7 restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner

Natalie B. Anzarouth
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It’s that time of year when the weather drops, and the leaves descend onto the ground that lends itself to the true Thanksgiving experience. The dizzying aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pie overwhelms your senses.

The blend of sweet and savory moves like a melody in your mouth with every taste of turkey. The feeling of being connected with those around us. Welcome to your Thanksgiving out. No dishes, no clean up. Now there’s something to be thankful for.

Salt Creek Grille offers a beautiful view.

Salt Creek Grille

What is being served: Executive Chef Bobby Belt will be serving up a traditional Thanksgiving feast that includes hand-carved traditional turkey dinner with stuffing, sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, farmer’s roasted vegetables and cranberry sauce. The restaurant will also be offering a Thanksgiving special a la cart menu.

Turkey dinner is priced $35 per person for adults, and $14 for children. A la cart menu options range from $22-$42. Serving from noon to 7 p.m.

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Why go: Perched along the banks of the Navesink River, Salt Creek Grille offers a fine-dining experience, with an intimate holiday setting. “It’s certainly a very festive atmosphere,” general manager, Mark Shopene said. “Our chef does an amazing job with the turkey. I get numerous comments every year that it’s better than mom’s turkey.”

Info: Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Ave, Rumson; 732-933-9272; www.saltcreekgrille.com/rumson

Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Restaurant Nicholas.

Restaurant Nicholas

What is being served: Chef and owner Nicholas Harary ensures a tasty turkey with his preparation of brining, roasting and flash-frying his bird. The restaurant will be offering everything off of their regular menu, in addition to their option for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The traditional roasted turkey dinner includes, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, whipped yams, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

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Pricing is $75 for the three-course prix fixe menu, and $95 for the prix fixe six-course menu. Children’s menu is $32 per person. Serving from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. by reservation.

Why go: This 4 star acclaimed restaurant captures the tradition of Thanksgiving, with elegance and a fine dining experience for the holiday. “Through the years of Restaurant Nicholas, we’ve done everything from stuffing to truffles to foie gras. Five years ago, I realized traditional is the way to go. We don’t play around with the stuffing, it’s a traditional sausage stuffing,” Harary said.  

Info: 160 Route 35 S., Middletown; 732-345-9977; www.restaurantnicholas.com/events


Enjoy a a four-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner at Joe Amiel's Bay Pointe Inn.

 Joe Amiel’s Bay Pointe Inn

What is being served: Enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu with options such as clams casino, butternut squash, iced shrimp and Manhattan clam chowder. Entrees include a roast Thanksgiving turkey with chestnut stuffing, giblet sauce, whipped potatoes, glazed carrots, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other entrees include a broiled seafood medley of shrimp, scallops and fresh fish filet served with lemon butter, a grilled honey glazed salmon with roast potatoes and haricot verts almondene, and grilled petite file mignon bordelaise. There is a special holiday ala carte pre fixe menu. Pricing is $38 per person for adults. Children younger than 10 are $15 per person. Serving from noon to 7 p.m.

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Why go: This gorgeous waterfront dining experience is set on the Sandy Hook Bay Marina, and feels like Thanksgiving on vacation. In case you forget where you are, the Manhattan skyline views are sure to bring you back home.

Info: 1 Willow St., Highlands; 732-629-8000; www.joesbaypointeinn.com

Enjoy the intimate and elegant atmosphere at Brando's.


What is being served: Enjoy multiple courses including stuffed artichoke, homemade lasagna, slow roasted turkey served with mashed potatoes, chestnut stuffing and a choice of candied carrots or Brussels sprouts and housemade cranberry sauce. Dessert includes an apple or pumpkin pie. Traditional turkey dinner pricing is $55 per person. Regular menu options range in price from $25 to $50, as well as more extravagant entrees priced at $110.

