Best Restaurants for a No-Cook Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Well, turkey day is upon us again and before we get all wrapped-up in Christmas and Chanukah we get to enjoy one of the best eating days of the year. So, what happens when you need a home cooked meal out of your home? We scoured the state looking for that perfect sounding holiday menu and found these talented chefs cooking up a storm just for you.
Mill’s Tavern, Providence
Located in the historic- and holiday-appropriate Pilgrim Mill’s building, Mill’s Tavern is a wonderful option for Thanksgiving away from home. The dark wood and huge wood-burning oven provide the perfect setting -- and aromas -- to make you forget that crowded table and folding chairs back home. Executive Chef Robert Harrison has put together a mouth-watering sounding menu for turkey day, featuring herb-roasted turkey roulade with white cornbread and sausage stuffing made from local Kenyon’s Grist Mill corn meal. Side dishes include giblet gravy, pineapple-cranberry relish, buttered green beans, red bliss mashed potatoes and carrot-sweet potato mash. As we clean up the drool on the keyboard we also notice that Chef Harrison is making his family’s oyster dressing. When the chef who is stuck working on a holiday makes a “family recipe” we always get it! You can always count on the chef’s love and attention going into these dishes. 101 North Main St. 272-3331, www.millstavernrestaurant.com
Andrew’s Bistro, Cumberland
We are always on the lookout for places we’ve never been before in our search for good food. That spirit brought us to Cumberland recently and the delightful Andrew’s Bistro. We fell for the European-inspired food and the bright, clean dining room. Folks in the northern end of the state have a reliable dining option in Andrew’s and that goes for Thanksgiving Day also. Chef Scott Frechette has put together a menu that will please all palates, from those wanting tradition to those wanting something a little different. Those looking for traditional will love the slow-roasted turkey dinner with whipped potatoes and carrots, cranberry sauce and house gravy. It sounds all sorts of comforting. Non-traditionalists might opt for the herb-rubbed, slow-roasted prime rib or the beef bourguignon, with mushrooms, red wine and cippolini onions. Andrew’s stuffed mushrooms with sausage stuffing and a hint of marsala wine are also worth trying. 3755 Mendon Rd. Cumberland 658-1515, www.andrewsbistro.com
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No one make it easier than Luigi's - their wonderful array of Thanksgivinig options is unmatached. The Batista family offer all the proverbial fixings in the restaurant or the ability for them to cater it and you can pick it up for take home. Best yet, if you are having a large party they can bring the entire meal to you. The restaurant known for its traditional italian meals, offers a sweeping array of Thanksgiving options whether you want to eat out at the restaurant and save all the hassels or have it at home and give the "cooks" the day off. The turkey is moist and a traditionalist favorite. The options of sides is extensive and unmatched in both taste and options. If taking it home, Luigi's allows you to order to the "right-sized" guest list. 1357 Hartford Avenue,Johnston. 401-455-0045 for reservations, to book take home orders, or to have delivered. www.luigisgourmet.com/
Trafford Restaurant, Warren
Sometimes the view makes a meal better and sometimes the food makes the view better. In the case of Trafford,
we can’t figure out which one comes out on top. While the water views from Warren aren't as ideal this time of year as they are in summer, the view from Trafford provides the perfect setting for a delicious turkey dinner. A family’s love of the food business was passed down to son Trafford, who was raised in the kitchen, and he continues the traditions of his parents here. For turkey day, they are featuring a menu of holiday comfort food such as curried pear and lentil soup, an oak leaf lettuce salad and entrees of traditional turkey dinner, prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, baked stuffed shrimp with scallop and lobster and a roasted Long Island duck. The side dishes sound amazing, with the maple mashed sweet potatoes and balsamic and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts. For dessert, the pumpkin crème brulee with maple sugar sounds like a perfect ending to us! 285 Water St. 289-2265, www.traffordrestaurant.com
Iron Works Tavern, Warwick
One of Warwick’s destination restaurants is Iron Works Tavern, located a couple of blocks from the airport. We ventured in a long time ago and were impressed by the food of Chef Kevin Duffney. We also love the setting in a building dating to 1867 to get us in that Thanksgiving mood. Chef Duffney has put together a menu filled with tasty tradition. The turkey dinner is served with mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, turnip puree and stuffing. Other entrée choices include a bacon-wrapped veal roast, a roasted half duckling and a mixed seafood casserole, to name a few. House-made desserts are a staple of chef Duffney’s menus and this one is no different. Flourless chocolate cake, pumpkin bread pudding and deep-dish apple pie all sound good but we’re going to try the lemon mascarpone cheesecake. Lemon scented mascarpone is baked “cheesecake” style in a light crust. Mmm. 697 Jefferson Blvd. 739-5111, www.theironworkstavern.com
Millonzi Fine Catering, West Warwick
Can't stand the idea of dining out on Thanksgiving but can't bear the thought of cooking, either? Here's a solution. We've know Chef Kevin Millonzi for a long time, dating back to his days as executive chef at Prov. This Johnson and Wales grad has cooked for a couple of U.S. presidents, so we figure he and his new catering company could handle our brood. Indeed! Chef Kevin has two holiday packages put together for people like you. One includes a 10-14 pound brined and roasted turkey with gravy, toasted rosemary sourdough bread stuffing, various tasty vegetables and apple and pumpkin pies; the other includes heirloom tomato bisque, a 10-14 pound turkey roasted with lemon and thyme, salad, vegetables, and apple crisp and pumpkin pie. This packages will be available for Christmas as well. 11 Curson St. 615-7891, www.millonzifinecatering.com
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