Restaurant Review: Last -minute Chicago Thanksgiving reservations

Happy Thanksgiving Week! At Dean’s Team Chicago, we are thankful for you! 

Tell us … did your holiday plans fall through? Did the turkey fail to defrost? If you’re in a bind for Thanksgiving Day and need a quick change of plans, we’re here to help! As of Tuesday morning  there’s still plenty of Thanksgiving reservations and takeout available for you!

For example, River North’s Chicago Chop House,  60 W. Ontario, has extended its hours from 1pm – 9pm on Thanksgiving Day. For $89 per adult and $19 per child 12 and under, you can choose from Bacon-Wrapped Seared Scallops or Jumbo Crab-Stuffed Mushroom starter, to entrées like Slow-Roasted Turkey, USDA Prime Rib, or the Seared Pork Loin, accompanied by your choice of sides like Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans Amandine, Classic Stuffing with Cranberry Sauce, or Classic Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Finish your Thanksgiving feast with a classic slice of Apple, Pumpkin or Pecan Pie. For reservations, click here. 

At the Gold Coast’s Alpana, 831 N. State Street, restauranteur/master sommelier Alpana Singh is offering aspecial three-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu for $85 per person and $28 per child.  

Note: Pricing does not include 20% gratuity, tax and beverages.

While your family can start by feasting on House baked Focaccia with sun-dried tomato dip and herbed butter, you can choose from starters like Apple Crunch Salad with shaved fennel, celery, manchego, almond praline, and champagne vinaigrette or Crème of Cauliflower Soup with chives and yuzu jam. Entrées include their Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast, accompanied by buttery whipped potatoes, black truffle brioche stuffing, green beans, mushroom gravy and cranberry chutney. For something completely different, Faroe Island Salmon comes with beluga lentils, carrot ginger puree, and autumn vegetables. Harissa Roasted Cauliflower is accompanied by warm ferro, parsnip puree, lemon feta and pomegranate. For dessert, choose from a French Chocolate Mousse, Classic Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream, Chocolate Layer Cake or Raspberry Sorbet. For reservations, click here. 

In Lincoln Park, The J. Parker, 1816 N. Clark Street, at the top of Hotel Lincoln, still has spots for their ‘Thanksgiving Buffet with a View’ from11am-4pm, for “$50++ per guest.” They are also offering their Thanksgiving Dinner Plate for dine-in or takeout, at “$25++ per plate.”

Enjoy the panoramic views above Lincoln Park while enjoying Chef Felicia’s elevated take on holiday classics. Their Thanksgiving menu includes Roasted Turkey Breast with turkey gravy and fresh herbs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes with chives and butter, Homemade Dressing (Stuffing) with sage, onion, celery, butter, and herbs, Green Beans with garlic and butter, and cranberries. Unusual tastes include Maple Thyme Carrots with pineapple, brown sugar, and herbs. Finish with Cranberry Orange Sauce, Buttermilk Biscuits, Apple Turnovers and Pumpkin Pie. For reservations, click here.

At Wicker Park’s Mediterranean-Turkish Elia, 1938 W. Division Street, they’re offering a celebratory feast from 11am – 10pm. That night, they’re offering All-You-Can-Eat Mezzes (small dishes) and Kebabs for $35 per person from 5pm – 9pm. Mezzes could include such Mediterranean delicacies as Muhammara, made with tomato paste, roasted red pepper, bread crumbs, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses. Or Babaganush, which is smoked eggplant with garlic sauce, egg yolk, and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).  Htipiti is a blend of roasted, spicy red peppers and creamy feta cheese. Kefalograviera Pide with Black Truffle is made with graviera cheese, black truffle pate, and served on flat bread. Lahmacun is a spiced mixture of minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and peppers, often served with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.

Kebabs could include an Adana Kebab, with mild spicy Turkish pepper and chopped red pepper. Or, a Truffle Eggplant Kebab has Middle Eastern seasoned ground lamb and eggplant skewers, “char-grilled to perfection and enhanced with truffle, (and) served with tzatziki sauce.” Lamp Chop Kebab is made with char-grilled grass-fed Australian lamb chops and served with roasted pepper mash. For reservations, click here. 

At East Lakeview’s Le Petit Marcel, 2914 N. Broadway, they’re offering a French-inspired cozy and festive Thanksgiving prix fixe menu for $90 per guest, starting with appetizers like Brie en Croûte with cranberries and walnuts, or Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Entrée choices include Braised Short Rib, served with braised leeks and pommes (potato) purée, Roasted Acorn Squash filled with fregola (toasted pasta), roasted sweet potato, arugula, crispy shallots and fried brussels sprouts leaves. Turkey Ballotine is served with pan gravy, sweet potato gratin, and green beans almondine. Finish off your feast with a Pumpkin Tarte Tatin or a Crème Brulée. For reservations, click here. 

For a complete list of Thanksgiving restaurant reservations still available on Open Table, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago