Thanksgiving Dinner in Worcester - Suggestions?

[maina]

We are looking for a place for Thanksgiving dinner with my elderly mom in the Worcester area. We have gone to a hotel in Worcester once or twice that had a pretty good Thanksgiving buffet, but would like to try somewhere different. Not sure which restaurants would be open on the holiday. Prefer ordering off a menu, and not a buffet, if possible. Would love to hear any suggestions that you may have. Thanks.

[lexx]

We had Thanksgiving buffet today at Maxwell Silvermans for a party of 3 at noon. None of us has ever been to this restaurant before as we have always cooked for Thanksgiving dinner. I must say the buffet was EXCELLENT! The fish was fresh and baked in a very taste seasoned buttery sauce and they had mashed cooked pumpkin with melted marshmallow on the top...it was unbelievable! They even had food for vegetarians lots of tasty vegetables and veggie lasagna, salads, cold tortellini salad and very fresh rolls. 2 of 3 in our party was vegetarian so this was a great choice for all of us. I highly recommend it and will definitely go back to this restaurant again! *****2 Thumbs up!!*****

[Science Chick]

"mashed cooked pumpkin with marshmellows on top"......sorry, you've lost me. I notice this is your first Chowhounds post....can you compare this place to others you like in the Worcester area? The only meal I ever had there was horrible. They actually overcooked a lobster to the point where I couldn't find the meat. It had turned to mush!

[Rick_V]

I agree w/ Phelana -- if Harrington Farm will be open, that's a great choice.

[phelana]

http://www.harringtonfarm.com/

[phelana]

Harrington Farm in Princeton. A lovely 25 min. ride. John Bomba is an amazing chef.

[Jumbodad]

There aren't many choices, and you should call in advance to confirm times and availability (and make reservations since several sell out early), but I'd suggest.:

Beechwood Inn / Harlequin Restaurant, Worcester (Note: The hotel is building an addition and new restaurant, so call first)
Maxwell Silvermans, Worcester
Publick House, Sturbridge
Whistling Swan, Sturbridge
Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield
1790 House, Route 9 Westborough

[Science Chick]

Whatever you do, please do NOT go to the 1790 house. Worn down interior and very mediocre food/bar.

[phelana]

I always hope those who take the time to provide referrals have actually dined at the place they recommend within a few months or the year..otherwise information is not too reliable IMHO. Or at least mention your last dining experience. Some folks cut and paste links not having dined there themselves..most of us can google dining but really prefer a rec from experience..at least I do...nuff said..

[Science Chick]

I'm not sure if you are replying to my post, phelana.....I have dined there twice in the last 2 years. While the charm of the old structure is present, it is diminished by worn out rugs and furnishings. Cosmopolitan ordered was watered down and certainly NOT made with the Absolute vodka requested. Terrible. Both times I was with a good sized party (~10) and all meals were straight out of the 70's handbook....fish doused in white breadcrumbs and butter, etc. A request for shrimp scampi alone, instead of with the "surf -n- turf" for a non-meat eater was met with difficulty and dismay from the waitstaff...they had to "check with the kitchen", and only after they were begged to do so. Why, to leave off the steak and add a couple more shrimp (which we said we'd gladly pay for if that were the case). Wine list and wine service poor. Everyone in the party agreed that they would not be returning.

Of course, if dramatic changes have occurred in the past year or so, I'd be delighted to hear about them by anyone who's more recently visited. I was simply responding to Jumbodad's rec in a short version. I believe I've posted on my experience there in the past, and didn't want to belabor my points.

[phelana]

nope replying to Dumbo...I suspect he/she may not have dined at all of those places recently..it's just a guess..nothing accusatory or maligning but here many make recs and send links w/o having dined at a particuliar place..

[Science Chick]

Ahh....well I must admit that I have not had good experiences at 4 out of 6 of his recs....however, to each his own! :)

[maina]

Which ones do you not like?

[Science Chick]

Maxwell Silvermans, Worcester
Publick House, Sturbridge
Beechwood Inn
1790 House, Route 9 Westborough