5 NOLA restaurants open on Thanksgiving:
1. Mister Mao
Mister Mao, the tropical roadhouse restaurant from Chef/Owner Sophina Uong and husband/partner William “Wildcat” Greenwell, is inviting diners to an unforgettable Thanksgiving celebration sure to tantalize all the senses. On Thursday, November 24, Mister Mao is offering a three-course menu filled with creative, “inauthentic” food. Inventive starter dishes include Satsuma Tuna Crudo, Golden State Bird, Manchurian Cauliflower, Blue Crab Chaat. Enticing entrée meals include vegan-friendly King Trumpet Mushroom – butternut baba ganoush, sunchoke toum, Brussels sprouts; Turkey Tikka Masala – smashed yams, turmeric creamed greens, coffee smothered chickpeas, cranberry-lime pickle, yogurt masala gravy; Berbere Beef Short Rib – Upper Iowa beef, fingerling potato, crushed lentils, Mitmita spiced jus; Korean Deviled Shrimp – gochujang, vampire garlic sprouts, Delta broken rice. Let’s not forget the happy endings – Devil’s Food – pomegranate, miso, chocolate, sesame honeycomb and Naughty Spice – Mexican candied pumpkin, canela cake, pepita, creole cream cheese.
Vegan and gluten free available and special Thanksgiving children’s menu will be on offer. Priced at $65 per person and $25 for kids’ menu (not including tax + gratuity) the ticketed dinner has seating’s available between 11AM-4:45PM. Also available is a small bar menu for walk-ins only along with Thanksgiving-inspired cocktail specials. Tickets must be purchased in advance on RESY.
Where: Mister Mao 4501 Tchoupitoulas
2. Commons Club
This Thanksgiving join Commons Club, the social epicenter of the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, for a memorable dining experience the entire family will enjoy. Guests can delight in Executive Chef Alex Harrell’s three-course prix-fixe menu featuring an array of seasonal selections. Offerings include Local Gulf Fish; Traditional Turkey Dinner; Roasted Acorn Squash; Slow cooked Beef Short Rib and decadent desserts. Holiday-themed libations will also be available. Priced at $69 for adults and $39 for kids 12 and under (plus tax & gratuity), the holiday menu will be available on Thursday, November 24 from 11AM – 8PM. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Where: Located inside Virgin Hotels New Orleans 550 Baronne Street
3. Compère Lapin
The renowned neighborhood restaurant features robust dishes that meld the flavors of Nina Compton’s Caribbean upbringing and love for French and Italian cuisine, while highlighting the Gulf and Louisiana’s beautiful indigenous ingredients. On Thanksgiving, guests can enjoy a family-style feast including Butternut Squash Soup with Brussels sprouts and pepita gremolata; Mojo Roasted Turkey Leg; Jerk Sweet Potatoes; Creamed Collard Greens; Sage Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce. End the meal on a sweet note with Pecan Pie, served with rum caramel and rum raisin ice cream. Served family-style and priced at $85 per person plus tax and gratuity, the holiday menu will be available on Thursday, November 24 from 12PM-4PM.
Where: 535 Tchoupitoulas
4. Jack Rose
On Thursday, November 24 guests are invited to experience a memorable Thanksgiving meal with a range of offerings at Jack Rose, the convivial restaurant in the Garden District. Thoughtfully crafted by Chef/Owner Brian Landry, the three-course prix-fixe menu ($61–$70 depending on main course) will be offered from 11AM – 5PM. First Course options include choice of Fried Oysters; Pork Belly; Lamb Bacon and Pappardelle; Warm Harbison Cheese; and Spiced Root Vegetable Latkes. Second Course offerings include Duck Gumbo; Pumpkin Bisque; Iceberg Wedge; and Kale Caesar. Entrees include Stuffed Roast Turkey with cornbread, butternut squash, greens and cranberry; Grouper Amandine with citrus brown butter, almonds and baby green beans; Spiced Lamb Shank with herbed couscous, root vegetables and apricot; Flounder En Papillote; Short Ribs Bourguignon with sauteed greens, wild mushrooms and caramelized onions; and vegan-friendly Fall Vegetable & Jackfruit Pot Pie. For dessert, guests can indulge in the famed Mile High Pie or opt for the Yummy Yam Bread Pudding; or Coklat.
Where: 2031 St Charles Avenue
5. Tujague’s
Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Crescent City’s second oldest restaurant, Tujague’s, the birthplace of Brunch and the Grasshopper cocktail. Priced at $58 per person (not including tax + gratuity), the festive four-course prix fixe menu will be available on Thursday, November 24 from 11AM to 9PM. Delectable dishes include Oyster Eggplant Soup; Roasted Beet Salad; a choice of Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Leg; Pan Seared Pork Tournedos; Gulf Fish Almandine; Grilled Petite Filet Mignon and Tujague’s Traditional Turkey Dinner- sliced oven roasted Turkey, oyster dressing, mashed potatoes, haricot vert, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. Guests can enjoy a delightful Southern Sweet Potato Bread Pudding for dessert.
Where: 429 Decatur Street
Featured image by Brent Hofacker from Shutterstock.