The big food news this week is, of course, Thanksgiving. In Baltimore, the holiday will look different than usual for many families, as Marylanders adjust their plans to accommodate for COVID concerns.
Even with evolving plans, there’s plenty to be thankful for this year, starting with dozens of options for excellent take-home Thanksgiving meals. Here’s a look at what Baltimore restaurants have cooking for the next week:
Openings & Announcements
Congratulations to La Scala; the Little Italy restaurant is celebrating 25 years in business. The La Scala team is celebrating with a terrific five-course prix-fixe menu including choices like lobster Regina and grilled veal chop with wild mushroom ragu.
Just in time for colder weather, Tapas Teatro has announced a new partnership with its next door neighbor, the Charles Theatre. The theater is allowing the restaurant to use its lobby for additional, safely spaced, indoor seating.
Pies online
On Sunday, Baltimore Chef Shop will help you get a jump start on holiday baking with a pie-making class held via Zoom. The two-and-a-half hour class includes instruction from a professional chef who will help you become a pie crust expert.
Thanksgiving things
There is still some time left to place orders or make reservations for Thanksgiving Day. Local restaurants have stepped up their game this year, especially in terms of take-home options. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or you’d like a departure from the normal turkey-and-stuffing meal, Baltimore restaurants have you covered.
Topside, in Hotel Revival, has a takeaway Thanksgiving meal available – with a bonus. The hotel is also providing meals for residents of the affordable senior living community Park View at Ashland Terrace and for every Topside meal purchased, the hotel will donate and deliver a meal to Park View.
You can pick up just about everything you need – except the turkey – at Peter’s Inn. Their Thanksgiving takeaway options include everything from green bean casserole to eggnog (and, of course, the fabulous trout pate).
Dylan’s Oyster Cellar is also taking an everything but the turkey approach this year, with a variety of sides available to take home, including unshucked oysters and oyster stuffing.
Sally O’s Thanksgiving carryout menu includes two sizes of turkeys, several pie and ice cream options, and a variety of sides designed to feed a group of four.
Café Gia is going the Italian route, selling homemade lasagna for your Thanksgiving table.
Blue Hill Tavern is celebrating the holiday with to-go meals available hot or cold (to reheat) and a small and safe number of reservations available for dine-in guests.
Ovenbird Bakery is ready to help with all the carbs on Thanksgiving Day, from quiches (perfect for breakfast) to rolls, pies and cakes.
Foraged Eatery’s take-home Thanksgiving meal skips the turkey in favor of roasted duck breast, but it still includes many classic sides, like oyster stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Mama’s on the Half Shell is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and will serve a Thanksgiving plate as long as select items from their regular menu. They also have a to-go option designed for four people.
Mt. Washington Tavern will be open for curbside pickup and dine-in Thanksgiving dinner; options include traditional Thanksgiving fare or Chesapeake-oriented dishes like rockfish and crab cakes.
Café Troia is open on Thanksgiving Day, offering some dishes from its regular menu and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner option. The Towson restaurant also has a family style carryout option available.
Lee’s Pint & Shell is offering a ready-to-go take-home meal big enough for four to six people, including turkey and all the fixings.
Woodberry Kitchen’s take-home Thanksgiving order options include not just food but also beer, wine and cider. True to form, the restaurant’s meal options feature ingredients that have been sourced from local farms and purveyors.
Maximon will be open for regular breakfast and lunch service on Thanksgiving, followed by a Thanksgiving dinner service from noon until 7:30 p.m.
Sotto Sopra will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and offers curbside pickup; dishes include traditional turkey as well as some of the restaurant’s Italian favorites.
Marie Louise Bistro has three take-home Thanksgiving dinner options: the traditional turkey, salmon, or filet mignon.
Duck Duck Goose’s Thanksgiving dinner to-go menu includes traditional dishes like turkey and stuffing alongside options like cote de boeuf and radicchio salad. DDG is also giving back this year; the Fells Point restaurant and its Bethesda sister spot donated 250 Thanksgiving meals to The Partnership Development Group, a local organization that offers behavioral and vocational services to people living with mental illness.
Peerce’s – which has a fantastic patio and indoor-outdoor space, will offer a traditional, three-course Thanksgiving meal from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dutch Courage will be serving Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and has carry-out meals available to pre-order.
