7 Thanksgiving meal options, from dine-in to takeaway
Sometimes it’s nice to leave worrying about what to serve and when to start making the Thanksgiving feast to the professionals. From heat- and- eat take- home meals to options for dining out, we have you covered.
Some words of advice: Be sure you place your order or make a reservation as soon as you can, because meals will sell out.
Take home
Pane è Pronto [ heat and eat; with instructions]
Head to the casual Strip District offshoot of DiAnoia’s Eatery for an Italian-influenced Thanksgiving meal for two. The ready-to-heat meal (with instructions) includes porchetta and porchetta gravy, cacio e pepe mashed potatoes, sausage-apple-spinach-pine nut stuffing, cauliflower casserole, cranberry and fennel sauce and assorted Italian cookies. Larger a-lacarte portions (as well as lasagna and meatballs) meant to serve 6 to 8 people are also available. Details:
The meal is $60, and online ordering is already open (select “Later” and choose Nov. 23 for any time between 2-6 p.m. and to launch the Thanksgiving menu). Pick up orders at Pane è Pronto from 2-6 p.m. Nov. 23.
2627 Penn Ave., Strip District; panepronto.com
Carmi Soul Food [ heat and eat; turkey is oven-ready but needs to be cooked]
Carmi Soul Food in the South Side offers a meal for big groups. Owners Carleen and Michael King are experienced caterers, which shows in this feast for 12 to 15 people. It comes with a seasoned, oven -ready turkey (with heating instructions), 5-cheese macaroni and cheese, Southern cornbread stuffing, green beans or mixed greens, potato salad or mashed potatoes, candied yams, two sweet potato pies, a quart of gravy and a dozen dinner rolls. A la carte items such as raw oven-ready turkey ($75), candied yams ($45) and Southern green beans ($35) are also available. Details: The meal is $375, and pre-orders are open until Nov. 19. Pick up orders at Carmi from noon5 p.m. Nov. 23.
1825 E. Carson St.,
South Side;carmirestaurant.com Station [ partially cooked] Station, the modern American restaurant in Bloomfield, is offering partially cooked, ready-to-heat and eat meals for two to three people (with a promise of leftovers)
that includes brined and roasted turkey breast, braised thigh, fusilli pasta and cheese, roasted Brussels sprouts with whole-grain mustard and caramelized onions, and smashed, whipped sweet potatoes. A la carte options include confit potatoes slow- cooked in roasted garlic oil and finished with fresh herbs and shallots, crispy cauliflower, pumpkin ice cream and popcorn panna cotta. Details: Order online for the meal ($85) by Nov. 21. Pick-up is from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 23, and the restaurant can accommodate different times if needed.
4744 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield; station4744.com
Dine in
The Commoner
The Commoner, the gastropub at Hotel Monaco Downtown, offers a decadent, three-course dine-in meal on Thanksgiving. The first course is shaved Brussels sprouts and arugula salad with dried fruits, roasted almonds and a warm bacon dressing. The main course is roast turkey breast, fried turkey thigh, black truffle and foie gras jus, candied butternut squash, Robuchon- style pommes purée (think: the most buttery, creamy mashed potatoes you’ve ever had), chestnut brioche stuffing and cranberry marmalade. Pumpkin cheesecake tart with burnt marshmallow and dark chocolate ganache is for dessert.
Details: The meal ($55) is available for dine-in from 3-7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. The restaurant’s regular menu is also available.
620 William Penn Place, Downtown; thecommonerpgh.com
Amazing Dumplings Looking for something different to do on Thanksgiving? Head to Amazing Dumplings, the always delicious northern Chinese restaurant in Squirrel Hill. Coowner Fenping Geng got into the holiday spirit last month with a Halloweenthemed dumpling called Evil Dumplings, with a black egg encased in festive fall colors created from scratch-made, plant-based dyes. She and her husband, Feng Gao, are at it again with another bespoke homemade dumpling for Thanksgiving. They’re offering a dumpling shaped to resemble a turkey, with pastel-colored “feathers” of orange, red, green and yellow. Geng is stuffing it with an East-meets-West mix of turkey, corn, green beans, carrots, green onions and ginger. The dumplings are $ 15 per 10- piece order. Details: Geng will offer the dumplings from Nov. 23 to 28. Amazing Dumplings is open regular hours on Thanksgiving Day, and its daily menu of dumplings, noodles and appetizers is available.
5882 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill; amazingdumplings.com Martorano’s Prime
National chef Steve Martorano’s branded ItalianAmerican steakhouse at Rivers Casino serves a threecourse meal on Thanksgiving. The first course is pasta e fagioli; the main includes roast turkey served with sauteed green beans, fourcheese orecchiette and Italian stuffing with pancetta; and affogato with vanilla gelato, plus a choice of pumpkin cake or chocolate cake, for dessert. Details: The meal is $70 and is served 5 -11 p.m. The casino’s Wheelhouse Bar & Grill also offers a traditional Thanksgiving meal for $25 per person.
777 Casino Drive, North Shore; riverscasino.com
Asti’s Italian Steakhouse
Asti’s Italian Steakhouse in North Braddock serves an extensive buffet on Thanksgiving Day. Starters include a full salad bar, Italian wedding soup and Maryland crab bisque. Proteins are honey- glazed ham, sliced turkey breast with gravy and maplebourbon salmon. In addition, there are starches such as baked mac and cheese, stuffed shells, sweet potato casserole, roasted red-skin potatoes and stuffing, and vegetables including green bean casserole, candied Brussels sprouts and roast corn. Finish it all off with assorted cookies, pies and a cheesecake bar. Details:
It’s $32.99 per adult (plus tax and tip) and $9.99 for kids 10 and younger. Seating is from 1-6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
1000 Club House Drive, North Braddock; astiitaliansteakhouse.com