Last-minute Thanksgiving eats in Dallas

by Teresa Gubbins

Thanksgiving came early this year, falling on November 22. Snuck up on us. All of a sudden, it's turkey time.

A dedicated cook can still find a turkey, since most supermarkets are open on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. But that means cooking it, and the side dishes, and and and...

For those who'd rather buy it cooked than cook it themselves, below is a list of restaurants offering holiday grub. Regular restaurants come first, followed by hotel restaurants, and they range from a bargain $12.99 turkey dinner at Metro Grill all the way up to a $120 chef's tasting at the Mansion.

Of course, be sure to call first, as most places require reservations and some have only a few open slots remaining.

REGULAR RESTAURANTS

Arthur's three-course meal from menu at this classy old-school spot. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $29.95 adult, $12.95 for child. 972-385-0800.

Avanti Euro Bistro four-course meal at casual restaurant in Addison Circle. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lentil-mushroom soup, salad, turkey with side dishes, dessert. $29.95 adult, $14.95 child. 972-386-7800.

Avanti Ristorante three-course meal at venerable Uptown haunt. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Salad, turkey, side dishes, dessert. $29.95. 214-871-4955.

Canary Cafe three-course meal from chef-owner Mansour Gorji. 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Turkey or pork chops, pomegranate citrus sauce, pistachio fig dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetables. $25 adult, $14 child. 972-503-7080.

Ferre three-course brunch with a Tuscan theme, or order from menu. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. $34.95 adult, $13.95 child.

Humperdink's turkey dinner. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean amandine, choice of pecan or pumpkin pie. $16.99 adult, $7.99 child.

Lawry's the Prime Rib will unfurl its usual table-side attentiveness. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Turkey with sides and pumpkin pie, $25; turkey with prime rib, $30. (Almost sold out.)

Maguire's three-course menu at this likeable neighborhood haunt. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Traditional turkey dinner. $36 adult, $16 child. 972-818-0068.

Mercury Grill will do swanky, well-stocked brunch buffet. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, prime rib, creamed corn, waffles, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, pies, rice pudding. $49 adult, $25 child. 972-960-7774.

Metro Grill wins prize for most affordable traditional turkey dinner. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Turkey with dressing, green beans, mashed sweet potatoes. $12.99. 214-261-6000.

Olenjack's Grille brunch buffet out in Arlington. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Roasted turkey, cranberry and green apple chutney, white cheddar grits. $25 adult, $9.95 child. 214-226-2600.

St. Martin's Wine Bistro three-course menu in elegant, romantic setting. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $29.95 adult, $15 child. 214-826-0940.

Steve Field's Steak and Lobster Lounge, Plano steakhouse. 12-8 p.m. Turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberries, roll; pumpkin pie is extra. 972-596-7100.

III Forks four-course meal, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Choice of turkey with potatoes, gravy, dressing, and cranberry sauce or chateaubriand, creamed corn, and potatoes; with tomato basil soup, salad, sugar snap peas, dessert, coffee or tea. $39.95. 972-267-1776.

THE HOTELS

Craft Dallas three-course meal, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Choice of entree from free-range turkey, prime rib, Divers scallops. Plus five side dishes and desserts: pear compote, pecan pie, chocolate pudding, ice cream, sorbet. $85 adult, $40 child. 214-397-4111.

Dragonfly four-course meal, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Appetizers such as chicken-fried sweetbreads and choice of entrees from roast turkey, pork tenderloin, or Nova Scotia halibut. $70. 214-550-9500.

Fearing's three-course prix fixe menu at lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Tangerine-glazed turkey with tortilla dressing, grilled coriander lamb chops with Texas white-bean cassoulet, bone-in tenderloin of beef with smashed sweet potatoes, and pan-roasted John Dory with griddled asparagus and lobster fondue. $95 adult, $45 child 12-and-under. 214-922-4848.

Nana brunch, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Seared big-eye tuna, cold soba with honey and hazelnuts, and carrot-ginger soup along with lobster and chervil. $70 adult, $35 child. 214-761-7470.

Opio at Hilton Park Cities champagne buffet brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $39.95 adult, $20 for child 6-12, free for kids under 6. 214-368-0400.

Richardson Hotel champagne buffet brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $36.95 adult, $34.95 senior, $18.95 child 6-12, and free for child under 6. 972-231-9600.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Three-course prix-fixe menu in main dining room. Roasted terrine of white and dark meat Maverick Creek Ranch free-range turkey with cornbread and fines herbes stuffing, chestnut soufflé with nutmeg crème anglaise. $75 adult, $40 child. Six-course tasting menu in Chef’s Room focused on regional and seasonal ingredients. $120 per person. 214 443 4747.

The Warwick Melrose Hotel champagne brunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Rosemary-rubbed leg of lamb, turkey with gravy, cherry-apricot-stuffed pork loin with roasted pumpkin, and pan-seared salmon with duck confit-cranberry wild rice, plus carving, omelet, waffle, seafood, dessert, and children's stations. $52 adult, $24 child. 214-224-3152.