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Why go: This intimate and elegant atmosphere makes for a perfect cozy and quiet Thanksgiving with family and loved ones. With a seasonal ambiance, the restaurant is adorned with pumpkins and gourds. Chef and Owner Steven Botta, keeps it in all in the family, preparing a holiday favorite for diners with his mother’s own lasagna recipe. The restaurant opens at 1 p.m. “When we’re done, we’re done,” Botta said. Reservations are strongly suggested.

Info: 162 Main St, Asbury Park; 732-774-2222; www.brandosnj.com

Executive chef Josh Sauer and pastry chef Stuart Marx have created a menu worthy of a celebration for this Thanksgiving at Avenue Le Club.

Avenue Le Club

What is being served: Executive chef Josh Sauer and pastry chef Stuart Marx have created a menu worthy of a celebration for this Thanksgiving. Diners can choose from a three-course menu, with appetizer options ranging from baked beets, macaroni gratin and butternut squash soup with crème fraiche. Entré options include a traditional Thanksgiving dinner served with dark meat stuffing roulade, sautèed green beans, an orange-cranberry sauce, sweet potato purèe, turkey gravy and gratin dauphinoise—adding the French cuisine element to your holiday experience. If turkey isn’t on your radar this holiday, choose from Canadian salmon, boeuf bourguignon or flat iron steak to name a few.

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Serving from noon to 6 p.m. Prix fixe holiday menu includes three-courses priced at $39 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Children’s menu includes three courses, and is priced at $18 for children ages 12 and younger. Children younger than 5 are free.

Why go: The dessert selection alone could attract anyone seeking holiday decadence. From pumpkin cheesecake, creme brûlée, apple tart tatin, dark chocolate pot de crème and pecan pie, served with vanilla ice cream and bourbon Anglaise, diners are sure to walk away with a festive and sweet palate.

“It’s always very festive as guests are happy to have an opportunity to spend time with their families and enjoy a stress-free holiday by leaving the cooking and cleaning to us. Dining out on Thanksgiving has certainly become more popular and the number of guests we serve is growing each year,” general manager, Thierry Carrier said.

Info: 23 Ocean Ave, Long Branch; 732-759-2900; www.leclubavenue.com


What is being served: Entrees include traditional Thanksgiving roasted turkey and trimmings include garlic whipped roasted potatoes, a hazelnut-sausage stuffing, port reduction, crispy green beans and turkey sage gravy. Dark meat is available on request.

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Other options include braised pork shank, with Dijon smashed fingerling potatoes, broccoli rabe and rosemary jus, beef tenderloin fillet, grilled salmon, pan seared duck breast and pan roasted scallops. Pricing ranges from $22 to $29 per person.

Serving from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Why go: Enjoy a fine dining experience with this special Thanksgiving a la carte menu that includes six starter options of oyster’s Remington, grilled flat bread, crescenza and celery root top ravioli, smoked salmon roulettes, artisanal cheese and choudhary cheese plate. Soups and salads include butternut squash and prosciutto crème, slow poached duck egg and endive salad, roasted baby beets and an arugula salad, served with shallots blue cheese and roasted tomato.

Info: 142 Main St, Manasquan; 732-292-1300; http://remingtonsnj.com

The Raven and the Peach:

What is being served: Enjoy a bevy of restaurant favorites like the Chilean sea bass from their regular menu, or opt for the traditional turkey special, served with artisanal sausage stuffing, red skin mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Begin your meal with appetizers such as butternut squash soup, roasted apple and butternut squash bruschetta, and lobster bisque. Turkey dinner is priced $29 per person. Appetizers range from $9 to $19. Entrees range from $29 to $35. Options for children include pasta, organic roasted turkey and chicken fingers all priced at $12. Serving from noon to 5 p.m.

Why go: The ambiance itself alone is worth a visit. With rooms like “The Palm Room,” “The Piano Room,” and “The Casablanca Ballroom,” and an extensive holiday and a la carte menu, this restaurant lends itself to truly unique holiday dining experience.

Info: 740 Raven Road, Fair Haven; 732-747-4666; www.ravenandthepeach.net




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