Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving Day

Sometimes you just can’t imagine going through all the cooking, cleaning and hassle of a Thanksgiving meal. Maybe you don’t want the extra family in your home, maybe you’re far away from home, or maybe you just burned your turkey to high heaven; for whatever your reasons are to want to escape your home on Thanksgiving Day, don’t despair. Here are some great places to grab a bite on or right before the big day.

Prix-fixe Gourmet
From Noon until 5:30 p.m. head to for a delectable three-course meal for $64 per person. Pick from three appetizers—Calabaza Pumpkin Soup, Rock Shrimp Newburg, or Spinach Salad; three main dishes—Smoked & Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Roasted Turkey Breast & Leg, or 12 Hour Pork Shoulder; and three desserts—Pecan Pie Tart, Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream or a Cheese Plate.

But make reservations now because this award-winning restaurant is sure to fill up fast.

Holiday Feast
Open on Thanksgiving from noon until 7 p.m. is the newest restaurant to hit Clifton, . Not related to Tom Weston’s of Fairfax, this new establishment is where the former Heart in Hand Restaurant was located. A prix-fixe menu of the usual holiday fare with soup or salad appetizer, main turkey and ham with cranberries, green beans, mashed potatoes and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert all comes to $24.95.

Breakfast Stuffing
Throw out the idea of a big lunch or dinner and opt for a deliciously large breakfast at the instead. This creperia boasts 14 specialty crepes, or you can create your own. They also offer other breakfast pastries and bagels, barista-served coffee, and sandwiches—plenty of delectibles to make you want to skip the turkey meal.

Poultry with Heart
If you still want to have everyone over but you just can’t deal with roasting or frying a turkey yourself, let Fat Tuesday’s meet your poultry needs. Fat Tuesday’s is offering deep-fried turkeys for $50. And with all the contributions are being donated to the charity organization Operation Support Our Troops, you not only help yourself, but you help a servicemember too. Live rock bands, light fare and a full bar are also available at Fat's after 8 p.m. for those needing an after-meal escape.

Pre-Holiday Bash
For those of you who need to unwind before the guests arrive, visit The Main Street Pub’s pre-Thanksgiving Day party. The pub will be throwing a party until 2 a.m. with some specials on the menu and Justin and Mike rocking the crowd.