is is Broward, but vegetarians may well consider the drive worthwhile - holiday pickings for the meatless are slim. Besides, with "turkey" and "cheesecake" on the menu, sounds like this meal could be "interesting".
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill
The regular menu will be served, along with these holiday specials:
pan seared quail / foie gras nage / turkey figs 13
heritage farm truffle-roasted turkey / sage brioche bread pudding / cranberry spiked brussels sprouts 21
whole roasted fish / caramelized pumpkin / garlic sautéed brocollini / meyer lemon brown butter 32
pumpkin cream filled doughnuts / cinnamon sugar dust 6
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, 3252 NE 1st Ave., Miami; 786-369-0353. Runs from 11:30 a.m. - midnight.
Our Take: t's a fun place, and the dessert sounds fantastic.
Sushisamba Dromo
The regular menu will be served, along with these holiday specials:
Braised Short Rib Gyozas
kabocha purée, red shiso leaf, smoked ginger soy $14
Mojo Roasted Organic Turkey
linguica quinoa stuffing and crispy brussels sprout $24
Kabocha Cheesecake
candied pecans, bourbon caramel sauce, milk chocolate whipped cream $11
Sushi Samba Dromo, 600 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Runs from noon to 4 a.m.
Our Take: Seems OK, but $49 for these 3 courses is nothing to jump up and down about. Plus the menu is a bit esoteric for Thanksgiving. On the other hand if you're in the mood for turkey at three in the morning, this looks to be your place.
