THANKSGIVING DINING GUIDE
Where to go in Houston on Thanksgiving: New restaurants and surprises
Holly Beretto
Nov 19, 2018, 11:46 am
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
Making Thanksgiving dinner may be a beloved tradition in some families, but not everyone wants to spend a rare vacation day prepping and cooking a meal that will be devoured in 30 minutes. For those who are cooking, we wish you nothing but success.
For others, we offer a few suggestions for places to dine. As always, the options include some new establishments serving Thanksgiving for the first time, as well as some fancy-pants hotel feasts that are worth a splurge. This guide even offers a few options for turkey haters; maybe spicy tuna hand rolls are a better fit.
Act quickly. Reservations book up fast. If all else fails, never forget that select Pappas Barbecue locations are open until 6 pm.
New this year
Bloom and Bee
The Post Oak Hotel restaurant brings its signature fresh and locally inspired take to Thanksgiving dinner. For $65, guests can enjoy a four-course meal featuring butternut squash bisque with maple cream, candied pecans, pumpernickel croutons and chive oil; fall salad with kale, Brussels sprouts and seasonal greens, dried apricot, green apple, crispy shallots, Stilton blue cheese, and champagne vinaigrette; a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings; and a variety of miniature desserts. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 8 pm Thanksgiving Day and reservations are recommended. 1600 West Loop S.; 346-227-5139
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
Open from Noon to 7 pm, the Highlight Village spot has a Thanksgiving feast perfect for parties large and small. The menu includes heaping helpings of two proteins with salad, family-style sides, and dessert for $45 ($55 for three proteins; $15 for kids 12 and under). Choose from maple-bourbon brined turkey, brown-sugar baked ham or dry-aged roast beef; green bean casserole, pecan-crusted sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, winter spiced cranberry sauce and more; and desserts like apple cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream. Best of all, co-owner John Reed, executive chef Peter Petro, bar director Matt Sharp, and managing partner Tai Nguyen will be serving diners while celebrating with their own families, given the experience a personal touch. They’re also offering half-off all bottles of wine and $5 Texas draft beers all day. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. 4310 Westheimer Rd.; 281-501-1187
Carmelo's Cucina Italiana
This Memorial-area restaurant may be an institution, but it has a new spirit under owner Ben Berg (B&B Butchers) and his brother, chef Daniel Berg. Priced at $45 ($20 for kids 11 and under), the three-course, prix fixe menu includes choices like butternut squash soup and pumpkin ravioli to start; turkey or bourbon-glazed ham as the entree; four vegetable sides for the table; and pecan pie, pumpkin pie, or apple crumble for dessert. Call 281-531-0696 to make a reservation. 14795 Memorial Dr.
The Classic
Thanksgiving is super laid back here, with a three-course, pre-fixe menu for $40 per person. The menu includes Red Kuri Squash Soup served with gluten-free croutons and vegan herb crema, maple-glazed turkey breast, and herb-crusted roasted butchers cut with red wine au Jus, all of which are served with butter whipped potatoes and smoked turkey gravy, fall market vegetables, and challah dressing. Hazelnut and cranberry sauce is available upon request. Dessert options are sweet potato layered cake served with orange-cranberry jam or Mom’s Chocolate Cake with fudge pecan icing and vanilla ice cream. 5922 Washington Ave.; 713- 868-1131
Eunice
The newly opened Cajun Creole brasserie near Greenway Plaza is serving a four-course, prix fixe Thanksgiving menu from 11 am to 6 pm. Starter options include roasted oysters, fried quail, and cajun duck poppers. Continue with chicken and sausage gumbo, butternut squash bisque, or a butter lettuce salad. The five entree options include turkey with all the trimmings ($58), Gulf shrimp and grits ($56), the signature Duck Duck Rice ($59), a grilled ribeye ($69), or drum with blue crab ($64). Finish with one of four desserts. Reserve online or by calling the restaurant. 3737 Buffalo Spdwy.; 832-491-1717
Jonathan’s the Rub
