It's not too early to make reservations for your Thanksgiving Day dinner if a restaurant is your choice of venues. Here's a list of those that will be open on Nov. 24, serving turkey with all its delicious trimmings.
* Back Inn Cafe, 411 E. Second St. Gather together in the Bluff View Art District for Brunch on the Bluff, enjoying turkey with all the trimmings. And there's more - Dijon-crusted Prime Rib, Asian Chicken Salad, Brioche French Toast, assorted sushis, quiche, fresh fruit, salads and plenty of housemade desserts. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $34.95 per adult, $17.95 for children 12 and under. Reservations: 265-5033, ext. 4.
Anne Braly* Food Works, 205 Manufacturers Road. Food Works will open its doors Thanksgiving morning for a feast. The meal begins with Roasted Corn Chowder, then progresses to salads, deviled eggs and breads before the main coarse of either roasted turkey, prime rib or ham with sweet mustard sauce, each having numerous sides to enjoy with them. Housemade desserts include Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake and, yes, Pumpkin Pie with Fresh Whipped Cream. Hours: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Cost: $32 per adult, $15 for children under 12. Reservations: 752-7487.
* The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The ballroom inside The Chattanoogan will be a gastronomic delight with a huge selection of salads and other selections to get your meal started. Then get ready for Buttermilk Fried Turkey or Bourbon-Cider Brined Ham. Sides include Slow-roasted Root Vegetables, Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Garlic with Mushroom Dressing, Mac and Cheese and Short Ribs with Onion Marmalade. The dessert table will feature all the sweets you've come to expect so if you can't decide, have them all. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $38.95 adults, $18.95 ages 6-12; free for children under 6. Reservations: 424-3700.
* Five, 200 Manufacturers Road. This popular North Shore restaurant continues its tradition of offering a traditional Thanksgiving meal at no charge - just make a donation to the Community Kitchen. Last year, about $3,500 was raised, and this year, they're hoping for the same, if not more. So be generous, but "every penny will be appreciated," says Community Kitchen Executive Director Jens Christensen. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: None. Reservations: Not accepted, but Five asks that, if you are bringing a crowd of eight of more, let them know. 777-4120.
* Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant, 2 West Aquarium Way. The Southern decor in this popular downtown eatery is an excellent setting for a down-home Thanksgiving featuring Smoked Turkey and Ham, Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork, along with sides such as corn pudding, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potato casserole, green beans, Tennessee Caviar Black-Eyed Pea Salad and mashed potatoes. For dessert? Pumpkin and pecan pies along with peach cobbler. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $26.99 adults, $13.49 for kids 12 and under. Reservations: www.puckettsgro.com/chattanooga or 708-8505.
* 212 Market, 212 Market St. The award-winning restaurant will prepare a special Thanksgiving meal with locally raised turkeys and all-natural hams, as well as a host of seasonal traditional sides. The dinner menu will also be available if you want something a little different than a traditional turkey meal. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: Menu prices. Reservations: 265-1212.
* Ruth's Chris, 2321 Lifestyle Way. Known for its steaks more than turkey, Ruth's Chris will nonetheless serve up a four-course Thanksgiving meal with your choice of soup or salad before progressing to the primary reason why you're here: Thanksgiving turkey served with the favorite sides you expect to find here, including the Sweet Potato Casserole and Creamed Spinach. And for dessert, Pumpkin Cheesecake with Vanilla Ice Cream. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: $39.95 adults, $12.95 children. Reservations: 602-5900.
* Beast and Barrel Gastro Smokehouse, 16 Frazier Ave. Thanksgiving will be a beast of a feast, starting with assorted cheeses, sausages, deviled eggs and dips before moving on to salads, soups, sides, carving stations with turkey and prime rib and desserts that include blackberry cobbler, cheesecake and pumpkin pie. Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: $39.95 adults; free for kids 10 and under. Reservations: 805-4599.
Thanksgiving to go
If you want to eat at home but want someone else to do all, or at least some, of the cooking, several area restaurants will depart from their regular menus to help with your Thanksgiving meal. Here are some suggestions:
* Mount Vernon Restaurant, 3535 Broad St. A favorite go-to solution for decades for those needing a little help with the Thanksgiving Day's doings offers brined and roasted whole 12- to 14-pound turkeys with giblet gravy and 4 pounds of made-from-scratch dressing. Cost: $79.95, enough for 10-12 people. Or you can get just the turkey ($54.95) or sides alone ($10-$22.95). Also, 5-pound Bourbon-Ginger Snap Crusted Hams to feed 12-15 people are $49.95. And don't forget to add an Amaretto Cream Pie to your order, or apple, pecan, chocolate, blueberry-cheese or pumpkin pie ($18-$27). Deadline for ordering is Monday, Nov. 21. Call 266-6591 or go online to www.mymtvernon.com.
* Ruth's Chris, 2321 Lifestyle Way, will offer three of its famous sides to go, only in much larger sizes, enough to feed 10-12 people. Sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes will be available at $29.95 each. Call 602-5900 to place your order or order online at http://ruthschris.net/holiday-sides-to-go.
* Embargo '62 (301 Cherokee Blvd.) and Ceniza (9454 Broadmore Lane, Ooltewah). These sister restaurants are putting a twist on Thanksgiving by adding flavors of the Caribbean. Choose from Lechon (traditional mojo-marinated pulled pork served with mojo sauce); Ropa Veija (traditional stewed beef with vegetables); ham glazed with the restaurant's "Old Fashioned" glaze; or Turkey with Spices from the islands. Then choose three sides such as sweet plantains; coconut peas and rice or smashed potatoes. You also get one dessert: flan, Key lime pie, banana pudding or smoked white chocolate and bourbon apple tarts. The feast feeds 4-6 adults for $85. For an extra $30, it will be delivered to your home anywhere in the Chattanooga area. Deadline for orders is Saturday, Nov. 19. Call Ceniza at 760-4198 or Embargo at 551-4786
* Cafe on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Tenn. You make the turkey and let the cafe make the fixings. Sides such as corn pudding, stuffing, mushroom bread pudding, braised Brussels sprouts and Gruyere leek casserole range from $12-$24 and serve 8-10. Desserts include Triple Chocolate Kahlua Cake ($30) and apple, pumpkin and pecan pies ($15-$18). Order by Thursday, Nov. 17. Call 825-5005 or e-mail Ruth.cafeonthecorner@gmail.com.
* Main Street Meats, 217 East Main St. Order whole brined and smoked turkeys ranging from 10 to 24 pounds ($8.50-$12.50 per pound), no later than Friday, Nov. 18. Traditional Thanksgiving sides also will be offered. Call 602-9568.
* The Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Turkeys, ranging from 14 pounds ($80) to a huge 20 pounds - both with dressing and gravy - enough to feed 18-20 people ($110) will be available for pickup through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Spiral ham ($50) and assorted sides ($18-$20) also will be on the take-home menu. To order, call 899-5341.
* Herman's Soul Food, 3821 Brainerd Road. Herman's will be offering turkey and ham with all the sides, including mac and cheese, broccoli casserole, turnip greens, dressing and more, but it will also be offering a "meal deal." Order a half pan of Herman's famous turkey and dressing with your choice of two sides, gravy, rolls and cranberry sauce for $189 (feeds 15-20) or a full pan for $289 (feeds 40-50). And don't forget dessert such as a sweet potato pie ($15) or a red velvet cake ($48). For orders, call 624-5715.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.