Don’t want to cook? Enjoy Thanksgiving in a neighborhood venue

Daniel Patton | Managing Editor

There’s no sensation like dining out on Thanksgiving. Holiday menus, thoughtful decoration and bustling hospitality provide a uniquely warm reminder that someone else has to do the dishes.

This year, several restaurants in the New Eastside are committed to welcoming the last-minute procrastinators as well as the advanced reservation decision makers. From multi-course extravaganzas to underground tacos, here’s a list of nearby bistros that will be open for America’s autumn feast.

Filini Chef Carolina Diaz is preparing a five-course epicurean journey from the Great Lakes to the Mediterranean Sea.

Midwestern favorites like Sweet Rutabaga and Italian classics like Creamy Polenta Blend of Mushrooms stand out among the soup and side courses. For those who can’t decide on a region, the Homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi in the pasta course combines them both. Besides Roasted Organic Amish Turkey, the entrée list also offers Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Pork Loin. Dessert is a choice of cakes: Pumpkin Cheese or Apple Cranberry.

Cost: $80 per person ($95 with wine pairing)

Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Reservations: Require a credit card and will result in a $45 fee “if a reservation is a no-show or is cancelled after midnight the night before.”

221 N. Columbus Dr. · (312) 477-0234

The Palm at the Swissôtel is serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal in three courses prepared by veteran Chef Reuben Izaguirre. The choices begin with kale, radicchio or traditional salad and continue to include wild mushrooms, roasted butternut squash, and homemade cranberry sauce before arriving at the turkey and stuffing. Dessert is either pumpkin pie or homemade cheesecake. The menu features an option for kids and the bar has a couple of TVs, which enhance the restaurant’s reputation as a favorite family Thanksgiving destination. According to host Michelle Labriola, “people have started making reservations already.”

Cost: $55 per adult, $24 per child under 12

Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Reservations: highly recommended

323 E. Upper Wacker Dr. · (312) 616-1000

Amuse in the Swissôtel is planning a feast to fit in with the relaxed atmosphere and great service that it offers throughout the year. The three-course menu, prepared by Chef Dan McGee, will include soup, turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes. “It’s a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” says Food and Beverage Manager Ben Quick, “with pumpkin pie for dessert.” After dinner, the lounge will shake and stir its upscale cocktails until midnight. “We’re a bar,” Quick says. “So we’ll have the TVs on.”

Cost: around $32

Hours: 6 a.m. to Midnight (dinner service approximately 4 p.m.)

Reservations: highly recommended

323 E Upper Wacker Dr. · (312) 565-0565

Morton’s The Steakhouse plans to stick with the trick it does best for Thanksgiving dinner, and that means steak. “Last year we didn’t serve any turkey,” explains Manager Chevalo Villalobos, “and we were busy.” From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., he expects a carnivorous crowd to check in at random intervals and order regular menu favorites like the “very juicy” Chicago Style Bone-in Ribeye. The restaurant will also be showing the football game and employing its year-round mantra to spread the holiday cheer. “Our specialty is to make people happy,” says Villalobos.

Cost: regular menu

Hours: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Reservations: recommended

65 E Wacker Pl. · (312) 201-0410

Hoyt’s will spend the holiday working as hard as its founder, William H. Hoyt, who entered the hospitality industry as a Chicago food retailer with $89 in 1858.

The cozy but swanky restaurant that now bears his name at the Wyndham Grand on Chicago’s Riverfront will serve breakfast until 11 a.m. and then offer its regular menu as well as a prix fixe Thanksgiving feast that includes soup, a full turkey dinner and dessert. A scaled down version that includes only dinner will also be offered. Select bottles of wine will be available for half price.

Cost: $28 (three-course prix fixe) · $21 (turkey dinner only)

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Reservations: recommended

71 E Wacker Dr. · (312) 346-9870

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks offers a traditional two-course meal in both adult and kids portions prepared by veteran Executive Chef Stephen Hicks.

The appetizer features a choice of Butternut Squash Soup or Walnut Peeled Mixed Green Salad. The entree is a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread dressing, butternut squash, apple casserole and cranberry sauce. For those with enough room, pumpkin pie and the regular selection of desserts are available at the regular prices. A limited steak and seafood menu will also be offered and there are TVs at the bar. “We served about 800 people last year,” says Manager Tomi Matanovic, “so reservations are highly recommended.”

Cost: $25.99 for adults; $9.99 for kids

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Reservations: highly recommended

1 E. Upper Wacker Dr. · (312) 923-7226

Houlihan’s is “really busy on Thanksgiving,” says Manager John Astle. “We do the whole turkey dinner with the pumpkin pie and everything.”

Besides the regular influx of holiday families, the place draws a lot of smaller parties who “don’t want to go to the suburbs” and a mix of professional travelers from nearby hotels.

“You get people from Europe and people traveling and even some flight attendants,” Astle continues. It’s also a popular late-night destination for post-dinner drinks and TV.

Cost: $18.99

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Reservations: recommended

111 E. Upper Wacker Dr. · (312) 616-3663

MingHin Cuisine’s new location at 333 E. Benton Pl. will be open and serving the dim sum that made it famous from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The normal Happy Hour discount will be suspended for the day, but the signature Asian mixed drinks will be served until closing.

Cost: regular menu

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Reservations: recommended

344 E. Benton Pl. · (312) 228-1333

Taco Fresco in the Pedway by the Metra Station will be open and serving, among other favorites, it’s popular steak taco, just like it has for the past seven Thanksgivings. According to Sam the Manager, the easiest way to get there is to take the stairway by the Cultural Center and keep walking straight ahead.

Cost: $2.75 for the steak taco; various prices for the rest of the menu

Hours: 7 a.m until “early afternoon”

Reservations: not required

151 N. Michigan. · (312) 565-1444