Turkey time is approaching and if you're anything like us, you waited until the last minute to make a reservation to find that most places are booked. Fortunately, we found the eight stellar spots below, all with availability and all serving up delicious Thanksgiving fare. But book your table now — these openings won't last.
Lucienne at Hotel Alessandra
Executive chef Jose Hernandez (formerly of Radio Milano) at upscale Mediterranean restaurant Lucienne, inside downtown’s Hotel Alessandra, presents a three-course spread with offerings including pumpkin creamy soup, roasted turkey breast with green beans, sweet potato mash, and cranberry cake, stuffed pork loin with duck fat potato confit, mushroom sauce, and roasted vegetables, and pumpkin pie. (11 am-3 pm; $45 per person)
1070 Dallas St.; 713-242-8555
Roka Akor
Roka Akor near Highland Village puts a Japanese spin on Thanksgiving with a special omakase (chef’s choice) menu with a trio of festive dishes starting with robata-grilled pumpkin miso soup with almond oil followed by Japanese-style fried turkey leg with smoked chili aioli. Pecan pie with persimmon pomegranate compote and salted caramel ice cream adds the finishing touch. (2-9 pm; $75 per person)
2929 Weslayan St.; 713-622-1777
Brasserie du Parc
Feast French-style at Brasserie du Parc. The downtown eatery brings a three-course Parisian-inspired menu to the table on turkey day. First course options include butternut squash soup and brie crostini with peppered honey, shaved pear, and arugula. For your entree, selections range from roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, and Cognac gravy to braised beef short ribs with pommes mousseline and vegetables. For dessert, choose from caramelized apple crepe with vanilla Mascarpone, salty caramel, and vanilla ice cream or vanilla pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and bourbon caramel sauce. (12-7:30 pm; $39 per person)
1440 Lamar St.; 832-879-2802
Kiran’s
Load up on Tandoori turkey and other Indian-fusion fare at the Thanksgiving Day buffet at upscale Indian restaurant Kiran’s near Upper Kirby. The deal also features pumpkin waffles with Grand Marnier-infused raspberry syrup, slow-braised leg of lamb, green beans almondine with fried onion rings turnips with coriander, carrot cake with ginger cream cheese icing, and lots more. (Seatings are at 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 3.30 pm; $65 per person, $30 per child under 12)
2925 Richmond Ave.; 713-960-8472
B&B Butchers
Spend the holiday at B&B Butchers on Washington Ave., where they're plating up a three-course meal with decadent options like a mixed green salad with apple, candied pecans, blue cheese, and lemon vinaigrette, roast turkey with cornbread and sausage stuffing and giblet gravy, roasted prime rib au jus with horseradish and Yorkshire pudding, and an apple crisp. Bonus: Each guest receives a turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberry sauce and a side of gravy to take home and save for leftovers. (11 am-8 pm; $55 per adult and $25 per child 12 and under)
1814 Washington, 713-862-1814
Ristorante Cavour at Hotel Granduca
Old-world sophistication meets modern metropolitan at the Tuscan villa-like property in Uptown Park where onsite dining spot, Ristorante Cavour, serves up Italian fare. On Thanksgiving, highlights on the extensive roster of buffet eats include roasted butternut bisque with praline pecans, chilled shrimp cocktail with snow crab legs and claws, herb crusted pork loin with brandy cider jus, pan seared chicken mushroom marsala ragu, and an ice cream and gelato bar. (11 am-3 pm; $65 per adult and $25 per child)
1080 Uptown Park Blvd.; 713-418-1104
The Palm
Classics are the focus of the prix fixe dinner at swank steakhouse The Palm near Tanglewood. Along with turkey and traditional sides like home-style stuffing and whipped potatoes, the lavish three-course meal comes with your choice of a starter: lobster bisque, baby kale salad or roasted butternut squash soup. Save room for cheesecake with raspberry sauce or pumpkin pie with ginger-spiced whipped cream. (11:30 am - 9 pm; $55 per person and $24 for children under 12)
6100 Westheimer Rd.; 713-977-2544
Sud Italia
At cozy coastal Italian restaurant Sud Italia in Rice Village, dig into butternut squash soup and hand-carved turkey breast with gravy, dressing, grilled asparagus, carrots. and candied yams. End your meal with pecan or pumpkin pie.
(11 am-9 pm; $39.50 per adult and $18.25 per child)
2347 University Blvd.; 713-664-7571
If you know of other restaurants that have openings for Thanksgiving dining, let us know in the comments section below.
Executive chef Jose Hernandez presents a three-course spread at Lucienne at Hotel Alessandra.
