664227 Mon Nov 02 16:09:35 -0800 2009 5 13 New England 0 5150470 Is this a hopeless search? A friend and I would like to find a sit-down, not buffet-style, restaurant where the food will be good to excellent. We've liked Colonial Thymes (?) but they are closed now. Grateful for anything you can send my way. Mon Nov 02 16:09:35 -0800 2009 216063 philbkr 1 5150773 All the Carmen Anthony restaurants are open that day. They'd be reliably good, and there's one in Wethersfield, New Haven and Waterbury. Mon Nov 02 18:01:31 -0800 2009 5150470 23331 coldduck 1 5151057 Here's what one column says about Hartford: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/85351/best_places_for_thanksgiving_and_holiday.html?cat=22 And while not directly between NH and Hartford, may I suggest the Essex area? Griswold Inn is having a Thanksgiving Buffet. And while the Copper Beech Inn in Ivoryton has not announced a Thanksgiving special, either their main dining room or Brasserie Pip can hardly be bettered any night. In Deep River, du Glace has excellent French food. Hope this helps Mon Nov 02 20:35:07 -0800 2009 5150470 11791 DonShirer 1 5152467 A couple of thoughts. First of all, if you are wedded to New Haven and Hartford as anchor points, they aren't so far apart that one should have to compromise on a holiday to force the issue and find an "excellent" place in between. It won't happen. That is not to say that the space between is devoid of acceptable Chow options. But for a nice, sit-down Thanksgiving dinner, I think not. So pick a spot in (or around) one of those anchor points. (I would include Farmington, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Hamden as being part of the anchor points.) Or second, you could pick a spot that is roughly equal distance from both, but not in beetween. Essex, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Chester, Ivoryton might work. And I would imagine that many of the quaint New England spots in that area could serve your needs. The Old Lyme Inn has a Thanksgiving menu posted on its website. You can check out the Bee and Thistle, The Griswold Inn, among others. Frankly, this is how I would play it. I am betting that a New England Inn will do a better job than a more "traditional" restaurant for Thanksgiving. Third, and this is really an off-shoot of number two above, I would stay away from traditional restaurants that transition over to Thanksgiving meals. It is not what they do best. Their best chefs and cooks are probably off that day with their families. You will be paying full fare for a pedestrian effort that will likely be rushed and phony. A country inn with its smaller staff on hand will probably give you a more authentic Thanksgiving experience. And I would imagine that all inns, B&Bs, etc. are open on Thanksgiving. To sum up, I would focus my attention on Inns between Branford and Mystic, including the river towns north of Old Saybrook like Deep River, Chester, Ivoryton and Essex. I am absolutely positive that you will fare better (pun intended) here than anywhere "between" New Haven and Hartford. Tue Nov 03 11:14:23 -0800 2009 5150470 13225 FoodieJim 2 5152582 Thanks so much, everybody. I think we have enough to consider and expect to dine well on the T day. Will let you know where we went and what we experienced. Tue Nov 03 11:50:20 -0800 2009 5152467 216063 philbkr 1 5162884 I realize the OP has enough options, but for anyone else reading along who is undecided, here are a few more ideas! I noticed an article in Connecticut magazine about places to eat on Turkey Day and the one detail that stayed with me is the Flood Tide in Mystic. I have heard good things about this place, but have not yet been. http://www.innatmystic.com/thanksgivingmenu.shtml I also just received an e-mail from J. Gilbert's: Traditional 4-Course Thanksgiving Menu 11am - 8pm Adults $28.95 Children (12 and under) $12.95 Regular dinner menu will be available Call today for reservations 185 Glastonbury Blvd | Glastonbury | 860-659-0409 I recently enjoyed beef oscar there as my b'day meal ($25 toward your entree if you sign up for e-mails, which includes coupons throughout the year). I am a fool for their crab bisque (with a side of sherry!) and can't resist ordering it every time. Sat Nov 07 04:53:39 -0800 2009 5150470 249664 kattyeyes