Thanksgiving dinner- Which would you choose?

[notgreg]

I have been checking out special Thanksgiving menus for a nice dinner out and have come up with these choices:

Bouley
Aureole
davidburkeanddonatella

Red Cat
Metrazur
Savoy

I was leaning towards Aureole because we had a good experience with Charlie Palmer in Vegas, but I know Bouley would not drop the ball and the others may be a bit cozier...Thoughts?

[ellenost]

You can't go wrong with either Aureole or Bouley (my favorite restaurants). I've been to Bouley several times for Thanksgiving (it's wonderful), but this year I'm trying Aureole. Aureole's Thanksgiving menu is posted on their website at charliepalmer.com.

[notgreg]

The plan seems to have changed after a little delberation, thank you all for the recs. My group would rather have something a bit more laid back than Bouley or Aureole, and besides I am not entirely comfortable with the fact that they charge about $30 more for the Thanksgiving prix fixe (with fewer choices) than the reglar dinner prix fixe. A friend whose opinion I trust claims to have had a delicious dinner at Mesa Grill last year, a bit to his own surprise. We may try that, The Harrison, or another more casual spot.

[kobetobiko]

I would have recommended Bouley but seemed like it's out. I recall Lupa also serves Thanksgiving dinner.

[LeahBaila]

Savoy...it's the "cosiest"

[Spiritchaser]

Just FYI - I just found out Becco is also doing T Day, it's a lot "homier" then a lot of places (if you are looking for something like that).

[idia]

I like your choices of Aureole and David Burke & Donatella the best.

[valerie]

I have to disagree with Becco. It's not even in the same league with any of the others. Personally, I don't even care for Becco if I'm in the area, let alone for a nice holiday meal.

[Spiritchaser]

You don't think Becco is in the same category as Red Cat? I agree it is not in with the likes of a DB&D, or Aureole but come on, Red Cat...

[valerie]

If you are talking about price point, then yes, I suppose than Becco is closer to Red Cat. And although I haven't been to Red Cat in a while, I have always thought it was good, not fantastic, but good, for what it is.

I just think that Becco is less than mediocre and I cringe when I hear people recommending that AYCE pasta deal. Last time I was there, the whole thing was so atrocious and it was one of the worst ceasar salads that I have ever had -- I mean so bad that I couldn't eat it. And trust me when I say that I'm not that picky.

[RGR]

Amen, Valerie!!

Not only are the pastas barely mediocre, but the atmospherics are exceedingly unpleasant. Tables are shoe-horned in so that you are practically sitting in your neighbor's lap, and the noise level is so insanely that you have to shout in order to carry on a conversation. It's unfortunate that Becco gets recommended so often because there are many far superior options for Italian in that vicinity both in terms of cuisine quality and ambiance.

[financialdistrictresident]

Have you been to Becco for TDay? Becco is not as good as it used to be. It's also in a touristy area, might not be warm and cozy for Thanksgiving.

A poster suggested the Savoy. I have not been to Savoy in a long time. I hope it has improved, we stopped going because of a bad experience. The downstairs atmosphere at Savoy is small and cozy which might be nice, feels like home (I have never been upstairs).
If I was dining out for Thanksgiving I would probably choose a restaurant with American cuisine like The Harrison (Red Cat owners) or Duane Park Cafe or Bridge Cafe or Cornelia Street Cafe vs. a more upscale restaurant. It depends what you are looking for. I'd need good, delicious food and a cozy ambience with a small home town feel.

[RGR]

I would not bother with Red Cat. In my view, the food's o.k. but certainly nothing to rave about.

[notgreg]

Telepan's website doesn't give the exact Thanksgiving menu, but they do say that there will be a turkey dish and tht they won't be serving the regular menu. Has anyone had Telepan's Thanksgiving dinner, will turkey be the only featured protein?

[Spiritchaser]

Depending on what you are looking for Red Cat and Aureole are almost opposite ends of the spectrum but both really good in thier own right. That being said I am a big fan of Aureole and would give them the nod. You should also check out Telepan.