It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Weren’t we just discussing the menus for our Labor Day barbecue? If you’d prefer to let someone else do all the work, dine out or cater in, but remember to make your reservations early. Here are a few spots offering you a chance to take it easy on Thanksgiving. You won’t have the turkey carcass to pick over, but you also won’t have pots and pans to wash.
Everyone knows you can pick up a terrific dessert at Storks Café and Bakery, but what you might not know is that the Wilton Manors favorite also caters. You can order everything from platters of appetizers to entrees. Call 954-567-3220 or go to StorksBakery.com.
Celebrate the holiday with a four-course, prix-fixe dinner ($48) at either of III Forks locations, Palm Beach Gardens (561-630- 3660) or Gulfstream Park (954-457- 3920). Start with tomato soup (or upgrade to lobster bisque for $5), then move on to a salad and your choice of entrée: turkey with gravy, roast beef or maple-glazed Atlantic salmon, all served with gourmet versions of traditional side dishes. Dessert includes a tasting trio; pumpkin pie with whipped cream and caramel, bourbon chocolate pecan pie and pecan bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. The Palm Beach location will also offer a deep fried turkey leg with gravy for the table to share for an additional $16.
Go Brazilian this year and enjoy Las Olas’ Chima which will offer Thanksgiving favorites in addition to its usual churrasco offerings and extensive buffet. The $56.90 per person dinner is served noon to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. For more information go to ChimaSteakHouse.com or call 954-712-0580. Or, perhaps you prefer to do the holiday Polynesian style at Mai Kai. The campy tiki spot offers a choice of dinner only or dinner and a show, with seatings at 3 or 6 p.m. It’s $47.00 with the show, $35.00 without. Dinner includes a choice of appetizer; Mai-Kai house salad, egg rolls or lobster bisque, entrée options of turkey and/or ham with holiday sides, and ice cream or sorbet for dessert. Call 954- 563-3272 or go to MaiKai.com.
Pig-Sty BBQ in Boynton Beach will offer smoked turkeys as well as family style dinners this season. Orders must be placed 48 hours prior to pick up, which will be available until 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 22. Full meal options, designed to serve 8-10, range in price from $139.50 (three pounds of smoked turkey, two pounds of ham, two quarts each of green beans almandine, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole and giblet gravy, as well as one quart of cranberry sauce and rolls) to $490 for 40 servings. Call 561-810-5801 or go to pigstybbq.com for more information.
If you don’t have an Italian grandmother in your kitchen preparing your holiday meal, heading over to Doris’ Italian Market is the next best thing. All locations throughout South Florida are offering pre-cooked Thanksgiving turkey dinner packages. Even if you’ve procrastinated until the day before Thanksgiving, they’ll prepare a dinner that includes; a 12-14 lb. turkey (raw weight), herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce and a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. The dinner is designed to serve 6-8 and runs $99.95. A package for a larger group (serves 14-16) and includes bigger portions and additional goodies for $159.95. Additional sides and treats are also available, check out dorismarket.com.
Sorrisi, in the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, is offering a three-course prix fixe feast from 3 to 9 p.m. for $48 per person, with an optional wine flight for $25 per person. Reservations by calling 954-585-5379 or online at seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com/sorrisi.
The new Too-Jay’s on Federal and Oakland won’t be open in time for Thanksgiving, but you can pick up all sorts of treats at any other location. In addition to Thanksgiving-themed sandwiches, the bakery is preparing such delicacies as pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin rugalach. For more info, check out TooJays.com.
In Other News
The 12th annual Taste of the Island takes place on Nov. 13, at Richardson Historic Park. The event brings together some of the best food and drink purveyors in Wilton Manors and the surrounding area to showcase their culinary and beverage specialties under the stars. Among this year’s participating vendors as of press deadline are; Angelo Elia Pastry Bar, Another Perfect Party, Blue Martini, Chef Ray, Chima Steakhouse, Croissan’Time, Dolce-Salato, EAT, Ethos, Fitlife, Funky Buddha, Kelly's Landing, Oak & Cane Rum, Ocean Liquor & Fine Wine, PDQ, Pizza Fusion, Rubio's Coastal Grill, Spatch Chicken, Tijuana Flats, The Garlic Knot, Trader Joe's and Unite Energy Drink (check out tasteoftheisland.org for the most up to date list). Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at City Hall, Hagen Park Community Center and Wilton Manors Library.
Junior’s, in Boca’s Mizner Park, will celebrate its 67th anniversary on Tuesday, Nov. 7 by offering a slice of its traditional plain cheesecake for just 67¢. The offer is available at lunch or dinner with the purchase of an entrée. To celebrate Junior’s 1950 opening date, the restaurant will also offer the small size of its traditional plain cheesecake for just $9.50 and a (large) traditional plain cheesecake for just $19.50. Any variety of an entire cheesecake ordered online at juniorscheesecake.com will receive $9.50 off the order. These offers are only available on Nov. 7.
SuViche’s Wynwood location, 2751 N Miami Ave., will host a celebration for its 4th Anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 11 p.m. The party will feature a photo booth, live DJ and complimentary Drunken Gummies shots in a branded souvenir glass for all guests. For more information, call 954-656-3663.
Louie Bossi is offering a special fall cocktail at both its Boca and Las Olas locations. Thankfully it’s not a pumpkin-spiced concoction, but a delightful Amaretto-based sipper that is the perfect ending to any holiday meal.
Hazelnut Amaretto
2 oz. Amaretto Di Sarona
2 oz. Acqua Faba
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
dash Angostura bitters
fresh crushed hazelnuts for garnish
Pour liquid ingredients over ice in cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into martini glass.
Sprinkle with crushed hazelnuts, serve chilled.