Offering a dine-in option for the first time, the Memorial Green location offers a deep-fried turkey meal ($45 per person) or a beef tenderloin meal ($65 per person). Both come with green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, cornbread stuffing, and rolls. Dessert is a choice of Snicker’s or pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, or the Chocolate Blackout Cake. Dinner is available from 11 am to 5 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online, but walk-ins are welcome. 12505 Memorial Dr., Suite 140; 713-808-9291
Mastro’s Steakhouse
The popular Uptown spot goes old school for the holidays, offering Chateaubriand carved tableside with Bernaise and peppercorn sauces on the side. Available for $115, the center-cut roast augments the restaurant’s steak and seafood menu. Pumpkin Spice Warm Butter Cake has been added to the dessert. It’s made with pumpkin and seasonal hard spices, topped and baked with pumpkin pie spiced cream cheese, finished with caramelized raw sugar, and served with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and homemade whipped cream. Mastro’s is open from 1 pm to 9 pm Thanksgiving Day and reservations are recommended. 1650 West Loop S.; 713-993-2500
Roka Akor
Open from 3 to 9 pm on Thanksgiving Day, the Japanese steakhouse offers a tasting menu for $75 per person. The first course is mizuna salad with roasted beets, chopped candied walnuts, goat cheese, and orange supreme; the second is butternut squash soup with bacon bits; the third course is miso-braised short ribs, while the fourth is grilled honey miso-glazed turkey with ginger yuzu cranberry sauce served with mashed sweet potato and shiitaki gravy. For dessert, select from caramel apple cheesecake or pumpkin spice crème brulee. Reservations can be made online. 2929 Weslayan St.; 713-622-1777
Tris
The Woodlands restaurant’s chef Austin Simmons put together an action station-style lunch for Thanksgiving Day. Among the selections are Jimmy Evans shrimp cocktail, Fairytale Pumpkin Soup, roasted beet and goat cheese salad, traditional roasted free-range turkey, honey-chipotle-glazed spiral ham, kimchi barbecue glazed roasted filet of sturgeon, roasted prime rib, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato mash, roasted carrots with a blood orange glaze, pumpkin pie tart, Tris chocolate cake, and Tris pumpkin pie. The cost is $59 for adults, $25 for kids six to 12 years old, and free for diners under five. Reserve via Open Table or by calling the restaurant. 24 Waterway Ave.; 281-203-5641
Fancy hotel feasts
The Hotel Granduca Ristorante Cavour
There’s a taste for everyone on the Uptown hotel’s buffet, which includes an array of salads, cheeses, pastas, and seafood. But you’ll also find tasty traditional Thanksgiving offerings like turkey and all the trimmings, along with some incredible desserts. Available from 11 am to 3 pm on Thanksgiving Day, the cost is $85 for adults and $40 for children. 1080 Uptown Park Blvd.; 713-418-1000.
Lucienne
Thanksgiving dinner is available between 11 am and 2:30 pm in the Hotel Alessandra’s airy, chic Lucienne restaurant. The three-course meal is $55 per person, and guests can choose from a first course of crab cakes, pumpkin and ginger soup, or a date and goat cheese tartlette. Main course items are roasted turkey breast, roast beef, or Gulf red snapper. For dessert, select from a double crust apple pie or chocolate bread pudding. Call for reservations. 1070 Dallas St.; 713-242-8540.
Quattro at the Four Seasons
Available from 10 am to 3 pm, the extensive brunch menu offers a raw bar, carving station, appetizers, main courses, and desserts, as well as special selections from the hotel's lobby bar Bayou and Bottle. Among the options are a thyme-crusted leg of lamb, stuffed chicken, honey-glazed Virginia ham, tri-colored potato au gratin, grilled asparagus, lemon-scented calamari, Corona steamed mussels, a sushi station, Caprese salad, dark chocolate almond cake, cranberry-orange trifle, pumpkin pie – and, of course, traditional roasted turkey. In addition to a bountiful spread, the price includes coffee, Bloody Marys, and Mimosas. The cost is $110 for adults and $49 for children. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant. 1300 Lamar St.; 713-267-4700
Something different
Continue reading on CultureMap.
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.