NiHao’s Thanksgiving takeaway menu puts a Chinese twist on traditional flavors with dishes like Cantonese roast duck with hoisin, ginger and cranberry, and BBQ beets.
H3irloom Food Group – the new initiative from David and Tonya Thomas (formerly of Ida B’s Table and Herb & Soul) – has a Thanksgiving catering menu including creative southern approaches to all the classics. Pro tip: don’t miss the cranberry hibiscus jam. It’s an ideal condiment for Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches.
The Four Seasons Hotel has a to-go option for a dinner for four to six people and an in-room dining plate, for guests who choose to spend Thanksgiving in a relaxing downtown room with views of the harbor. The hotel has also created a fun rooftop winter wonderland experience for post-turkey enjoyment (or pre-turkey, if you’re ready to get into the holiday spirit a little early).
Pierpoint Restaurant’s weekly boxes of takeaway food have become a hit; they sell out almost every week. The restaurant is offering a special Thanksgiving box for the holiday, including turkey or duck, classic sides (including a sauerkraut option) and desserts. (When you order, be sure to congratulate Pierpoint chef/owner Nancy Longo on her recent alumni award from her alma mater, IND.)
Walker’s Tap & Table is taking Thanksgiving to-go orders from now through Nov. 19. Turkeys and sides are available a la carte and include the classics, from mac and cheese to green beans.
Rye Street Tavern’s takeaway feast serves up to six people and includes dishes like curried pumpkin soup, a fresh turkey, and Sagamore Rye-spiked gravy.
The multi-course takeaway menu at Rec Pier Chop House starts with soup and salad, followed by turkey with all the fixings, and pumpkin and apple pies for dessert.
Manor Tavern’s menu includes appetizers by the tray, a family style dinner for 6-10 people or specific main dishes, side dishes and desserts available family style. Orders must be placed by Nov. 21.
La Food Marketa’s Thanksgiving dinner takeaway option includes a sous vide turkey breast and sides like acorn squash with honey and pumpkin seeds and sauerkraut with caraway.
Gunther & Co.’s Thanksgiving take-home options include everything from turkey to cocktails to the centerpiece.
Charleston will be open from noon until 8 p.m., serving a special three-course holiday menu.
Tersiguel’s has created a special to-go menu including four courses covering all of the Thanksgiving bases (plus more).
The Corner Pantry’s catering menu includes everything from caramelized onion dip to Scotch eggs to gluten-free gravy (and just about everything else).
Cindy Lou’s Fish House, the new Foreman Wolf spot, will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with their full regular menu plus Thanksgiving specials in the lineup. Outdoor seating (with many heaters) is also available.
Gertrude’s Thanksgiving “Curbside Menu” includes a dinner for four and – maybe even better – a leftovers kit with just enough for sandwiches for four people.
Linwood’s is offering a variety of tempting sides to go.
The Tilted Row’s takeaway Thanksgiving dinner serves four and includes all the classics.
Cunningham’s Café will be open on Thanksgiving Day. The café and restaurant are also offering a catering menu including traditional holiday entrees, sides, sauces and desserts.
SoBo Café’s catering options run from whole turkey to individual sides and pies.
Heritage Smokehouse is taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving dishes like smoked Heritage ham and cherrywood smoked turkey, as well as non-smoked dishes including sauerkraut and tater-tot casserole.
Johnny’s in Roland Park is offering a three-course menu with options like traditional turkey or blackened rockfish with collards and a cheddar grit cake. The menu is also available for takeaway – as are Johnny’s Thanksgiving pies, which can be pre-ordered before Nov. 20.
The Charmery is taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving ice cream pies in flavors like spiced pumpkin caramel and brown sugar molasses pecan pie.
Rusty Scupper will offer a buffet with traditional Thanksgiving fare as well as Chesapeake-inspired dishes.
If you just need a side dish, you can order that from Classic Catering, but the venerable caterer also has full feast options available. Each feast is designed to serve five to ten guests and includes a variety of traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Eddie’s also offers everything from hors d’oeuvres by the dozen to a “holiday in a box” with a complete meal for six. Plus, you can easily add wine pairings to the menu.
Planning for the future
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Dec. 6: Italian desserts cooking class at Cosima
Dec. 9: Best of the Best Wine Dinner
Dec. 23: Feast of the Seven Fishes at Elkri
